I feel like we’ve done a marathon the past couple of days. I’m ready to get back to my routine!
Yesterday: After I finished my blog post, we pulled on clothes, donned our masks and gloves, I wore a wool hat – let’s face it, I looked like a bag lady. I hadn’t showered or washed my hair. It was raining and cold. But we needed fresh vegetables and I wanted to see what was out there at the nursery, because I need to start buying some plants and seeds.
We drove separately, met in the parking lot, and went in. This was the first time since we began self-isolating that I had been out in the shopping world. Don went inside to get produce. I grabbed a cart and walked around the nursery. There was one other person there, but I stayed away from him. I couldn’t take photos because it was so dark and rainy. They didn’t have as much stock as I had hoped, but it’s been very cold around here. The delay in stocking certain plants may be due to the weather and/or deciding to order less because of the virus. I’m not sure. So I got about half the things I wanted; 2 big bags of potting soil, three hanging plants (the same that I buy every year,) a flat of pansies, and some seed packets. I still need plants for the secret garden, the funky patio, and a flat of impatiens. But I was so determined to get in and out of there quickly, that’s all I bought. I’ll make a second trip in a week or so.
We met back at the cars. I headed home. Don had to stop to get gas. And then began the endless washing of produce, with potatoes and sweet potatoes and bananas and asparagus and broccoli and apples drying on paper towels on the counter. Then we showered and dumped our clothes in the washer, using the last smidgen of detergent we had left.
I had an anxiety attack later, so I guess it was more unsettling than I thought.
This morning: We needed laundry detergent, dish soap and several other items – we didn’t order online this week – and Don decided to go to the store at 7 am. We had a list of things we needed. Three items were essentials: laundry detergent, disinfectant wipes (hoping that there might be some in stock because we only had one left) and dish soap. When Don pulled up in the driveway, he brought two bags to the porch. He got wipes! He said it was the first thing he asked about when he got there and he was told that there were about 12 left in stock and he should get them right now. Huzzah! And he got everything else on the list. Once again, we were out there wiping everything down, leaving it to dry on the picnic table, showering, etc., hauling it all inside, and now, finally, I’m drinking my second cup of coffee.
This is friggin’ exhausting. Not just physically, but emotionally.
We’re in now and we’re not venturing out for several days. I’m still feeling some anxiety – in fact, I just had to take some deep breaths while writing this post.
I didn’t get to it until late in the day, and I was really tired, but I nearly finished the puzzle yesterday. This morning while Don was at the store, absolutely sure that I didn’t have all the pieces, I started to finish it. One piece was missing. I was so disppointed. But when I looked down at the floor under the chair – there it was!
Ain’t she purty? It’s so satisfying to finish one of these. This one has 1000 pieces and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I started it last Saturday and finished it today. Now, we’ll keep her on display for a few days – until a new puzzle arrives and I start the whole thing over again. (I’m a bit of a control freak so I’m grateful that Don has not interest in participating because I want to do it all by myself, words my parents must have heard more times than they could begin to count.)
By the way, I received a comment on the blog from Janice of Galaxy Puzzles:
I just wanted to drop by as the owner and say thank you for mentioning Galaxy Puzzles and also for your purchase. It is a very small woman owned business dedicated to, you guessed it, mostly jigsaw puzzles. You are one of many either discovering or rediscovering the love of puzzles during the pandemic. They are great distraction and anxiety reducer. Galaxy Puzzles is still shipping quickly although there are increasing courier delays. More inventory has just arrived and even more is expected next week. Please feel free to drop by, add to a wish list, explore or join the email list. Now I’m off to spend a few minutes exploring your site!
Thank you, Janice. She also mentioned that they have fresh stock. Let’s support a woman-owned business! Plus, part of your payment goes to charity. Galaxy sent me a notice saying my puzzle had shipped and I had just placed the order the day before, so I’m quite impressed by their customer service.
