2 1/2 weeks is my quarantine limit

[Excelsior! Academy]

Yes, our family is taking the quarantine seriously.  I have just reached my quarantine limit.  That is all.

 

 

 

[hjffkj]

I struggled today! I'm hoping tomorrow is better.  Hope it gets better for you too

[PinkTulip]

I’m right there with you. I have only left the house in the last 13 days to go on family walks around the block. Our block is small and it only takes about 7 minutes to do the loop. I’m usually pretty good during the day with work and the kids doing their online school stuff, but I kind of start losing it around 6 pm, thinking “what am I going to do for the next 4 hours before I can go to bed?” 

And it’s supposed to snow for the next 3 days. 

[easypeasy]

And I'm just starting to relax! lol! Of course, we're just in the 2nd week here at our house. And those first 10 days were just intense - all the adjustments, cancellations, preparations, etc. Now I've officially given up on my plans to "reorganize the entire house and our lives" and have contentedly settled on just maintaining and taking time out to enjoy life a little bit more than we normally have time for.

I'm the only true introvert in the house though AND I've been the one leaving to pick up groceries, so I've actually been OUT of the house more than the kids. Everyone else is starting to show signs of strain. DH, who works from home most of the time, but still goes out a few days a week to certain areas, is about to lose his mind. 🤪 The stress (which is honestly not caused by the virus itself, but by the fact that it's causing my latent anxiety to rear its ugly head once again) combined with his super-extroverted lifestyle is taking its toll on the poor guy. 💛

Edited March 26, 2020 by easypeasy

[klmama]

It's only been a week and a half here, and I'm already bored with the lack of routine.  I'm looking forward to grocery shopping again.  I bought a lot last week, though, so while we're already out of certain items, it's not reason enough to venture out.  We can go at least another week.

As for what to do until bedtime, I've been watching Disney Plus, LOL!

I haven't sorted things for a while, so that will be my Thursday project.  The thrift shop will open again eventually, and I'll have bags ready to drop off.

[El...]

The most recent shutdown orders in the Netherlands don't expire until 1 June. That's a really long time away. 😬

[mathnerd]

I have been out of my house once in the past 13 days for groceries when I spent a lot of money to buy several weeks' worth of supplies so as not to go out when the infection peaks in my area. My son does a lot of online classes and my DH works from home now due to the lockdown. Both talk loudly when they interact online and my house is small. I am an introvert and I did not realize how human voices talking constantly annoy me until now! I go out to my yard for weeding and cleaning up beds as much as I can to escape their loudness. I took 5 walks yesterday in the pouring rain because it gave me somewhere to go with a bonus of zero pedestrians on the sidewalk because of the rain. I do not want to press the traffic light buttons to cross bigger roads and hence go on smaller loops around my neighboring streets. A funny thing happened I thought that I would walk for a while in the massive parking lot of a huge name-brand company in my neighborhood which was empty and as soon as I set foot on it, there were flashing lights and a private security car started following me - turns out that it is protocol for them to turn on their flashing lights when a stranger walks into their campus. I walked across and exited and the car escorted me out. That was the high point of my week.

I swear that around 50 of my neighbors have not stepped out of their houses for 2 weeks because I have been walking at all times and have never seen people. I also think that the internet infrastructure is the superstar during the covid outbreak because all the families around me are Netflixing, Online Schooling, working from home and it has held up like a champion (I will stop praising it so as to not jinx it!). I am frustrated but determined to do my bit in order to flatten the curve, whatever it may take on my part.

[Twolittleboys]

Well, I still go out to the grocery store most days - I have two teenagers and no car so it is difficult to get enough food stored. We do have enough for about two weeks but I am keeping that in case one of us gets sick or the restrictions are tightened etc. There aren't any cases in our small town as far as I know so far, I really have little to no contact with anyone while shopping, and nobody in our family goes out otherwise (so highly unlikely we are infected yet). Of course none of us are high-risk either so if we did get sick it probably would be okay.

