Conversations with my Father during Lockdown

I wrote this in 2020, when Covid first started to affect all our lives. I thought I may restart my blog with tips on the 100s of new hobbies I've started since covid and found this in drafts.

Sadly Covid got my dad, not the actual virus but the effects of lockdown. He went from being a super active, very social 90 year old to an old 93 year old sat in a chair with less and less mobility every day. He died December 2023.

 

In tribute to my dad 1930-2023 

My dad rings me every day and he has a chat. He's a very happy, chatty person so all I have to do is listen. I umm and ahh and make noises, he doesn't need me to talk. Since my mum died eight years ago, he just needs someone to listen.

He'll be ninety this year. He is a very socially active person and the lockdown is really hitting him hard. He has lots of friends, mostly women half his age, he's a sweet talker and all those his age have one by one passed away.

When lockdown was first suggested, and over 70s asked to stay at home for TWELVE WEEKS he was not impressed. He thought "they" were all "idiots" and "it wasn't this bad during the Blitz" (he grew up in London) but luckily a few friends, and one in particular, said they were self isolating and he eventually came round to the idea. Well his version of it.

Words You'd be happy to never hear again

Words You'd be happy to never hear again

Yep, you have a list too in your head. Words, and phrases, that before 2020 meant nothing or something else altogether. These are my top 7

Nightmare of Washington or Goodbye Donald Trump

Nightmare of Washington to be sung loudly and with passion to Fairytale of New York

(My favourite song ever)

Apologies to The Pogues for stealing your song and my bad lyrics xx

It was 20th November babe

In the Whitehouse

When an old man said he'd make the US great again

Then he said his biggest lie

He'd build a great wall

To keep the Mexicans out

That wasn't his last

He got a helping hand

Came in second to Hills

He trashed her name

He doesn't give a damn

So Goodbye Trump

Take Melania with you

We can see a better time

When all our dreams come true

They've got guns as big as cars

They've got riot shields

The fear is real and present

It's no place for you 

When he first took the oath

On a cold November day

He promised them

To make US great again

He's a bully

He's petty

He said storm the City

He told them to fight

He said he was right

The police were encumbered

Security outnumbered

Trump called them special

We watched through the night

The proud boys were singing

Thank you Donald Trump

As the shots were ringing out 

For a new day

He's a bum

He's a lump

He's called Donald Trump

Lying his way through every day

You liar, you narcissist

You self centred racist

Goodbye Donald Trump

Lets hope it's your last

The right wing were singing

Thank you Donald Trump

As the shots were ringing out 

For a new day

He could have been someone

But he became no-one

He took their dreams away

When he took the oath

He promised everything

He just took it for his own

He's now all alone

Playing golf every day

The right wing were singing

Thank you Donald Trump

As the shots were ringing out 

For a new day

 

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From Grey to Orange

I have been growing my hair, not to have long hair but to try to grow out the home hair dye and see what colour hair I really had.

When I was younger my hair was dark brown, then at twenty-one I spotted my first grey hairs. I hated not being a teenager anyway, this just proved I was getting old (oh the tribulations of youth!).

In my thirties I had acquired a grey streak in my hair, I tried to love it and go grey gracefully. Then at a Christmas party a colleague took lots of photos, there I was with my grey streak and looking so old. I did what anyone in that situation would do, I dyed it.

Thirty plus years later I am still dyeing my hair. I've gone from boring brown to gorgeous brunette, from ash brown (yuck) to medium caramel brown (still yuck) to glorious mahogany with red overtones, then as always, once I find a colour I love - the brand changes it

"NEW AND IMPROVED" no "WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!"

So I'm going to go grey.

Clapping For NHS - Why Bother?

It's 8pm on a Thursday, millions are under lockdown in the UK, but many leave their sofas, open their doors or windows and clap. Some hit saucepans with spoons, some play musical instruments, some just clap. But why? Why bother clapping for people who are just doing their job? Why bother?

The Reality Of Lockdown 2020

The reality of lock down in our house. I use the grandchildren as my excuse why the place is cluttered with toys and dirty fingerprints, while they are not here I would expect it to be clear of clutter and sparkling, when in fact it is messier than ever.

Lockdown fun - Painting Rocks

My first go at painting rocks

Lockdown is putting pressure on us all to find ways to entertain the kids while we work or cook or just have a few minutes to ourselves.

Painting rocks isn't just for children, adults can have fun too. This isn't a How To post more a Why Don't You Try This? If you do an internet search you will see so many gorgeous rocks, these are not easy to replicate, but it doesn't matter. Find a rock, give it a wash and dry, cover it in paint or nail varnish or stick things to it, then place them around your local area for others to find.

46th Wedding Anniversary- Things we didn't do to celebrate

Today is our 46th Wedding Anniversary. The sun is shining and we've stayed at home. We were going to celebrate with something special but a pandemic got in the way - anyway here's a list of things we would liked to have done, but along with my birthday celebrations, they will have to wait for another time.

FREE Online resources - Coronavirus UK

FREE Online resources - Coronavirus UK

One thing you can say about us Brits - once we have our cupboards full of toilet rolls and pasta we are quite generous. Thousands have signed up to volunteer to help the NHS, and offer services to help the elderly, vulnerable and lonely.

DISCLAIMER - I have not been paid or rewarded in any way to include links

Here is a list of FREE online resources I have found as I have whiled my time away online, some are just for the duration of the coronavirus epidemic, some are regular free resources.

Please bookmark this page and keep coming back as I will add to it as I find new resources.

