Wednesday, April 8, 2020

So How's Your Isolation Coming Along?

I feel like we are all pioneers in a new world with this Pandemic Isolation leading our lives at the moment.  There's been Pandemics before but not of this level in our life time.  There is a lot that is extremely sad and frightening of course but we still have to deal with our everyday lives.  I don't know about you, but I find the most common question most people have is simply "What day is this?"  Even those of us that are retired still had certain schedules that marked our days.  Maybe a class, a meeting or an appointment on certain days each week.  For many, Sunday was marked by weekly church gatherings.  Tom and I had a senior exercise class every Tuesday and Thursday morning and that helped to mark our week.  No more.  All of those designators of days are gone now.  Except one, very important day - for us that is Wednesday - Trash Day.  I am so grateful that these hard workers are still doing their jobs and I am equally grateful that service is giving us some method of designating at least one of our days.  Now for us, all the rest of the days can be a guessing game but we've got Wednesday covered.

How are you doing with maintaining your food and necessary supplies these days?  A simple trip to the grocery store has turned into a venture into the unknown.  It's a bit nerve rattling to shop for groceries not knowing if you'll be exposed to the virus from another shopper or if it is really safe to touch and pick up that can of green beans.  Now here in the U.S. the CDC has recommended we start wearing masks when we go out.  The last time we bought groceries we did wear masks and it just felt strange.  I've never worn a mask to the grocery store - what is happening in our world?  Of course the other shoppers had masks on too and that made it feel even more weird.  Yes, I think we've landed on some new planet and we are pioneers trying to tame and settle it.  We were buying groceries once a week and now we are trying to do it every two or three weeks.  And then when you get home you have to deal with all those groceries.  Are you trying to wipe them down in any way?  Here it has been recommended that we do that so we've been going over everything with a sanitizing wipe and hoping that is enough.

Are  you finding new things to do around the house now that you are staying home all the time?  How many jigsaw puzzles have you put together so far?  Okay, I know not everyone likes jigsaw puzzles but there has been a big rise in their popularity.  I read that puzzle sales in the U.S. are up nearly 400% in just the past two weeks.  And that is just in one country.  They said the surge in the demand for jigsaw puzzles is similar to what it was during the Great Depression.  That is something to think about.   


A puzzle I worked on recently


We all live in different places, big cities, small towns and even different countries.  Do you think where your home is located has much effect on you during this isolation?  If you are in a big city do you feel safer or more at risk?  And of course the same can be asked of someone living in a small town.  I live in a small suburban town of about 15,000 and for me I think it is easier.  Everyone pulls together for the most part.  Today we had a parade of all the school teachers drive around town honking their horns and just letting the kids know they are still here and still care about them and miss them.  Tonight at city hall the city officials will be passing out a free disinfectant cleaner/hand sanitiser to any citizens that need it.  And yes, many of us are still keeping those Teddy Bears in our windows for the kids to see and sometimes even count.  This morning a father and small son were walking around our neighborhood with a piece of paper noting and counting all the Teddy Bears in the windows they could find.  I love that.

I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to write a downer post because I don't really mean to do that.  We are all going through pretty much the same experiences and at least for me, it helps to know I'm not alone in all this.  Everyone take good care of yourselves!

35 comments:

  1. Those teddy bears are cute. I live in an area where I haven't seen them. Rural area but I've seen them online and they are super cute.

    Stores in my village are doing an excellent job (so far), of keeping stocked and setting limits on items where need be.

    As for us at home, nothing is different. Tim still goes to work five days a week (for now), and I still work from home. It's my happy place :-) So really, nothing much changed here aside from, how we shop. Instead of once a week on a budget, we extended our budget and now shop for 2-4 weeks at a time, just to keep the curve as low as possible. And when we do go, only one of us goes. Never two.

    Another batch of seeds arrived in the post today. One more due to arrive and I'm darn excited to get out there and plant.

    I didn't think you were a Debbie Downer at all. It's good that people are sharing their experiences. Very good.

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    1. I'm glad to hear most things are the same for you and your husband. I think the grocery shopping has changed a little for all of us but nothing we can't deal with. Have fun with that garden you are planting!