Today? I’m going to plant some pansies in some of my pots. I can’t wait!.
Stay home. Stay safe. Wear masks if you are out, even if your state does not require you to do so. Ours does, and I’m ever grateful to Governor Cuomo for his strong and steady hand during this crisis.
By the way, I went through the entire day yesterday thinking it was Thursday and when Don informed me it was Friday – right before we went to bed – I was sure he was wrong. Oh boy, I’m losing it.
Happy Saturday.
Good Morning and Best Wishes,
I totally share your anxiety going to stores…I feel fear. I then feel guilty because for all the people who go to work for my benefit. I cannot imagine the anxiety and fear they go through daily . I also feel resentment towards people who are not wearing masks. So there you go: fear, guilt and anger that is what is going on in my my mind as I venture out.
Sorry to lay this on you. I would like to end this on a positive note…but I am going to the store.
Your posts do make me feel better and thank you for that.
Stay safe..,
Kaye
Don’t apologize! It’s good to share these feelings in this unbelievably stressful time, Kaye. I get angry when I see people not wearing masks, as well. Stay safe!
Claudia,
The puzzle is beautiful! You should put some kind of preservative on it and put in in a frame.
Have a great day trying to stay safe and sane! We’re all in this together….well, most of us who are doing our part.
A friend,
Ann
We already have scads of framed art around the house. There’s simply no room! Stay safe, Ann!
On another note, if you want to warm your heart…we just watched the YouTube of Barack Obama singing “Sweet Home Chicago” at the White House. It wasn’t that long ago.
It seems like a long time ago, though, given what we’ve been through for the last 4 years! Thanks, Leslie. Stay safe!
You are not alone in feeling how you did after being out in public. I have been the same way. I think because of our personalities (INFJ’s), we are also empaths and therefore, absorb the feelings of our environment and the people around us. It’s physically and mentally exhausting. I’m not surprised you had an anxiety attack. Of course, I’m sorry you did so. I’ve had them and they’re horrible. I try and send Brian to the grocery store when we need things because he doesn’t have any problems handling it. Probably why he makes a good 911 dispatcher! But I also don’t want the burden of shopping to be completely on him, especially because he’s also still working outside the home, so I make an effort to go once in awhile. I did the last grocery shopping, which was a few days ago.
Cold and rainy again here today. So tired of this. It’s 11:00 a.m. here and both Brian and I are still in our pajamas. ;-) I’m reading blogs; Brian’s reading The Beekeeper of Aleppo. I have eggplant roasting in the oven. We might actually get the refrigerator cleaned out today. Woo hoo!
PS – I love your puzzle. I wish there were some way you could keep it like that!
No room! xo
I’ve often suspected I have the qualities of an empath. I feel things deeply. It’s too much, sometimes! Don has done almost all of our errand running, mostly because I was sick for about 3 weeks with sinus/allergies. But, like you, I don’t want him to feel he has to be the one shopping.
We had an absolutely beautiful day today but tomorrow? We’ll be back to cold and rainy. I’m over it. Stay safe!
Congrats on finishing the puzzle! It looks great. After I’ve finished a few chores, I will again start my puzzle…got the puzzle saver yesterday. That is, if Bowser let’s me.
I keep wondering about our nurseries too….if they’ve ordered their regular quantities or not. Should be interesting. The leaves on our maple trees have started to emerge…yay! Now, it feels like spring.
We both went to the store yesterday…I had to get out. It is a ritual…and with one way aisles, I seemed to always be going in the wrong direction. But…I just can’t get over the number of people who insist on not wearing gloves, nor masks, and who seem totally oblivious to social distancing. And then don’t even get me started on that rally yesterday at the state Capitol. Protestors all scrunched together…no masks, no gloves…but some did remember their guns. Fools…every last one of them!! They now mingle in with the rest of us at grocery stores and pharmacies. Who knows if they are infected? The rest of us just have to continue to be diligent. Ok…rant over.
