Here I am in Lock-Down

First I was fine …

The first week was fine because we were just self-isolating.

Then I was not so fine …

The second week saw me sitting with shoulders hunched up to my ears, my neck stiff and my jaw clenched tight.

No longer were we allowed to take the dog for a walk or go for a quick jog through the neighbourhood. We’re in lock-down you see.

It’s set for 21 days, but the writing is on the wall, it may be for longer. There are people whispering … another 4 months! (This is just rumour as I have absolutely NO confirmation what-so-ever)

Dear Lord in Heaven please forgive me for the vicious thoughts I am thinking.

Fight or flight!!

My body is certainly stressed and activating my "fight or flight" response. It’s not only releasing adrenaline and cortisol, but also murderous thoughts.

No, not really, but it feels like it.

Habit Schmabit & routines

We’ve all read on the interwebs that we need to build healthy habits.

But, here’s my take on it, how can I build healthy habits when that healthy habit is no longer allowed? Never mind, this isn’t a bitching session.

Let me move on.

Sticking to routine has certainly taken flight out the window, never to be seen again. Or perhaps we shall once again welcome back routine when the world rights itself.

That being said, those of us who are used to working from home already have systems and processes in place so it’s no real hardship for us. The real challenge is for the “other” in our household who are finding it a challenge.

I hope you are supportive and not being a know-it-all about it.

Step away from the fridge!

Half of us are going to come out of this quarantine as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem?

But I also must start practicing social distancing from the refrigerator. I saw a meme the other day something along the lines of – step away from the fridge, you’re not hungry, you’re bored.

This morning I made egg-cup muffins from leftover meat from dinner last night.

Right now, I’m in the process of making ice cream. It’s done with the 2nd 2 hour freezing period. It will be ready in another 2 hours.

So, you can see I’m the cook in this household! But tonight … tonight dinner is not my responsibility!

** insert evil cackle **

Respect for teachers

Those of you who are home schooling … have the children eaten all the food in the house yet?

How many times have you sent the fighting students to the principal’s office?

Has the principal fired the teacher yet for drinking on the job?

Having always had a healthy fear and respect for teachers, it has doubled, no trebled or rather quadrupled in the last couple of weeks reading about the stresses parents are going through who are home schooling their children.

Closer to home, my twin-nearly-4-year-old-grandsons in New Zealand are certainly causing UNTOLD stress for both mom & dad as well as the newly-teenaged-sister. They’ll be celebrating their 4th birthday on the 21st April – in lock-down.

We’re planning a virtual party for them. Mom is busy practicing the art of rainbow-cake-baking while dad is trying to get fit running behind the Little Lords when they go push-biking in the neighbourhood. Miss Attitude spends her days ensconced in her room waiting for house arrest to end so she can go and be with her mates.

With all said and done

Where we find ourselves has not been planned.

I want to end with a piece of text doing the rounds on social media:

“We fell asleep in one world, and woke up in another

Suddenly Disney is out of magic,

Paris is no longer romantic,

New York doesn’t stand up anymore,

the Chinese wall is no longer a fortress,

and Mecca is empty.

Hugs and kisses suddenly become weapons,

and not visiting parents & friends become an act of love.

Suddenly you realise that power, beauty and money are worthless,

and can’t get you the oxygen you’re fighting for.

The world continues its life and it is beautiful. It only puts humans in cages.

I think it’s sending us a message:

‘You are not necessary. The air, earth, water and sky without you are fine. When you come back, remember that you are my guests. Not my masters.’”

Stay safe everybody

Keep your distance

Stay at home

Phone those who are more vulnerable

Be loving

Be forgiving

Be kind