Monday 22 March 2021

This And That

 If I were to be honest, I must admit that I am totally fed up with this pandemic and all the restrictions that this brings.  I am not getting any younger and I feel that this virus is taking valuable time away from me.  Our plan for retirement was to enjoy this beautiful Island that we now live on and travel.  Not only to visit family but we also have a bucket list.  We have lived quite a frugal life over the years and saved in earnest for our plans for our retirement.  That said I have come to love this amazing Island and its people so I am not as disappointed as I could have been not been able to travel.  We are making the most of what we have and hopefully as we go through another season the weather will start to pick up.

I have been working on my bedroom for sometime, sorting out the cupboards and drawers.  Eight very large black bags later...enough said.  It is my intention to give it a mini makeover, maybe a lick of paint and either a crochet throw or a patchwork quilt.  The jury is still out.

The freezer was given a good sort out and I was quite proud that nothing needed throwing out.  The store cupboard was given a good clean and everything duly rotated I can honestly report that nothing has been wasted.  There is a couple of tins with short dates that will be used this week and a lot of dried fruit again with short dates.  So this afternoon I made a very rich fruit cake using a favourite Christmas cake recipe.  I must admit I have been quite pleased with how it has all worked out.  As a general rule I usually run the store cupboard down during the summer months.  I use as much produce from the garden to make pickles and preserves and then do a very large shop for the Winter.  We are living in such uncertain times that I have decided to retain the store cupboard so I have made a list for when we go over to town.  Keeping shopping and mixing with others to a minimum.

Church reopens on Sunday but we have decided that we will listen to the service via the internet until we have had our 2nd vaccine.  It was a difficult decision as human contact is what we all crave the most.  I am attending a bible journaling conference via the internet which is an inspiration.  I am hopeful that by the end of the weeks sessions I will have enough confidence to use water colours in my bible.

No baking this week...more effort is needed to get rid of the pounds that I have put on.  I am blaming the pandemic but lets be honest it is my greed and not making the right choices.  A fellow blogger reported on making and eating doughnuts earlier today, all I can say to that is yummy!!!!  I could just eat one with a nice cup of tea...  In all seriousness, once I get back out to the garden and walking I will soon get into shape once more.

Hope all is well with you and that you are keeping busy and safe.  Take care.

See you soon.


29 comments:

  1. I'm glad your church is reopening. We opened ours two weeks ago but we don't have many people there anyway so social distancing is not a problem. I know what you mean about the pandemic as my husband is totally fed up and I am a bit fed up as well. He has only just said that we will go out for a meal to celebrate my birthday, 70 today, as soon as we can. We have both had the first vaccination and will have the second close together hopefully. Hope you keep safe and well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Having been stuffing far too many chocolate bars since being on the Steroids, I know just what you mean about being plain greedy sometimes! Hoping I can get back on the straight and narrow again now - especially as I was the lightest I had been for years, pre-steroids.

    I am with you, I think everyone is just plain FED UP with all the Covid restrictions. I do doubt whether our old way of life - buying and selling at Antiques Fairs and Fleamarkets - will ever be truly safe to do again. Plus my husband's health problems have really put a big spanner in the works and we have both lost our strength for hoisting big boxes of militaria and china around . . . Ah well, we will still need to do some if we can to get rid of stock.

    Well done with all your sorting out. I took myself to task today and cleared the top of the chest of drawers in the pink bedroom - you know, stuff becomes INVISIBLE after a while, like bare light bulbs do!

    Wishing I could shake a wand and have the kitchen and bathroom refitted, but that will come with time.

    Enjoy your artwork.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I need to have another go through the wardrobe and drawers as no one needs the amount of clothing I have. I only wish the charity shops were open as they will be getting many bags from me as soon as they are.

    ReplyDelete
  4. we got our second about a month ago and I am planning on have my family for Easter dinner! hoping they are right about the shots