So…the ritual is exhausting once the groceries are home as you said. I try to joke about it, and smile…it helps me to keep the anxiety away…a little, as I wipe off everything. I’m sorry about your anxiety attack…I can only imagine.
I hope today goes much smoother for you. Stay safe! ;)
It’s been a beautiful day today but we’re due for rain – again – tomorrow and for much of next week!
Stay safe, Donna.
I love jigsaw puzzles and have done a number of them over the last month. Thank you for the links. I will look them up now.
You’re welcome, Julie. Stay safe!
first, i hope by now you are feeling better! so sorry to hear about you having an anxiety attack, but it is very understandable after a couple extra-busy days and being out in the world where practically every ordinary, usually-benign thing has been turned into a threat right now.
happy to hear you found some flowers and other supplies for your gardening. and bleach wipes … yay!
great and speedy work on that puzzle … and it is pretty!
well, my car’s oil change went fine … no problems found and the mechanic and driver wore masks and gloves and i pulled large plastic bags over the seats. :) only one other customer was there, probably because of the virus and it being 7:15 in the morning. after it was done, i was there probably a half-hour disinfecting my car. i feel so much better now that it’s done! went to a couple stores for my family and me, delivered things, had a nice visit … just from too far away. came home and took a long hot shower. feel much better after seeing some of my family and taking that shower, too!
going to take it easy for a while. hope you all can, too. stay safe and well!
kathy in iowa
So glad to hear the oil change went smoothly. Now, I want you to stay in and stay safe! Thanks, Kathy.
Claudia, I’m so glad to get all your descriptions of what you’re going thru and what you’re feeling. We are all feeling similarly! I’m throwing you a huge hug today!
I’ve had online shipments of shelf-stable foods and supplies dribble in…seemingly daily due to shortages and out-of-stock…for WEEKS and it’s every day, every day, every day with the constant disinfecting, then worrying did we miss something, did we forget, did we get distracted and leave this or that ‘not clean’. (Was it Chris from Wisconsin who said here that it makes us wonder if we’re just getting downright paranoid? Yes! But we’re novices at living in and thru a national epidemic with a killer virus!) It is so hard on the nerves. It is so hard to not get irritable with each other sometimes (those of us sharing a small home with one or another). I’m often…too often…on the verge of tears. About EVERYthing!
I miss just browsing in a store of my favorite things. And of course the garden centers on a normal basis (were it a normal year and not THIS!) when there’s time and good inventory; so relaxing whereas, clearly, any trips out right now are NOT relaxing. I want my life back; we all do. (Kids actually WANT to go back to school; adults want to work/need to work.) And we know it isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Sometimes I’ve found myself hating being home, but then I can’t wait to get back home if I’m ‘out there’, as home is the only place that feels safe/IS safe. I cancelled the last of my medical appointments yesterday, after frequent tweaking/postponing because the doctor (this particular one) is seeing very few patients and only the ones with significant symptoms of this or that because, in this case…for me…it was just an annual checkup. Still, delaying seeing some of my doctors isn’t without consequence as I have a lot of medical issues.
Gnawing at me, too (and we ALL have our multiple problems of ‘life’ with or without Covid), have been two underlying things to ramp up my anxiety: 1) waiting on a check FOR TWO MONTHS which has to do with the pension that’s been caught up in red-tape hell of Sacramento and reduced staffing (good thing the April 15 tax deadline got moved or we never would have been able to pay our income taxes), and 2) being alerted that we were likely a victim of identity theft which, finally, we think, is resolved (but it’s been a real nail-biter).
