There are times all during life when we need the inner resources to keep ourselves busy and productive all by ourselves.
~ Fred (Mister) Rogers
How are you doing with Omicron? Are you hanging in there? Self-isolating and going out only when necessary? Living with abandon?
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| New Years, 2018. Those were the good old days! More abandon then! |
I'm largely home, nestled within my own walls, more or less. As I was putting away Christmas and tidying up the house, I came across "The World According to Mister Rogers," a book largely compiled of quotes and wise words from the former children's television show host. Boy, did they ring true.
I choose to isolate at home, seeing very few people, because I simply don't want to get sick. I can ride this out till the Omicron surge passes through my area and gently venture out again a little more frequently. But in doing so, I realized that I was indeed fortunate to have those inner resources of which he speaks above.
Putting away the holidays is enough to keep one productive and busy for a bit. But one day I decided I had to bake. I just had to. So, it was scones, madeleines and a puff pastry treat. (For the madeleine recipe and more, check out the previous post here!)
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| Scones! Yum! |
Books? So far, I've finished three and onto my fourth, which I'll finish another before the end of the month.
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| The To Be Read Pile |
I finally picked up a paintbrush and started few Valentines, some bookmarks, and touched up a painting from this summer I wasn't satisfied with. I also want to work through some of the exercises in Emma Witte's "Watercolor for Beginners" book and do some online tutorials.
I have enough fiber to keep me needlefelting for a long time to come. And if I run out of that, I can pull out some of my yarn and see if my fingers still work well enough to use the knitting needles.
I've been purging old photos from photo albums, getting the originals to those featured after scanning many of them and tossing even more. Face it -- I don't need photos of flowers or sunsets that I took in 1983. I'm enjoying reliving some of our fun past family times!
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| From the golden days at the lake, Summer 1972 |
I'm in the process of purging last year's digital photos and backing them up the keepers on my external drive. This always takes longer than I think.
There are two fairly significant household repair projects that need to get done. I'm waiting for Omicron to back off a bit before I bring repair folk into the house but it is near the top of the list.
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| The ceiling above my fireplace needs new dry wall and painting. |
I've put the last of revisions into my family history book. Now it's time to do a little printing research. I'd like to make hard copies available to the cousins sometime this year.
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| My mother, (front left, next to the baby), c. 1924 |
Given that I'm not out walking this winter, I am on the hunt for my Richard Simmons DVDs so I can sweat to the oldies on a regular basis. and there is loads of stuff on my streaming watch list and tons of books to savor.
There are blog posts to write, comments to answer and other blogs to read.
And, if all else fails, I can start to sort through the basement for what can be donated, sold or drafted into use! I view downsizing as a multi-year project but I want to be in control of it myself.
And, if I need a break, there's always this -- A good book and a sweet cat.
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| The Secret Keeper! |
Have you been able to tap into your inner resources to keep busy and productive all by yourself? Please share what gets you through the long spells, whether they are Covid or just winter!
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| At Cousin Jeff's wedding in October! |
And finally, some good news! Look who tested negative! I'm a happy camper. (So's he!)
Sharing with: Pink Saturday / Share Your Style
64 comments:
Yay, I am glad Rick has tested negative. Have you ordered the free tests from the government website? Wonderful photos of you and your family. The last one of you and Rick and the sniggles with Lizzie are both great photos. It seems like there is always something to be done around the house, if you are looking to keep busy. Baking is always fun, the scones look yummy. I like your watercolor cards, very pretty. Take care and stay safe. Have a happy weekend.
We are isolating, doing grocery pickup again and not much else. We’ve even stopped our weekly family dinners for now as we want to see how the kids back to school goe — so far so good.
You look like such a pleasant and happy person in your photos.
Whooppee, great news that the test was negative! Stay safe! It is good that we have things we love to do like bake and sew to keep us busy during this crazy time.
Jeanie, you have plenty of wonderful stay at home activities. Any of my downtime is filled with reading. I am glad Rick tested negative. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
I'm semi-hibernating. Not as much as I could or should. I think because it is such a cold winter and icy and I can't walk regularly I've needed to go out, but not really mingle. Walking for me makes all the difference. I did make your Madeleine's (spelling?) recipe yesterday. I used lemon and powdered sugar and they are yummy, but mine had a lot of holes on the top. Do you have any secret why yours didn't? Thanks for sharing. They are so easy to make; I wonder why I haven't made them before.
I love seeing what you've been up to and you look like life has been OK. Having a pet is wonderful during these times, isn't it? And like me, you are good at entertaining yourself. It must be hard for people who can't. I hope you do a book post too. And I had to laugh at your pile because it looks like mine.
