Week 16 Woo starts school holidays

Week 16 Woo starts school holidays

Monday  

Woo is on school holidays now - while there is another 2 weeks for Bunnykins. Woo still had some maths work to do, so she got on with that for an hour or so. I got all my exercise in and got the blogging done. We got her to try on her wetsuit. It fitted but was quite a stretch. Mostly it's really tight across her shoulders and pulling down as it's short in the body - it's difficult with not being able to try things on in a shop. We'll see what we can do before summer.

Woo helped me with my chores - putting out the washing, watering the pots and hoovering. I did the bathrooms, kitchen, front door (got to keep your door furniture clean!) and the mopping.


Bunnykins was struggling again with her work. She is getting more and more distracted these last few weeks, I think the assignments have got tougher and longer. But she is struggling with doing things on her own.


I had meant to put jacket potatoes on in the morning, but forgot and there wasn't enough time. It was a bit overcast and the park wasn't so busy so it seemed like a good day to go check out the terrace service at the park cafe. We walked over at noon - there was one couple already seated but otherwise no-one was there. It did take a while to order and get drinks sorted, but then we sat down to wait for our food. It was lovely to be back in the sensory garden; it's been locked up since the cafe closed. You still can't get into the whole area. The terrace was fenced off, so that it was only a seating area available, but it was still lovely.

Me and the girls went for toasties. I have always loved the toasties at the cafe - probably terribly bad for me 😄 with all it's ooozing cheese and buttery yummy-ness. Mark had the Persian salad with falafal and pitta.

I got us some cakes too. Marshmallow and white chocolate rice crispie things for the girls and a peanut butter thing for Mark and I to share - man those things are lovely.

In the afternoon I spent some time helping Honour. I also worked out some things for Woo's impending birthday. What she wanted for her birthday was to have her room redecorated. Well it's been a bit slow because of delays in choosing curtain fabric - so this means that I can't get on and order other accessories and soft furnishings until she's sure on theme. I realised that I had two presents for her - each able to fit into a matchbox - but not in an exciting, expensive way 💍😂. Anyway, I got that sorted out and plans for the weekend. Then it was time to make tea.


After tea, Mark was out doing some work related deliveries. Then I was out to Ukuleleland practice in Kevan's garden. The last of the summer really - I wont be there next Monday and Naomi wont be there after that. We worked through some great songs - I love how our set list is developing. We practiced: Jolene, I've had the time of my life, Can't hurry love, I will survive and Somebody to Love. It was really good - we bring different voices and we're not just one group ukulele sound - we've got Kevan on bass, Geoff's banjolele, Ben with his ukulele skills, Naomi's voice. I do decent backing and a different vocal thing. The boys all sing well. Then a bit of kazoo and percussion. Each song had something worth listening to.


Meanwhile back home, Mark and the girls went to the park for some frisbee - though much sadness for Mark when his frisbee broke:

Tuesday 

I started with a 30 minute boosted walking workout. It got me plenty sweaty and meant I had started my morning with 3,000+ steps so that seems like a good change to my routine.


Woo helped with hanging out the washing and then we had a go at clearing out the greenhouse a bit more. It is really just a process of chucking stuff out at the moment - it's much clearer, but it's still messy.


Bunnykins was still struggling to get moving with her work. I'll go in to help, she'll send me away because "I'm distracting her", then when I go back 30 mins later - nothing has moved on. I know that this isn't her choosing not to do work, because she really is very conscientious. I realise that this strange lockdown time has been affecting her. I talked to her about a really useful technique for helping with concentration. She was at first unconvinced and just complained about how I think I know everything blah blah blah. But to her credit she gave it a go. It's called the pomodoro technique - but tbh that is just finding a fancy name for the sake of it. The idea is that if you are struggling with focus on a piece of work - just set yourself a small achievable goal. Decide on a time slot (up to 45mins but no more) - for Bunnykins we agreed on 15 minutes. Set a timer and then promise yourself that for the time the timer is going you will only do that thing - no getting up, no looking at your phone or anything. It's important that you set a realistic time - if you are a fidget or it is for a young person - keep the time really short. Agree before you start, what you will do when the time is up. Woo and I have used this alot over the years - so we normally agree something like 15 minutes working and then 10 minutes playing, or running around the garden - doesn't matter as long as it feels like a break and a reward. Anyway, much to Bunnykin's surprise - it worked - she had taken 1hr and got 2 maths questions done. She then finished the remaining 6 in 15 minutes.