Anyway, I’m so sorry you had to have all that stress yesterday; it’s awful. The only good thing is that you got some of your stuff, and then Don had even better luck with the wipes et al. I was giddy today because I finally got flour in the house, even though no yeast yet (my sister-in-law is sending me some; her state and her store still had some; ‘they’ say that getting yeast is still one to two months away in all stores online or brick & mortar), so that maybe I can attempt to bake a loaf of bread in the absence of any in the house for sandwiches like what we’ve recently experienced with no bread in our local store. We did get a smaller order yesterday thru Instacart…flawless experience, just as it was the first time we used them; so happy with this service (the personal shopper told my husband that the store had toilet paper for the first time yesterday in a long while; good sign that maybe stores are gradually getting resupplied with many things we’ll all continue to need)…so, today, I’m back in the kitchen, trying to organize everything.
I had let one onion ‘go bad’ so that I could be using its ‘sprouts’ and I made a good soup last night, despite the hot kitchen (since SoCalif is in a headwave), using ‘spring-green onions’ from those onion tops. I’m a bit puffed up with how I’m attempting to learn how to cook at this age and having a few successes; but, you know, gotta figure it out, or we don’t eat although my husband is trying to get motivated and has his moments (he’s a good cook!).
The other thing that got to me this week is that I had that nasty fall in my kitchen and, wow, third day after was the worst; I was so achy yesterday when I’d thought I was better, but I’m trying to move around more today.
I’d read an article about how people’s hygiene has changed since ordered to stay home. Wearing the same clothes for more than one day. Not showering as regularly. I don’t think it’s that we’re necessarily ‘depressed’ but that it’s just more of not having a good reason to ‘clean up’ because none of us are going anywhere out in public. I definitely am getting a bit concerned about some of my inertia and not getting in enough exercise, so my husband and I spoke of that yesterday AGAIN, as to how to build strength. I am going to try so hard in this coming week to, what is the expression, get my groove on(?) and stick to a better routine. I’m also giving myself weekends off (in their entirety) from any kind of news headlines, with the TV being only for pleasure-watching.
I just think what’s also so damaging is too much conflicting info/instrux as to how we’re supposed to be living our lives in the time of national chaos/global pandemic. The lack of leadership has really hurt us in 10,000 ways. We want to do the right thing but the info keeps changing. After a point, you almost begin to get apathetic; and therein lies real danger because people will start taking too many chances.
Claudia, it’s so nice that you liked the puzzle and had fun with it. It looks very impressive; what a lot of work! I so hope your afternoon with Don is going well and that you can try to settle things down in your brain. It’s a brain-rattling time. You’re okay; you’re NORMAL.
We went to our post office run this week and I felt relief we’re done with that for two weeks. I think I’ve procured enough food and supplies for the house now. Sure, we’re a little low on this or that, but we’ll survive. So now’s the time in between, to sit back and take a few days, you and me both; calm it down. I pray my weather gets cooler and yours gets warmer; may it meet in the middle. So you can be out in the garden with a place of peace and beauty and the feel-good of digging in the dirt with air & light & sun outdoors, and I can climb up my hillside and pretend I can see the beach far to the west. (I can’t even begin to tell you how much I miss the ocean. Really can’t aptly describe it. The sea has my soul.)
Hang in there, dear cyber friend! Regards to Don as well. You two are doing fine; doing everything you’re supposed to do. You’re safe. We’re the vulnerable age group who has to keep staying at home. We can do it; it’s not easy, but we can! We’ll try to tamp down the uncertainty and frustration and confusion with real tasks, both essential and non-essential like hobbies (not a good way to coin it because our hobbies are lifesavers right now!). And just pray they can grow that vaccine faster than they’re saying. And then we’ll emerge like beautiful butterflies free to the wind; we will FLY and feel our wings and go where we want to go, do what we want to do…and it’ll be so lovely, so free; we’ll never forget what we’ve been through, but there’s much fun stuff ahead! My list of all I want to do post-Covid is growing larger each day!
I have two packages at the post office that I have to get. Our little Post Office is unbelievably tiny. I’m thinking of calling ahead and asking the guys if they’ll put the boxes outside on their bench so I can get them. One of the perks of living in a very small town.