Have a great weekend Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
In the UK we are being encouraged to see Omicrom as something like flu, that we have to now learn to live with - I have had my jabs and am ready to go back to the workplace when summoned, I have enjoyed working from home (I work in a call centre) throughout the pandemic, I was even working Christmas and New Year's day! I would quite like a 'bit of both' but if my conservatory is no longer an office I can look forward to growing tomatos and salad leaves out there! I have missed seeing friends but was lucky to have both sons home during the lockdowns and hubby here throughout. The only thing I have missed and cant wait to do is travel - I only hope the Western world shares the vaccine so that we can visit others less fortunate once they are safe.
Happy day! Negative!
And it sounds like you are going at the right pace during this time of waiting. Mister Rogers is perfect.
THat's such good news! Total isolation is really an unbearable thought, and I'm glad you'll soon be out of it. We are walking outdoors even when it's totally cold. No such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment (well I don't really believe that).
best...mae at mafood.blogspot.com
We are isolating also. Fully vaxxed and boosted, but don't want to get sick either. I have been ordering groceries and wine online since before Christmas. It is too cold right now to care about getting out anyway.
Glad that Rick tested negative. Since I live in Florida, I still go out walking in the botanical garden, walking on the beach etc. I am still using a shopping service, so I don't have to go into the stores. I am reading and painting and working around the house. Come see my latest blog post on what I have been up to!
Which lake was that in 1972? I was 3 years old then and we were just about to move up to Lake Huron in Michigan. ❤️
I haven't been out much either. My father-in-law is having chemotherapy and other health issues, and is now in the hospital, so we are all being careful not to catch anything if it can be avoided. We would be doing that even if times were normal.
Congrats on Rick being negative!
I'm glad Rick tested negative. That's a relief. Here, as Betty commented, we are being encouraged to see Omicron as a bit like flu. Not quite sure what to think about that...
Bravo Rick! That is good news.
Your going through things to do, so much, prayers the days will spill over beyond the pandemic.
Look at those Kitty Valentine Cards, so sweet.
Lovely pics of you and Rick, and you and Lizzie:)
Stay safe.
Yay on Rick's test being negative;)
I just watched "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and I thought it was really good. My kids grew up watching Mister Rogers. Oh, you started some Valentine's already, they're so cute. I usually get the ones that we got when we were kids and send them to the grandgirls. I love them. That's a delightful photo of you and your cat. I'm go glad to hear Rick is Ok.
Well, for me, I usually step into nature when things get too overwhelming. It always seems to ground me. Yes, baking goodies and a hot cup of coffee always does the trick too. ; )
~Sheri
A negative test is always a nice result to have. My wife and I only go out to grocery shop, the library or for a walk. We both are fully vaccinated and when on a bus, we mask up. It is stilled required to mask up on public transit and when you go in to stores. People are pretty good about it. Today all of our restrictions except the mask wearing have been removed. Pubs and restaurants can now operate regular hours, no restrictions on people gathering. We don't frequent restaurants or pubs and wouldn't feel comfortable doing so. I hope the dropping of restrictions succeeds but there are still people who are nervous about it. Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.
I'm staying in except for weekly grocery trips wearing N95 masks. It's winter, and I'm not as anxious to get out there as I am at other times of the year.
I used to love Richard Simmons and had several of his VHS tapes. He has some videos on YouTube, but I'm not sure if he has anything full-length. I've grown to love Paul Eugene on YouTube for my cardio exercise.
So glad Rick tested negative! That’s a great photo to start of this post. So festive and cheerful. I enjoyed your Fred Rogers quote, and it sounds like a good book. I love ‘the to be read pile’ area. We are self-isolating and going out only when necessary. Yum on the scones, and I enjoyed those and other yummies in your last post. Your painting is real pretty. Enjoying all your photos, all bring a smile. I have boxes and boxes of photos. I need to grit my teeth and do the same thing. We also have a list of small repairs to get done around here, and like you we are waiting. Keeping busy, not doing anything in particular. I do love my birds in the backyard and have the feeders not too far off from our family room. Right now and I am looking at doves and finches, a downy woodpecker on the suet feeder. I read, do a little creativity on the computer, a little housework, nothing too exciting but all enjoyable and the days keep zipping along. Stay safe and we’ll see the end of our isolation soon I hope. I am ready for a road trip :)
We live a pretty isolated life back here in the boonies to start with. These days we only go to the town for essential shopping. I never was a recreational shopper either though.
The job action by truckers is worrying us these days. Already we are seeing empty shelves in the stores. Not something we've experienced prior.
