WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2020
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And this is similar to our Gratitude Calendar that we've done in Novembers.
Coping Calendar: Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind.
1. Make a plan to help you keep calm and stay in contact.
Part of my plan is to stay home more days each week. I'm getting stuff done, spending time with my husband, and avoiding the crowds.
Today I'm particularly happy because I've been able to spend the whole day at home getting a bit of extra rest, listening to classical music on ABC, and working on my uni homework while my husband has been busy doing stuff in the kitchen.
In a hour and a half or so, I'll go downstairs to exercise. We would go outside, but it has been a rainy day so we've been cozy inside.
2. Enjoy washing your hands. Remember all they do for you.
They do a lot of typing ...which reminds me that I should also wipe down my keyboard more regularly. But I do actually like washing my hands. With my hot flashes, and with exercise, my hands are often quite damp. Washing with soap dries them up a little.
Last weekend I also did my nails with 5 different pastel colours of gel nailpolish.
3. Write down 10 things you feel grateful for and why.
10 Things
1. My comfortable home with its garden and view of the bay.
2. My husband and the fact that, despite the severity of his brain injury, he has made a "remarkable recovery".
3. The support of my parents even over long distances.
4. University ... which is keeping me occupied.
5. Work ... which is keeping me occupied.
6. Cycling ... which keeps me fit.
7. Music ... which I've been listening to a lot.
8. Internet ... with which I keep connected.
9. New audio visual system which is keeping us entertained.
10. God ... who is still in control.
4. Stay hydrated, eat healthy food, and boost your immune system.
I have to drink a lot of water to keep my kidneys in good shape. I do try to eat a fairly healthy diet as well.
5. Get active. Even if you're stuck indoors, move and stretch.
Absolutely!! Every day! On that note, I'm up to 352 flights of stairs in March. Each flight is 20 stairs.
6. Contact a neighbour or friend and offer to help them.
We don't see much of our neighbours, but do kind of watch out for one.
And right now my work colleagues (and friends) and I are helping each other move home.
Machka in Oz
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trucker743 wrote: »Machka - I love the brief picture essay. I have one rose bush that produces those true long-stemmed beauties. I love to cut them for my taller narrow vases and stagger the lengths just right, fill in w sprays of smaller flowers. So peaceful all around in your pictures!
Sharon, Once Again!KetoneKaren wrote: »I meant to tell Machka how much I loved her last photos and Michele that I examined both of those cross-stitched quilted items closely and they are perfectly beautiful.Machka - thank you for the pictures, they really make me understand your environment.
Love,
Lisa
Thank you!
We've got many rose bushes ... all different. And so we have roses most months of the year.
For reference ... Tasmania's area is 68,401 km² which is just slightly smaller than Missouri or Oklahoma and a little bit bigger than Florida or Wisconsin.
Tasmania's population is about 524,170.
Missouri's population is about 6.17 million.
Oklahoma's population is about 3.95 million.
So we've got population but we've also a lot of spaces with no one.
Machka in Oz5 -
While I was driving to the nursery yesterday there were more homeless out than usual. While waiting at a red light one poor soul was attempting to collect change. Under normal circumstances at least one or two cars would give this person some small change floating around in their car, myself included. But, I could not help thinking OMG he probably has not washed his hands today, I cannot possibly open the window to help him, I will be exposing myself, I must protect myself, etc.. At the same time I was cursing myself for having these thoughts running through my head. In addition to all of these thoughts and more (as we know it is never one thought at a time) I thought about how fortunate I am. I have a roof over my head, food, a job, clean clothes, running water, and so much more that I am a millionaire compare to this lost soul.
This Friday I will have to venture out to pick up some needs and hitting the Post Office to send out an overnight letter. While I am out and for what my budget allows I will pick up some canned food with the easy-open tabs (no can opener needed), small packs of wipes (if on the shelves), small bags of chips, etc.. My plan is to make some small bags with a mix of items and a dollar or two. I will put the bags in my car when I must go out so I have something to give when I see someone who is struggling.
And, as I had predicted cities in South Florida are starting to implement shelter in place notices. It surprises me that any city, town, State, etc. has to do this. Common sense does not prevail. We should all be sheltering in place regardless of the "orders". The more we limit visiting stores, post offices, gas stations, the faster we can slow this thing down and flatten the curve. The more we decide to continue as if life is normal the longer we will have to shelter. There are many who must still go out to work, take care of a loved one, and a host of other "needs". For those of us who do not - it has long been time to shelter in place without an order. Make a list, keep adding to it, when you get to 20 to 30 items go out once and pick everything up that you can. If you cannot get it make do. There are options, there are workarounds, you will not die without it (unless a prescription - if you are on meds contact your doctors now - get an extended prescription).
