Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 4

Craftyone stay on your soap box we will join you. Work starts on my shower room next Monday so to pace myself started getting the things I dumped in my bedroom out. Moved a few bits of furniture. But that's enough for today. Just made a batch of plain sweet scones as I made lemon marmalade the other just fancied the two together. If my appointment goes ahead on Friday I will take a jar of coffee, bag of sugar and carton of milk with me. So they can have a drink in the department as I don't know how there supplies are. Unfortunately can't take any tea only got a caddy full left. Would take home made cake but don't think they would accept it. Have to wait and see if it's cancelled.

My brother was at work last week but decided to not go this week. He has heart problems and my sister in law has MS . He says he's not worried about himself he needs to safe guard her. Told him he's getting sensible in his old age.

Shandy57 try not to stress about the auction. It's out of your hands . Fingers, toes and knees crossed for you.
Stay safe everyone.

My daughter and family popped. Round put the bag with presents and cards in the door way and stood back. The look on my grandsons face was heart breaking he couldn't understand why he couldn't come and play. It's all for everyone's well being and something we have to do. Decided to go for a walk tomorrow but keep a safe distance from anyone. Only being responsible.

My dentist dd is so upbeat, loving the extra time that has been foisted on her, she is doing wonderful things at home with the children. I get worried about her, she is always so close to faces and saliva, front line.

No knitting, it was so very lovely outside, I was there the whole day, re-laying my stepping stones because I was happy with the positions, I actually used a spirit level. It was tiring in the end and there are a few areas I cannot reach from those stepping stones, I had to order some more because I am worried about them not being available in the colour and pattern

The garden is looking lovely already, there is a long way to go and I want to get flowers in when I can. I ordered another tall black planter, it is good and roomy and easy to use

Oh yes, I cannot do without daily yogurt and have decided to make my own again. I have two methods and the easiest is easyo, which is being made right now. This one is greek style unsweetened natural. I have also frozen some organic live yogurt in ice cube trays, so I can make it the thermos way, if I have spare milk.

Food: I am being careful and stretching my stores, just in case eg 1/3 of a small jar of tomato pasta sauce when I would normally have 1/2. One main meal, one plate of fruit at mid-day and one bix with a banana for breakfast, normally two. I found a big bag of frozen raspberries when I was trying to stuff somethng in the freezer, I am very happy, thought they were finished

Ahh whiff, it will be worth it

Happy Mother’s Day to all my lovely friends on here. I bought myself some roses for 1.99 from Lidl yesterday. First time for 30 odd years I won’t see any of my kids or grandkids. It’s so hard, isn’t it? Thank god we have each other and we all understand . Shandy, nearly there, love. Soon we will all know and I reckon we will all be shocked in a wonderful way and can have a virtual party in your honour

I hope we will all come through this unscathed, at least physically. Not much hope of being mentally unaffected.

Great that you have plenty of food in craftyone. I still have a strange array of half empty bottles and jars.

I have never done big shops. I always shop at the small local shops but now I have to find a time when they aren't busy.
I made a nice lunch which cheered DH up a lot. It included fatless sponge cake.

We haven't gone round to MiL. The thought of just waving through the window seems so sad. We phoned her. She received flowers from her church.

I joined the meditation group on zoom zoom.us/
this morning. It was a bit strange at first with a group of about 50, mostly older folk, sitting in our own houses - almost silently.

Been set up with skype on my laptop, so I can now see and talk to children and g.children. Lovely flowers arrived and money to purchase things for my patio. My daughter did come and did a second scrubbing of Patio tiles. They are now very clean and looking so much better. Did manage to get to park, for a time, still not many people there, although I understand that down the front the promenade is quite crowded. Gorgeous sunshine today, sat on my balcony and enjoyed that.

