Chai And A Chat #78 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 2

06 Apr 2020 61 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: , , , , , ,

Another week passes by… is it just me or did it seem to go on for about five months? Anyway, enough pondering… let me tell you about my week!

  • Monday was my first full day in school with the keyworker children. It’s strange, a different sort of latchkey kids, you know. These children who have nowhere else to go, because their parents are at work… Sorry, I digress… So we had 8 children in, and I had a few things planned for them. We started off with some Easter crafts, then went on to do a bit of PE, following the live PE lessons by Britain’s PE teacher, Joe Wicks. Always a good workout, but I feel it for days after! Then we came back, and I told the kids we were going to do some writing. There were moans, but, hey, writing can be fun, can’t it? And who better to teach them that, than a writer? Well, I had a chat with them about all the people they weren’t able to see at the moment, and we all wrote letters, together to someone they were missing at the moment. It was a touching moment when even the least likely to put pen to paper child, by choice, wrote a page long letter to his great gran who had been admitted to hospital two days previously. Then we had a short story time, where I read Fantastic Mr Fox to them. After that, they had lunch, and then we concentrated on some structured art, with me teaching them to draw three different types of flowers, with they then collaged in rainbow colours, so they could take them home to put up in their windows. A short film time at the end then they went home. Or the last four went home, as others had been picked up as the day progressed. My day at school was finished, and I went home, tired. Jumped in the shower, and got fresh, ready for my own family. Until the Easter break is over, that is my lot for school ❤ Thank goodness. I can devote time to my own family, and observe the social distancing properly.
  • On Tuesday, it was time to get ready for food shopping. I have been very strict with the family, and made them aware that we will be eating whatever we have at home, and I will only go out once a week, or even less, if possible. But today, we needed fresh fruit and veg, and bread. i jumped up out of bed early, knowing there would be queues, and there were, but sensible, socially distanced queues, that went down pretty quickly. Everything I needed was in stock, and it was a genuine pleasure to see most stock actually available!
  • I tried my hand at making chickpea curry today too, after a long time, and thankfully it wend down a treat! Lil Man even asked for seconds! I count that as a compilment!
  • The rest of the day was pretty smooth sailing. Kids worked hard at their school work, and Hubby was busy in his makeshift office. I even got another module completed on the writing course!
  • On Wednesday, I had a live webinar to attend for school. I sat there, all ready, and we started… but the whole thing messed up so that went out of the window. Oh, well, back to it tomorrow, apparently! The kids officially finished school at lunchtime, so that was it, they were not interested in doing anything after that! It’s been fun, though. Every evening, I have been taking one, or both of them to the Gurdwara playing field which is a short walk from our house, to get some exercise. Not many others are using the place, so it is perfect for social distancing. I have managed to work up to walking a good 7 laps of the track while we are there.
  • Thurdsay saw a lazy bunch of kids who didn’t eve surface unitl 12pm! But that suited me as I had to attend the webinar again! Once that was done, and all were fed and watered, I took part in a live writing sprint with Sacha Black, in her Facebook group, Rebel Authors. It was quite productive, as even though I didn’t write, I got a lot of planning done for book two’s structure, as I have started writing it, but I am floundering at the moment. Every little helps! Talking of Sacha’s group, we even had a Google Hangouts meet on Wednesday evening, where we just chatted together, with the videos on. It was like being at a local pub with your mates! Such fun! We talked productivity, as well as how we are getting through this crazy period. It’s going to be a regular thing, as far as I know, so I look forward to the next one.
  • Friday was a pretty quiet day too. I read lots. The kids woke late again. But before I started my reading, I cleaned the house from top to bottom, bleaching everything I could. All the bedsheets were changed and the house properly aired. I felt I had accomplished something!
  • On Saturday, Hubby started tidying the garden up. It was meant to be a glorious weekend, and what better way to spend it, than in the garden, epecially as we aren’t meant to be going out? And I also discovered TikTok! I apologise in advance, but you may end up seeing silly videos of me if I decide to post them on here! If you follow my Insta, you might have already seen a couple on my stories! My nerves were all over the show, because I knew I had my radio interview. I busied myself with cooking, laundry and reading, then as the dreaded hour approached, I had to keep stopping myself from be ing convinced that the next call would be to tell me that it had been cancelled again… But it wasn’t! In fact the fifteen minutes sped by and I had a lovely but rather fast chat with Harriet Minter about the book, as well as being a teacher in this time. So, is that it? My fifteen minutes of fame? Who knows!
  • Sunday was another beautiful day. They all got up late AGAIN! But I was good. I don’t stay in bed unnecessarily, and I have even been doing a 15 minute workout video on YouTube every day, to make sure I don’t get too lazy during this time, as well as that daily walk. So, workout done, I had a cuppa, and then woke the masses up. We breakfasted (brunched) and then off to the garden for more business!
  • Hubby Dearest started trimming the hedge, until he trimmed right through the wire… well, that was the end of that… until I found a pair of shears and managed to finish the end off. I even ended up hanging out of the bedroom window to do part of it, as the hedge is huge and keeps banging on the window in the wind! Then we went to jetwash the patio, but about a quarter of the way in, the hose snapped so that was the end of that… until I grabbed the broom and physically scrubbed the patio! It’s not sparkling, as it would have been, but it’s cleaner! The rest of the day was spent lazing about outside, on the lounger, as the kids played water fights. We had the music on, and enjoyed a real family afternoon/early evening, which finished with video call to the rest of the family, and a film together!