We had our lunchtime field trip. The girls wanted to watch more of Grayson Perry's art club. In the afternoon Bunnykins was working on her English. Woo started on making a dream catcher.

 I thought I would have a go at my art club project. The theme this week is myths and legends.


I have lots of favourite paintings, but this has to be one of them; The Fisherman and the Syren by Frederic Leighton. It hangs in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery which is where I first came across it.

I am a sucker for a bit of pre-Raphaelite art; I know it's easy to pick holes in it as a bit chocolate box - but I think there is room for more not less art. If it were the only thing I appreciated and I was adamant that there was no better art form - mock away all you please - but I just know that I have an emotional and physical reaction to this painting; I like it. The stillness of the moment that is still full of energy - the energy of the sea, the muscular legs of the fisherman and the strong tail of the mermaid, the energy of the moment between them. He has completely fallen under her spell - he wont fight her off or resist even as she coils around him ready to pull him under. She is beautiful and so is he. There is always something I wonder about his Christ-like pose - I wonder if the artist is trying to communicate a moral message. The fisherman is a loaded symbolic figure with regards to Christianity. But then I think I like how I side with the mermaid - maybe she is supposed to represent sin: lust, vanity, rage - but I can't help like her and I don't feel sorry for that pious guy who is enjoying the electricity of his last moments - probably feeling and realising a passion that in all his miserable, hardworking, fisherman years he's never felt.


I don't have the long blond locks, but I see myself as the mermaid at times. We all have distinct parts to our brains - there is the more primitive lymbic system that is all about emotional reactions and basic survival needs. Then there is the more sophisticated human brain that evolved around it - the neocortex that does our more rational thinking - the stuff that really makes us different from animals. The primitive brain can have a big influence on our lives. The book The Chimp Paradox is a great explanation of this. But long story short - I visualise my chimp brain as a mermaid - my basic emotions that can drive me to be destructive: lust, vanity, jealousy, rage. But I am not going to wag my finger at myself - understanding is important - she's not all bad at all - she just gets a bad rap. So I like seeing this picture and finding myself cheering for her.


Anyway, I decided I would make a mystery box of secrets based around the painting of the fisherman and the syren. I want it to have levels to explore and treasures buried in it. We'll see what I come up with....

 After tea Mark went off to get groceries and the girls and I went for a walk to the park.

Earlier Mark had been to drop off jam at Clare and Hannah's houses. He got no answer at Hannah's, but found a piece of chalk and had just finished drawing this when Hannah came to the door...

They did find it amusing, later on (while Mark was still out getting groceries) we had a visit from Martha and Jason to drop off their birthday present to Mark 😀.

Bristol Trail Runners tops! Woo of course has a homing beacon towards any hooded top so tried to steal it immediately.

I spoke to John for a while, which is always a good chat. Then realised I hadn't managed to do my yoga. It's only 10 minutes so while the girls went up to bed I fitted that in.

Wednesday 

morning I did my run, then went straight into the shower as I had managed to get muddy legs just from running around the park. It was mainly from a comedy loose flagstone that squirted muddy water at me as I stepped on it. Got a few jobs sorted and the girls got on with schoolwork. Woo has still been doing an hour or so of online maths each morning even though it's now summer holidays for her. Then got them organised to go down to the dentist. Bunnykins was very cautious about it, but I was glad that she still agreed to go without any drama.


There was a new system in place. We walked down there and then I phoned up. I was told that the waiting room was a bit full so we should wait outside. We were there about 10 minutes, the girls were noticing how the raindrops were sitting on some of the leaves.