A sunny day here in Devon. You're right crafty, I too believe the small hospitals here won't cope if we get too many visitors bringing in the virus.
The seafront was packed today with people of all ages eating chips and ice creams. I hope they aren't all holidaymakers, so irresponsible. We have the highest % of over 70's here after Norfolk.
I agree that thinking carefully about quantities where food is concerned can only be a good thing. We all eat too much anyway. For example I am only using half a jar of pesto now and adding olive oil to the remainder to make it stretch further. I used to make my husband a three egg omelette, now down to two. He doesn't seem to have noticed. I even saved half a banana yesterday for later instead of a biscuit.
It is my wish too that flying round the world for meetings stops. There's no need with all the technology available. Whether people will cut back on holidays is another matter.
Happy Mothers' Day to all. A strange one, but we must try and be positive that we will come through unscathed.

I haven't notice any planes for days. There was a helicopter yesterday. I make my own yogurt with an Easiyo maker. Greek style unsweetened the same as Craftyone. Yogurt and fruit is my desert after dinner everyday. My grandsons call it Nan's purple stuff. I cook a kg bag of mixed frozen berries with bit of sugar and sweetener then blitz. Tastier than brought yogurt. Porridge for breakfast, soup lunch some sort of stew for dinner.

Did my exercises lunch time and if it's dry going for a walk. Keeping plenty of distance between me and anyone else. Need to get my body working as well as my brain.

Be interesting to see how many are at school tomorrow. A friend of mine works at a college it's closed until September but they have to go in once a week on a router and council any students or staff who need support.

I've cut my portion sizes to make things go further but not hungary.

Craftyone can't wait to see your garden in bloom.

Evening all, I hope you have had a nice day.

My daughter hasn't moved back, she's using her savings to pay her rent, the theatre have now told her she will receive 14 hours pay She normally does every hour god sent as overtime - fingers crossed she gets a temporary supermarket job.

I'm absolutely seething that people aren't social distancing. Some of society should be deeply ashamed that their irresponsible and selfish behaviour is going to result in unnecessary loss of life. I suspect lockdown will be announced very soon.

mixing in a group is increasing the potential for increased viral load. Briefly, one to one means a small viral transfer ie small viral load. The immune system will manage to overcome the small load and the illness will be mild. Get into a group and maybe 6 people are virus carriers, the viral load increases x 6, the immune system cannot cope and in trying to cope the lungs are badly damaged and hospital is needed with a ventilator if lucky. Its not worth it, this is why people need to stay at home, safe

They don`t care shandy, selfish beyond belief

Thanks for that clear description craftyone. It helps, it really does.

I am getting adjusted to isolation so had a much better day today as did DH.
2 out of 4 DC phoned on whatsapp and it was so lovely to see and virtually kiss the bairns and hear what they are up to.
Another sent a video of the DGC doing their exercises.

Blimey crafty, this should be on the news. Just read it out to granddad Dot and wharsapped the kids. I’ve never heard it spelled out so succinctly. Thank you. You have reassured me, you really really have

Craftyone wish they would use your explanation on the TV that way everyone would understand . What's the saying keep it simple stupid. If people where told things in plain English they would respond accordingly.

My daughter ,think it's called video called me on What's app. Took a few text for me to understand what to do. But it's wonderful .I'll let my son know I can do it and see them as well. Changed my mind about technology it's going to the be saving grace for everyone who's got it. No one will feel so alone.

Just watched the dancing zoo keeper in Melbourne Australia. Had to smile.

Been thinking this was my first mother's since the children left home that I was within a short distance of them. But couldn't be near them. Not down about it think it's ironical.

If my appointment goes ahead on Friday think I will phone the department to see if I need to take any precautions to protect the staff. We need to be more aware of the consequences of our actions.