Thanks so much, Vicki. Some day I’ll write a post just listing my fears about all of this. But then again, I would delete it without publishing because I try to be positive and spread a little quirky joy. But, oh, I could write a book on it! Stay safe.
I just ordered the most beautiful puzzle from Galaxy Puzzles (The Four Seasons 1000 piece puzzle). So happy to support a small, woman owned business. Thank you for the link to them.
Now if I could only keep my cats from trying to help put them together.
Oh, wonderful! So glad you ordered one, Andrea! Stay safe!
I’m not going out unless I have to. Except to garden, if I can ever get any plants. Or to walk. I need to order some seeds. By the time they come they’ll be ready to go. I’m seeing the tiniest bits of bright green popping where I planted lettuce and radishes, the herbs are coming back, the strawberry plants look great and I’m seeing good sprouts of my sweet pea bush. But I’m dying for some basil, potting soil and mulch!
I so get the anxiety. I get freaked if I see people without masks coming in my path and I feel a tad panicked. It helped a bit to write my blog rant that I posted today. Not a rant, really, but just trying like crazy to put my brain into a reasonable order. Bit by bit.
The puzzle looks fabulous and what a wonderful letter/comment. Well deserved, too. It’s why I trust bloggers like you that tell us what they love but don’t sponsor. I have trouble with blogs that seem to run a never-ending list of amazon buys. Do they really love them or do they want the clicks? I get it. But I never really trust it. You, I trust.
I am over those kind of blogs! And Instagram accounts. They have links and they’re getting some sort of income from them, so I don’t trust them in the end, no matter how much they say it’s something they love. There’s one IG account in particular that constantly has links. I finally had to Unfollow. Stay safe, Jeanie!
Sorry about your anxiety attack. Don was fortunate to be able to get wipes. our neighbor was looking for 70% alcohol. We gave her two bottles. We had received a case from Walmart a while ago. We did not order it but Walmart said to keep the alcohol. Little did we know at the time how handy it would be in the future, it is a sanitizer,too. My twin and I planted our Pansy plants this afternoon. We wore masks and gloves. It was a nice day today. I ordered groceries last night. They are scheduled for April 30th from 2-3 PM. The puzzle is lovely. It is too bad that you cannot keep it done. There is another place to get puzzles, we receive their catalog. Bits and Pieces. Galaxy sounds like the place to order puzzles. How nice of the owner to contact you. Enjoy your nursery purchases.
Marilyn
Claudia I forgot to mention, did you see the crowd of people on the beaches of California? They were not obeying the rules. The people were all congested together. They seem like they had not a care in the world. I do not know what they are thinking!
Marilyn
Unbelievable! What the heck are they thinking? They will infect each other, then infect other people who are following the rules. xo
I planted my pansies today, Marilyn. They look so lovely! Stay safe.
Hi Claudia. I love that puzzle. When I was younger, a couple of times, when we finished a puzzle, we slid a piece of cardboard under the puzzle. My Dad cut it to be exact. Then we would shelac it and you could hang it as a picture. Even frame it. That Nancy Drew puzzle looks large though. Wouldn’t it look so good framed and on the wall? Have a good evening. Bobbie DeWitt
It would, but we don’t have the room! Thank you, Bobbie. Stay safe!
Love your puzzle! The last time I was in quarantine, with the mumps, I devoured a stack of Nancy Drews. I’ve been forever grateful to my teenage neighbor who’d read and outgrown them for keeping me sane while I had to stay inside.
Grocery shopping makes me feel like a hunter-gatherer who could be attacked by a predator at any moment. I suppose that’s partly because I’m so used to being home all the time. I’m so grateful to arrive safely with my haul!
I have tried to keep feeling like we are all in this together, but the anti-SIP protestors, few as they may be, have (almost) soured me. They love their rights but dodge their responsibilities. I feel sorry for them; they are being manipulated by dark forces who literally could not care less about their lives. Instead they complain about the officials who are trying to keep us all alive. Strange times.