Around the world it started with just one. That one person (one!!!!!!!) has spread it around the world. OK, yes I am exaggerating here - at the start there were probably a dozen or so infected at the same time. I am getting so frustrated trying to understand why so many are not getting this message. One of my dearest friends, who has many of the health issues listed from the beginning, continues to go out every day. Many of us who are fully stocked up and can eat for months continue to go out every day or so for "wants". Shelter in place without an order. Become creative, spend more time with your family, play cards/games, sit down and have a meal together, cook a meal together, pray, play with your pets, call up a friend/neighbor, walk in your neighborhood, clean your blinds, read, craft, learn something new, write up your will, send a letter or a card, catch up with your favorite shows, there are so many things to do.
I am no longer apologizing to any of my friends for expressing my frustration so I am not going to apologize here. We can control this thing by staying sheltered, limiting our trips to one per week or every 10 days or so, and practicing safety precautions if and when we do go out.
If you have made it this far and many will not for those of you who are sheltering - THANK YOU!! For those of you who are adjusting and making do - THANK YOU! For those of you who are taking every precaution necessary because you must go out and work, take care of a loved one, are on the front lines - THANK YOU!
Hugs to all and prayers for those in need.
SuziQ - SFL
PS: I almost deleted this entry several times. Thank you for letting me vent. And, it is duly noted I went out yesterday - but remember it was the first time on day 8. And, I am not under a shelter in place order.9 -
Good morning all:
Well, we are moving to a new way of providing services. The majority of staff will be working from home by Thursday. I brought my computer and monitors home yesterday only to discover I left my keyboard! Will run into building at 7 (won't be anyone there!) and get it and a few things I left on printer. Brought home some of the stuff I have needed to sort through for forever. I need to drop by work Thursday afternoon, meet someone in parking lot to get some grant applications I will review instead of a team so some funds can be awarded for July 1. Other than that I will be at home. Want to give myself a no contact window and hopefully show no symptoms. We will have small crew going into office to process mail/paperwork, scan things into system so applications are processed. Luckily we have been given waivers to some rules in Food Stamps and Medicaid so that basically those who are on will stay one and not have to do all of the redetermination stuff right now (automatic) so focus is new applications. Other programs have similar modifications-we are working on getting money (think child support) and public assistance out and keeping kids safe.
Had appointment scheduled with endocrinologist for Thursday in Columbus. They have switched it to a phone appointment so that makes me happy (except I had originally thought that I would take the day off and go shopping!). Oh well--that will happen again, just not now.
Want to get exercise routine back on track from home. Will include outside walks, some free weights, stretches, etc.
Off to finish getting office materials set up, trash out, and quick office run and get the workday started from home.
Be safe and sensible all. Challenging times call for strong women to keep things going!
Ginny in Ohio
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Happy Hump day!
Stay safe today!
Hugs for all!
You are all IMPORTANT to us and others in your life!
Prayers for peace during this new "normal" time!
💕
Kylia in Ohio5 -
morning ladies~
I got up and took a shower which felt great.. having my cup of tea and fed Alfie.. going to get my son and drop him off early and i will be waiting at Family dollar.. I am running low on TP , so will be there when they open..4 -
Well, we are moving to a new way of providing services. The majority of staff will be working from home by Thursday.
Ginny in Ohio
I think my office will be working from home by Monday or Tuesday next week.
Situation isn't too bad here yet ... they keep telling us there have been no local transmissions. The cases here have come from cruise ships and people returning home from the US and have mostly been contained.
So we're still out and about a little bit. I have no desire to "shut the gates" too early because there are things that need doing, businesses that need support, and it's going to be a long, long, long haul. There's no "15 Days to Slow the Spread" stuff going on here!! We're being told that measures of some sort will be in place at least 6 months. I'm just hoping they don't fully come into effect until next week.
And I'm hoping that they don't put restrictions on walking and cycling outside!!
If I am working from home next week, I would like to be able to go for walks at lunch down to the beach.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to reorganise things to create "Command Central". I was hoping to leave my work area in a state of semi-chaos until I finished my degree, but it looks like I might need to get to some of it this weekend!
Machka in Oz5 -
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Michele - I don't know how the daycares are affected, but we are on lockdown. No trips except groceries and essential workers.3
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trucker743 wrote: »Machka - I love the brief picture essay. I have one rose bush that produces those true long-stemmed beauties. I love to cut them for my taller narrow vases and stagger the lengths just right, fill in w sprays of smaller flowers. So peaceful all around in your pictures!
Sharon, Once Again!KetoneKaren wrote: »I meant to tell Machka how much I loved her last photos and Michele that I examined both of those cross-stitched quilted items closely and they are perfectly beautiful.Machka - thank you for the pictures, they really make me understand your environment.
