DO YOU PLAN STAY-AT-HOME DAYS?

Do you plan your Stay-At-Home Days? For the first three decades of my life, everything was planned for me. From the age of five through 21, I was a student. I didn’t have to make any decisions as to how I spent my time. Go to class, study, recreation, sleep. The pattern repeated itself every day, for years.

After college, the routine changed, but my days followed a pattern. Work, recreation, sleep. Next came marriage and children: Filling my daytime hours wasn’t a problem: Cook, clean, take care of children, recreation, sleep. That all changed when my lst husband had a meltdown, and I went to work. Managing a hospital department while raising three children under ten required a whole lot of planning. For the next twenty some years, I made to do lists every single day. After retiring, I was involved in activities and responsibilities that still required plans and lists.

And then, the coronavirus hit, No activities to participate in, or people to see. The doldrums set in. I felt tired and aimless. After a few days, it dawned on me. This wasn’t going to end soon. I had to make some plans.

The pandemic requires everyone to self isolate. Do you plan your Stay At home Days — The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live our lives.

My days needed structure. I couldn’t just lie around and wait for the pandemic to end. Although I couldn’t attend my tai chi classes or go swimming now, I still needed exercise. How would I keep my mind sharp.? Visiting with family or friends was out. Nor could I take any trips—not even to Indy. What in the world would I do?

First, I would not stay in bed until noon. We had always gotten out of bed around 8:30 to have coffee and read the paper. That would continue. But no lolling around in pajamas all day. Getting dressed, fixing my hair, and a little lipstick made me feel normal, and more energetic.

Do You Plan Your Stay At Home Day? Try doing jigsaw puzzles. — Plan Your Stay At Home Days with jigsaw puzzles to help your brain.

Things to incorporate into my new life: Reading more books, via kindle. Spring Cleaning with a vengeance. Not just washing some windows, but curtains, walls, cabinets. Cleaning out closets and drawers. Exercise. On rainy days, when I can’t walk outside, I get my exercise with the dreaded spring cleaning. You can burn a bunch of calories that way. Since restaurants are closed, it was time for me to experiment with new recipes. I could play bridge and online. It’s not as much fun as playing with real live people, but it gives you a little entertainment. My husband ordered some jigsaw puzzles ( Did you know they challenge your brain?.} Weeding my garden like it’s never been weeded before. Planting flowers. Cleaning out my files and drawers. Writing checks and paying bills. Sending birthday cards.

Sample daily schedule:

8:30: Make coffee, read the newspaper (home delivery)

9:00 Do morning stretch exercises

9:15 Light breakfast. Make bed, turn on computer, check e mail and other online favorite websites.

10:00 Start project for the day: cleaning, gardening, writing, etc.. One day a week, go to grocery store (wearing mask, gloves, glasses).

12:00 Lunch

12:30 15 minutes of unfiltered sunshine (weather permitting)

12:35 Paperwork: paying bills, filing, writing cards,

1:30 Put in a load of laundry or write blog.

2:00 Walk in park, weather permitting

3:00 Fold laundry or finish blog.

3: 15 Bridge online,or help husband with jig saw puzzles

4:00 Tai chi (3 short exercises)

4:15 Personal care: Hair, nails, etc.

5:00 Start planning dinner

6:00 Dinner

6:30 Watch news

7:00 Clean kitchen

The rest of the evening is pure relaxation: Meditating, Netflix streaming, favorite TV shows, or more reading. A warm bath, then bed around 11:00.

The schedule is subject to change at any time, to allow for telephone calls. These are usually spontaneous, and can’t be planned.

And so, after 8 weeks of self-isolation, I’m busier than ever. Do you plan your stay-at-home days during the Covid 19 crisis?

March 30, 2020March 30, 2020

STAY-AT-HOME DIARY: WEEK 3

Recovering news junkie here. I’ve always been a person who loves the news: two newspapers every morning, 3 different TV stations for evening news . That’s over. There is absolutely nothing to read, see, or hear about except the coronavirus. I wake up in the morning, and my iphone has numerous updates which are repeated all day long and everywhere on the internet. By the time 6 o’clock rolls around, I’ve reached the saturation point. What will the media do when COVID-19 is over? Surely, there are other things going on in the world. Stay-At- Home Diary: Week 3

Looked in the basement for a jigsaw puzzle. Threw them away during our de cluttering project last year. Why would we keep something that hasn’t been used for decades? But now, we were sorry. Asked our son to pick one up at Walmart, but they didn’t have much left. The puzzle has 750 teensy, tiny, flimsy pieces. The puzzles I remember were much more substantial. Anyway, our living room is now filled with two card tables covered with puzzle pieces. I helped my husband find the “straight” pieces for the border, but that’s as far as it goes. He’s on his own now, and from the looks of it, he’ll be lucky if it’s finished by Memorial Day..

Washed all the curtains downstairs. We’re talking 10 windows here. When were they last washed? Not sure. It may have been a couple of years. They’re sheer and pale blue, so they don’t show the dirt. But I knew that they were full of dust. Started sneezing as soon as I began. Taking down, washing, drying and re hanging took about 4 hours. At least we’ll remember when we washed them last. How could you forget the coronavirus activities?

Walked in the park a couple of times, weather permitting. Sat outside on sunny days for a short time. . A little ultraviolet light is good for the immune system and raises your spirits.

