NST March 2020 Merriment

mothernerd

Well that's it - me and mum are going into lockdown from Saturday. When I arrived at the bungalow I said I would be moving in to be with her. She said she was fine - we both have coughs atm. I explained that it was expected that there would be a lockdown for over 70s and vulnerable groups (both of us). Her friend had told her that there would be a ministerial announcement and he would phone her afterwards. We suspect her friend will be dragged down south by his sons - he had an appointment on Friday and collapsed when he was there (the appointment is part of the investigation to find out why this happens), so they scooped him up, put him back in the ambulance and took him to another hospital. they let him go but he's been vomitting repeatedly since Saturday.

I put the six o'clock news on (I never watch the news) so she would believe me. Twelve weeks - I've told her I'm ordering a poly tunnel. The bungalow is a little small for us to be together for 12 weeks so I will remove myself to the poly tunnel and play with plants. Today I took a bag of books, 2 pieces of embroidery + bits to go with them, 2 puzzle books (new one out this Thursday if I get chance to pick it up), my tin of seeds and a variety of notebooks/ code books (address books which are used for passwords). So much to do. Will take a few bags each time I go and try to buy odd bits that occur to me (Beloved has used all my SF flour, could do with a couple of new flannels and have checked that mum is okay with powdered milk if I can find any). Been told by several people that SMs had no milk or any description. Need to write a letter for mum's cousin, get new library books (raid DS3's shelf for the few that aren't manga/ whizz round cs). If mum's district nurse appointment isn't cancelled, I will ask her to let me practice doing the dressing and give me a couple of spare pads. Also need to find out how I can get my pills ordered and delivered (have more than a month's worth but will need at least another two months worth. Supposedly people in vulnerable groups will be contacted in the next few days, but if I can ask questions it will help.

Spent a small amount in the community shop today - looking to fill the gaps in mum's fridge (things I need that she doesn't use). I have pulses, spices, cider vinegar at home but not sure how much foodstuff I want to lug around.

Today I am grateful for already having thought things through, for a lovely sunshiney day, for my embroidery.

PurpleFairy26

#9 checking in. Really trying hard to focus on the gratefuls at the moment with all the madness that is going on. 

Am focusing on what I can do to constructively keep myself busy when the inevitable isolation arrives. Am planning on getting some paint tomorrow so I can do some household jobs and also planning on yoga daily from u tube and hoping to make some curtains (teach myself) which should be money saving in the long term too and good use of the time. 

Grateful today:
for sunshine that allowed washing to dry outside
a lovely walk with a pal in the sunshine 
Lots of people in the local butchers when I went in supporting a local business 😃

ponypal

grateful for:
cat being super cute
really blue skies today
tasty stir fry for tea

got all my errands done

shabbychic12

Well lm checking in but with all the madness going on lm finding it hard to post. lm trying hard not to get sucked in with the l’m alright jack sod everyone else mentally but it’s hard when panic is going on all around which isn’t helping my nsd’s or my sanity. I’ve joined our local Facebook group to try and help those who genuinely need help during this time so hopefully l can do my bit to help someone else ( does make you wonder if the roles were reversed would anyone help me) 
Today l am grateful for a day spent in the garden. 

f0xh0les

I'd help you shabbychic, but I am in 14 day semi-isolation as of today,  not sure how long my soya milk will last with 6 of us at home, but as  it only comes in 1 ltr cartons, and we are limited to  buying 4 at a time, I am going to have to go out  and try and scrape some together soonish.  The shops shelves were well stocked at 8am yesterday, but by 12pm they were decimated again - what on earth people are doing with all these foods I have no idea - and I am talking as someone who usually  only buys dry goods/long life stuff and toiletries once a month - I saw a shop assistant refusing to sell more than 4 tiny square pouches  of dog food to a customer last night - he only had 6.   I am leaving it for today as I assume it is going to be crazy again, however, at  Mr T's at  7pm last night (ys time) the fresh  bargains were fab, and the store was quite empty of people.  I think I will just go shopping at night.  Eventually people will stop buying everything not nailed down, surely.  They will run out of space to store it !!

Today we are cleaning and disinfecting the kids rooms, the handrails (good old zofl0ra), door handles and light switches.  Furry faces will appear in the washing machine door window - I feel so guilty when I wash toy animals.

Trying to be responsible.  It chafes already less than 12 hours in.

Thankful for - my pantry, buying loo roll on a monthly basis as a normal event, dh having a job which has sick pay, and him being told to work from home anyway.

