Time to find out if I was Happy every day week 14-18!
I want to start by saying that I have without a doubt been happy every day this last month. I know it might be controversial, but I have actually loved this lockdown.
It has given us some much needed time to slow down and refocus. That’s not to say that I am not missing everyone, missing the routine of work and desperate to hug everyone I know. But simply that there are a lot Silver linings to this lockdown and it is important to focus on that.
Week 14
During the first week of April we got productive. Very productive and it felt great and gave us plenty of oppourtunities to be happy.
First on our hit list was the garden. Last summer the garden was out of bounds. The scaffolding was up and the whole garden was used by the builders. It was not safe for children to be running around in.
This meant we had a year’s worth of jobs to do though. The sun was shining and we were ready. I foolishly forgot to take before pictures. And surely if there are no pictures it didn’t really happen right?
Well let me tell you it did! We cut grass, chopped back bushes, swept up, got rid of bags of rubbish and jet washed the patios. Finally we have a garden we can utilise. It feels great. The picture below shows part of the garden. You couldn’t see the path before and the tree was almost touching the ground.
Once we cleared the garden, it seemed like the perfect time to cut the boys hair. It took some convincing but he ended up raising £280 for Myton Hospice. I think he has just about forgiven me.
A hairdresser I am NOT!
Next up was our current bedroom. F will be moving in here when we go up in to the attic. He chose the paint and made a huge mistake! Luckily for him we had an alternative and after a busy 24 hours of painting, his new room is just waiting on a carpet and new furniture. That’s all on hold now obviously but it is nice to know it is as ready as can be.
Week 15
Week 15 bought us Chocolate! I mean Easter! We had a lovely weekend with the children. The sun was out, we managed our daily walks, a pretty epic egg hunt involving code-breaking and lots of Disney+ time. Couldn’t be better really could it?
Well yes! With our best friend celebrating his 40th on the same day his son turned 3, we had to go and show some love from a socially acceptable distance of course. It was rather emotional. Being so closed to loved ones and not being able to give them a hug is like some form of torture! But I would not have missed it for the world.
Code breaking Finding the loot Best Buddies CHOCOLATE Happy birthday
Week 16
Week 16 and working from home game is strong! Finally getting the hang of balancing work and being at home all day. It’s odd but I am loving it.
This week was a little different though as we had all 3 children here for their Easter break. I won’t lie, I was a bit scared at the prospect of working and keeping them occupied but we had THE best week.
So many wonderful walks, watching E’s confidence grow on the scooter and seeing them all bond is heart warming. It was a week of full on happiness, so much so I didn’t want it to end!
Here are just a few highlights.
Make up time Playing together New places to explore Thank you NHS
Week 17
Last week, despite being at home, it still had the feel of building up to my Easter break. Lots of work to do before I broke up on Friday. I was certainly grateful for our daily walk to keep me sane.
The weekend rocked round again soon enough and with it, a new swing set for the garden. Collected from a friend now his children are too old for it, we were excited to see what the kids made of it.
Well I think given the fact that I was only called on for food would mean it was a hit! We barely saw them all weekend. We did manage to fit in some tadpole hunting and pretty picture taking too.
Happy Children Tadpole hunting A gorgeous picture just because
Week 18
Finally I am on my delayed Easter break and I am finally doing all those things that everyone else on social media appeared to be doing.
I have got up later, meal prepped, made a huge list of jobs I want to work through, turned a redundant laundry room in to a pantry, cleared out under the stairs, I am up to date on washing and I am enjoying some much needed downtime.
It feels wonderful to be doing things that I have wanted to do for a few years really and I am looking forward to getting more jobs ticked off.
Before After… Before After
Just like that another month is done, probably the oddest April we have ever had. It will certainly be one to remember.
I am just going to work really hard at remembering all the good bits, there is plenty of them.
Let’s hope May offers us some more certainty, a lot more sunshine and some positive news. Stay home and stay safe everyone.
Have you been able to find happiness even during lockdown? I’d love to hear your highlights.
Your garden and under the stairs look great. It feels so good to be productive with so much extra time at home. Glad you are able to see the upsides to sheltering in place.
It feels wonderful being productive, but I wish I was HALF as productive as you lately!! You have a lovely family, and I loved your pictures! Thank you for sharing!
I love the new paint in the bedroom! It’s a gorgeous colour.
Congrats on raising so much money! You guys are awesome!