I'm still trying to get a booster shot. Testing negative every time I go to work is a good thing.
That's fantastic news about Rick testing negative!
I'm only going out when I have to. Thankfully I've got plenty of craft projects keeping me busy, and Zoom calls, books, and movies (though I've been enjoying very few of the latter recently) to enjoy while I work on them. And my favourite people either live with me, or are in my computer, so I'm OK with that. Though it would be nice not to have to worry that the next time I go out, or the next time hubby has to run errands, or the next time the postman comes knocking, I could end up sick afterwards.
Mr. Rodgers is our guru. I just love that man, we will keep him alive by taking his advice and being good.
Your resources are like mine, though you are way more productive. I am so getting used to staying at home that I think I am becoming agoraphobic. I am saving $$$ too. So it is not all that bad.
Good to hear Rick tested negative. Japan is now being hit hard by Omicron. I’m staying home and not taking chances. This weekend I am working on catching up on scrapbooks. It’s good to relive trips and reread cards and notes.
Waiting for those test results are always nerve-wracking - glad Rick tested negative! Sounds like you are making the best of things and keeping busy with some great projects and to-do lists. Your cards are so sweet. We are isolating too. Cancelled some birthday gatherings and just staying home except to replenish the pantry. Always plenty to do around here. Like the idea of downloading the photos - a good way to use this time. My poor kids have little ones that can't be vaccinated yet and it is such a worry. Can't wait to be done with this pandemic. Hope it ends this year! Stay safe. x K
I Love that Joyous New Year pix... hopefully some abandon remains? I'm recovering from The Rona still, my Quarantine required period is long up but I'm still going nowhere since the Pneumonia part complicated getting COVID on top of it so it's gonna be a long haul to Wellness. Well, I think at least you could wear the Tiara and Hat around the house to feel more Festive, Right? *winks*
Congrats to Rick for testing negative. How wonderful is that.
You have been doing a lot. I am sort of hibernating. I am almost afraid to go anywhere. I'm loving seeing all you do and your old photos. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing these and your to do lists, too, Jeanie.
Glad to see the two of you all smiles! Cute Valentine pics too! Janice
Yay! So glad to hear the news about Rick!
And glad to hear that your inner resources are sustaining you well through this cold and difficult winter. Those scones look beautiful! Your valentines are darling -- those kitties are adorable! And, yes, winter is a great time for bringing materials together for larger projects.
Take care, enjoy your moments with good books and a sweet cat... and Rick!
Glad you are keeping yourself safe and busy at home, that's a good solution. I have been resting a lot here, or walking in the park belonging to the clinic. Stay safe and take care, hugs, Valerie
Your TBR pile looks a lot like mine, as does your list of jobs to do around the house. Oddly enough, I am out a bit more than I have been, but always fully masked up. Our village is holding its census and I've been employed to run it. Luckily this year many will be able to fill in online, so I won't have to visit every house in the village.
I am not sure that Omicron has really affected us much at all, other than the general caution we have become accustomed to during the pandemic. I am very happy to hear that Rick's test came back negative and that you can now resume contact with each other.
Yay for Rick testing negative! You are making good and productive use of your isolation time. I am not quite so productive; but I am working on online art classes and starting to work on valentines. Yesterday I baked cookies to drop off at my niece's door because she tested positive for covid after going to a wedding; happily she has mild symptoms.
So infinitely grateful for inner resources.The days fly by.
Not much changed really..I am quite content without a social life apart from family.
So. MAny great pics of you and Rick..so happy🙂
I am so glad Rick tested negative!! Phew!
We are laying low, too. The only risk we are taking is sending the boys to daycare but there has been very little transmission there. Other than that, we are staying in. We haven’t really done much period during Covid but a lot of that is due to our stage of life. Eating out is not desirable with 2 young kids! We are hoping to take our first trip since Covid in February. The biggest risk is the airport and plane but Paul will mask and we will stay away from people as much as possible at the airport. Once we get to AZ, we will be around vaxxed family except my baby niece and we will only do stuff outdoors. I do hope we can do some outdoor meals down there. But mostly I am excited for a change of scenery and warmer weather. It’s been bitterly cold here. It’s -8 right now. Sob.
