Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Trying to Keep Calm on Monday

Monday morning was cloudy, but, there was no rain.  I had my morning tea, checked emails, answered blog comments, etc., and then, decided to get my tax papers together to take to the tax accountant's office.  I usually put everything in a file marked "Taxes" with the year written on it as each document arrives in the mail.  So, everything is usually contained in one place, but, I always go through the file to check that I had everything and there was one document that had been filed in its own file folder that I needed to take out and add to the tax folder.  My actual appointment is on Wednesday, but, I wanted to get the papers together and give to the accountant, before hand, so she had a chance to look through them.

Then, I took my trash cans to the curb and took neighbor T's trash cans, too, for her.  Our mail carrier was making the rounds and I chatted with her for a bit before I collected my mail.

Just before I left the house, however, one of my friends called.  She had just heard on the news that the Bay Area was asking residents to shelter-in-place and was calling to ask how my daughter was.  It was the first I had heard of it, so I texted daughter and she said, yes, she had just heard the news, herself.  So, of course, I had to turn on the news!  As of midnight on Monday, seven counties in the San Francisco Bay Area were being mandated to stay home for three weeks and go out only for essentials such as food and medicines.  This is what we have all been preparing for, but, when it comes, it still catches you off-guard, so to speak.  Daughter called and asked me if she should make one more trip to the store to buy a couple of items such as another packet of sanitary napkins and a container of milk to add to the stock she has on hand.  I said to go ahead and get what she needed while she still could.  

Then, I went to hand in my tax documents.  By the time I left the house, around 2:30 p.m., it had started to rain!  

On the way home, I stopped by the Kroger-affiliated grocery store that had been closed for restocking and sanitizing when I went on Saturday.  They were open, but, allowing only two of certain items per family.  I bought two more bags of cat food ($10.99@; I feed 6 garden cats in addition to Dancer and we go through a lot of cat food), two cans of evaporated milk ($1.49@), two bottles of oil (@ $1.89, must buy 2), a small beef roast ($3.24), a small cabbage (@ 3lbs/$1), a head of lettuce ($.99), 2 cans of spaghetti sauce (@$1), a 2-b. packet of spaghetti pasta ($1), a jar of hazelnut spread ($1.99), and a bottle of dish washing liquid (@ $1.99.  My bill came to $23 and some cents.

The cabbage slaw my neighbor sent me the other day reminded me that cabbage keeps fresh for a long time in the fridge.

It was pouring with rain when I came home and brought the groceries in!  In fact, I left the bags of cat food in the car because I didn't want them getting wet!  

I got home around 4:00 p.m., put away the groceries, warmed up the last slice of pizza I had bought from the dollar store, and had that for lunch.  Friend R called and we chatted a bit.Then, I had a cup of tea and watched the news.  While I watched news, I started knitting a new pair of socks, using a skein of variegated wool (100% wool) that I had bought on clearance, last year.  Knitting is calming for me and I needed something calming to do while watching news!

Cousin P called, later in the evening and I chatted with her for a bit.  She and her daughter had gone to visit Aunt T, yesterday, and they had said the rosary, after all (it had been postponed till the end of the month, earlier).  

Dinner was a salad and a banana, as I wasn't very hungry.  I did the dishes that had piled up and wiped down the kitchen counters.

Later, daughter and I video chatted.  She is now sheltering-in-place for the next three weeks or until further notice.  I, too, will be staying home to the extent possible, although I do have my appointment with the tax preparer on Wednesday (unless things change, in which case, I guess we'll deal with it as best we can).

I keep thinking of things I forgot to buy, but, I have plenty of food and other supplies on hand and fresh lemons and oranges in the garden.  I just hope and pray that we won't experience an earthquake on top of everything else!  How's that for "gloom and doom"?  

Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter and I are ready to shelter-in-place
- I was able to get the tax papers to the accountant 
- I was able to get the last few groceries bought
- More rain for the garden
- I've plenty of projects to work on while I stay home for the next few weeks

Today's joyful activity was video chatting with my daughter.

On the To Do List for Tuesday:
- Dust
- Laundry (didn't do any, today)
- Continue with kitchen cleaning
- Water the indoor plants

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?  Is anyone else preparing to shelter in place?

20 comments:

  1. Sorry your daughter has to stay put! Thank goodness for video chatting. Yes you never know...could get an earthquake or even a computer type hacking and then we'd be in more trouble. Andrea

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    1. Yes, I guess we would all be in a lot of big trouble if those things happen. :(

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  2. I am glad your daughter is safe in her apartment and has plenty of supplies.
    It seems like you have all the things you need for the foreseeable future too.

    How long this goes on is anyones's guess but it doesn't seem like it will be over too quickly.

    This virus is scary and by staying home we can protect ourselves and others.

    Perhaps it's the year for your accountant to do phone interviews while going over your papers as opposed to an in person meeting?

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    1. Thank you, Debra. Yes, we are well stocked and as prepared as we can be for the time being. At least for a couple of months. Beyond that, I might need more kitty litter!

      If necessary, the tax forms can be done via email. But, we shall see how it goes.

      Hope all is well with you and yours.