I hope our social distancing keeps on working though. I’m doing my bit with continued mask-making and being extra nice to grocery store clerks while keeping my fingers and toes crossed that nothing happens to my family health care workers.
Stay safe. Warmth and sunshine and fresh garden air can’t be far away if we hold on long enough.
Those who ignore the rules and who protest? I have no patience for them. They’re selfish and, in some cases, willfully ignorant. Lives will be lost because of their actions. And the protestors are being manipulated by people who have their own agenda and who don’t really give one fig about them except as a means to an end.
I agree about grocery shopping – it’s exhausting and certainly unnerving! Stay safe, Roxie!
Sorry about your panic attack. I am having depression issues with this stuff. I know we will come out of this stronger and maybe better. I hope that better medical care comes as a result of this. And perhaps an absence of Voldemort in the future too. That would be a real improvement in our lives.
It wasn’t really a panic attack. I’d call it heightened anxiety that definitely leaves me feeling uncomfortable.
This has been a tough year. The best way to end it will be to vote that sorry excuse for a man OUT. Stay safe, Jan.
Great post, Claudia. I feel every bit of your anxiety. We baked a Devil’s food cake today. It sounded so good when I spotted it in the pantry, I had to have it. Can’t wait to have a (big) piece. I feel absolutely no shame.
It is supposed to be 63* and sunny tomorrow so our daughter said she would like to come out for a bit and work in one of the gardens. We happily accepted. It will be easy to keep our distance and nice to get some fresh air.
Hope you get a good night’s sleep and have a fine and peaceful day tomorrow.
It sounds good to me! Glad you’ll see your daughter today, Chris. We’ve got another bout of rain and cold. Stay safe!
Hi Claudia,
Wow, that puzzle is gorgeous! It was fun to follow your progress :) I will be sure to head over to Galaxy to look at her selection. What is the theme of your next puzzle?
The weather has been really warm here the last few days, with todays high hitting 90. I felt a bit like Mrs. Kravitz as I watched my neighbors across the street have a “slip in slide” party for a bunch of toddlers as they passed their newborn baby amongst the grown up visitors. Sigh.
To each their own, I guess. I suppose there isn’t much we can do about it, other than hope for the best. Our family has not ventured out except to drop deliveries off to my mother in law, drop letters off at the post office, drive through the bank, etc. We have used Instacart exclusively. It has been a lot easier lately to schedule and stock has been much more consistent.
We used to go out frequently to our favorite local restaurants. I miss seeing everyone and look forward to when it is safe again to do so. In the meantime, I have enjoyed cooking things I haven’t made in years – things my grandma or my mom used to make – like peach cobbler or spaghetti using the brands my mom always used. It is an added challenge to convert the old recipes to vegan or at least vegetarian versions!
Instacart has been great, but we also order from Target and Amazon for pantry items, toiletries and household goods. There really has not been a single instance where we have needed to go out. In fact, we are currently better stocked then we ever have been, which does feel nice and offers a sense of control as well.
I totally understand your anxiety over disinfecting groceries, etc. I am anxious for the few days following a delivery (Did EVERYTHING get wiped down? Did I inadvertently touch my face? Am I getting a sore throat? UGH!!! Of course I did my best, and of course I know that it is very unlikely that I might contract anything by carefully handling the mail or deliveries, but it is certainly nerve wracking nonetheless.)
I am glad you were able to get some of the supplies you need to get started on your garden! I look forward to seeing your porch filled with flowers. May is just around the corner! The raised bed garden has really filled in since I planted it a few weeks ago. We enjoyed a few days of the painted lady butterfly migration and the garden has been a frenzy of bird song (my favorite!) I love to watch the birds at the fountain as I make coffee in the morning. A few of our backyard varieties include: mockingbirds, bluebirds, orioles, gold finch, house sparrow, house finch, hummingbirds and doves. We also have bright green parrots in the neighborhood which can be quite loud as they squawk and screech through the neighborhood!
