New days, new ways

I have a jig saw on the go . Knitting blankets for the special baby care unit . I have several books lined up to read . Christmas films are coming on the telly . I don't think there's much more I can fit in .

I think it’s definitely about keeping busy and mentally active during this time. Building a routine. Why not join the local WI who are doing online meetings or learn something at the U3A or local online courses at the council/Inspire website? Set up weekly catch up cuppa sessions with some friends online via zoom and enjoy a group chat? Keeps the brain busy.
Personally if I’m climbing the walls on a bad day we might go out locally for a drive and a car picnic or flask and sandwiches eaten in the car in front of the local football pitch etc. Any crumbs is another job to do on a fine day. Or set yourself various things to research online for a possible future holiday or mythical trip of a lifetime? Or research new recipes and have a different international country’s dish each week? Whatever sparks your imagination I guess. This time could be a blessing if we look for the silver linings.

I do Zoom choirs which really lift the sprit, though it is not the same as singing with others. One of my choirs has an online learning programme which I have allowed to lapse, so I must get stuck in with that.
I have also restarted voluntary work from home. I can choose when I work, but some sort of routine would be good.

I have decided to do a workout every morning as I did with Joe Wicks!! We shall go out for the day if the weather is good, if not we shall go out for a local walk! I am trying to learn Italian, listen to drama in the radio, write my memories of 2020, write to friends as a card or letter us so valued! Book group, choir and WI on zoom plus housework , gardening and trying to cook one new recipe a week! Reading is ok and TV at about 8pm is enough ! Good luck everyone as life if holidays abroad, theatre trips, swimming , walking netball, cinema and eating out are off the agenda for us!! We shall try to keep exploring our local area as well

I wouldn't be without our cat Baz. His quiet, calm companionship, cuddliness and loud purring are balm to the soul.

I went to The Foundling Museum many years ago Riverwalk. It’s very moving. I hope it won’t be too long before you can visit.

Oopsminty dogs are such a comfort aren’t they, I too have a JR who is a real friend. As Puzzler suggests, there are many dogs in need of loving homes ...they give so much love back.

Iam64 I’m so sorry you lost your dog, but yes, a new puppy will bring you lots of joy and keep you busy.
Like Riverwalk I enjoyed travel, theatre visits, cinema visits, sometimes museums or exhibitions, meals out, and we did a lot of childcare, and built school holidays around our grandchildren. Weekends were full of family, barbecues, and shared dinners in the cold weather. I also look after my 93 year old mother, taking her to her many medical appointments, doing shopping for her or sometimes taking her shopping.
I haven’t really adjusted to the idea that life will never be the same. I’m living in hope of a vaccine. Sometimes the lack of a seeable future, filled with theatre visits, meals out, travel etc makes me feel very low and I feel the black hole looming. I carry on taking my antidepressants and carry on hoping.

sodapop

The Foundling Museum sounds interesting Riverwalk I've not heard of it before, tell me more please.

I visited this days before the original lockdown. Keep it in mind to go and take plenty of tissues because the foundling stories are heartbreaking.
Back to the OP. I don’t really sew but I have been making masks and I now want to learn how to do something adventurous, like appliqué, with the sewing machine.
I will need an idiot’s guide for that though.

1)Get organizing projects at home underway.
2)Clear out drawers
3) Get end of year books ready for accountant

I’m not one for going to pubs and restaurants in the UK and am reasonably able to occupy myself with books, walking, either alone or with friends. I try to keep to some kind of daily routine high includes exercise, cooking and contacting friends.
However what does concern me is that I’m still separated from my partner who is currently in Europe in our retirement apartment. I managed to get out there for august but had to return to the UK to oversee some building work on our house. My partner stayed on for a couple of weeks to sort out some stuff and now all flights have been cancelled again. I can not see an end to this separation or the time when we can be together again in the same country.
I guess at least I have my immediate family here and hopefully won’t have to spend Xmas alone.

I shall follow the rules that were set up at the beginning
that is what I have been doing all along even though things were relaxed I kept to the rules.
1 shop on line
20 minute walk around the block
Won’t be getting a bus
My dd is in our bubble.
Until we get a vaccination I won’t do any thing different.

I'm a creature of routine. I used to have one set activity a day: a class, volunteer job etc in order to keep weekends feeling special. I'd like to get back to that but meanwhile I've got a new routine: a later start, read every word in the newspaper, do the crossword puzzles usually takes up to about 10.30. Then jobs about the house, lunch, a walk/physical exercise at 2.00 then home and TV till bedtime. There's the People's Friend writers hour on Tuesday and a zoom session with friends on Wednesday. Phone calls to family and friends are important.
It's a life. Not what I'd have chosen but it could be worse.
I'll get back to my other life one day.