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  2. Your town sounds lovely and it's nice to hear that people are still taking care of one another. I am with you about the days. I have to remind myself every day what day it is. The saving grace for me and the family has been the warmer weather. It is spring in Idaho and that can mean snow, rain, hail and sunshine all in one day but at least it is starting to warm up and we can play outside. Take care and stay safe.

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    1. I think most of us are having trouble with the day of the week since we've lost all of our typical day markers. I understand the changeable Spring weather as it is the same in Missouri. I'm glad you are having nice weather especially since you have kids. Staying indoors is never easy on the young ones. You and your family take care and have fun playing outside!

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  3. I've noticed a difference in how my neighbors are handling it. Several of them are working from home and feeling very stressed about trying to be productive and learn how to use unfamiliar apps for teaching and business meetings. The people who are used to working in a workplace seem, judging from the four neighbors I saw today, to have completely gone to pajamas!

    I think it helps to be a self starter, used to following an inner prompt about work and activities, than someone used to fitting into a structure, when the structure has gone.

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    1. I can see where those working from home that are not accustomed to it could be having some difficulties. There is a big learning curve for many in all this. How funny that it is those neighbors that are working in their pjs!

      I just went to check out your blog and Wow - you have two blogs! I'm impressed! I just started blogging in January and I still feel like I'm not sure what I'm doing. I can barely get one post a week out! I'm going to keep at it though. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I live in a very small town and I do feel safer...when I go shopping there are very few people in the stores But like you, it is a bit mind boggling. First of all, the past two or three years, I don't get up early normally...and now I want to get up and go kind of early.

    There is so much other stress in my life right now, that staying home is almost a blessing. So far, been able to get most of what I need/want.

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    1. Even though we are in a small town our grocery store stays busy most of the time. We are trying to go earlier too when we do go. I think it is not quite as busy then and I am hopeful the selection is better. I hope you and your husband are doing okay. Take care!

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  5. The quarantine has really jolted our lives as we can not follow our regular routines. Interesting that you mention the day of the week. It's strange but I find some confusion on what day it is . I like your comparison of the virus and a new planet and pioneering.

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    1. Everyone I've talked with is having trouble keeping up with what day it is now. It must be a side effect of the isolation. You know things have changed just enough that on some days I do feel like we are pioneers living on a different planet!

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  6. As you know from my blog, not all that much has changed for me - on the surface. Yes, I miss going to the pub for quiz night (or just to meet friends), I miss going to the occasional dance, eating out at a restaurant or having ice cream at a café on the market square. But I work my 36 hours a week, which gives me structure, and I never doubt the day of the week, as there are regular meetings (now telephone/video conferences, of course) taking place at specific days of the week.
    Also, because of work I do not have much extra time on my hands. But I do love my long walks after work, being able to start straight from home and not having to be on two different trains to get home first!
    Shopping is no problem, either; my local supermarket stocks everything I need, and since I do not drive, I usually make two quick trips every week so that I can carry it all on foot and have fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products and so on.
    What Boud said above in her/his (?) comment, I have also observed; many of my co-workers were not used to working from home. But after the first week, everybody has adjusted remarkably well. For me, I've been used to WFH for about 10 years, and I have made a point from the start to be always properly dressed before I start, and I take my lunch breaks as usual. Also, I make sure to shut down and stow away the work laptop at the end of each working day, so that there is a real difference between work and leisure.

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    1. You do sound quite experienced at handling the working from home so hopefully that has made this transition much easier for you. It is very smart that you make a distinction between your work day and private time off too. It is good that now, especially, you do not have to deal with taking the train back and forth to work. I'm glad things are working out well for you!

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  7. HI Bonnie. I live in Greater London(Enfield)UK with a population of around 350,000+. I am unable to get online food deliveries as the delivery slots are for the old and vulnerable. I shop at my local supermarket and have been unable to get a weeks shop since this pandemic started. The shelves are empty. Today I still couldn't buy, flour, eggs, any kind of antibacterial cleaner etc. The few supplies they do have are not things I would normally buy. Today I ended up buying blackcurrant jelly (jello?)sponge finger biscuits and some kitkat bars just to have some variety in my diet which is getting increasingly unhealthy. Other than the stressful situation of going to the store I am fine. I don't wear a mask as I can't get one and don't have gloves either. Before I put my shopping away I soak a cloth in water and spray it with an antibacterial cleaner (I have a small bit left)and wipe everything before putting it away. I then thoroughly wash my hands.

