Apparently it has been a while

Just realised my last post was called 'it’s almost December'. So actually now anyone who used to read has wandered off anyway, and i am just writing for myself. But that’s ok, as it’s really a badly kept diary anyway.

So our new reality. Apparently the threat of death, as a 'vulnerable' person, hanging over me is not as bad as normal busy, busy, life. Since we have been sent home to self-isolate, and in my case literally banned form the building, my blood pressure has returned to the normal range for the first time in years. Its only day 6 but I am loving being at home to work. 

More time has passed!

Now been in doors for 3.5 weeks. My employer was quick off the mark and we were sent home with laptops etc. about a week before lockdown came in. As a vulnerable person (I don’t feel vulnerable, it’s just my diabetes) I am here for 12 weeks minimum, even if lockdown ends before that. So in some ways that maybe makes it easier. I don’t know. So Fahed was already at home. In fact he should have gone back to work this week following his operation last November. He claims to be happier having everyone home than he was for those first 3.5 months but I noticed his fuse is a little short right now. Jamal was sent home a week after me and then furloughed a week after that. However they still have a keeping in touch conference call every morning, which takes up most of the morning but which adds structure to the day. I suspect structure is what keeps us doing ok. Oh and Jamal’s girlfriend has also moved in for the duration of lockdown. 

So we have a structure!

The three of us that are working from home have coffee together first thing, then log on for work in three different rooms. That works fine unless all have conference calls together as the broadband can’t quite cope with that! So we do our four hours morning work. Then all those who can walk (same three) go for our daily exercise walk. Another four hours of work. Then, dinner all together. Then Fahed watches TV or does something. I go to check on my dad, 92 and still refusing to come and live with us. He likes the serenity of his own house and likes gardening. The kids do some gaming or watch a movie.

Thursday night at 8pm then we are out on the front step or hanging out of the windows clapping for the carers.

Weekends, we replace the daily exercise walk with an allotment visit. Have to say the allotment has never looked better with so much attention.

We are very much trying to look on the bright side obviously. On the whole its working. We will never get this much time together again. And for Fahed and I then maybe its practice for retiring in a few years.

But I miss my older son very, very much. We have a Sunday facetime session with him, his partner and the boys. I am pleased to say they are loving it too and the boys are enjoying Becky home schooling with them. They agree the only downside, as long as we don’t look at the bigger picture, is that we don’t see each other. I miss my sister and her family as well. And when we have conference with my team I realise how much I miss them.

I watch the government press briefings every day at 5 but stop before the journalist start asking their inane questions.

The main way we are managing, I think, is to just focus on here and now, not the big picture or the future. That seems to be what works for us.

If anyone is reading this then I hope you days are manageable. Stay in doors and keep safe as best you can.