My kids keep us busy and it can make for a groundhogs day kind of feeling. But if I was alone in our house I would never be bored! I have workouts to do through an online program. I have an endless supply of books through the library that I can download on my kindle and several I own but haven’t read. I love doing organizational projects! And I could knit again which is something I haven’t done since Paul was born! I am glad I can easily entertain myself. I feel bad for my grandma who is almost 99. She has terrible macular degeneration so her vision prevents her from doing things she used to love to do, like crocheting. She can blow up the text size for reading on her computer and kindle and has a magnifying glass for reading the paper. But I think that has really made entertaining herself more difficult. She’s in an assisted living center and all are vaxxed so she has some ability to socialize, but she lost her best friend last year and doesn’t really have a best friend anymore so I know she is lonely. :( My parents visit her every week but I think the days must pass slowly for her.
I'm so glad Rick tested negative. That's going to make life a whole lot better for both of you. At this point, there's not much difference in my life between now and early 2020, before Covid showed up. In fact, I never think of the accursed virus unless someone mentions it in a blog entry or I turn on the news. We did have an Omicron spike here, but it's falling fast, and I'm not much worried about it. The fact that I've gone two years without so much as the sniffles suggests that my outdoor work and close attention to diet are paying off. I hope it stays that way!
Good morning, Jeanie. I have never had a problem entertaining myself or keeping busy. Part of that I believe, is I am an only child. I am baking Madeleines today. Gingerbread to go with roasted pears this evening. I love the photo of you and Lizzie. She looks like she thinks you may be intruding on her space.
So happy Rick tested negative. Happy winter days, Jeanie.
That first photo is simply the BEST! Love Mister Rogers, thank you for the quote, a good reminder for us all. Enjoy your home and projects, we WILL get through this crazy time! xo, V.
Glad he tested negative and can come home. You sound so organized with all you want to do during this stay-home times. I'm also putting aside times for reading, writing, and working to make changes in my home. Nothing earth shattering but I am getting a new bed frame and selling the 4 poster. It's too hard to get on for me now. Later I will get rid of the futon and get a new sofa. The futon is hardwood frame and a deep queen mattress. The combine weigth is like a ton and I can't deal with it any more. ORIGINALLY, it was for my sister and brother-in-law to sleep on but he's gone now and she sleeps on the queen when she's here. I need a small white sofa. I'm saying prayers for both of us to stay well and happy. Thinking warm thoughts and sending them your way.
That is great news Rick tested negative. You were very busy in your own isolation. Cheers to enjoying each other's company again.
Dearie,
with your creativity and your inner Joy you're always far busy, for sure, and who lives by your side is truly fortunate!!!
Blessings to you
XO Daniela at ~ My little old world ~ (Dany)
Hi Jeanne! You're keeping busy! I bet you love remembering the lake in the early days. I'm glad you guys are okay1
Yippee! I am so pleased that Rick has tested negative.
Keeping busy and occupied is good and I think we all have our own favourite things to do. In fact I often wonder where does time go, the older I get the quicker it goes! LOL!
Stay safe, well and busy ... but find time to relax with a good book and a cuppa, I enjoy doing that.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
So glad Rick tested negative and you are back together again.
I do much the same as you are doing though I do go on walks in the neighborhood. Everyone is so respectful of keeping distance. I hope to get in the yard a bit this week as the sky is clear and do a bit of winter clean up. Then I have a desk I want to clean out and maybe pass it along to a niece. Then art too! I love your kittie valentine's! It inspires me to do a little painting. I even thought recently about the wool I have stored in the freezer - maybe back to felting? Hummm? Not sure.
Hi Jeanie, I am not really doing anything differently since Covid began. I've pretty much kept isolated but I do go do my own grocery shopping during hours when hardly any shoppers are about. I also go to the library now and then which also isn't that busy. I don't usually hang around at these places and I see my preferred grocers is now limiting the number of customers at any one time. Omicron has affected workers in all sectors and so it is having a worse effect than usual though our top doctor things we've peaked. I am keeping as vigilant as I can and have cancelled a few appointments with specialists. I can't keep cancelling though so I will go out in the next few weeks to smaller confined spaces. In the meantime I have been keeping myself busy doing much of what you are doing with the hobbies and so on. The decluttering really is a multi-year project and this time of restriction has helped me do some of it though I'm very slow. So glad to hear of Rick's negative test result.
You have been productive! Good for you! And that you both are negative.
Glad that Rick is good! I am still working. When I am home, I try to keep myself busy with books, blogging and surfing the net. I also try to neglect cleaning the house.
We go on a lot of drives which helps me with the lock down. Glad you are doing what you need to do too.
Love all the pics.
I sadly don´t know that show, but I can say.... life is pretty much normal for me as I don´t go to the cinema etc anyways.
Who knows what is right behind Omicron - reckon we have to live with this.
I just feel so sorry for those who live from events. There was no Christmas Markets again etc, etc. How do those people make their living. I am glad I can work from home. I am thankful.