[Pawz4me]

I did a grocery pickup at Walmart yesterday and felt like I was on vacation or something.

This past Friday night we ordered pizza and I told DS21 he could go get it. It's about a 10 minute round trip, max. "It's your turn to be able to get out of the house," I said.

Weird times.

[MEmama]

29 minutes ago, Pawz4me said:

I did a grocery pickup at Walmart yesterday and felt like I was on vacation or something.

This past Friday night we ordered pizza and I told DS21 he could go get it. It's about a 10 minute round trip, max. "It's your turn to be able to get out of the house," I said.

Weird times.

Indeed.

DS (17) offered to go grocery shopping last week. Not WITH me, FOR me. It was literally his first time going by himself; he was that desperate to get out of the house. 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, easypeasy said:

And I'm just starting to relax! lol! Of course, we're just in the 2nd week here at our house. And those first 10 days were just intense - all the adjustments, cancellations, preparations, etc. Now I've officially given up on my plans to "reorganize the entire house and our lives" and have contentedly settled on just maintaining and taking time out to enjoy life a little bit more than we normally have time for.

I'm the only true introvert in the house though AND I've been the one leaving to pick up groceries, so I've actually been OUT of the house more than the kids. Everyone else is starting to show signs of strain. DH, who works from home most of the time, but still goes out a few days a week to certain areas, is about to lose his mind. 🤪 The stress (which is honestly not caused by the virus itself, but by the fact that it's causing my latent anxiety to rear its ugly head once again) combined with his super-extroverted lifestyle is taking its toll on the poor guy. 💛

This is us, too, except my dd is also an introvert and she’s doing okay with quarantine. (True quarantine, mostly in her room.) DH is technically an introvert but he is very kinesthetic and has a strong need for activity. I noticed on his work planning tablet, he had just written “Quarantine” and a frowny face. He told me last night he’s going to paint the garage. (Which is good; have at it, but it shows how much he needs work and something to do/fix/build.) 

I have come to realize that, despite all the jokes and memes about quarantine being an introvert’s dream, it’s not really that if you have a bunch of cooped-up people shut up with you. 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, mathnerd said:

 My son does a lot of online classes and my DH works from home now due to the lockdown. Both talk loudly when they interact online and my house is small. I am an introvert and I did not realize how human voices talking constantly annoy me until now! I go out to my yard for weeding and cleaning up beds as much as I can to escape their loudness.

I realized this same thing when my MIL stayed with us for a month, because she wants the TV on for something like 12 hours a day. And it has to be loud due to her hearing loss. The constant noise from the tele was extremely grating on me, but I made a herculean effort to conceal that from her so she wouldn’t feel burdensome. I would sometimes put on my noise-cancelling headphones and play my playlist just to drown out the TV racket, but I would only do that if someone else was here and could interact with her. 

[Familia]

Only one and a half weeks in, here.  My daily routines have not changed compared to the time of year where I am not employed outside the home (three fourths of every year, I am a full time homemaker).  With my job coming to a screeching halt, I thought I’d just move into the at-home routine easily.  Not so.  DH working at home, on-line college classes in different parts of the house, keeping the dog/cat managed so as not to disturb those ‘working’...never mind them disturbing my work!

Finally, the past few days, I am getting into the ‘at home’ routines.  But, it is different in so many ways. I am finally organizing our basement, a long term project left to sit, and now seeing progress...But NO drop offs to donation centers possible!  That’s weird.  I can plan healthy, or not, comfort meals with what I stocked up on, but NO salad after tomorrow.  (We have space and seeds but no lettuce was planted=(

Last year, at this time, I spent the first hour of my day planning my trip to NYC with DS...so thankful that we were able to make that trip together.   So sad for those suffering great disappointments this year, but especially for those sick!  Also, sad for those having symptoms and frightened.  

Edited March 26, 2020 by Familia
Grammar fixes, but no guarantees!

[sweet2ndchance]

7 hours ago, Margaret in CO said:

I tried sending dh but he came home with frozen burritos and not flour!!!!

