our forever patch challenge

sammy70

day 2 and im trying to get into a routine.
7am out and feed the sheep/horse, let chickens out, then breakfast for me , a load of washing done and blowing outside, hooverd and mopped kitchen and living room, cup of coffee whole reading a few posts...
next to do is get outside and do a few chores, muck out horse/poo pick, muck chickens out and collect eggs.. dont know what i would have done without the fur babies really. I know its extra mouths to feed, but they keep me sane.
We are lucky to live out in the sticks, i feel so sorry for people in built up areas trying to keep a distance.
Praying for a swift as possible return to as near as normality we will get to in the next few months, so people can start living and working again 

sammy70

cant sleep worrying tonight about my son, who is going back to work monday. he is on tablets for his arthiritis that affect his immune system so he would be more at risk if he were to contract this virus.
my only consolation is he works in the farming industry, so no office work, but still around people..
i dont know about everyone else, but i keep going from thinking- make the best of the time off, we are so lucky to be here, with emergency fund, and each other to offload to, then i start worrying and overthinking about worse case scenarios on health of my family, job loss, etc.. so wish for the day when theirs light at the end of the tunnel ..

Fortune_Smiles

sammy70 said:

cant sleep worrying tonight about my son, who is going back to work monday. he is on tablets for his arthiritis that affect his immune system so he would be more at risk if he were to contract this virus.
my only consolation is he works in the farming industry, so no office work, but still around people..
i dont know about everyone else, but i keep going from thinking- make the best of the time off, we are so lucky to be here, with emergency fund, and each other to offload to, then i start worrying and overthinking about worse case scenarios on health of my family, job loss, etc.. so wish for the day when theirs light at the end of the tunnel ..

It's understandable you're worried Sammy.  It seems that your son really should be at home.  What are the barriers to him staying in self-isolation?  Is there a possible way to overcome these?  Even just for the short term?

It's a distressing time.  We are a week ahead of most in our self-isolating as we started before the Government officially suggested it for those with underlying health conditions.  I've been through the entire spectrum of emotions but now, at week three, those feelings are less intense.  All we can do is take each day as it comes.  I've been keeping as busy as possible.  It feels trivial when others are taking risks on the front line and I'm baking or painting at home, however, our own mental wellbeing is important too if we're to overcome this thing as a community.  We'll need to go back to work at some stage or be called upon to help others who haven't come through this unscathed.  We're concentrating on the veg patch so that we can provide some food for ourselves and our neighbours if need be going forward.  It's helping me to feel a bit more empowered and useful during this time.

Take care of yourself - you can't  serve anybody from an empty pot.

Fortune x

sammy70

hi fortunes, thank you for your comments..
he is going back as his employer wont pay him anything other than SSP, £75 he got last week and he has a home  and lives alone.
ive said we will  cover his outgoings for a couple of months, and arranged a mortgage holiday, but he doesnt want to take our offer, i suspect its stubborn pride, hes never had a day off work in the 11 years he has worked for this employer, its so frustrating i just want him home safe for a few more weeks..

Fortune_Smiles

sammy70 said:

hi fortunes, thank you for your comments..
he is going back as his employer wont pay him anything other than SSP, £75 he got last week and he has a home  and lives alone.
ive said we will  cover his outgoings for a couple of months, and arranged a mortgage holiday, but he doesnt want to take our offer, i suspect its stubborn pride, hes never had a day off work in the 11 years he has worked for this employer, its so frustrating i just want him home safe for a few more weeks..

I see.  That's a difficult one.  As an adult he has to make his own decisions but perhaps he'll have a re-think as the situation progresses.  After 11 years I'd hope his employer would be looking after him better - it doesn't seem his loyalty is being returned.  Perhaps the circumstances are not as they appear though and his employer is having a very difficult time.  It's going to be critical that we keep our farming going over the next months so perhaps your son feels that he's doing his bit for us all.  Another on the front line making sacrifices for us.  Thank you son of Sammy 😘

Fortune x

sammy70

well i managed to persuade my son to delay his return to work untill the 20th April. My thinking is the virus will hopefully have peaked and be g0ing into a decline as regards new infections, might be my wishful thinking..
His employer is booming with work, they are wanting him back asap as this is the busiest time of year, but arent able?? to make any concessions to workspace etc due to the layout of the workshop.. at least they are providing handwashing facilities now! 
As his work is outdoors its a bonus too, hopefully this dryer weather continues .
Fingers crossed for a quick recovery from this nightmare, and that we all come through it healthy and with employment..scary times..

sammy70

on the money front, ive set my April and May budget. Im being super organised, meal planning 3 weeks in advance incase either of us are ill/ lockdown restrictions tighten.
Ive got a months supply of bedding and feed for my chunky cob, sheep, and chickens..
I think other than fresh 'nice to have' stuff, we have a months supply of essentials and even a few none essentials for hubby and me ..
My furlough letter from work states minimum of 3 weeks, and upto 31st May , dont know what will happen regarding return to work date at this moment, or any certainty that i wont be made redundant even.
All i and anyone else can do is ride this storm through, plan for the worst as best we can, whilst hoping for the best.

sammy70

what a gorgeous couple of days! 
was up early and went for an early morning ride, first in 3 weeks as i wasnt sure if it was included as exercise, but im going to stick to short rides near home, both horse and i need to get out and let off steam.. im only going when hubby at home in case any problems, im being super cautious to avoid mishaps..

Im in a positive mood today, no doubt i will be worrying about worst case scenarios again soon, im terrible at overthinking,i drive myself potty with it..
hubby is busy wall pointingwall near his workshop, ive just finished house cleaning, will be teatime for animals shortly,them bath and tea for hubby and i, he has long weekend, but working monday night for enhanced pay.. we are trying to be carefull and save as much as we can to the crisis pot, if we dont need all of it, and by some miracle this nightmare ends sooner than we planned, an overpayment to the car loan and mortgage will be made..
i think the rest of 2020 whatever happens, will be a low spend/stash the savings/make small overpayments/year..

sammy70

another beautiful day.. we are inundated with baby rabbits of various sizes, they are so funny to watch! also the fields are alive again with sheep and lambs, its so nice listening to them and the birds on a morning with the sun shining , a cup of tea and the bedroom window open.. usually only get to experience this on a sunday morning, furlough isnt a bad thing sometimes 
im trying to keep positive, hope for the best, plan for the worst is my motto.. i dont think we will see any return to normality for a while yet, id like to know if i will have a job to return to at the end of all this, but i guess loads of us are in the same boat..
im wondering if i were to be made redundant, if nows the time to look to start a small business , ive always fancied some sort of catering businesss, perhaps selling drinks and snacks to walkers /cyclists etc as we are in the countryside and no cafes near by, if anyone has any ideas id love to hear!

Jessy103

Sounds idyllic Sammy, I'm very jealous! 

I hope everything works out for you. The walker refreshments sound a great idea! I'm starting to wonder if I can pimp my BF out to the lonely ladies in the village we live in 😂