The cat cards are wonderful! I just got a bookmark as black cat and love it.
Also I hear from a black cat every working day through my customer :-)
LOL, is that an ashtray on the table?!
The 70´s... oh, boy. And we still live!
You sure are NOT bored :-)
Happy last pic!
I never get bored, either, I´m a loner and with work now.... so little time, but I started training again :-)
I was so worried that your opening line about being busy by ourselves was that Rick wasn't negative, and now I am SO RELIEVED to read that he is! So happy for you both!
I can keep myself busy endlessly in the same ways as you, with projects, hobbies, TV, books, etc. But I long to get back normal and spending time with people!
Yay on the negative result.
Those old photo's are lovely.. such a treasure.
We are living our daily lives at home as much as possible. But the kids go to school and the husband goes to work 3 times a week.. but then there are times where we get a little adventurous with with some measure of safety..
You sure know how to keep busy! You are also very creative. Next to you, I am a slouch! LOL.
So happy for you both.
Hooray for Rick testing negative!!! It looks like you have a lot of inner resources and projects to keep you busy during this time. I can understand that you try to self-isolate. I don't self-isolate, but we are cautious. I still need to go to the grocery store and I'm still teaching in person, but luckily all my students are vaccinated and boosted. The second semester just started last Saturday and I have a slightly smaller class, so we can spread out more and don't sit on top of each other (which we never did anyway). Last Saturday we had friends over of whom we are confident that they are just as careful as we are. I'm busy with the German School and with my Etsy shop since I get quite a lot of orders. I also try to be outside a lot - other than you we have very mild days right now, unusual for January. I wish we would get more rain, I am very concerned about our water supply.
Congrats on Rick being negative!
I am a homebody so I am never bored staying at home.
Looks like you have been productive! Good for you!
Happy Tuesday, Jeanie!
January is my time to refresh and get things in order inside since we have our cold weather and rainy months of January and February. I am looking forward to spring and getting outside on the veranda with my plants. We are self isolating again as much as possible and hoping to see the numbers drop soon here with Omicron. So happy to see Rick had a negative test result, I know how you must have missed him. Staying sane with reading, taking drives and walking on the treadmill. Always fun keeping up with your positive motivating posts........
We've branched out a Little to have family visit and occasionally a neighbor comes inside. We've even had a couple repairpeople (masked). Other than that we are isolated - no restaurants, retail, or traveling. Will this ever end?
We are isolating right now. Wyatt is due to have an EEG in a week and a half and so we have hunkered down. Billy only goes in to work, and I only go in to the pet store double masked to get crickets for the lizards. Lol.
Stay safe Jeanie! I feel like we are almost through this surge in Michigan!
We do venture out for weekly shopping and have done some walks to the nearby retail pharmacy on less frigid days. Thankfully, the mill gym is reachable by walking through the hallways and down the stairs (yes, there are elevators, but getting in more steps is my goal). I have also been reading and on my fourth book of 2022 and my first non-fiction in a while, The Vanderbilts. We do a lot of cooking and some bread making, but not too often as it's so good. This weekend, scones are on the to be baked list, so thanks for the reminder!
I like the look of your scones. That is something I have yet to try to bake. It was fun seeing your old photos. I'm a SAHM and am usually home; Mama Uber is my main gig. I do venture out for groceries like today. Chinese New Year is coming up and I've been in the mood to cook Asian-flavored dishes. I bought ingredients to make dumplings with my teenage girls this weekend. Today I'm making beef lettuce cups.
I tested negative twice; on Jan 10th and Jan 19th but I am still pretty certain I HAD it - I ended up with pneumonia by the 19th. I tested negative for both types of flu too but oh my I think I had it !!! I just started trying to work this week; thank ful I had just been prorated my vacation / sick time but now I pretty much have used it ALL for 2022 and have no paid time off left. So that pretty much sucks... Not that I am going ANYWHERE with covid surges like they are, our hospital numbers here in SW GA are HIGH.
You have the best smile!
I enjoyed this post!
P.S. I think we only have 2 bunnies. Of course, they won't wear name tags. I've only seen max 2!
Yay for negative testing! I've been home a lot, between Omicron and the weather, and not very perky. I've gone to physical therapy and Weight Watchers (masked) and started a drawing class that I love. I did a lot of walking, reading and decluttering. All in all, not a bad month, but usually in the depth of winter I have a trip planned or am away. But in NYC our numbers are so much better and we're starting to have religious services in person again, masked and socially distant, and I'm feeling more comfortable about eating out in the coming weeks and not eating outdoors. And this week it might get to 50 degrees!
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