When we were called to go in, we had to have masks on, clean our hands and then go up without touching the doors. Wendy the receptionist then took our temperatures with the gun thing...Bunnykins presented a little bit of a puzzle to her....

It was really pleasing to hear that the girls have been brushing well and that their teeth were in better form than they had been last time - tarter wise. We talked about Woo's teeth and if she might need braces. She has an overbite - some of that is due to her sucking her two fingers (still even now when she's tired it happens). But also I have one too, so some of it is probably just hereditary. She has a beautiful face and smile. I don't think it is anything that needs sorting. We also talked about how Bunnykin's teeth are being a bit slow to descend - but again nothing worrying.


We had lunch, then I painted the skirting and fireplace in Woo's room. Bunnykins was getting on OK with her schoolwork. Tea was in the slow cooker so in the afternoon I took my opportunity to get on with my art club work.


I had got some pieces of card already cut out and cut up my image of the fisherman and the syren yesterday. I had also gathered up some interesting ribbons, fabrics, beads and buttons.  I could see how a story flow was developing across the layers of cardboard and started to glue some things down. The carboard needs ribbons to be able to lift it out - but I liked how this made it more obscured and I had chosen sea-like colours and textures; seaweed, nets and waves.

I wanted to add in some text too. I found a wine bottle label with some good text and then an old newspaper. I didn't want to damage the bit about Karen's 40th birthday. That was a great day - where she ran 40km around the park for charity. We had a party across our two front drives. I ran a lap with her - but was terrible as I didn't run at all at that point 😂 she had to leave me behind! 😵

Anyway, there were some good other articles including one about a ship and also a lonely hearts ad' thing. 

I chose my two favourite lonely hearts. Their ages are a little disparate, but that doesn't need to stand in the way of love...I also wanted to add in a drawing, so looked up an image of the sacred heart - which also fits in nicely with the religious overtones that the image has.

I found a few more bits to finish the final layer including some seashells. Bunnykins noticed that I had also used a box that had a unicorn on the front - which had passed me by - but another nod to "myths and legends" as the theme. You start with the box all packed up.

 the inside of the lid talks about a disaster, with a discarded sailor's button.

The first card that is lifted out has jumbled scenes with the words heartbreak and "a salvage operation saved her then".

But the next card that is lifted out is the lonely heart one. I liked the tendrils of the fabric that have to be unfolded.

On the back:

We then get cupid appearing (another myth/legend... thanks very much 😀)

 And the final scene is the full picture surrounded by treasure and the suggestion of fate.

It was really fun to make. It was organic in the process of how it developed - just following the bare bones of a story and seeing what came to hand to illustrate it. Different choices of newspaper clippings and different little bits picked up to glue in could have made it quite different.


 Bunnykins had made a lego model of the fountain of youth.

No peeing in the fountain of youth! How rude would that be?!! I loved all the little detail, like the guy at the far right above who is dancing because he feels so youthful, Mcgonagall coming with a float, and the pirate below filling up his flask.

 There are people bathing in the pool as shown by the skirt diving in and the head bobbing above:

 There is a poorer lady to show that the fountain of youth is for all.

And there is something about this lady at the top of the waterfall being a younger version of one of the characters...who can time travel...but I am still not sure I am following....

Mark hadn't found much time to do his, but he had put some thought into development of ideas. He made a mobius strip from a shopping receipt - which is art in itself surely! Then he was working with the idea of Sisyphus pushing the rock up hill along a mobius strip and the rock being a coronovirus.

Woo showed us her dream catcher she'd been making. The glue wasn't quite dry so we came up to see it. I really liked the colours she'd chosen - I think it works really nicely.

Mark was then off out taking a parcel back for me. I made a half hearted attempt to suggest that we go for a walk - but it was tipping it down. So I retreated to the sofa in the back room to read my book.