It wasn’t as bad a week as I thought it was going to be!

  • We listened to the Queen give her speech to the nation in the evening too. She is a wonderful lady, give her her dues. And as I pack up for this week, we just found out that Boris Johnson, the PM, has been taken into hospital as the symptoms he has been experiencing, with COVID-19 have not subsided in ten days. Wish him well, this illness is awful, and has touched everyone. I lost an aunt this week to it, and another of my aunts has been in hospital for a week, so far, battling it. She was actually taken in with Pneumonia, and a first swab test came back negative. But the results took four days. In that time, it is likely she picked it up and a scan of her lungs showed that she did indeed have the virus. Thoughts and prayers for them.

Let’s see what this week holds, as the kids are on holiday, Hubby Dearest is still working for four days, and I really want to try and get writing for a couple of hours a day!

Sacha has a couple of live writing sprints planned again, including an evening, bring a drink one, which should be ‘interesting’, and another Google Hangouts meet up has also been scheduled.

The weather is meant to be good too, so hopefully that means more outside time for the kids as well, as us.

The strrangeness of this new normal is so surreal…

How has your week been? Any signs of settling into this new life?

61 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Diary of a Dublin housewife
    Apr 09, 2020 @ 02:18:12

    Thank god for the nice weather and the opportunity to go outside to another space. The house would drive you mad altogether 🙄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. H. R Phoenix (Midnightlion!)
    Apr 07, 2020 @ 10:03:25

    What an amazing week you had Ritu, I love the pics and that chickpea curry does look good…. 😋.
    My week was pretty okay, I relaxed in the garden a lot with an ice cream or lolly and good thick book…..
    Did some baking, made nice fudgy brownies, little doughnuts with melted chocolate and cake with custard.

    I’ve been shopping a lot and was able to find some juice and crisps and a few courgettes…. Better than nothing though!

    Thanks for sharing your week with us Ritu, stay safe ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Apr 07, 2020 @ 10:31:26

      Bless you Elena! I am going to be attempting Shahi Paneer today, something my mum makes, but with no hand on my shoulder to guide! EEEK!!! But I have her at the end of a phone if I need guidance, so thank goodness!
      Stay safe! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. robbiesinspiration
    Apr 07, 2020 @ 05:36:36

    I am so sorry about your aunt, Ritu. That is awful and now you have another in hospital. So sad and scary. We heard yesterday that my mother’s brother and niece in the UK are both in hospital with this too. I felt overwhelmed and my eyes keep filling with tears when I think of it. My weeks are normal but not normal. I like working at home but I feel as if the world has stopped and its just me and my family plugging away at work and schoolwork. None of my friends are working which makes it more weird.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Apr 07, 2020 @ 08:11:31