Lol, my dh would so totally be one to do that. That's why I stay in contact with him via text on the odd occasion we don't go to the store together.

3 hours ago, Quill said:

The constant noise from the tele was extremely grating on me

I can't stand the TV being on constantly either, especially when it is loud for whatever reason or the sound equalization is horrible. I don't know why but it sends my anxiety through the roof when the TV or radio is constantly going on and on.

I've not seen the memes but life hasn't changed much at all for us except people aren't telling us we need to get out more all the time. That's a nice change for me though. I hate feeling pressured to socialize when it does the opposite of what people think it does for me. It makes my anxiety worse not better. I'm happy as a clam to stay at home and do things around the house and property as I can with my physical limitations and only go out in public when I absolutely have no choice but to go.

I had to go out yesterday and I was attempting to make small talk with the guy that was helping me load my trailer because he was a really nice guy and I do know small talk is usually expected. He asked why my dh had not come along to help and I made the mistake of saying he wasn't feeling well, lol. His eyes got wide and a man with a mask on his face looking at items nearby started backing away from us. I had to explain quickly that he wasn't contagiously ill and it's not catching. He has a chronic illness that no one can catch from him and he is in the process of weaning off meds to start new ones so the withdrawls were just kicking his butt yesterday. Both gentlemen seemed relieved that it wasn't what they thought it was. I'm just so used to saying "he doesn't feel well" when dh is having a bad pain day due to his chronic illness so people understand he's in no position to do anything and he's not just skipping out on things because he's lazy or anything like that. As soon as the words left my mouth though I knew I needed to do some quick explaining lol. 

[Katy]

DH has decided to stop tracking the news and try to think of this as the new normal.   Sigh.   If this is the new normal I really need to readjust our schedules.  DH being home is messing with ours.  So is ALL the neighbors out walking when the weather is nice.  It was more crowded on the street last night than a mall at Christmas, so I said we weren't going out, which REALLY ticked off the extroverted kids. But really, it was more crowded than the last block party I went to.

[Sarah0000]

We're not leaving our property at all. I bought an old-fashioned reel lawn mower for the kids to use. We've got our garden beds partially going. I'm assigning them some digging work for more garden space. It was a little difficult when my toddler chucked a plastic box and broke the TV, but we got a new one delivered, and we're barely even using it anyway. The kids keep themselves entertained.

I'm writing a lot more now. I've been wanting to write a science fiction young chapter book because the market seems to be devoid in this area. My 8yo is reading an abridged The Time Machine. He would like something geared towards his age group.

[edelweiss]

I think it is wearing on my kids a bit.  My husband is doing okay.  I don't mind at all.  I have been joking for years that once my girls are out of the house, I'm rarely ever leaving the house again.  😂  So, I'm not minding this at all.  I really love that I don't have anyplace to go.  Guess I'm a true introvert.  

[Annie G]

We’re doing ok, but that’s mainly because we don’t have young kids at home.  Also, we have driven a few times to FIL’s house to clear it out - he passed away last year. We bring our own food, don’t stop anywhere along the way, and do it when dh’s sister and bil aren’t there. So we haven’t been cooped up. 
‘However, I can’t say that my neighbors are handling it ok. Or maybe they are. G  This was yesterday afternoon/evening. 

[Sherry in OH]

I am in limbo.  My big project for the year was a kitchen remodel.  I was in the midst of packing up my kitchen and dining room in preparation for demo when everything came to a halt.  I have a lot of other smaller projects I could be doing, but I don't have the necessary supplies and don't want to go to Lowes or Home Depot right now.  

The highlight of my week is trash day.  If I can't take donations to Goodwill and the library at least I can make a dent in the trash pile.  Our garage has never been tidier. 

[Carol in Cal.]