Chins up turtles!

to all teachers, service staff  and all the supermarket shelf stackers

mothernerd

f0xh0les said:

I'd help you shabbychic, but I am in 14 day semi-isolation as of today,  not sure how long my soya milk will last with 6 of us at home, but as  it only comes in 1 ltr cartons, and we are limited to  buying 4 at a time, I am going to have to go out  and try and scrape some together soonish.  The shops shelves were well stocked at 8am yesterday, but by 12pm they were decimated again - what on earth people are doing with all these foods I have no idea - and I am talking as someone who usually  only buys dry goods/long life stuff and toiletries once a month - I saw a shop assistant refusing to sell more than 4 tiny square pouches  of dog food to a customer last night - he only had 6.   I am leaving it for today as I assume it is going to be crazy again, however, at  Mr T's at  7pm last night (ys time) the fresh  bargains were fab, and the store was quite empty of people.  I think I will just go shopping at night.  Eventually people will stop buying everything not nailed down, surely.  They will run out of space to store it !!

Today we are cleaning and disinfecting the kids rooms, the handrails (good old zofl0ra), door handles and light switches.  Furry faces will appear in the washing machine door window - I feel so guilty when I wash toy animals.

Trying to be responsible.  It chafes already less than 12 hours in.

Thankful for - my pantry, buying loo roll on a monthly basis as a normal event, dh having a job which has sick pay, and him being told to work from home anyway.

Chins up turtles!

to all teachers, service staff  and all the supermarket shelf stackers

I used to apologise to the teddies when I was pegging them by their ears on the washing line. It did make a good threat to the boys though. "I'll peg you on the washing line by your ears" made them dissolve into laughter and they were much more amenable to doing whatever I'd told them to do or get them out of a sulk/ bad mood.

f0xh0les

It is the look on their faces as they turn upside down in the suds and then go facedown, and you have to wait until they resurface to take a breath!

dolly84

It is sad that for so many the first reaction to this was to consume and take more than they needed.  I am dreading going shopping tomorrow, I haven't stocked up on anything outside of my normal shopping habits, I just can't be so selfish.  I will not be locking myself away either, will not be checking the news any more than normal which is hardly ever, will still chat to people I bump into.  I think people need to stop reading social media - for me it is the font of all evil and the reason we have seen such a rise in mental health issues and even I can see why, DH was reading something last night on an app we have called Nextdoor, it is supposed to bring communities together but there are some people posting the most ridiculous things on there - not about CV as such but I can see why you might feel anxious if you believe it all.

mothernerd

How sweetly lies old Ireland. Emerald green beyond the foam, awakening sweet memories, calling the heart back home. HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY TURTLES. Have a Guinness for me (except for the vegans and vegetarians, isinglass, oh dear)

And now for something completely different

Day 17 

Reasons to be cheerful (many parts as battery is very low - plugged in but not helping)

Always look on the bright side of life

gallows humour is fine - a great survival tool

Write a mood lifting list and use it (music, radio 4, books, books and more books, sewing, laughter, old films, looking at pictures of cats/ dogs/ nest of baby sloths on the internet, helping others, being grateful, sparkly socks, HIBERNATION at last, portable rainbows, messing in the soil, growing things.

Mum's free tv license got extended

Richard Branson is pleading poverty and looking for handouts (I suggest we make him hand over every penny he earns for the next 3 months, gives each of his workers double wages rather than  eight weeks unpaid and hands over the rest to the NHS)

Make a list of useful things to do if you are hibernating (whether you are doing the 2 week thing or doing the full 12 weeks + ) tackle the mending pile, do all the little household repairs you never have time for (buy supplies now, tape or plumber's putty for the sink, paint), Garden, Exercise

REMEMBER

You have survived 100% of your worst days.

Mothernerd's top ten lifetime crises (not in any order)

The workmen who had come to fix the water leak (about 20 yards from my front door) hit the gas pipe as well. Multiple fire engines and police cars appeared. The workmen came into our houses to turn off the gas (to try to prevent a potential explosion inside the houses rather than outside). Told boys to stop getting ready for school as parents and children were returning, saying that school was closing (5 minutes up the road - our little row of five houses and the back of the library were inside the police tape)

They moved all the fire engines back outside the tape.

I phoned mum, packed up the house deeds, my will, info on the bills and bank accounts and sent the children and paperwork off to mum's. 

Several hours later - pipe repaired, gas turned back on, emergency services packed up and went. Phoned to say it was safe for the boys to come home.

Mental Wellness Day 17

What lessons have you learnt from your mental health?

CHANGE to Challenge Rules

I am allowing you to keep an NSD if buying things you need during these Interesting Times. Please don't cheat. Any diy/ garden stuff, food you can use but the pot noodle lot won't touch (hoping my favourite Allin Sons flour may still be available).

Replacement Rule

BE KIND and think of others. Practice hand washing and social distancing to help protect those of us in the vulnerable groups. Help if you can. Use social media positively to support those in isolation and maintain contact with those who need it

Random Rule

Daily Nominations for the most outrageous statement by a politician, business leader, newspaper WITH an appropriate punishment (or the most wildly creative, over the top, excessive punishment that will make them rue the day they were born). Turtle court in session.

shabbychic12

Thank you Foxholes xx lve been round my at risk neighbors and checked they are ok. If we all did this lm sure it would help a bit to ease the stress on them just knowing someone is about to help. I did say l won’t be cooking as lm not renowned for that at the best of time lol.