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  3. Now that your accountant has the tax papers, if needed, you could have your appointment by telephone. I'm sure everything will work out fine.

    Over the weekend, I was feeling that anxious unsettled state of mind where you feel kind of paralysed with inaction. You want to prepare but don't know the next step. I feel much calmer today having got my supplies and having spoken with friends and family to find out how everyone else is coping. I feel I can settle down and do the right thing now by sheltering in place. Thank goodness for a technology that allows us to keep in touch so easily.

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    1. Yes, we will do as much over the phone as possible and even email if necessary. That's how she does my daughter's taxes, but, my daughter is more tech savvy than I am!

      I'm glad you were able to check in with your loved ones and are feeling calmer, today, Susan. At this point in time, all we can do is shelter in place and hope that this, too, shall pass!

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  4. Hi Bless, Yes, I've been doing it, just to be on the safe side. I'm glad that you were able to buy some more supplies at the grocery store. I have stocked up on staples and pet food. I may pick up some more fruit trees and vegetable plants today. I like the idea of growing as much as I can. The citrus in our backyards are really helpful, aren't they?

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    1. I'm glad to hear it, Stephenie. Yes, the more we can grow in our own gardens, the better. My peach tree is setting fruit, right now. I am hoping all this rain we are having will help them - last year, all the fruits on the tree fell off during a heatwave we had in March or April! I need to pick the rest of my lemons, juice them, and freeze. If nothing else, I'll have lemonade to drink!

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  5. I hope you are having a good day today. This just reminded me I need to get all of Mom's info to her accountant.
    I am not sure if I am preparing to shelter in place or not, since I have to go to Mom's house every single day. I guess I am preparing to stay in as much as possible. My yard is probably going to benefit from this time at home.

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    1. Thank you, Anne. I am doing OK. :) Glad to have reminded you about your Mom's taxes!

      It will be difficult for you to shelter in place with needing to care for your Mom, but, she's not that far from you, is she? And, as long as you just drive from your home to hers and back, it should be OK, I think. You'd not want to go out shopping, etc., to minimize being a carrier of the virus and infecting your Mom. I am not sure just how you will manage for groceries and other needed items for her, though, because you do most of her shopping, don't you? Can you have all of it delivered? Or, can someone else shop for you?

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  6. The good thing is that both you and your daughter are prepared and have enough food for a while.
    Just today the governor called for online teaching at all universities. I’m not sure if that means universities are closed until the end of this semester. Didn’t hear from my college yet.

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    1. Yes, thankfully, we are both prepared with a stock of food and other supplies. I think our universities here are switching to online classes through the end of spring semester. Maybe your college will, too?

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  7. I started my social distancing/self isolation this afternoon. I'm in much the same situation as you and your daughter where I have sufficient supplies for 3 - 4 weeks and am now home alone. The shelves were empty when I went shopping so I am hoping that there is some truth when we are told that there are adequate food supplies for everyone as my coping plan involves having a monthly delivery .... the last thing I want to do is to have to troll round all the shops searching for essential items.

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    1. This is a stressful situation all around, isn't it? I am sure you will be able to get your monthly deliveries done. You might find that it will take longer than usual to get a delivery, so you might need to order it a week or 10 days before you need the items, just in case. Hopefully, by this time next month, the situation will be more under control.

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  8. I love that you feed garden kitties. I feed about 6 stray cats in our backyard, too, plus the neighbor's outside cat who has adopted me! Ha! I'm so glad you can still see your daughter even if you can't be together. These are strange times.

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    1. I started feeding one stray cat and she told her family and friends and had a litter on top of it! Thank you, seeing my daughter online is a blessing. These are, indeed, strange times. Hope you and yours are keeping well.

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  9. We woke up to find a lot of snow! I was going to write "it never rains but it pours" but that doesn't really apply, does it? Anyway it soon started melting and dripping from the roof. It did put me off any thoughts of going to the store. I keep coming up with ideas of more things to buy. The list grows! Anyway my friend e-mailed to say that the local supermarket was going to be open from 7-8 am for the over 65s to shop. I wonder if I can drag myself out of bed that early?
    I worked a little more in the kitchen, cleaned shelves in two upper cupboards, also cleaned a bathroom. Then a good nap. (When in doubt, nap - I'm sure Dancer would agree!)

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    1. Wow, snow! It's pouring here, in a manner of speaking - we are having several days of rain!

      I am not sure if you should be going out shopping at this time, Bushlady, even if the list keeps growing! Unless you can shop during that reserved time.

      Sounds like you are being very productive. I am finding that cold, rainy days are not very conducive for housework, as far as I am concerned!

      Stay safe and well.

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  10. These are crazy times. I was at home Sunday until Thursday when I went to the grocery at 6 a.m. I felt so good to be out, even keeping lots of distance from all the other early bird shoppers. I understand what you mean about forgetting what to buy. I had a small list, and as most of it was not available, I was at a loss. I reverted to my childhood days and bought a big pack of bologna because sandwiches can cover a lot of meals. I bet we will learn not to take so many things for granted over the next month.

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    1. These really are some crazy times, aren't they? Hopefully, we'll get through this without getting ill, ourselves.

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