Hope everyone has the sunshine today as it lifts the spirits. Stay safe and well.

dotty tell as many people as possible, many people would not go around in groups if they knew that they were more likely to get the big viral load. My sis in aus has just sent it to many friends out there. I suppose yes it is reassuring, if one gets it in a house and there are only 2 in the house, then with luck and a steady immune system, it could well be relatively mild. Not pleasant but not life threatening

I have to admit that I am quite liking isolation, I am well within my comfort zone and have adapted very quickly but that has been helped by me securing a weekly veg +fruit box plus a litre of milk and 6 eggs arriving on my doorstep every week. I need nothing else from any supermarket

It has helped by me always, all my adult life, having a well stocked storecupboard, the children used to laugh. One winter we were suddenly snowed in for many weeks and we survived on my cupboard and my rammed freezer. Nothing has changed, I cannot be minimalistic.

Growing is going very well, I am hoping to cater for next winter and spring by growing the following: squash, red drumhead cabbage for delias red cabbage casserole to freeze, early purple sprouting broccoli, red russian kale and parsley again to freeze and leeks for late winter. Just basics so I can carry on juicing veg. I admit to eating 7-12 a day but some as juice or it is too much chomping and fibre

Those idiots out yesterday may just have changed the gov stance, asking us rather than telling us. What a load of selfish gits

cross posted with you whiff, you seem to have reached an acceptance too, you sound calm and pretty upbeat

My aim every day is to remain healthy and energetic so I have prepared the food for today, involving yogurt, chia, walnuts, berries (home bottled gooseberries from storecupboard), a soup is prepped in the soupmaker, mainly broccoli with some celery and onion, I have a small gem lettuce and that is for lunch with a few salad bits including shredded courgette. I am pulling out the stops, anything lesser would not do for me. We are what we eat and need to be able to fight this virus if it enters us

I will still have my food treats but another aim is to lose some weight rather than gain weight and by food treat I mean eg a slice of sd toast with butter and my hm blackcurrant jam or maybe a bit of cheese and definitely 2 pieces of black chocolate. Protein is so important for us, my protein today is walnuts, lentils in pasta, yogurt, an egg. I had venison fillet the other day so that will do re meat for a while. I have fish in the freezer but again am saving that

My day is my own and I am embracing it

I am thank you Craftyone. Just received this text from NHS Dr patient under no circumstances should you take Ibuprofen, Voltarol or Naproxen in the present crisis.

Morning all.

I hope you all have a good day, whatever you are choosing to do.

I am taking my dog to the beach and as the tide is out, won't have to go near anyone at all.

I stopped to talk to my neighbour on the corner last night, and regretted it. The stag that I saw amongst the three deer in the neighbour's garden was run over and left to die in the road on Thursday. Driver just carried on. Her husband and another neighbour saw it happen and carried him into the field and they waited for the RSPCA, but the stag died before they came. Personally I'd have phoned the farmer for a faster euthanasia.

Craftyone's explanation of infection risk is chilling, mix with six people and you are six times as likely to get it. I expect the people who went to the pub are regretting their decision. My son is very scared of being infected and hopes to get a supermarket delivery job instead of taxi driving.

Thinking of you all, stay safe and well

As I normally do my weekly Sainsbury shop on Monday mornings (usually toward the end of the morning), I drove to my Sainsbury, arriving at 7.45 am. I knew that at that time it would only be open to NHS and key workers (so pleased with that), but were then opening for us oldies at 8.00 am. I had promised my kids that if the car park was heaving, I would not stay. Much to my surprise, when I arrive car park was pretty empty. By the 8.00 am there were probably something like about 50 odd people patiently waiting outside with trolleys. Virtually all of us were polite and kept the two metre distance between us. Going in was a bit more difficult - only space for about two trolleys at the time, and the queue was sort of three ways. Lovely Security Man did tell us not to rush and, again, most people obeyed this.
I use the smart shopper so got my zapper and set off with my written down shopping list. Must to my surprise, I managed to obtain virtually everything on that list, never cam close to anyone else during that shop. As soon as I put my zapper into its holder when I paid, I noticed it was picked up and wiped down by shop assistant as was that till that I used. I felt very safe in there. I did thank any staff I went past, including the Security Men -just for coming to work. Back home by just after 9.00 am, shopping unpacked and put away and then had a slightly belated breakfast.