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    1. I am sorry to hear you are unable to find all the groceries you need. We are still finding bare shelves but it is a little better than in the early days. We try to go to the store early in the day when we have to go. Maybe you could make a simple mask for when you go shopping. The larger population along with the virus stats I've heard for London would make me a bit nervous. I hope you don't have to go out often. I have been concerned about eating a few more of the unheathier items too since the shopping has become more limited. You have a good system for cleaning your groceries when you get home. I never thought we would have to do something like that! Please be safe and take care Simone!

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    2. Thanks Bonnie! Take care of yourself too. :)

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  8. You asked so many questions that I couldn't possibly answer them all. Mrs. RWP (her name is Ellie) and I have not left the house in over a month. Our son who lives 30 miles away brought us groceries once and our other son who lives 12 miles away brough us groceries another time. The every-other-Friday hair appointments are canceled, of course, as the shop is closed. I'm canceling my semi-annual cardiologist check-up for next week because our children don't want us to venture out at all, I being 79 and Ellie being nearly 85. We have played Phase 10 every afternoon to pass the time and yesterday pulled three jigsaw puzzles out of the spare room closet. I think if we die of anything it will be boredom.

    I don't mean to sound so dire, but it goes with the territory.

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    1. One bright spot has been that our pastor has started a daily "Dose of Hope" live gathering on Facebook every afternoon from 5 to about 5:30, so that has become part of our new normal. Our church also has "people groups" that used to meet every other Sunday evening for a potluck supper and fellowship; that has now become a Zoom videoconference which is very welcome and very similar but without the food, of course.

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    2. I did ask too many questions as I have been kind of rattling on too much lately! I am glad to hear you and Ellie have your sons bringing you groceries. I know it must be hard to not leave your house at all but it is the safest thing for you both especially in the area where you live. We have been isolating since early March but we do go out and buy our own groceries and that is all. You are smart to cancel any non-urgent medical appointments. A medical office is probably the worst place to be now. My husband has rescheduled some routine cardiac tests because of all this but I think he needs to just cancel them for now because we just don't know when it will be safe to go to medical facilities. As far as sounding dire, well I think we are all in that situation to some degree or another. The best thing for both you and Ellie is to stay in as long as necessary. I'm keeping you both in my thoughts.

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    3. That is especially nice that your church has Facebook and Zoom get togethers! It is important to keep up with your friends however you can!

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  9. I haven't been out for a month now--29 days. Leah will be doing grocery shopping in another week or two so she'll find out how it has changed. She heard people are wearing masks and some gloves, too. She will wear both. Who knows how much she will be able to get because of availability and limitations on certain items, but we hope to stock up for another 5-6 weeks. Leah will drop things off to my apt--we stay six feet apart and don't chat. That's what she did with a few groceries back on 3-17. I didn't know about wiping groceries down back then. I'll wipe things down the next time.

    I missed having a routine. Just last week we started doing our Craft Nites (Leah and I) and Gramma Days with Ian via video calls. It is nice to have some sort of a schedule because--yes!--I would forget what day it was. Leah and Dagan kept a schedule because Dagan is working from home M-F and Ian has "school" M-F while Liam naps. But Annie and I had no schedule at all--other than she wants her canned food when I get up in the morning--LOL! I had been less productive without any routine. Not that I'm tremendously productive in the first place--LOL! Less news helps, too. ;)

    I'm not sure but I think Fargo and West Fargo are around 150,000 folks. I grew up in Minneapolis so this seems small to me, but it's the largest city in North Dakota. The fact I live in a senior apartment complex makes me feel a little more vulnerable. I try to keep to my own personal bubble world here--LOL! :)

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    1. Thank goodness for Leah and Dagan, they are such a big help to you. You know it does help to have a routine even if it is through video calls. You and Leah can keep up with each other on your craft night call and the Gramma Day with Ian is just as important for him as for you I'm sure. I am thankful we live in an age where we can do things like that as it is helping many people now.

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  10. I live in a tiny township, fewer than 800. The township officials arrange for things we may need, like a ride or a delivery. Thank the lord for trash day. My neighbor just took mine to the curb. But I concentrate on getting up on Thursday morning to get the trash out to the bins. It's the only bit of routine left.