Thursday 

morning again I did all my normal stuff - walking workout, bit of blogging, doing the washing, getting the slow cooker on, helping Bunnykins with her work. Bunnykins got through it all at a pace, which she was really pleased with. So we started on a project she'd been talking about all week. She wants to make a teddy bear waistcoat as a present for Woo's birthday. We had one that Big Rabbit wears as a template, but the final thing needs to fit Fluffy Pigeon (who we had figured out is similar size to Saoirse) . We used the waistcoat to draw and cut out pattern pieces. Then Bunnykins pinned them onto the fabric and cut them out. Once she'd got the idea, I did my 10 minute yoga nearby and left her to it.

Then we moved the sewing machine into the kitchen as Mark was busy working. She wanted to make a reversible jacket so there were two different types of material. First off we sewed each material into a waistcoat shape. Then sewed the collar.

 Finally we assembled the pieces ready for sewing together (and then turning right sides out).

At this point I needed to get a shower and get lunch ready. So the project was parked for the day. After lunch Bunnykins and I went out to Thornbury library on an exciting mission. We were trying out the new library system. You book a pick up slot, and then you can request up to 6 books (if you have searched to see they are on the shelf), or you just write a bit about what kind of books you like. Ben (part time librarian) was also telling me that the librarians look to see what you have read already. You get 6 books that either you asked for or if that isn't possible, that they think you will enjoy. TBH I think that is quite a treat - to have a librarian recommend and pick books for you. It's one of those unexpected bonuses of the lockdown - a different way of doing things that results in good outcomes. Sure, it's not massively efficient and we would all like to get back to libraries being open access, but for now I'll take the upsides.

Bunnykins has really been missing the library. We used to go every Monday after school. We would walk home via Downend library. I would bring her bookbag full of books to return and her note book where she keeps track of books she wants to read. If she reads a good book, she'll look up others by the author and make a note. Then we would go into the library and she would go up to the desk (all under her own steam) and reel off a long list of requests. She constantly had about 10 or so books out or on order. She's got books at home that she's been reading, but has kept returning to her favourites (Malory Towers and Dork Diaries). She was really pleased with the books we got. Two of the 3 dork diaries books she'd requested were there and then 4 others that look right up her street.

Back home I had a few things to sort out: dates to meet up with people and chasing up orders. Then I had a bit of time to nip out the front and dead head my roses.

Ben arrived at 4pm ish and I had us all set up for under the canopy again. The wind was quite chilly and I knew that rain would be coming in at some point, but it is as sheltered spot as we can get at the moment.

We were working on the ending for I've had the time of my life. We worked out the twiddly picking bit for the end where she does the run up...

 Then before that is the saxophone bit which of course needs kazoo...

I was hoping it could be a crazy kazoo duet but I think it is possibly asking a bit much in terms of our coordination 😂. We gave it a go, but sounded like we were both on completely different songs!


A version with just me on kazoo:

Ben and I ate outside, while everyone else stayed in the warmth of the house.

 Then it was back to work - with the addition of blankets to keep the cold off...

 We hadn't noticed at first that the rain had started; it takes a while to get through the tree canopy.

But then when it does get through the tree canopy - my fabric canopy is effective and we stayed dry - it's just it becomes a smaller and smaller strip of dry until we were scrabbling all our books and bags to hide them under the chairs. With the addition of a fire pit, hot chocolates (with baileys obvs)...marshmallows...bigger blankets... we could have stayed out much longer..😂.as it was the cold and wet drove us to a close. 💧💨

Ben had brought me some Double Decker mini chocs (I do love a Double Decker) and he had brought Karen some Hob Knobs. Personally I do not like a Hob Knob - but Karen clearly loves them and there is one thing that Ben is good on...it's knowing other people's biscuit choice! 😀🍪


We knocked on Karen's door, she came out to her porch and the three of us stood talking for a good 20 minutes. Even though it was tipping down ⛆, it was still lovely to chat. I waved Ben off home (while telling him not to wave back) to get a warm bath and dry off. Then I went in and enjoyed half an hour of reading my book by the back window. The rain makes everything on the near deck clean and neat. With the flowers out there now I get a real sense of peace and contentment looking out there. I am edging nearer being able to place an order for our new garden furniture (many chasing phone calls! ☎) - I can't wait to get that in place.