      It is so strange, and the are going to be a lot of unfair goodbyes at the end of all this. At least we should appreciate each other more, and not hesitate before contacting others xx

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      Reply

  4. Rebecca Moon Ruark
    Apr 07, 2020 @ 03:16:07

    Such a busy time–even if you don’t have to be at school, I bet you’ll still be plenty busy! I do think having the boys home more has been a good occasion to get them to be more self sufficient. They’re putting in their own toast, pouring their own cereal–not hard things but things that I usually do for them. But, at 10, it’s time they start being more responsible. They’ve also been helping my husband out in the garden. They found a rabbit’s nest in the yard, then one died, and so this evening they buried him. Always something to learn, even if they haven’t been doing all the Google Classroom lessons they’re meant to. It’s too nice outside to stay cooped up. I do thank God we have a yard. It’d be so tough right now without one, don’t you think?

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Ritu
      Apr 07, 2020 @ 08:10:07

      We should use this opportunity for life lessons, as much as academia to be honest!
      I’m truly glad for our garden, especially as the weather is getting so much warmer here 💜🙏🏽

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. Lisa A.
    Apr 07, 2020 @ 00:44:14

    So sorry for your loss, Ritu! I saw the Queen speak and heard about your PM. Good job on your interview! I started reading your book and I’m enjoying it. It came at just the right time! Stay safe ❤ I’m catching up on reading blogs after months! Lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. John W. Howell
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 20:15:14

    It sounds like a nice week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 19:29:27

    Congratulations, Sis! You are managing this crisis, like born for this. The story about the hedge trimming is lovely. This is, why we here have no hedges, only a small stone wall. Until now i denied too trimming the trees, we have. Lol
    For the next trimming session you should rent or buy some goats. They will do it, for fun.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. johnrieber
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 18:26:48

    You will look back at these forbears and remember what a surreal “new normal” you have lived, where the phrases “flattening the curve” and “sheltering in place” will be with us forever…you are juggling so many things, thanks for sharing them all with us!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. scr4pl80
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 18:09:30

    Thanks for the update. Interesting to see how other countries are dealing with this. Fortunately we live in a state that has an intelligent governor and he took steps before the idiot in chief admitted there was even a problem. Stay safe out there!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. dearanonymousfriend
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 14:56:33

    Interesting week you have had. I am glad you are home with your family and sheltering. I have written my blog more consistently. Have done some research on my book and have thought of writing you about it. Thanks for your words, your encouragement and just being you. Cathi

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  11. pranabaxom
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 14:44:44

    What a productive week during quarantine.
    You are lucky to have your mother-in-law cook for you. No wonder your belly dances😀.
    Sad to hear about your aunt. Hope your aunt in hospital recovers soon.
    Stay safe and take care.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. Erika
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 14:34:11

    What an exciting week, sis, and congratulations on your interview. Definitely 15 important minutes for you. You have come a long way and this is only the beginning 🥳

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Jennie
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 12:44:53

    You had a busy week, and a good week. I look forward to getting outside and working in the yard, too. The news here showed the Queen’s speech. Lovely! So sad that Boris is now in the hospital.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Living Love Letter™
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 08:31:52

    I have many friends who are educators here in Southern California and they miss their kids dearly. I admire the dedication to continue educating through technology. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to your students! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Ava Tripathy
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 08:26:42

    Stay Safe Ma’m 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. willowdot21
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 08:23:53

    Well you have been busy Sis , we have all been busy and finding different was to cope. The Google hangouts with Sacha and co sound like great fun as do the writing sprints. I find I am as busy as ever . Our children are all left home but it’s just as hard hoping they are okay at the end of a phone or video call. But we will get through all this. Keep it up Hun stay well and happy.💜💜🌈🌈🌈

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. potatosandwich
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 07:43:06

    And just like that a few more weeks shall pass uncontested and we won’t feel it.
    Bad news on Tik Tok, it is super annoying. But do watch the recent video from US security Senate. Tik Tok is an app that not only collects large amounts of personal data but also then sends it to China as Tik Tok are contractually bound to do so. 😯

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. simplywendi
    Apr 06, 2020 @ 05:06:20

    sounds like a busy week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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