Love,
Lisa
Thank you!
We've got many rose bushes ... all different. And so we have roses most months of the year.
For reference ... Tasmania's area is 68,401 km² which is just slightly smaller than Missouri or Oklahoma and a little bit bigger than Florida or Wisconsin.
Tasmania's population is about 524,170.
Missouri's population is about 6.17 million.
Oklahoma's population is about 3.95 million.
Machka in Oz
I'll also add ...
Missouri has 255 cases
Oklahoma has 106 cases
Florida has 1461 cases
Wisconsin has 457 cases
Tasmania has 42 cases as of tonight.
Australia, and especially Tassie, is 2 or 3 weeks behind the US.
M in Oz
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Good morning Ladies - I am looking forward to mowing the grass today. When I am complaining about it later in the summer, will someone please remind me that I was looking forward to it today? Since it is the first time this year, and it has been raining, it will take me longer than normal and I will be out in the sunshine for 3 hours or so. Yeah!!
Cheri - Prayers for you for a full recovery.
Okie in the TX Hill Country6 -
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Michele- How childcare homes/centers have been affected, depends from state to state. When Michigan closed schools, they also closed all childcares attached/affiliated with schools. All daycare centers with 50+ children were also closed. Now, a week later, all childcare homes (like mine) and centers, are mandated to stop caring for non-essential worker's kids. This means that both parents need to be essential workers for children to be in our care. This has affected me, personally, in this way: I have lost four of my families. They are all non-essential workers or have at least one parent home or working from home. I have only had two calls, from essential workers, looking for childcare. No interviews set up, yet. I have sent an email to my regular childcare families asking (begging?) that if they are continuing to be paid for their time off, that they consider continuing to pay me (at least until I can fill those empty spots). As a childcare home provider, I do not get unemployment, health benefits, disability or any type of financial assistance from the state. I am hoping that my regular childcare families will understand and agree to continue paying me during this time. OF course, if they have no income coming in, I do not expect to be paid by them.
I belong to a couple of provider groups and I know many (my guess is at least a dozen of the providers that I know, personally) have just closed down for good. They do not plan to reopen after this shut down/virus passes. Many of them were close to retirement anyway. But a good number of them were just done. Like teaching, childcare is not something you go into to make money. Most providers (especially the single income families) are just scraping by. We (my DH and I) have about two weeks of savings in the bank. lol On the upside, many of our creditors have deferred payment for the time being. Our mortgage has not (but by law, they can't foreclose during this time). With the income I have coming in, as of this week; it will take three weeks pay to pay our mortgage. Life on the edge is definitely exciting!
ON THE UP SIDE- Last night I got the best sleep I have gotten in two weeks! I crawled into bed, aching, tense, stressed; and just laid there and said to myself (or God) "Help me let go. Help me let go. Help me let go." And a thought came into my head that everything was going to be okay. I just need to calm down and be myself, and everything will be fine. I fell asleep and didn't wake up until my alarm went off at 5:30! I really needed that and am so grateful for it!
Love and hugs to you all! ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)
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Giving my legs a break, not riding to work, at the train station waiting for it to come4
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Morning, afternoon and evening, all,
Thinking of all of you, and the spectrum of reaction you bring to the #RoRo (my favorite niece's reference to the virus), from depression to determination to disgruntlement and every emotion in between. Because of you, I know that my shifting emotional landscape is not unusual, and that I have others in my life that I value highly who feel the same way. Thank you for that.
I have a stinker of a headache, and have had since last night. A combination of sinus and stress, the more rational part of me assumes, but my traitorous hind brain is gibbering in the back, of course. I just keep telling myself, if I have it, there's nothing I can do about it, the docs would just say "go home and self-quarantine," and that's what I'm doing anyway, so shut up and keep working.
So I'll go do that,
Love y'all,
Lisa in AR6 -
"Get to do"s and "chose well"sChose well: Make YouTube playlist to dance at home, invested 10 mins dusting Living Room, board meeting minutes,Coping Calendar Day 6: Call someone:
Bonus: 1 load of laundry
Get to do: 3/24 invest 10 mins cleaning Master Bth, call Cousin Jim, call Daddy Derk, PM neighbor, ask council secretary to email past two meetings’ minutes, finish Aunt Elsie’s stove and test light oven, compile North County congregation contacts, make tacos, bake something for Joe, Freddie’s for complete series TDAP <$48, get Shingrix vaccine, Reward: inventory seeds, plan garden, order replenishments.pending
Karen in VA signed up for the Science of Well Being. Thanks! HVAC trouble again? Oh noooo! Count Joe amongst the Windex believers. What about distilled white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar with the mother, would either breach the virus’ lipid layer? Laughed out loud at Fleetwood Mac
SuziQ With you sending healing vibes to the dear ladies who’ve dropped off this thread. Hope to see them all soon again. Had to smile at the thought of you being a money launderer. Then I really cracked up at the aliens. Hahahahahaha. Gardening great rx!
