Day One Hundred and Eighteen – Saturday 11^th July –

Woke up super late this morning because I was up super late last night playing Dead Island on the Xbox with my friend. So, I’d pretty much just finished breakfast when I was offered a lunchtime sarnie. I managed to paint two watercolour cards before my sister and her partner came over.

The afternoon was SUPER FUN! We all tried fluid art and it was so calming and creative and I made some amazing pieces that I think I’ll be able to sell on my Etsy shop. I really enjoyed the loose creativity that came from the activity and the fact that all colours made such great combos. It will definitely be something that I’ll try again. I’ve always wanted to try the fluid art technique but never thought I’d be able to get it right, but I learned today that there is no right way to do fluid art and that anything can work.

Dad made burgers tonight, that I’ve now renamed as ‘Dad’s Secret Seasoned Burgers’, and I LOVE them. They’re mushroom burgers with stilton and they’re just an explosion of flavours.

My wonderful sister even phoned the estate agent of the flat I’d like to see because they didn’t respond to my email and has got me a viewing of the flat. She’s even coming along for the ride, which is super cool.

Day One Hundred and Nineteen – Sunday 12^th July –

I had a better sleep last night. I woke up with a migraine but that is to be expected as I had a such an intense iron attack yesterday. It really through me for a loop because I wasn’t expecting to have such a large attack. The last time I had such a large attack was in February, so I guess that I was almost ‘due’ another big attack.

Today was a Mother/Daughter day and I felt like it was long overdue. I love spending time with my Mum and doing things together that make us laugh and bring us joy. We started with watching Frozen 2 because my Mum has never seen it before – full disclosure, I’ve now watched it 8 times!! Mum enjoyed it but said she didn’t think the songs were not as memorable. I gave her a look. I can remember more songs from Frozen 2 than Frozen but that’s just me.

After that, I got Mum into playing Lego Indiana Jone 2 on the Xbox. It is so funny to play Lego games with my Mum, she’s hilarious. I love the way she goes from doing so great to giving up completely. And just the way she plays is just so amusing. She’s actually getting better the longer she plays and I’m really proud of her.

Mum lasted 2 levels before she’d had enough, and I switched to playing Sims4. I legitimately went downstairs to get a drink and when I’d come back upstairs, my male vampire sim had been abducted by aliens again and was now pregnant. Seriously, you can never leave a sim alone!!

I played for a little bit, but my migraine got so intense I ended up having to sleep for a good 2.5 hours. I mean, I really could have slept through till morning, but I decided my body needed food and it was my turn to cook anyway. I made 3 cheese pasta with parmesan, gruyere, and cambonzola cheese. It was SO yummy. I played the sims again after, mostly just because I needed to distract myself from the pain in my head, and I wanted to stay up to be able to take another 2 paracetamols before I went to bed. I stayed until my male vampire sim gave birth to twin alien boys – Clay Griffin and Santos Griffin.

No COVID-19 news watching this weekend. Nice and simple and kept myself happy and positive.

Day One Hundred and Twenty – Monday 13^th July –

So, not going to lie, today is rough. Last night I went to bed at 10:45pm, but I was overtired and suffering from a really intense migraine which was a result of the heat, the high pollen count, and the large iron attack I’d had on Saturday. When it came time to trying to sleep, I ended up lying awake and with chaotic thoughts until gone 2am this morning.

Thus, upon waking, I am super grumpy, my migraine is pulsing, I’m tired, and my eyes are itchy with hay fever. Not a good start to the week!

The internet wouldn’t work this morning, I assumed my Dad was video chatting Canada or somewhere, but I managed to get connected just after 10am and was able to get on with my daily work. I worry sometimes that colleagues don’t think I’m working as I should or that I’m treating my wfh time like a holiday. I try to make sure I do as much work as I am capable of doing each day and email my boss when any tasks are completed. I still worry about it though.

At lunchtime, which was pasta with cheese and cherry tomatoes, I had to request emergency chocolate from my Mum – to help the migraine. She gave me 3 mini bags of chocolate buttons – yummy! – she is in charge of the secret hidden chocolate supply, because otherwise I’d just eat it all!!

I have to go and see the nurse practitioner at my doctors this afternoon, as the antibiotics I was on didn’t completely get rid of the lump and it needs to be analysed before it is decided if I need more antibiotics. That will be fun, I haven’t been inside the surgery since lockdown began in March!

I’ve started reading my first non-fiction book. I say first because I’m not counting any non-fiction books I might have read in school or university. This book is about Cleopatra, whom I am very interested in. I’m taking it slow to make sure I am able to process and understand everything. I have read 3 chapters this evening and so far, I am enjoying it.

Day One Hundred and Twenty-One – Tuesday 14^th July –

Today was full of disappointment. It actually started off really great and I was due to view a flat property later in the afternoon. However, just an hour before I was set to leave the Estate Agents called me up and told me I could no longer view the flat because the seller had decided not to sell.

This news really affected me. I know moving to a new house can be full of disappointment and offers that fall through, but I was more upset with the fact that I didn’t even get to decide if I liked the flat or not because that chance was taken away from me.

I hope that makes sense. I did have a little panic attack over it but that was mostly caused by the suddenness of it rather than anything else. I’ll be over it by tomorrow, but I am content to allow my sadness to run its course at present.