Friday  

I went for my run, got Bunnykins going with schoolwork. Sorted washing, that kind of stuff. Then joined Karen for her Friday Shimmy & Strengthen. Checked in with Bunnykins again before doing some yoga. It is only 10 minutes of yoga, but whilst in a forward fold it still seemed necessary to have a piece of paper waved under my nose to ask if she could put "yes" in the boxes rather than ticks...Anyway, she did get on with her work and wrote a limerick as a conclusion to it - I like the illustration:

I managed to get Bunnykins' work scanned and uploaded after lunch - no mean feat - 26 sheets to be ordered, scanned, renamed and uploaded to several locations. That meant I could join Ben's Friday ukulele skype club for a while.

At 3pm, the girls and I went across to the park. Two of Woo's good friends from school ended up going to the same secondary school as her. One of the girl's she had been best friends with in primary - she only moved across this academic year. They all had traveled together on the bus and while not being Woo's core friendship group at school they are good friends and had socialised outside of school. But during this lockdown, Woo hasn't been in contact with her friends. I'm told she's not unusual. She has her phone - she has the means and the freedom - but not the motivation. She sent off a couple of messages and pictures to her best friend, but it has all been very quiet. Anyway, I know the mums of the two girls from primary - so with Woo's birthday approaching I suggested that we meet in the park and the girls could wander off and the mums could chat. Younger sisters of one of the girls came too - but they mainly walked their dog. Bunnykins sat next to me and read the whole time. The girls warmed up to hanging with each other pretty quickly - though not to having a picture taken.

It was really nice to chat as I haven't seen Moira and Laura for ages and we had lots to catch up on. The one thing that was difficult was that Laura and her daughter didn't really seem to think about social distancing at all. It felt like they thought it was something that had all gone away. Laura is lovely, I really enjoy speaking to her, but I did find it difficult as despite saying a few things - it just didn't seem to make an impact, and I guess I didn't want to go so far as to seem impolite - it is ridiculously British. So I just kept edging away, I think Moira just rolled with it and didn't stress (at least not outwardly anyway). At one point Laura wanted to take a picture of the 3 girls and was saying to Woo "...squeeze in next to each other, get closer so I can get you in the picture!", well I can tell you they were already closer than 2m, so I said "er, I don't think she needs to be any closer!" but it was still all rather polite. Bunnykins likes her rules and certainty and she just sat next to me on our 2 seater camp chair - which I can understand - even when there was ice cream being bought she was rather staying out of it. Poor Woo was understandably confused and so was wandering around side by side with her friends. It just shows how group dynamics work - particularly with teens. If one or two are setting the tone with no social distancing - doesn't matter how smart you are - the instinct is to join in.


Mark cooked us a delicious paella for when we got in...or rather paaaaaaaaa-eeeeeeeeee-ayyyyyy-arrrrrrgh-eeeeeeee-aaaaaaaaaaaaa ....as we say in our kitchen.


Bunnykins wanted to finish the waistcoat, so we got stuck in after tea.

The intended recipient sneakily modelling the work in progress

A bit of hand sewing to finish the arm holes.

 The finished item:

Saturday

Woo had asked Mark if they could go on a sunrise bike ride. He duly woke her at sometime around 5am 😮...honestly...what the what now?! But to her credit she got up and dressed and off they went.

I had a slightly later wake up. Mark was already back and making pancakes. After breakfast I got ready to re-paint Woo's tree mural.  When we first got the room ready for her, I painted a tree mural on the wall. With the new theme she has in mind she'd like to keep the tree - but update the flowers to match the new colour scheme. The walls all needed a freshen up anyway, so it was easier to just roller over the top of it and then re-paint. I was hoping that there would still be the ghost image as a guide...but it seems Mark was a little enthusiastic with how many coats it got and it was a pretty tricky job to find the old outline.

