"If you stop struggling, then you stop life."

Day 41:

I feel like I've been on the verge of tears for the last 48 hours and it seems like its getting harder and harder to hold my self together for me and Opeie. My mental health has really taken a beating over the last 2 years and it kind of feels like this whole thing is putting something into motion that I really want to try and avoid. Im a pretty sensitive guy so it was inevitable that I was going to feel like this but there are people in much worse positions than me and I find myself feeling really sad for them too, whoever they are. I'd love to be one of those people that can just switch off sometimes but my head is bustling with information and thoughts and I really struggle some days to slow it down. 

On top of all that I need a cuddle bad, I'm such an affectionate person and the lack of that is really affecting me on a level that I really wasn't expecting, what a mess. Anyway, to try and help me out of my funk today I painted a Rainbow Stag Beetle, which to be fair did the job for an hour or so. I seriously need to keep myself as busy as I can.

Stay safe all, and be kind to yourselves.

"Life is a collage of events, really."

Day 40:

Not the greatest of days today to be fair, everything just seems a little heavier than usual. We did however manage to have a morning of cutting and pasting, 80's style. Opeie drew a pretty awesome Mr.T to go on his which really made me smile. The little things that make us happy are pretty much all we've got to hold on to, while we're not seeing our friends and loved ones, I'm really hoping for some much brighter days. 

"Almost all creativity involves purposeful play."

Day 38:

Our style of home-ed has gone completely out of the window since all this began, It was never really structured to start with but I always had a plan in my head each morning of the work we were probably going to be doing. These days I think it's far more important to be focusing on the mental health of our kids. All this is so much for them to deal with emotionally. So with that In mind our days have been all about the creative side of learning, we do what ever makes Opeie feel happiest. Today we made a dinosaur mask for his LEGO Boost and he did some coding. It's always a fun educational activity that never disappoints. 

This whole thing is hard enough without having to worry about academic learning while the schools are closed. get playing with your kids, that's where the real magic is.

Building a better you is the first step to building a better anything.

Day 37:

This crazy lockdown kinda feels like its been sponsored by LEGO in our house because it has pretty much shaped every day of being stuck at home. Keeping our creativity alight is getting the both of us through this and in a much better headspace. Yesterday we built a tin robot for the word 'Vintage' on our #creativelockdownproject over on Instagram. 

If you fancy a bit of creative inspiration to get you through, head on over and join in HERE.

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity."

Day 36:

As expected yesterdays miserable day was long gone when we woke up this morning. Shockingly I slept from 8:30 till just before 7:30 which is really unlike me. We got straight up and went for an hours walk which was lush. The morning was filled with LEGO creating for our #creativelockdownproject which today was 'Botanical'. Before heading out again in the car to make the most of the Pokemon Go community day (with no community 😥). Everything about today was happy and we're both hoping that the coming days are much the same, I need to hold on to this sunshine feeling.

"Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water."

Day 35:

Today was such a huge contrast compared to the bright and colourful mood I was in yesterday. I spent the day angry and upset and the fact that neither myself or Opeie had slept well just added to those negative feelings. By about 3 we had both decided that we just wanted to go to bed and start the day again, I really hope there's not too many of these days. I had a good cry before bed because it clearly needed to come out so that I could fully reset the following morning. I know I'm not the only one having these kind of days, these are weird times.  Stay safe all.

“The real world is where the monsters are.”

Day 34:

Todays picture is actually from yesterday, it was really colourful and that's how I'm feeling today. We both slept well, we were out early for a walk again and now we're eager to get some creativity pumping. Opeie started to flag yesterday afternoon and was really fed up (we're all going to have days like that) so I'm going to do what I can to hold on to this positive start to the day.

"Sleep is for squares."

Day 33:

When all this madness started I really struggled to get to sleep of an evening and found myself pacing around the house in the early hours not really knowing what to do. Thankfully that seems to have passed and instead I'm left with my body telling me its time to wake up really early (which I much prefer). Being up early means that we can get out for a walk while it's quiet and it means that we don't bump into many people along the way, bliss. 

"For a fusion to work, there needs to be balance. An imbalance can cause your fusion to lose touch with reality, see things that aren't there, and eventually fall apart."

Day 32:

The #creativelockdownproject that we have been taking part in for the last 5 days has been an absolute blessing because it means that we don't wake up in the morning and consider doing nothing for the entire day (which lets be honest, could definitely be a thing during these times). Todays word was 'Splice' so with Opeie being a huge Steven Universe fan we decided to base ours around Crystal Gem fusions. 