Keep staying safe! x
One positive for the lockdown is that it has given us all time to tackle those jobs we keep putting off or never have time for. You have been doing a great job x
I love the pictures! It looks like you had lots of fun!! I cut my boyfriend’s hair just two weeks ago and oh my I can totally relate – I am definitely not a hairdresser! He has convinced himself he now looks like a plucked chicken!! Oh well, it was free 🙂
Casey Anne
Wow you’ve achieved so much in the last few weeks! I agree, being able to get our garden tidied so early in lockdown was a blessing – now it’s just a case of keeping on top of it!
Unfortunately so many of the projects we want to get done in the house involves buying things that currently we just can’t get our hands on, so it’s becoming difficult to find things to do to fill the day. I look forward to seeing what the next few weeks bring you!
Such a great idea this. I agree with you, there are positives to everyone getting to slow down and get lots of family time, especially if everyone is staying fit and well.
I’m having a love/hate relationship with our current situation. There have been many ups and downs. I am loving (most of) the family time and thankful for our health and home. It’s almost time for my son to get his haircut, we will see how that goes! 😂
It sounds like you’ve had a great month. I’m loving lockdown too
Well done to your son for raising money by having his hair cut! What an amazing thing to do and whole lot of happy going on.
we have been working on our garden too – planting some shrubs too. My mental health is much better if I can get out in the garden. Well done to your son raising so much money too.
Looks like you and your family has had a wonderful few weeks during lockdown. I especially love the NHS thank you rainbow drawings your kids did.
Aww this was such a nice post! I love the picture with the dandelions 🙂
You’ve been very busy. I’m loving the colour you’ve used in the bedroom – what shade is this?
Loved reading this Claire, it sounds like you’ve had some lovely moments and are doing really well with finding the positives from lockdown! I love that you’ve been so productive and got so much done but also found plenty of gorgeous family time. Well done for raising money for the hospice too! xxx
We have been decluttering the house, although things have stalled as the local tip is closed. I have just ordered some clippers to do the boys hair, I am not looking forward to it
Wow, that’s a lovely month of memories to treasure, Claire. Congrats on raising so much money for the hospice as well as turning your garden into a space you can all enjoy. And those are some gorgeous photos too, the one of your daughter and the dandelion clock is just perfect. Like you, I am loving lockdown (odd as that sounds) and in many ways I’m dreading whatever the new normal is going to be, although I know Flora really misses school and her friends so fingers crossed that will pan out in the not too distant future. Stay safe! Lisa xx
Oh wow looks like you have been really productive and super busy. It is nice to see how well you are doing. We need to get on with some housework now lol x
It’s so lovely to hear how happy and positive you have managed to stay I think that’s so great! It certainly sounds like you have been super productive with your time and my kids are loving the extra family time too!
Heres to another month and whatever it might bring with it! Stay safe and take care guys xx
I was chatting with a couple of friends this week and we all agreed that, all terrible things aside, we’re enjoying the lockdown. It gives us time to be with family and it also helps us focus on the essential. The lockdown has helped me start (and carry on) a few projects and has shown me the things I can live without to help me focus on the things I know will let me achieve what I want to.
Awesome! You have accomplished so much in April. I dream of having my own garden. I’ve always wanted to plant Some picture I wasn’t able to see but by what I’ve read. I could imagine the results being beautiful. Hoping may brings you much more joy.
Sounds like you’ve been making the most of this time! We’ve been doing our garden and it’s passing the time
Oh my goodness, you have been sooo productive! I am so glad that you are enjoying lockdown and managing to get so much done.
Well done for raising money for charity, that’s incredible.
Looks like you’ve had an awesome April, looking forward to hearing about your next month! Lisa xx
It seems you have really had a positive and productive month. I like the colour for the bedroom. The garden looks great, we’ve cleared a raised bed under the trees at the bottom of our garden and currently awaiting deliveries of items to turn it into a fairy garden.
It’s tough having to celebrate with friends from such a distance but will make it more fun once over and finished with.
I love the positive energy I am getting from this post! It is so refreshing and lovely. I have also been quite relaxed at home, and enjoying the lockdown (minus not seeing friends and family). It is just nice to be able to take a step back and really think about life.
Plus it has been nice and a chance for me to change things in my life and “start again” if I must say.
Also well done on all the productive tasks you have managed to complete! I did paint the hallway and reorganise the kitchen and my bedroom which has been great xx
I think it is great you’re trying to stay happy and positive. That picture really is gorgeous and I like your before and afters. I am trying to find happiness, I spend most my days blogging or working on myself atm which is actually quite fun. I am enjoying not having responsibilities
Em x
Thank you so much Emily. I am enjoying this time a lot, although a bit of normality would be nice once in a while x