Anyway, I managed it, though I now note that I have lost a few of the minor branches - they may need to go in later.

We haven't finalised the colour scheme and curtain choice...still...so I can't do the flowers yet. But at least I have got this bit done.


We did check out the paints that we do have...a surprising number even to me!

 Mark then helped me heft some compost about so I could plant out some new plants that arrived.

I wanted to plant up the planter he made. I've added grasses to it, so it should hopefully screen off the hard-standing a little...eventually.

Mark then started an epic baking mission. He made a birthday cake for Woo. He made pizza dough for lunch. He then baked a dozen or more rolls for a planned BBQ tomorrow and then finally some cinnamon rolls which will be for Woo's birthday breakfast on Monday.


I decided I would do some sewing. I fancied some more crop tops, but rather than buy them I went through my long sleeved top drawer to find a few things that I don't wear much. This one was a good start:

 the last time I wore it was for the Oldland Ukers very first gig at Begbrook social club.

Hannah came with us which was particularly traumatic for her, as Ben and I left her alone in the audience to play the above...and many many more in the same vein...😂. When we joined her though, the cheap prosecco was flowing and the cabaret acts were like nothing we'd ever seen in our sheltered existence. I loved it though. There was no irony - just entertainers giving it their all. 

Mark got dragged in at the end when he came to pick us up. He was a little traumatized too. But it goes down in my history as an epic night.


The cotton top above ended up going pretty well (I'll post a pic when I have worn it). I also had a go at this very stretchy polo neck. I love a polo neck but hadn't worn this one in ages. I did try very hard not to stretch the new hem - but my machine I think just is quite old now and the guide feet were just not moving it through well enough. I did a bit of gathering to rescue it - so up close it's a bit of a bodge - but I like how it looks. I will investigate other techniques for sewing stretch fabrics and try again in the future certainly.

I sat down to read and managed to finish the hunger games pre-quel. Then Bunnykins joined me and asked if I could help her with her toe-nails. I thought that sounded like a good idea, so did my own too. Shortly we were joined by Woo.

Onto a new book - not as easy a read as either of my last two at the moment. But Mark recommended it, so I will definitely stick with it.

Mark finished off his baking

Then once the girls were in bed, we decorated the cake...pretty standard Challis birthday cake...good imagination... speculative execution...great tasting 😂🍰

Sunday

Mark and Jason were off for one of their early trail run things up Pen y Fan. I heard him go, but went off back to sleep easily enough. I got up and had breakfast by the open back door in the quiet.

The girls came down eventually for breakfast. I then set about the garden organising and cleaning all the garden furniture in anticipation of our afternoon visitors. At 10am I joined Pippa's online yoga session.

I showered, then got the lunch ready for when Mark got home. During lunch we let Woo know what we had planned for her birthday on Monday... surfing lessons at Rest Bay, Porthcawl. She was over the moon, which was nice.

We got some things organised for that, then in the early afternoon we had the Dicksons come over for a BBQ for Woo's birthday.

There were a few other birthdays coming up in the next week or so for C and Hannah:

Bunnykins and M had a great time messing about at the end of the garden, making potions and people from apples.

 Mark did stirling work on the BBQ and topping up drinks.

Then it was cake time. Woo got given a tunocks tea cake with a candle in so she didn't blow all over the cake!

Mark and Jason took the kids over to the park for some frisbee and/or football...we didn't really care which - Hannah and I were just glad for the peace and quiet. It was a lovely afternoon - but everyone is always so enthusiastic to join in the chat - so the kids are always talking over us. And we still had half a bottle of prosecco to tidy away, so needed to get onto that.

So it's now Sunday evening and I am getting this tidied away ready to post as we'll be up early tomorrow to go surfing. All four of us are booked into surf lessons. It will be reasonably early in the morning and the weather will be better later in the week so hopefully the beach wont be too busy. The plan is to have the lesson, then a picnic lunch and then make our way home some time!