“In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay."

Day 31:

Today Opeie spent the day making a LEGO comic book all about me turning into a zombie. I love that he had the whole thing planned out in his head, he just needed a little help with setting up the scenes and taking the pics. When he's in this kind of creative mood its really moorish and it put some seriously happy vibes on our day of self isolation. More days like this please!

"Prepare to meet your moosey fate!"

Day 30:

Opeie was busy playing with his friends online and I was itching to play with the bricks so I decided to build Opeie an invader Zim game of Draughts for us to play when we are bored. The board comes apart and can be stored in the Invader Zim box. I know what you are thinking and you're right, I am using this time stuck in the house productively.

“Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.”

Day 29:

One of the big positives of being holed up at home during these crazy times is having to fill that time with activities to get us through the day. Iv'e found that some of the things that I used to really enjoy doing have come back and I'm fully embracing that. Back in the day I was huge comic fan but (like with many things) I just seemed to stop making time for it. Over the last few days I've started re-reading some of the comics I used to love and I intend on finishing many of the runs that I never got round to completing. To make the whole thing even more fun Opeie is really getting into the world of comics too and has been reading solidly for days. 

We may not be able to be living our 'best lives' at the moment but I think we're doing a great job so far of getting through all this calmly and with smiles on our faces.

"Creativity is contagious, pass it on."

Day 28:

Most days we have no problems keeping ourselves fully entertained but recently this self isolation craziness has started to take it's toll. The last couple of days, every now and again we've both been a little fed up but its to be expected so we're doing all sorts to try and keep a positive head about us. Today we started a 30 day creative isolation project where each day someone is nominated to come up with a word and everyone involved has to create something around that word. Todays word was 'Spider' so this morning was taken up creating cute spiders made from printing with a sliced up toilet roll tube. If it hadn't have been for this today I think we'd have probably spent the morning staring at the walls.

Stay creative peeps, it really does help. 

"For the mind disturbed, the still beauty of dawn is nature's finest balm."

Day 27:

It's so bizarre how being outside of the house just feels wrong at the moment. That awkward vibe in the air is making me feel uneasy at times when we go for our daily allotted hour walk. Because of this (and the fact that everyone seems to go out late afternoon) we have started taking our walk first thing. This morning we were up bright and early so we headed out at 7:30 for a stomp around the woodland that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep. There's barely anyone around at this time of the morning and the people we do see are the same ones every day, who always say hi and are respectful of the social distancing. Going out this early is such a nice start to the day and as the sun comes through the trees along the way, the birds tweeting and the sheep happily baaing in the fields make it a really peaceful hour to get you in a decent headspace for the day.

"Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened"

Day 26:

Although all of us in this country are living these crazy times in unison and many of us are feeling hard done by because of it, it's important to remember that we all have our own personal struggles and heartaches on top of all this madness and this social distancing is putting a huge barrier between us and the people we love most. Ive found it really difficult over the last few weeks that I couldn't be there in person for a friend I care about as she has just lost her lovely mom and its been playing heavily on my mind. With the funeral being today, Opeie and I decided to have a painting session in her honour, lots of colour and happiness. I asked Opeie what he wanted to paint and he said 'happy sausages'. Ive no idea whether she was a big fan of sausages (I mean they are pretty special) but I'm  sure she would have loved the sentiment.

So todays picture is for you Carol Ann Beale, I hope you are in a better place.

"Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things."

Day 25:

We've reached that point in our self isolation already where lying under a pile of soft toys is seen as a worthwhile activity to pass the time. Well whatever it takes to get us through these crazy days I guess. 

"True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future."

Day 24:

Im really struggling to sleep at the moment, Ive got so much racing around in my head since all this madness started and I really don't know how to process it sometimes. The thought of being out there and catching this virus is terrifying and its seriously playing havoc with my mental health (as I'm sure it is with many of us). I was going to take a picture from our day today but all I can think about is the sea. I need to be on the coast at the moment with my feet in the water so that I can feel centred again. 

So today I have used one of my happiest moments of the beach, just me, my favourite person and some wooden dinosaur feet.

We Will, We Will, Brick you!

Day 23:

Some days LEGO really feels like it is keeping me sane. Opeie and I start building together and get completely lost in our own creative little worlds. Ive joked about the amount of LEGO that's in our house and that we decided to scrap our lounge and turn it into a LEGO room instead but I'm really thankful for these magical bricks at the moment. The process of building can sometimes feel a little like meditation. 

"Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life."

Day 22:

This afternoon I lay out on the garden sofa and fell asleep, it was so unlike me but this 'new world' as I keep calling it is changing so much of the lives that we have become accustomed to and seriously knocking us out of our routines. When I woke up an hour later feeling disoriented and sleepy I was greeted by some lovely smelling pictures as Opeie had found his scented crayons and had a little art session. This new world really isn't all that bad so far... yawn!

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

Day 21:

We've been budding entomologists for the last couple of years, since Opeie became interested in beetles and started a project. We've found so many interesting ones over the years and always document them when we do find something new. Being stuck at home has given us the chance to really investigate what's going on in our garden while we are planting new plants to attract more. It's amazing how much is actually going on in such a small garden. 

"Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges."

day 20:

Today was one of those days that was pure perfection. We woke up, had breakfast in the garden and didn't leave the garden all day. It's not great being confined to our homes but this weather is making it so much easier. While looking for something in Opeie's bedroom today I found some chunky chalks so we decorated the back of the house. The last couple of weeks has been one creative activity after another to get us through the days and this one so far will stand out above the rest.

Go and do something that really makes you smile, trust me it will take the edge off all this madness.

"The skull is nature's sculpture."

Day 19:

one comforting thought during these crazy weeks is the knowledge that as a nation we are all in the same boat. Its been crazy being stuck at home but we're yet to have had a bored day which, when having to entertain a 9-year-old is pretty good going. The self isolation is being made easy with other peoples creative ideas coming our way. A friend sent a pic of a garden ornament she had created so we decided to make one ourselves (I mean what else are we going to do?), plus we had a random badger skull lying about that we could use (we find all sorts).

Get creating people, if nothing else it gets you closer to bedtime quicker.

“Wise men say, 'Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.”

Day 18:

I'm feeling pretty thankful for flour today. When all this madness started, along with the toilet roll, hand wash and pasta, flour was one of the first things to go. I couldn't get a bag from anywhere. Making pizza dough today really made me happy and I know there are going to be some smiley faces when the first bites are taken out of these lovelies (I just wish vegan cheese would melt properly).

"DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM"

Day 17:

Hi it's Opeie, lately (while not being able to go anywhere) I have been watching Invader Zim, its amazing. My favourite character is G.I.R. he is so cute!!!!! I love his stupidness! so I ordered a plush of him which is coming on Saturday I can't wait! also yesterday while being stuck in I made a LEGO G.I.R.it is really strange not being able to go out. my favourite character used to be mini moose so I built him too. I love the DOOM song its so stupid.

If you are reading this I hope you are not too bored in your house. bye.

“Colours are brighter when the mind is open”.

Day 16:

While Opeie was mark making with inks yesterday he commented on how lovely the water was when cleaning his quill in a glass of water. The blue pigment was really striking and he decided that he wanted to keep it to make 'potions'. This morning while we were sitting eating our breakfast we were looking at the water again and decided to fill a few bottles with different colours for the sun to shine through. A little bit of colour during these strange times is really good for the soul and has made us realise that we can add a lot more little happy colourful touches to the house to make us smile.

"Toora loora torra loo rye aye"

Day 15:

After eyeing up dungarees online for the past few weeks, last week after a bottle of wine I decided to throw caution to the wind and buy myself a pair. Today they arrived and I don't think I'll be wearing anything but these for the remainder of this isolation period. Dungarees are definitely the way forward... or as I now refer to them 'day pyjamas'.

“Garlic bread, it’s the future, I’ve tasted it.”

Day 14:

Since all this self isolation has begun I've food myself really appreciating the little things, like us finally bothering to work out the weight of a pasta portion per person so to not end up with loads left and picking wild garlic while out for our 1 hour daily allotted walk, to make garlic bread with a lovely home made loaf, yum. 

"The little things made me who I am today"

Day 13:

Just a random robin sitting in a tree as we were out for our daily hour walk. It did a pooh while we were watching it which made Opeie chuckle. It's the little things that really matter these days.

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take You Everywhere"

day 12:

I think we've done well so far not to have been bored for too long yet. concentrating on our mental health through all of this, over everything else has meant that a huge chunk of Opeie's learning has been through play. And today we found ourselves in a long drawn out LEGO drama around me trying to stop a wedding in a rainbow coloured monster truck. All ended well after winning back my lady from the sleazy 'captain Elvis guy'.  I love that little dude of mines imagination.