I occupied myself yesterday by creating a GCSE revision guide on Macbeth for my GS. I will file it for future reference when I eventually get some new tutees. I think it would be a good idea to compose some more of these guides, though there are many (maybe too many!) on the market. Otherwise, I am re-reading some of the enormous library on my Kindle, starting with Trollope's Barchester novels, the first volume I downloaded when I bought the device.

I've found immense enjoy listening to white, privileged individuals complain about what they now have to do without- Also listening to human interest stories on the radio that involve gratitude- Both have been a source of inspiration-

Listening much more to the radio rather than staring at screens has been a welcome transition-

I shall spend more time reading I have a pile of books waiting , will also get on with some craft stuff and do jigsaw puzzles. Once a day, weather permitting I shall go out on my new electric bike. This will be wonderful as I live on a hill and always end up pushing it up the hill. I will meet with my son now and again somewhere where we can buy a takeaway coffee. I might visit my daughter but only if she puts the heating on. I think I can go inside her house as she needs care and help, especially to walk. Other than all that my biggest problem will be knowing what day it is and the date.

I'm making a list of the things I can still do. It's quite short at the moment. But you are absolutely right, Whitewavemark2,
we have to re-adjust our thinking.

bluebell yes the young are a different kettle of fish - as it were?

I will fight all the way to get back to our original normal as soon as we can as I think it’s so extremely mentally debilitating for young people to never know the cinema theatre festivals hugging or spontaneity
So I will obey orders for now but once I am giving the go ahead I will be doing all the things I ve ever done
It’s ok for us we ve done our travelling revelling mixing I refuse to believe out young won’t have that too and I will encourage them all the way
I had cinema and theatre tickets booked for next week they had just started back I just hope the new year will see them back again
If it means oldies have to give up their pleasures and stay in so be it we ve had our time but the ‘ now’ generation must be allowed to experience it

We are still in limbo waiting for our house move to go ahead when it eventually does???? we will have a lot of new walks to do. If not then lots of new dishes to cook, finally get on with some creative writing practice at least.

fevertree

A lovely thread.

I dusted off my sewing machine in April and joined a Zoom sewing class, it is the highlight of my week now and I've made many lovely, useful items for myself and others. The teacher lives locally and once a month I pick up three projects from a crate outside her front door, including a pattern and all materials. The group (there are 4 of us) plan ahead on WhatsApp and sew and chat over Zoom every week.

My 'new way' is actually an old way: my mother would send parcels when we lived far away from her, she called them 'parcels of love'. Inside would be e.g. home made biscuits, carefully packed, maybe something she had bought, a handwritten letter or note, and in those days, a postal order (in lieu of money). I now do that for my son and his family (who live just over an hour away), because we can't see them. I enjoy making up the parcels and they look forward to receiving them. I tuck a fiver in the parcel for my grandson, no more postal orders!

Love the parcel idea! Might copy that. I’ve nearly finished a Christmas wreath each for DD and DS. I always give them a Christmas deCoration of some sort every 1 December. So will wrap them up with other stuff in a love parcel.

I agree WW that a better appreciation of nature helps and reminds us that everything is cyclical. I too have large dogs who get me out on the moors and on the beach.
Riverwalk I do sympathise because if I were living in London now I would feel all the usual pursuits in town were buying denied me. Theatres, museums, galleries, restaurants are part of the very reason for living in the capital in an edifying way.

Yes we have a Christmas jigsaw going at the moment. Or at least DH has, I never seem to get a look in!

Oldbat1

Whitewavemark2. Don’t think we are permitted to stay overnight anywhere from Thursday in England. All camp sites are closing as is my brother in laws holiday cottages. Listening to the radio 4 whilst doing jigsaws, taking the dogs out, going to our local beach will be my “saviour”.

Cross that off my list then?

What I really mean is going forward into the future after lockdown.

Life still won’t be the same as we have known it and I really think I need to get sorted in my mind what is possible and enjoyable, as at the moment I have been feeling gloomy about the future.

Whitewavemark2. Don’t think we are permitted to stay overnight anywhere from Thursday in England. All camp sites are closing as is my brother in laws holiday cottages. Listening to the radio 4 whilst doing jigsaws, taking the dogs out, going to our local beach will be my “saviour”.

A lovely thread.

I dusted off my sewing machine in April and joined a Zoom sewing class, it is the highlight of my week now and I've made many lovely, useful items for myself and others. The teacher lives locally and once a month I pick up three projects from a crate outside her front door, including a pattern and all materials. The group (there are 4 of us) plan ahead on WhatsApp and sew and chat over Zoom every week.

My 'new way' is actually an old way: my mother would send parcels when we lived far away from her, she called them 'parcels of love'. Inside would be e.g. home made biscuits, carefully packed, maybe something she had bought, a handwritten letter or note, and in those days, a postal order (in lieu of money). I now do that for my son and his family (who live just over an hour away), because we can't see them. I enjoy making up the parcels and they look forward to receiving them. I tuck a fiver in the parcel for my grandson, no more postal orders!