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    1. You know it's not until we end up in a situation like this that we realize how important having a routine can be! At least we always know when it is Wednesday because of the trash pick up! Your township sounds really nice. I've always preferred a small town and if you can live in one that is close to a larger town then you can have the best of both worlds.

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  11. Here, everything is about the same as before we had the virus worries. Except, like you said worrying about whether or not we will catch something while in the grocery store. We went to Walmart yesterday early to buy groceries and pick up a prescription. We both wore a mask and gloves. It felt strange.
    T\What worries me most are the people who are not taking this serious and staying home. You take care Bonnie. Hope you and your family stay safe.

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    1. I am glad this whole mess is not affecting you too much or at least not when you are out on your beautiful little farm. The grocery store trips are a little scary, aren't they? It just does not seem real but at the same time it is much too real. You are right, the people that don't take this seriously will be the ones to spread the virus around. Thank you for your kind words. You two take care too!

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  12. I think I am nuts...I meant to tell you I worked that puzzle in January of 2019. Though our Bubbie is a tabby, the cat on this puzzle has his expression. He just thinks himself a fine fellow and he is. He is our court jester...he is our clown. And he loves us so. Is yours 1000 piece or 2000 pieces...this is the only 2000 piece puzzle I think I have ever done. Someone else had it in 1000 pieces.

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    1. I love that puzzle with the cat and the old Singer machine. Mine is a 1000 piece. I didn't know it came larger. I have never worked a 2000 piece puzzle but this might be the time to try one!

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    2. It was a challenge...even though I have a big puzzle board, I still had about 5 small cookie sheets full of pieces and some in the box. I seldom lay out all the puzzle pieces anyway, till I get some big chunks together. But there comes that point I want them all out. (We always laid them all out when I was a kid and till just a few years ago when I found this way works best for me.)

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  13. A day is just another day anymore. Things sure have changed...we live in a rural area, hopefully that will help.
    I am baking and cooking more I think...comfort food!
    Andy's Chili
    2 Ibs browned Hamburger
    3 Ibs Beef Brisket cooked to perfection
    2 cans red beans
    2 cans shoepeg corn
    2 cans black beans
    2 cans diced tomatoes
    1 cup ketsup
    2 cups Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce
    1/2 cup mustard
    2 bottles Fat Tire Beer
    some brown sugar
    1 teaspoon chili power
    1/2 tsp cayanne pepper
    Salt and pepper
    You can add onions if you wish and Kidney Beans too.
    I use two crockpots and divide everything between the two...simmer. We freeze it in individual servings!

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    1. Oh Connie! I was so excited when I saw your recipe here! Thank you, we will have to give this recipe a test run! Yes, comfort food is big for us right now. Tonight we had meatloaf and mashed potatoes - one of our comfort favorites.

      Thanks again!

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  14. Designator of Days being gone I barely know what Day or Time of the Day or Night it is now! I did good on Non-Perishable items we use all of the time, but then, I was always one to keep a filled Pantry of Staples... it's the Perishables and Pandemic Cravings that get me! *LOL* We live in a Big City and so the Crowds are a problem almost anywhere, lots of people equals lots of them doing the same necessary runs to Essential places. I had heard Jigsaw Puzzle sales went way up when a Blog Friend who Sells them Online mentioned it is Booming to be Selling them right now. I don't have the Patience for Jigsaw Puzzles, but I do have plenty to keep busy doing since we just Moved In to our New Home February 1st.

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    1. Yes, it's the Perishables and cravings food that get you for sure! We can buy for a few weeks but then we always need milk and often cheese. We're in a small town but on the outskirts of a big city so there is a lot of the virus around here and I'm nervous about going out these days. I like working jigsaw puzzles once in awhile. I have to take a break between puzzles, but I always have lots of other things I need to get done. I bet you are busy if you recently moved!

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  15. I've always been a jigsaw doer, (is that a word?) and I get through a 1000 piece one every couple of days, and although I have loads upstairs in the attic to do I still panic that I'm going to run out. I also sell them afterwards on ebay, and they are going very quickly! I like to think they are going to a new home.

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    1. It sounds like you are blasting through those puzzles! I like working them but I don't get through them that fast. I do try and keep a couple in reserve that I have not worked yet. I bet you are selling a lot online right now. This is the perfect time for working puzzles! You take care.

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