11 hours ago, Margaret in CO said:

I stayed home for 12 days straight (we've been on lockdown already that long as we have the highest contagion rate in CO) but had to venture out for food finally. I tried sending dh but he came home with frozen burritos and not flour!!!! I had to pass up dog sledding tomorrow and I SO wish I could go! But my musher friend is 71, and dh drives a bus and we have college kids who just traveled across country, so no. And dh is at the hospital, again. He goes every 4 weeks. I doubt he'll be able to work when he gets home. At least the meadows are bare, so I can walk there. I was walking 15 miles a day, and I'm barely getting in 10 now and about to lose my mind!

My personal weakness is milk.  I have to have it, and it doesn't keep forever.

I buy it in two gallon lots, and I'm the only one who drinks it but I still have to go out for it every week or a little sooner.  I'd rather stay home.

On the other hand, I have been going through things at home that I have not looked at for a long time, and getting rid of excess stuff.  It's not 'fun' nor is it 'normal life' nor is it remotely OK as a lifestyle, particularly the part about not being able to go to church, but I am seeing a little bit of fringe benefits like that.

[mlktwins]

I am an introvert, and was going to take advantage of this time, but I have spent many, many hours on-line grocery shopping this week -- LOL.  3 hours on chat this morning with 2 Instacart shoppers (one for my dad and one for us and my in-laws).  Then all the wiping down and separating food.  DH is taking his parent's food to them now.  It was at least 3 hours placing those 2 orders and I also did a Costco order that took a couple of hours and then chatting through shopping and wiping down.  I still have a kitchen floor full of non-perishables I need to put away somewhere, but I am tired from my morning shopping -- LOL.

Hope to get some relaxing time this weekend and next week.

[Arcadia]

11 hours ago, mathnerd said:

. I also think that the internet infrastructure is the superstar during the covid outbreak because all the families around me are Netflixing, Online Schooling, working from home and it has held up like a champion (I will stop praising it so as to not jinx it!). 

Comcast was down on Monday morning. My husband had to use my t-mobile hotspot for his conference call. 

[mom2scouts]

DS1 works for an international company. While I was texting him today he told me he's been in contact with co-workers in Singapore and other Asian countries who said they haven't left their house for two months.

[Excelsior! Academy]

10 hours ago, Quill said:

I have come to realize that, despite all the jokes and memes about quarantine being an introvert’s dream, it’s not really that if you have a bunch of cooped-up people shut up with you. 

 

Yes!  A thousand times yes.  I love them, but I'm ready to visit a park or zoo or something and get out the blasted energy!!

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Seasider too said:

I’m honestly doing ok. But did decide today that if dh has any thoughts of taking early retirement, well, that plan must be scrapped. 

Mine is almost 57 and i have been thinking something similar. My new prayer shall become, “please go to work...” 

[mlktwins]

My DH started working at home quite unexpectedly 3 years ago.  I had no time to prepare myself LoL.  It was rough that first year, but it has gotten better and we have a nice routine now. 

[Arcadia]

3 hours ago, mom2scouts said:

DS1 works for an international company. While I was texting him today he told me he's been in contact with co-workers in Singapore and other Asian countries who said they haven't left their house for two months.

Singapore isn’t under shelter in place though. My in-laws are still happily going out and socializing. Schools are still in session.

[Arcadia]

DS15 wanted to take a walk to the nearby restaurants but the weather isn’t tempting. So he rather stay home. 

If we have bought the rural home we looked at, my kids would probably want lots of pets (chicks, bunnies) for the backyard. Unfortunately the rural location is also far from medical care and no public transport (also no jobs and one lane each way roads).

[easypeasy]

19 hours ago, Quill said:

I have come to realize that, despite all the jokes and memes about quarantine being an introvert’s dream, it’s not really that if you have a bunch of cooped-up people shut up with you. 

OMGosh YES!!!!!!! 

And all 3 kids together 24/7. Which is mostly lovely. But. All. Three. Kids. Together.  Not for a busy, 3-month long summer, as planned, but now for 5.5 MONTHS. 😶 With no jobs to go to. No classes.  No lessons. No dates. No friends. No nothing. Their lives are stalled out right when they're beginning! They're understandably frustrated!!
 

