New days, new ways

I live alone, well I have my dog and she's a godsend. Like others I miss the theatre, girls lunches, etc. It was the time I got to have some company, fun. I can chat on the phone, facetime, but it's not the same as actually seeing someone. I have to content myself that fun will hopefully return again, soon I hope. I'm lucky to live somewhere that has lovely dog walks, beside Belfast Lough or in the countryside. I read, love a good film and sometimes bake. As long as I keep occupied I don't have time to think. We are out of our circuit breaker in 2 weeks, I'll not be going out shopping, etc, just to get out of the house, essential shopping and dog walks will suit me just fine.

Cuckoo22

I live alone. Don’t have family. Friends are in bubbles with their families. I’ve no pets. I tried to adopt a dog, but all the rescue centres are telling me I can’t. This new lockdown terrifies me. If there was a definite end it wouldn’t be so bad, but listening to Michael Gove it sounds like there’s every change they are already planning to extend it.
Might as well give up now. No life.

If you can’t adopt a dog you could offer to dog sit or walk a dog.

How about offering your help with a food bank or something similar.

Honestly it is tough we know that, but try to keep your eyes on the horizon, and understand that everything passes.

You are nearly all very positive, well done the Granny generation. I'm feeling sad this morning after we saw our DS and DiL yesterday for a walk and a rather damp lunch in the garden. Now I wonder when we shall see them again, let alone DD & family at the other end of the UK.
So I'm trying to stay positive and busy, thinking of my mother's generation who were young in WW2 and endured so much worry, hardship and loss. Tears in my eyes for them as well as for us now.

Ll, I believe 30 people may still attend a funeral. Full spacing, of course. How a family limits it to 30, I don't know. Personal invitation? Pretty awful........

Whitewavemark2 - What you describe sounds like my normal life. My only concern is there will be more people about on the 'quiet walks' - but that will be lovely. We have a lot to gain from all this really.

sandelf

Whitewavemark2 - What you describe sounds like my normal life. My only concern is there will be more people about on the 'quiet walks' - but that will be lovely. We have a lot to gain from all this really.

?

I am getting myself informed about this whole situation and the why's and wherefores. I am becoming ever more sceptical about the lockdowns and believe that ultimately they will have to stop - hopefully before everything is destroyed and particularly our children's future.

lockdownsceptics.org/truth-in-the-timeline-of-covid/fbclid=IwAR3u1vwY2T1G5I9XRxP7hwRmLzvI2PKKCnp-wlXuSYsHd5QGzBEv1Apy670

It's lengthy but illuminating, particularly for those who are waiting for a vaccine before they go out again.

inishowen

I've been knitting a lot since March. I now have a huge box of baby cardigans, hats etc., My dilemma now is what to do with it. I want to give it to needy families but how do I find them?

For those people who would like to knit and crochet for good causes please look up Loving Hands a website with lots of information on organisations that would love donations. Also Knit for Peace are happy to receive donations. Check their website for what is currently needed.

I think it is important to remind ourselves that this will not last for ever.

Sooner or later a vaccine will be available and for all anyone knows the virus may just disappear or lie dormant, or whatever it was the Spanish flu did. It raged in 1918 and 1919, then just stopped.

I do the things I have been doing since retirement, walks, bike rides, housework, as little gardening (detestable task) as I can get away with, read, write letters, cook.

I absolutely LOVE this thread please lets have more. Let's lift each other's spirits and share ideas to do that.
Like others I'm concentrating on keeping busy and healthy with a few treats here and there. Exercise and healthy food go a long way towards feeling good. Walking costs nothing, and the fresh air and beautiful autumn colours will lift your spirits.
Put on your favourite music, and have a shuffle around the kitchen.
Keep up your standards on hair, makeup and clothing it really will improve your mood. Meditation or any form of relaxation is a must. Balance is essential. Educate yourself on healthy lifestyle, and see this pandemic as a positive to improve your life moving forward.
Let's be there for others. Keep smiling

Oh how I wish I could walk and kneel at my allotment! I clouted my leg against a table in July and injured my knee and have suffered ever since. Can’t have a steroid jab to help as Doctor is reluctant because of COVID risk! So keep taking the tablets, physio, elevate and ice and put up with the pain! Lockdown looks endless and while I love Christmas the preparations this year are going to be so hard! Will carry on crafting, jigsaws and WI online but so want to be outside!

Good ideas there WWM2. I would add listen to music every day, whatever your genre may be and if you feel your days are lacking direction, write a list for the day the night before! ?

I’m struggling with the thought of this next lockdown.
I do count my blessings,I have a husband at home.A lovely home and no reason to feel this way but I do.
Maybe it’s because it’s winter....