Good, it does sound much calmer, at least via this thread. I have just done my calming mum bit, dd dentist got her official confirmation that she is down to 1 day a week at work for the forseeable. She is quite scared at that, so I explained how I managed when my husband was suddenly put on 50% pay, sole earner and when mortgages were sky high, no savings as it was so hard to get by as it was. I explained the envelope and notebook method that I used and she can see that we got through it eventually. What a hellish hard lesson for that generation, so sudden

Craftyone, like you, all my children unfortunately, went through a very practical education in extremely careful home economics when they were growing up. When there was stories about tins of tomatoes selling out, they all laughted. Each Autumn all of them were expected to bring something to school for Harvest Festival (which was then distributed by some of them to local older folk), they were all given by me a small tin a tomatoes (the cheapest item I could find), Most of those old folks has more money for food than I had.
So, all grew up knowing how to cook menus from scratch - no eating out, no takeaways (except our once a year on Xmas eve ). As all my five children work in public service industries (NHS, Education, BBC), so fortunately, all will be paid over this time (although my daughter in NHS Mental Health is now working close on a 16- 18 hour day). Not only desperately trying to continue to manage her own four teams (with far less staff than usual), she is also acting up as Assistant Director of her Borough Social Services, as her Line Manager is off. Hope she managed to take advantage of the Sainsbury NHS shopping hour.
At least the weather is gorgeous at present, does help to lift my spirits.
Think we should stop talking about Wartime (Blitz) spirit - crime rates in cities rose expedentially during blackouts, and the black market and spivs thrived.
Do wish that ration coupons were brought in for certain grocery items, sure there is plenty of stuff out there, but without rationing it is not being shared around properly. And, these shortages are just causing added panic and stress to this time.
Two days to go Shandy - hope it works out well, Hopefully some millionaire wanting to escape London will grab your home for a good price.

DS phoned from NZ today and said everyone who is selfemployed or suddenly without work can apply to the state and he has and they receive $500 a week for 12 weeks. It goes into the bank as a lump sum.
He was visibly more relaxed than I have seen him in ages and was telling me how he is home schooling. So far. So good.

Then he began criticising our UK government for making the stupid decisions they did such as allowing the Cheltenham Gold Cup while people were already dying in Italy and inviting 3000 Spanish fans to the Liverpool/ Madrid match while Spain was already in lockdown. Oh well . That's in the past now.

You all seem to be coping well with the isolation. I am better today now I know what I can and can't do.
I did pop out to Lidl this morning, on foot - it is 2 minutes walk . The woman in front of me was stocking up on Diet coke and crisps. I despair! She said she hadn't eaten for days.

I bought some seeds craftyone which I will sow. Lettuce, chard, cucumber and peas.
The rhubarb is bulging through the ground.

DD will be moving this week or next. She thought she would get some help but that has all melted away now. They were busy packing when she called yesterday. At least they have a place to move into. I have seen it on google maps and it looks ok. It's very small but apparently there is storage in a neighbouring barn.

Crafty, yes, with your permission I will reproduce this on my FB page and ask friends to share - rather than just say I read this on a forum, I would like to state your credentials - am I right in thinking you are a scientist? Chemist? I know that you are very clever, and resourceful and a real inspiration on this wonderful thread you have started and maintain. Dare I suggest that we ALL share this? Such a powerful and reassuring message

Crafty, until I've heard from you and had your permission, I haven't posted this on FB - but I HAVE sent it to my colleagues - I can't thank you enough for spelling this out so clearly - it is both frightening and reassuring.

Love reading your messages as always. Went out for a hour walk. Now know 3 roads I didn't before. Met several people but we all keep the distance. Hospital phoned appointment cancelled Friday thought it would. They will rebook when crisis is over. Told the young woman they are doing a wonderful job and thank you. People are always quick to criticise but forget to to praise. If it's nice tomorrow I will explore somewhere else. If we can go out. Thanks to stupid people we may all be in lock down. Stay safe everyone.