Gained two pounds. We’ve tried to eat healthy; and watch our calories. But the lack of exercise combined with nervous/bored snacking is taking its toll. Supposedly, it’s good to be a little overweight at our age. It helps get you through sickness. If that’s the case, I’m well prepared.

Consuming plenty of probiotics to boost my immune system: fruit smoothies made with kefir and yogurt. A hearty German meal of Bratwurst and sauerkraut. Did you know sauerkraut is a powerful probiotic?

A bar of fragrance free Ivory Soap would help: Stay-at-home Diary Week 3 — Stay-At-Home Diary: Week 3. I’d give anything for a bar of fragrance free ivory soap for all the hand washing..

Hands getting red and itchy from all the hand washing. I’ve tried different lotions, but nothing can help when you’re washing your hands about every fifteen minutes. Scented, tinted soaps don’t help. I’d give anything for a bar of Ivory.

Spent two hours trying to revive my husband’s kindle. The books wouldn’t download, and I couldn’t figure out why.. Turned out he hasn’t used it for years, and it wasn’t connected to wireless. GRR.

The novelty of staying home is wearing off for parents. The first week, everyone said it was nice to sleep late and not push themselves. But now, they’re missing the office and their old routine. Working from home while taking care of children is a struggle. I hope everyone stays safe and sane. God willing, it will soon be over.

March 20, 2020March 21, 2020

SOCIAL DISTANCING DIARY: WEEK 1

Sunday was probably the end of normalcy in our house. Some of our kids stopped by for brunch, but we probably won’t be seeing them in person again for awhile. Everyone’s in lockdown. Here’s my staying home/ social distancing diary: Week 1.

Tuesday, shopped for groceries at the new supermarket. It’s an enormous place, and the few shoppers looked grim. No one smiled, as we maintained our social distance. The store was out of meat, eggs, paper goods, water, and soft drinks. Strangely , there was plenty of fresh produce and fruit available. I thought people were supposed to start eating more healthy foods.

Today, I’m wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday. Usually, I’m involved in so many activities like card games, tai chi, swimming, walking, etc. that I often change clothes twice a day. But now, I’ve worn the same jeans and t shirt for 2 days. Why? Because , I’m not leaving the house for anything more than taking out the trash, getting the mail, and running to the store for necessities. I’ll probably put on a clean outfit tomorrow.

Feeling lethargic. At first, I thought I would start my spring cleaning, or initiate a new project. But the wet, gloomy weather and coronavirus crisis is sapping my energy.

Cheering up my husband, and trying to fix foods that won’t upset him. The VA messed up his stomach medicine, and he’s been without for over two weeks. Worry about the virus is making it worse. Called today and they said the prescription was mailed Tuesday. It finally arrived Thurs. Hope it helps.

Obsessing about new cases, checking the internet. Indiana Cases doubled in two days. Strangely, each county only reports one or two cases. There must be more who haven’t been tested. First case reported in my county last night.

Neighbors walking in the rain alone. Social distancing diary: Week 1 — Some people are walking in the rain alone: Social distancing diary: Week 1

Watching neighbors walking in the rain with umbrellas. They’re probably going stir crazy. I’d like to join them, but I might catch a cold. Then, I’d think I had the virus. And I probably couldn’t get tested.

Libraries closed. Reading a Kindle book that isn’t very good but it’s something to do. Instead of skimming our two newspapers in the morning, we’re reading every single story in great detail.

Playing bridge online. I can only do this for about an hour before I get bored.

Trying to avoid nervous eating, afraid to step on the scale. It would just depress me. I’ll listen to my meditation app, instead.

It’s been a gloomy week. But when the sun comes out, I’ll take a walk in the park. By myself.

And thank heaven for the internet!

March 6, 2020March 6, 2020

PURELL HITS JACKPOT IN COVID-19

One man’s poison is another man’s meat, to rephrase an old cliché. While the cruise industry is reeling from the shock, and the stock market nose dives, some people are getting an unexpected windfall. The coronavirus appears to have a few beneficiaries. Purell hits the jackpot during the COVID-19 outbreak. Manufacturers of other hand sanitizers will see an increase in their bottom line, too.

Parell and other makers of hand sanitizers are making lots of money — Producers of hand sanitizers are seeing big sales. Purell hit the Jackpot in COVQ10-19

You may wish you owned stock in Purell, but if you work for a company making face masks or respirators, your job security is rock solid right now. Take it a step further. The drugstores who sell all of the aforementioned items are keeping pretty busy

Because more people have stopped attending church or public events, cable and network ratings must be going through the roof. We’ve watched more Netflix this month than we can remember. Just like Joe Biden, what video stores remain in business may experience a comeback.

Don’t worry about layoffs if you’re working in the healthcare industry.. You’re services are greatly needed right now. Not saying the coronavirus will get worse, but everyone who gets sick is going to think they have it. Patients may even get turned away from the emergency room, because there is no room for them.

Booksellers should see a surge in sales, as libraries keep up with the demand for bestsellers. We’ve probably read twice as many books this month as we usually do. I’m checking out as many library books as my arms can carry.

Family life may improve. When people are staying home, they may sit down and eat meals together. Suddenly everyone is bonded by fear of the coronavirus. A common enemy unites us all, as we huddle together in front of the hearth (or television) .

If it goes on too long, the coronavirus may reduce our reliance on Chinese goods and services.. Maybe manufacturers will decide to invest in American workers by moving their factories out of China and into the good old USA.

Tag: quarantine