New additions will be highlighted in RED

Ben 10 Transforming Omni-Cycle Review

Ben 10 Transforming Omni-Cycle Review*

Bear often asks me when are we going to have a toy to "take pictures of" and I have to tell him that I don't know. I turn down many reviews because I don't think he, or his little brother Bee, would like them. When I was asked if we'd like to review the Ben10 Transforming Omni-Cycle I knew Bear would love it.

We collect him from school each day and I thought it would be a great toy to play with while he waited for his parents.

A Modern Fairy Story - The Princess, The Boy and The Dragon

Once Upon A Time there was a boy. He was born into a loving and powerful family.

Get Your Kids to Eat Anything - Book Review

Get Your Kids to Eat Anything - Book Review (AD)

When Emily Leary asked for fellow bloggers to review her book Get Your Kids to Eat Anything, I applied straight away.

Bear's First Day At Big School

photo thanks to Make-up Pixie

Bear's First Day At Big School 

The summer holidays are over and I missed you this morning.

The house stayed quiet. No-one shouted Nanny at me or gave me a big hug. No-one asked me to put on children’s TV because the news is boring, or begged to play on the X Box.

Monster Jam Principality Stadium, Cardiff - Review

Monster Jam Principality Stadium, Cardiff - 18th May 2019- Review*

We were given tickets to review Monster Jam at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Bear absolutely loves Monster Trucks and is always talking about how big they are and the stunts they perform. He was so excited to be seeing them live and to get really close to all the trucks and the drivers at the pre show Pit Party.

The Principality Stadium in Cardiff is an amazing venue. It has a closing roof to keep us all dry. It rains a lot in Cardiff, and is situated in the middle of the city centre. Great for places to eat, shop and links for public transport.


We had not been to Monster Jam before so had no idea what it would be like. We knew it would be noisy and went armed with ear defenders for Bear and ear plugs for us adults.

Ravensburger Mothers and Babies Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

Ravensburger Mothers and Babies Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

Bee was delighted to be sent a Ravensburger mothers and babies jigsaw puzzle for us to review*. Something designed for his little hands, something just for him. Bear gets quite a few toys and puzzles to review but this is Bee's first.

We love the quality of Ravensburger puzzles, they are beautifully printed and accurately cut. Would the mothers and babies jigsaw puzzle live up to our expectations?

Brio Builders Starter Set -Review

Brio Builders Starter Set - Review*

Anyone who reads our blog will know we love Brio. It's well made (we have some over 30 years old) and children love it. We didn't know they made construction sets until we were asked to review the Brio Builders Starter Set.

Bear loves making things and this set quickly became his favourite.

Ravensburger Thomas & Friends, Giant Floor Puzzle - Review.

Ravensburger Thomas & Friends, Giant Floor Puzzle - Review.

We love a good jigsaw puzzle and Ravensburger are always great quality. We were delighted to be asked to review* their Thomas & Friends, Giant Floor Puzzle.

Bear loves surprises and as soon as he saw the box he pointed at the engines naming nearly all of them. Do you know them all?

We started the puzzle by finding and joining the edge pieces together. The pieces are large and great for little hands. They fit together precisely so no need to force the pieces to make them fit. Bear recognised the engines as their faces appeared in the puzzle and was able to complete the inside without any help.

Brio Battery Operated Action Train - Review

BRIO Battery Operated Action Train - Review*

We love Brio, we were delighted to review* the Battery Operated Action Train. We already have a lot of Brio, some over thirty years old. It really does last. Bear has a few Brio trains but all are "Bear powered". What would he think of a battery operated one?

Conversations with Bear #1 - The Dark

Conversations With Bear #1 - The Dark

Bear is at that golden age. He's four. He knows exactly what he wants, he can ask for it and he can describe events and things he's seen.

He has the enquiring mind of a four year old, hampered only by his beliefs. Everything is good or bad. Right or wrong, black or white, but he is open to learning and is quick to pick up new ideas. His knowledge astounds me every single day.

He does come out with some absolute gems, which once spoken are lost into the ether for ever. I spend so much time laughing with him or amazed at his knowledge, that I thought I would share some of his spoken thoughts. A small insight into the workings of a four year old's mind.

This will be an occasional series, just as and when he says something worth repeating, but more importantly, those that I actually remember so I can record it for the future.

Conversations With Bear #1 - The Dark

It's a dark, winter afternoon. Only the lounge light on, the rest of the house is unlit. Bear never tells me where he's going in the house, he just goes.

Bear - "I'm just going into the dining room to get a car"
Me - "OK"
Bear - "From the toy box in the dining room"

I nod and notice for the first time that it's now become dark

Me - "Would you like me to turn a light on for you?"
Bear - "No, Mummy says I must be brave"
Me - "Brave?"
Bear - "Brave in the dark"
Me - "OK"

Bear dashes out and seconds later runs back in.

Bear - "Can you come with me?"
Me - "Of course"

I follow Bear from the lounge to the darkness of the dining room.
He looks around nervously, checks I'm there. I'm stood right next to him.

Me - "Are you sure you don't need the light to see?'

Bear - "No, it's OK. I eat carrots so can see in the dark" and he grabs a car and legs it back to the lounge leaving me to deal with the unseen monsters, alone.

Thanks Bear!

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Learning Resources Playfoam Pals - Review

Learning Resources Playfoam Pals - Review

When we were asked if we would like to review* Learning Resources Playfoam Pals I knew straight away that Bear would absolutely love them. Little animal pals hidden in Playfoam, sparkles, and mess! What more could a boy ask for?

Bear was delighted when he saw them. "Look what we have today" I said "WOW!" he exclaimed, "I love them!"

The packaging state that they are mess free (oh yeah, I thought), so with tuff tray on the table to collect all the bits, Bear opened them.