I'm hoping this won't do long term damage to their relationships, to be honest.
 

Five adults, all set in their ways, (well, four + 1 almost-adult) in one house is asking a lot of us, Lord. Thank good everyone has their own bedroom. Well... except for me... 🤔🙄
 

Fun times. I've taken to taking daily naps just so my brain can re-set. 😅

Edited March 27, 2020 by easypeasy

[ElizabethB]

13 hours ago, Carol in Cal. said:

My personal weakness is milk.  I have to have it, and it doesn't keep forever.

I buy it in two gallon lots, and I'm the only one who drinks it but I still have to go out for it every week or a little sooner.  I'd rather stay home.

On the other hand, I have been going through things at home that I have not looked at for a long time, and getting rid of excess stuff.  It's not 'fun' nor is it 'normal life' nor is it remotely OK as a lifestyle, particularly the part about not being able to go to church, but I am seeing a little bit of fringe benefits like that.

You can freeze milk.  It expands, so you need to take a bit out before you freeze it.  It changes the consistency a bit but mostly tastes fine after it thaws.

[Carol in Cal.]

8 minutes ago, ElizabethB said:

You can freeze milk.  It expands, so you need to take a bit out before you freeze it.  It changes the consistency a bit but mostly tastes fine after it thaws.

I've tried freezing it and it ruins it for me.

[Guest]

12 hours ago, Seasider too said:

Seriously, I have started imagining all kinds of second careers he could take up! I am full of ideas. 

I love my husband. But he needs more, and more varied, interaction in a day than I can provide. 

That is exactly it for my dh, too. 

He told me he is planning to drive to our beach house (2 hours drive, one way) just so he can get his kayak and bring it back to go fishing. I’m sure he does actually want the kayak, but I think his motive is really about more than four hours change in scenery. 

[Annie G]

1 hour ago, Quill said:

That is exactly it for my dh, too. 

He told me he is planning to drive to our beach house (2 hours drive, one way) just so he can get his kayak and bring it back to go fishing. I’m sure he does actually want the kayak, but I think his motive is really about more than four hours change in scenery. 

I understand that feeling. We drove four hours to start clearing out my in laws house. We spent the day throwing out dozens of old coffee mate canisters filled with screws, boxes that held broken vcrs, old paperwork like privacy notices and stuff. Like truly nothing even sentimental, just junk that accumulated in the 50+ years they lived in that house.  How bored we must have been to do that!! 
‘I’m glad we made progress, but it was mostly to get out and do something.  We’re introverts so if we’re feeling cooped up I can’t imagine how extroverts feel.   

[KungFuPanda]

I’m so happy that my name came up for a community garden plot. Yesterday was my first trip there.  I can now leave the house without having to interact with anyone. 

[Kalmia]

21 hours ago, Carol in Cal. said:

My personal weakness is milk.  I have to have it, and it doesn't keep forever.

I buy it in two gallon lots, and I'm the only one who drinks it but I still have to go out for it every week or a little sooner.  I'd rather stay home.

On the other hand, I have been going through things at home that I have not looked at for a long time, and getting rid of excess stuff.  It's not 'fun' nor is it 'normal life' nor is it remotely OK as a lifestyle, particularly the part about not being able to go to church, but I am seeing a little bit of fringe benefits like that.

Organic milk in half gallon containers (Stonyfield Farm, Organic Valley), if it is available in your area, is ultrapasturized and usually has a best-by date 2 months away. Of course it is much more expensive so it is a balancing act of numbers of exposures to the grocery store just for milk vs. increased cost of milk that lasts two months.

Edited March 27, 2020 by Kalmia

[Excelsior! Academy]

22 hours ago, Arcadia said:

Singapore isn’t under shelter in place though. My in-laws are still happily going out and socializing. Schools are still in session.

 

Are there not many cases there?  Have they stopped travel?