Not that we really have that much more time than we used to (since we usually work from home anyway), but we have somehow managed to watch more TV than we have in years! We watched the new Picard/Star Trek series which was very good. We saw the new Emma movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Yesterday – I always like Lily James! I’ve listened to John Denver and Doris Day, revisited old movies (The Jazz Singer) I’ve watched some interesting bios on Prime (Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor and Gary Cooper (he was my Grandma’s celebrity crush when she was a teen!) and now we are watching One Strange Rock on Disney+ which is endlessly fascinating.
My “currently reading” list is finally shrinking. I always have too many books going at once. I just started reading Foxgloves & Hedgehog Days, Secrets in a Country Garden by Daniel Blajan. It’s a quick read and, so far, I really enjoy his style! This month I am determined to finish The Good Neighbor, The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King. It has been quite interesting to learn about the chronology of his life and mission of truly helping people. His kind heart is an inspiration, especially now.
Hang in there Claudia, you and Don are doing your best! Phase two must surely be around the corner! Stay Well, Be Safe!!!
Hugs,
Christy
Thank you, Christy! I laughed when you said ‘Mrs. Kravitz’ because I used those exact words to describe my observations of my neighbors! They’re good people but maybe not quite careful enough in this climate. Stay safe!
What you described about your shopping trip is just how I feel when I have to venture out. There is no one to do it for me, and my husband has to have a special diet so I can’t afford to get food as an alternative which he can’t eat if I order a box from the supermarket. So I have to go, but I am exhausted mentally and physically. Glad you got your wipes! I saw toilet paper for the first time last week in months. I still don’t know where it is going………. they say they have enough stock, but I never see it even though it is still rationed. Not desperate yet. I’m hoping my new pansy plants start to flower soon. I really love them, especially the blue ones. Love your puzzle. What a lot of work!
It is indeed frightening to go out these days, at least for me. I’ve only been out a few times, three times to the vet!!! It seems my young cat is anxious, too; she was diagnosed with IBS due to stress. Vet said changes in environment or daily routine can cause it, and yes, I’ve been home a lot more than usual and stressed as hell, so now my kitty is suffering for it. At any rate, being out was so traumatic for me, is the mask on correctly, are the gloves (which are too big) going to fall off, am I following the direction arrows in the aisles (had to go to the drug store once), and even tho there is less traffic than before, most everyone is driving stupidly because they aren’t hemmed in by traffic. I came very close to three serious accidents, one of them totally my fault. And the questions: do I scrub veggies with soap (at one point yes, and now no), do I leave my cereal boxes in the garage after wiping them down, removing the plastic inside and wiping it down and then put it into another container? I ordered a small sketchbook and when the envelope arrived, my husband was skeeved out because it shipped from China. We have to have our annual basement inspection and I asked my husband to tell the guy to take off his shoes at the door or wear booties. I think the worst part in terms of anxiety is the continual changing of advice which suggests that no one really knows what this virus can do, will do, or might do. I’m sorry about your panic attack. I wonder how long it will take us before we are comfortable about going out again?
It’s not really a panic attack but it sure is extremely uncomfortable anxiety and I feel it physically. Then I’ll go through weeks with no problem. Never had them until this year. I blame it on living through the past 4 years of insanity.
Anyway, I have the same questions you do and they are overwhelming, aren’t they? I yearn for the day when we can buy groceries the way we used to, hug each other, and spend hours in a bookstore. Stay safe, Nora.
Thank you for the puzzle links! I ordered 3 from Galaxy, 2 from Serious and then another one from Galaxy that had originally been out of stock. 4 are for me, 2 for my son who is an avid puzzle person. I always buy him puzzles for his birthday which is the end of May, so your post was right on time for that. Can’t wait to get mine!
Oh wonderful! Thanks for supporting them and I know you’ll have a ball working on them. Stay safe, Kathy.