Frank and Josie's House

Warning! This post is full of waffling and random pictures from our garden. Oh my poor kids. They just don’t know what they’re doing at the moment and have no idea what to expect any time soon. We’ve started socialising with 2 different families but that’s it. Schools in Japan prepare to return next week and my kids are so nervous. For the older two it’s optional. It’s just the last 3 weeks of term for them as the school follows the western school year of August/September to June/July. The school want to get kids back in just so they can all reconnect and the learning stays predominantly online. Each grade/year only goes in once or twice a week and there are many measures in place to stop any spread of infection. I spoke with my older two about this as we figured they’re the ones having to go into the unusual school environment and they can choose so let’s give them a choice. Neither of them are keen on wearing face masks and they don’t like the idea of having to remember to walk one s

Hi there, peeps. How are we all? Everyone coping alright? How’s the lockdown/state of emergency/ ease of restrictions treating you? We’re feeling very far away from our family and friends right now. It’s so odd seeing how differently Japan are handling the Covid19 situation to the rest of the world. Being in a group of friends who mainly hail from the UK or the US we regularly discuss how things are “back home.”  Lately, however, I feel that I’ve taken more of an inward look. As regular readers will know I suffer with depression and endometriosis. One of my focuses has been my personal health. I could sit and drink all day but it’s better to keep a lid on it and stay focussed. So I focus on the kids when they need my help and in turn I’ve explained to them that I need rest every day too. I’ve also realised that my health not only effects me but everyone around me. Something I really should have realised sooner and perhaps I did but I didn’t acknowledge it. Some days I find the best thi

Hi all, long time and no writing from me. As with everyone life has been busy in these unusual times. Coffee shop meets have been replaced by FaceTime and lots of text, Google meets are a regular part of the older kids timetable for school, Zoom meets are for the little one and family and friends catching up and I’ve begun to use the word meets regularly and about 17 times a day! Life is very different right now, isn’t it? I am just not stopping. I’m quite envious of those who are watching Netflix all day. Some days I’m lucky if I sit down at all whilst the kids are awake. This is my day: 6.40am - alarm 6.50am - 2nd alarm 6.55am - 1 of the children arrives for a snuggle before we face the day. 7am - 3rd alarm and simultaneously snoozed alarm 7.30am - talk about the fact we should get up 7.45am - admit defeat....almost. Husband sighs and taps or laptop still in jammies. 8am - really must get arse out of bed and feed kids before their ‘meets’ start. 8.05am - breakfast and much needed tea