[Arcadia]

11 minutes ago, Excelsior! Academy said:

 

Are there not many cases there?  Have they stopped travel?

Yes they stopped travel finally.  They have community spread which is why they are threatening jail time now for those who break social distancing rules. 
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/27/asia/singapore-coronavirus-laws-scli-intl/index.html
“Those who do not keep at least one meter (3.2 feet) apart, or who meet in groups of more than 10 people outside of work or school, could face a fine of up to 10,000 Singapore dollars ($7,000) and/or up to six months' imprisonment, according to a Ministry of Health statement posted Thursday.”

[ktgrok]

On 3/26/2020 at 6:47 AM, Quill said:

 

I have come to realize that, despite all the jokes and memes about quarantine being an introvert’s dream, it’s not really that if you have a bunch of cooped-up people shut up with you. 

That does make it more difficult. I read about people who are older and retired and hating this, and all I can think of is how much reading I could get done if I was on my own, lol. 

On 3/26/2020 at 10:38 AM, sweet2ndchance said:

Lol, my dh would so totally be one to do that. That's why I stay in contact with him via text on the odd occasion we don't go to the store together.

 

I've not seen the memes but life hasn't changed much at all for us except people aren't telling us we need to get out more all the time. That's a nice change for me though. I hate feeling pressured to socialize when it does the opposite of what people think it does for me. It makes my anxiety worse not better. I'm happy as a clam to stay at home and do things around the house and property as I can with my physical limitations and only go out in public when I absolutely have no choice but to go.

 

yes! I actually have been feeling guilty because although the actual disease, economic concerns, etc are stressing me out to no end, and breaking my heart, the stay at home part is pretty nice! I was already skipping scouts most weeks- now no guilt! I took the kids to a weekly homeschool group/hike and the nature part was nice but I don't miss the socializing. I know THEY do to an extent, so feel badly about that part, but otherwise, nope, I'm good. I'd love a pedicure, and I desperately need new shoes which I can't really buy right now given the stores being closed, but otherwise, I'm good. 

On 3/26/2020 at 2:02 PM, mlktwins said:

I am an introvert, and was going to take advantage of this time, but I have spent many, many hours on-line grocery shopping this week -- LOL.  3 hours on chat this morning with 2 Instacart shoppers (one for my dad and one for us and my in-laws).  Then all the wiping down and separating food.  DH is taking his parent's food to them now.  It was at least 3 hours placing those 2 orders and I also did a Costco order that took a couple of hours and then chatting through shopping and wiping down.  I still have a kitchen floor full of non-perishables I need to put away somewhere, but I am tired from my morning shopping -- LOL.

Hope to get some relaxing time this weekend and next week.

THIS is the PIA part. (not counting the actual disease itself, obviously). What was an hour a week is not many hours a week, trying to figure out which store has what, how I can make ingredients work, figuring out on the fly which substitutions are gluten free and safe for my kid, etc. I often used pick up or delivery already, and liked that, but now it is terrible because they are out of so many things that each time I'm spending forever on the phone discussing substitutions, and end up with a bunch of stuff i didn't want anyway. Then I have to wipe it all down, etc. I see people talking about all their newfound free time and I'm thinking I have less, given that I'm cleaning more (well, disinfecting more), taking longer to shop, and trying to do my normal routine around DH's since he is home. 

On 3/26/2020 at 6:07 PM, Seasider too said:

I’m honestly doing ok. But did decide today that if dh has any thoughts of taking early retirement, well, that plan must be scrapped. 

I used to say that but have been pleasantly surprised. Trying to keep the kids quiet is stressful, but he's been really nice to have around - I'm shocked! The only real issue has been that I normally use our bedroom to fold a few loads of clothes a day, change the toddler's diaper, etc and he's in there working now. So that's a bit annoying, but we are not getting on each other's nerves yet. Maybe since he's in there all day and I'm in the rest of the house? He just pops out a few times for a drink or I bring him coffee or whatever. So I think we are okay for retirement as long as he has projects to work on.