Rose30
Your not the only one informing yourself A lot of thinking people are.
If you have 2hrs to spare ( yes, I know it's a long listen) but listen to the podcast ( or YouTube) by Dr Mike Yeadon. It gets a bit 'sciency' at times but stick with it. You won't think the same way again about this virus. By the way: he's not a virus denier.

crafting and more crafting for me and cycling outside when the weather is ok. Living alone so being busy is key for me. I started to do some needle felting the other day, very nice and I bought some kits, fairly expensive but all relative as each takes about two weeks. I think I will get back to wood carving but the garage is getting cold, will don a leather apron and do whittling indoors instead, easily cleaned chips. I ordered a carving book on making christmas tree ornaments. Worth while for me as I am in process of getting rid of the old and in with new

70s music makes me dance while dusting, perhaps I shall do more of that

One thing that I have been surprised at are the amount of opportunities that there are for getting hold of free books.

I belong to my local library, and as well as pottering to the library, which I don’t, I do belong to the on line service. I can browse loads of books and read them free on my iPad.

I also can get hold of free books through my iPad kindle app.

The trouble is that I now have about 1/2 a doz books on the go. I must get a grip!!

I've just ordered an exercise bike...Aquafit classes did start up again locally, but will cease from Thursday and tbh last year my attendance in the winter months was erratic as I found going out in the cold or rain not that appealing.So, I am hoping to get my fitness up this way- well I can but try.

I am sure there will be a vaccine that will see an end to this virus so until that day comes then we must do what those who lived through two world wars did .ADAPT.
Count our blessings until that day comes when we can go about our lives without this present threat /enemy amongst us.

I agree that good things are coming out of it. My brothers and I have never been good about keeping in touch, but now we zoom every other Monday, and are getting to know each other again. We all enjoy and value it. “There’s always an upside.”

It’s been really interesting to read the comments. I’m doing my best to count my blessings (which are many) and keep busy and positive. I’m a little envious of some of the posters here though. I’ve been retired for some years but still really miss my job and being part of a team. Since then I’ve mainly been doing childcare or voluntary activities. Apart from 1 day of childcare all that has finished due to the GC starting school and their parents working at home. I’m at my happiest when out of the house and among other people. I wish I shared some of the interests mentioned here but I’ve no interest in crafts or hobbies or online activities. For me this is too solitary. Sorry if this might upset anyone but I really don’t want a pet. I do go on walks on my own or with my husband just to keep active. I like to read and watch tv but keep that for the evenings as I don’t like to sit down during the day. Sorry if this sounds very negative but I feel so lost without my life as it was before and miss my family so much.

aonk

It’s been really interesting to read the comments. I’m doing my best to count my blessings (which are many) and keep busy and positive. I’m a little envious of some of the posters here though. I’ve been retired for some years but still really miss my job and being part of a team. Since then I’ve mainly been doing childcare or voluntary activities. Apart from 1 day of childcare all that has finished due to the GC starting school and their parents working at home. I’m at my happiest when out of the house and among other people. I wish I shared some of the interests mentioned here but I’ve no interest in crafts or hobbies or online activities. For me this is too solitary. Sorry if this might upset anyone but I really don’t want a pet. I do go on walks on my own or with my husband just to keep active. I like to read and watch tv but keep that for the evenings as I don’t like to sit down during the day. Sorry if this sounds very negative but I feel so lost without my life as it was before and miss my family so much.

I’m sure there are many like you aonk we aren’t all the same.

How boring if we were!

Yes this is a lovely thread and so many positives on here. I will:

keep in touch with family and friends
continue practicing my Tai Chi (as best I can)
zoom into my church services
cook and batch bake
cook some treats for Christmas
write my Christmas cards
put up the Christmas tree and decorations
attempt to buy a turkey crown - if not happy with chicken or anything else we have in the freezer for Christmas Dinner
We all have to try our best to find different things to enjoy and to keep us occupied.

Technology is something to be considered (in its many forms).

ZOOM opened me up to more exercise and chats
HOUSEPARTY is fun!
YouTube helped me with my new hobby - woodturning

Stage shows, musicals and opera can be watch online now for free. Some have small subscriptions. I watched all the National Theatre performances they put on through YouTube. I really wouldn't mind paying a subscription to them for more plays etc. I was paying to go to the cinema when they put on the live performances.

For me its sewing and Ancestory

Thanks for the link Riverwalk that sounds right up my street, if ever I get back to UK I will definitely pay the museum a visit.

We have been catching up with all the jobs around the house that we put off for various reasons. Really miss my volunteer role and lunches out with friends but keeping hopeful things will improve.
Thank goodness for Amazon and a regular book supply.