I ended up having a quiet evening. I did some flat searching with my Mum and ended up emailing an Estate Agent about the possibility of viewing two properties, so I am eager to hear back from them.

Day One Hundred and Twenty-Two – Wednesday 15^th July –

Today was sort of a busy/relaxed day. A LOT of emails were on the cards for me today. I don’t mind so much about that, but it was a little irritating to be waiting for responses that took HOURS to come.

Some books came today:

Lockdown by Peter May

The Wild Way Home by Sophie Kirtley

I’ve already started to read a little of Lockdown, it’s surreal reading it with all that is currently going on.

My news feed on Youtube has been filled with the drowning of Glee star Naya Riviera, UK job warnings, travel bans lifted and the need for masks in public. I watched 1 video of each, I was informed but I didn’t find it a pleasant experience. News has the ability to bring you down, but it rarely has the ability to lift you up. People keep asking me for my opinion on COVID-19, the second wave, and my thoughts of staying at home. I’ve kind of stopped giving responses, I’ve learnt that what people really want me to say is give scientific responses and give ‘knowledge’ about my Dad’s work.

The antibiotics I am on are now making me less sick and dizzy but that awful taste in my mouth still lingers. I’m halfway through the course of them now and I can finally say that they’re actually working! So, that is a massive relief.

I got a call from Chappins today, confirming that I could view two flat properties with them on Saturday. This is both exciting and nerve-wracking, but I am excited to view my first possible properties.

I was going to read this evening, but I ended up playing the Sims on my Xbox until Xbox decided to glitch and close the game. Then I started playing State of Decay 2, which I recently downloaded. I never thought it was a game I’d like because it has Zombies, but since playing Dead Island, I decided to give this a go and I’m actually enjoying it. Of course, it is another game based on achievements, so it’s right up my street.

Day One Hundred and Twenty-Three – Thursday 16^th July –

This morning it was so hard to get up and start work. I had a pulsing headache from the air pressure and my eyes were so itchy with hay fever that I just wanted to go back to bed. I compromised. I brought my laptop and phone into my bedroom and worked from my bedroom for the morning.

I did have a snuggle bunny while I was working, Luca was particularly clingy this morning, but I didn’t mind because it means I get to stroke him lots. I got a notification today from Waterstones about a dispatch of a book. Honestly, I’d completely forgotten I’d ordered this book and I actually thought it was a mistake till I checked my order.

Was in the office this afternoon and because I wasn’t in on Tuesday, there was a lot more post to sort and scan. Turns out I can’t use the scanner yet. The new printer decided to play up and wouldn’t let me do anything I needed. I had to call IT, but the problem probably won’t be fixed until next week.

I’ve been asked by three delivery drivers today when my office will return to normal working days. A lot of people I work with are getting frustrated with working from home and wish to return to the office and normal working hours. I seem to be the only one who is content to be at home and the only one who is more concerned with safety rather than social interaction. People seem to be speculating if a second wave will happen. I’ve heard a lot of people say that it’s all hearsay and that the second wave won’t come.

IT WILL. It’s not a question of IF but WHEN. COVID-19 will continue to effect lives until a vaccine is made.

I gave ‘Hamilton’ another chance today. When I first watched it, I got really bored by how long-winded it was and the style of music isn’t my favourite. However, I’ve been listening to the music since, and ended up giving it another go today. I enjoyed it more the second time around and appreciated the music more.

Yesterday I started playing State of Decay 2 on my Xbox, so I’ll probably be playing that this evening. I might try to work more of Peter May’s ‘Lockdown’ as well.

Day One Hundred and Twenty-Four – Friday 17^th July –

This morning it was so hard to get up and start work. I had a pulsing headache from the air pressure and my eyes were so itchy with hay fever that I just wanted to go back to bed. I compromised. I brought my laptop and phone into my bedroom and worked from my bedroom for the morning.

I did have a snuggle bunny while I was working, Luca was particularly clingy this morning, but I didn’t mind because it means I get to stroke him lots. I got a notification today from Waterstones about a dispatch of a book. Honestly, I’d completely forgotten I’d ordered this book and I actually thought it was a mistake till I checked my order.

Was in the office this afternoon and because I wasn’t in on Tuesday, there was a lot more post to sort and scan. Turns out I can’t use the scanner yet. The new printer decided to play up and wouldn’t let me do anything I needed. I had to call IT, but the problem probably won’t be fixed until next week.

I’ve been asked by three delivery drivers today when my office will return to normal working days. A lot of people I work with are getting frustrated with working from home and wish to return to the office and normal working hours. I seem to be the only one who is content to be at home and the only one who is more concerned with safety rather than social interaction. People seem to be speculating if a second wave will happen. I’ve heard a lot of people say that it’s all hearsay and that the second wave won’t come.

IT WILL. It’s not a question of IF but WHEN. COVID-19 will continue to effect lives until a vaccine is made.

I gave ‘Hamilton’ another chance today. When I first watched it, I got really bored by how long-winded it was and the style of music isn’t my favourite. However, I’ve been listening to the music since, and ended up giving it another go today. I enjoyed it more the second time around and appreciated the music more.

Yesterday I started playing State of Decay 2 on my Xbox, so I’ll probably be playing that this evening. I might try to work more of Peter May’s ‘Lockdown’ as well.