Okie thanks for the TX info, how could Texas’ vastness have slipped my mind? SMH.
KJ “bleach and a prayer” amen!
LuciB sending healing vibes to your DH and calming ones to you.
Margaret even with wires I think your home made virus filtering mask is brilliant. Brava for delivering supplies to that fostering stranger. How did you know what they’d need and where they were? What you said about people responding to this crisis in different ways resonates with last Sunday’s sermon, the takeaway was the same. We’re all doing the best we can, we must respond to others with grace even when we disagree with their best thinking. Out from your suffering has come great wisdom, thank you for sharing your many good practices.
Katla the order is noticeably silent about faith community meetings. RantHalf of our Church Council attended last night’s meeting via iphone conference call. Since not yet any cases in our county most of council wanted to continue to welcome people physically to Sunday service, cutting off at the 25th person and keeping 6’ distance between. I demurred saying it depended on the definition of non-essential. When Pastor amended to include “keeping to the rules” I withdrew my objection. Giving grace to those who interpret the rules less strictly than I do. For many in our faith community the physical/social connection may well be essential. Trusting those who are fragile will continue to livestream instead of come. May approach Pastor privately to encourage him to consult with our retired public health nurse for her “take.” Our county’s only hospital has but 16 or 17 beds and no ICU. It’s next door to our church. There is an agreement for the hospital to use our Youth Building in emergencies. Pastor did emphasize that the situation is fluid and our response would change if/when the virus arrives in our county. With all the visitors to the coast from Washington, California and the I5 corridor where the virus is already prevalent, I believe the virus is likely already here, it will just be a matter of time for the test results to come in. .Meanwhile I’ll breathe (thanks Barbie), smile (thanks Rori) and pray (thanks all!)
Carol I thought the same after reading KJ’s routine. Whoosh!
Beth so very thankful for all your good news, what a lift! And my mouth is watering at the cacao e pepe Brussels sprouts pic.
Cheri Prayers and hugs and thanks for sharing beautiful crochet pics.
Lisa what you said about “split enough”.
Rori would you consider dancing in the kitchen as a break from your recumbent bike? Lots of Zumba and line dance videos on YouTube. Count me in on any zoom meetings for this thread. ((hugs))
Rita nothing you can do about your DH’s mood, only your own. Are you getting out there and enjoying that beautiful weather? Through you I can just feel the sunshine bathing the virus away. Here, we’re thankful for the much-needed rain. Won’t kill the virus but might keep folk in…
Terri
your art!
Allie how are you supposed to get your mail ?!? Sending good thoughts, when do you meet with the endocrinologist?
Barbie as always your wisdom is inspiring. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Pip is that Bullwinkle with baby Yogi?
Amber 53 lbs, Well done! Great funnies, thanks for sharing. Gorgeous Northern Lights painting. Good news about the refund, has the credit shown up?
Kylia what FB video of a guy’s handwashing experience did SuziQ’s day out remind you of?
Machka wishing you restful sleep after your beautiful beach walks.
Anna will keeping 6’ apart help mitigate the teens’ arguments?
Kay right with you about the motivation to exercise at home. Really miss my BB&B/line dance classes.
Heather good idea about virtual exercise classes. Will try.
I keep a jar of antibacterial baby wipes in the car to wipe down stuff brought in. Had to remember to wipe down beeper key kept in pocket but handled to open rear hatch, and cell phone used for grocery list. When they’re gone will refill with cut up sheet rags in soapy water solution as new normal.
As others have said, I am deeply grateful for the wisdom, compassion and down to earth practical tips in this thread, so vote not to eliminate or relocate virus-related discussion.
Lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
March: better than February.
daily: steps=1966
vits=22 log=24 CI<CO=16 CI<250<CO=9 Tumble & Shadow 5=1 mfp=24 clean 10 mins=18 outside=9 up hill=7
wkly: BB&B x3=9, rx=3 dance=4 pack walk=2
mnthly: board mtg=1 grant= review 20for20=0
bonus: AF=13 play=2 sew=06 -
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Inspiration. ..
This miniature orchid had it's leaves eaten away yet it decided to bloom and show it can survive despite adversity. Nature gives us lessons all the time. We may have to look a little harder. Beauty is not in perfection it is in the working through our challenges while still continuing to grow and shine.
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nope you are right, that's winkle.. her eyes2
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