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your rich fruit cake sounds delicious!! I still have one left from Christmas and it will stay in the freezer for now.
    I think we're all so fed up with the restrictions and fear that this virus has ( and continues) to cause. It's been a long year and although we're more fortunate than some, having our family members all nearby, still we hesitate to all get together.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bad knees (unsuccessful procedures) and the pandemic = lots of weight gain for me, but it is my fault. I hope I will lose some and have more willpower as the weather becomes better for being in the yard and community garden. I agree about the feeling that the lockdowns are taking precious time from us. I am now much more at peace that we moved to a place I didn't care for, but my husband wanted to live in, as he is very happy that he is here and wishes to go nowhere else, even for a visit. At 86 he has earned that right!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The trouble is, that if you make a batch of delicious doughnuts, you never stop at just the one! That old thing about not wanting to waste anything kicks in and the next you know is, the whole plateful has gone! Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Our church reopened to in person worship yesterday, what a joy to attend. I felt very energized, everyone did. I had my two jabs a month ago so it worked out well. I admire your decluttering, I am working on that slowly.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Our church has been meeting with a 25% capacity restriction but because of my heart conditions we've been attending online for a year now. So strange. I have never in my entire life missed more than a week of church at a time but I haven't been inside a building for a year. We have watched three different churches every week for that entire time so we have definitely learned things and from ministers that we would have not heard from otherwise. But, it doesn't make up for the fellowship we've missed. Dennis gets his second shot, right now as it happens!!! 3:55 PM was his appointment and it's that now. I get my second shot next Monday. As we're told it takes 7 days for the Pfizer vaccine to be effective that will make it EASTER SUNDAY! We will go to church that day unless something else happens. I will then leave the next day for my journey to Nebraska.
    I haven't left here or been in a store for a year so it seems strange to think of driving 1455 miles by myself in just two weeks. My goodness.
    I am fed up with all of this myself. I'm happy to finally be meeting up with family and the start of our new life in Omaha.
    I have the Covid 50 lbs to lose. Of course I didn't gain all of that during the past year but I still have that much to lose. I hope to do much more walking and working when I'm not living in a small space. I will also be caring for two houses so that will make a difference too.
    Take care of yourselves and tell Gerard hello for us.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  10. I get my first jab on Thursday, DH got his about 3 weeks ago. We just got word on the tv to tell us we won't be moving into faze 3 as our numbers are going up again, and especially the variant. When will it ever end. To top it all off it's snowing a blizzard outside. Yuck!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your feelings are not all that uncommon, as so many are feeling the same after more than a year of restrictions which are sadly more severe in many places. We too are thankful that we are able to get out and do some things and look forward to our first family visit at Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think all of us are experiencing pandemic fatigue. We could never have imagined this would happen, what a nightmare. I'm glad your food stores have worked well for you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is going on and on and on, isn't it?
    We aren't going to church yet, but are watching it online. Hugs from warm and sunny Pennsylvania!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Still attending Mass via the internet here. There are just too many cases out there for me to feel safe, at least until we get our first vaccine shots.

    Looking back, we in Canada have been lucky. We didn't get the super lockdowns that many countries did and my province was actually quite lenient in that regard.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We are all quite tired of the issues that the virus has brought into all of our lives, some more than others. I hope that you will soon be able to worship again with your church congregation, there is just nothing like being with other fellow believers to encourage each other, fellowship, pray and worship together. It sounds like you have been very busy decluttering, feels so good to get done! Your fruitcake sounds quite delicious. I do understand how quickly the pounds want to pile up, and I too am looking forward to garden chores that keep me busy! Many blessings to you :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. We were watching what we were eating, earlier in the year, didn’t lose much at all. We have greatly reduced our baking but making it more healthy when possible. Looking forward to more exercise and longer walks.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds like you have a touch of Spring fever too. Decluttering seems to be the thing at present, me included :-) I so understand and think Teresa here has summed it up well by mentioning "pandemic fatigue" We are all so tired of this situation! May it end soon! Keeping busy seems to be the tonic,doesn't it? I think you have been very wise with the way you have stocked up your food cupboard and other supplies and also how you handle your circumstances. keep well Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yep, we are sick of the restrictions here too. We have travel plans for a few trips and plan on camping. I feel like the government took our life away last year. I'm back to my extreme clean too. Feels good to get it sorted too. I do need to clean my fridge and take inventory on the freezer too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fed up too...Hopefully we have good weather to cheer up a little...
    Keep safe !
    Have a nice day !
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fingers crossed you get your second vaccines soon, so that you can go back to church and to meet friends around the island. I should clear out my bedroom, too. It is a right mess inside the wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
  21. We are all utterly weary of the pandemic restrictions, but I fear we must hang on a bit longer. Grrr. Our churches remain closed - it's been a full year since we've attended in person. I miss seeing people. Bring on the vaccine!

    ReplyDelete
  22. We are all tired of the pandemic and trudging on as best we can. It's hard to believe how long it is lasting. I hope and pray folks will get the vaccine if possible! Stay safe and well.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I know what you mean about traveling. I am so relieved that I bought the cabin when I did. At least I can go to the lake each day, and enjoy the mountains. I find the short day trips to the beach help. We are all missing getting out and about...

    ReplyDelete
  24. We're fed up with this pandemic. Wearing masks are no fun nor face shields. Our has been open for quite awhile with so many people for 2 in person worship service. On Easter there will be 3 services. One service online at second service. I'm slowly going thru items at home to toss or donate. I made another batch of cookies I'd not made in years and its so good!! Have a blessed week!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. It continues to be a difficult time although my husband and I manage to keep going thankful for each other's company and individual interests that pass the time. We hope that we can gradually make up the lost time when the restrictions are eased. You've had a hard time and the stormy weather on your island can create problems. At the same time living and walking there must be invigorating. Let's hope with better weather you and Gerard can do some gardening and other outdoor activities.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I feel exactly like you do, that we have lost a whole year of the perhaps last active years of life we will have! We can only make the best of it and not dwell on what we have missed. I wonder if you will be surrounded by spring lambs to cheer you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I agree! I am done with the pandemic and want to go back to the way the life was. Jeez!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think most of us are tired/fed up with the pandemic.
    Let us hope that in the near future life will begin to open up again.

    In the meantime, take care.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  29. I fully agree with you ! I too am fed up with this lockdown ! I lost already one year of my life and at nearly 78 each year is precious. The only thing which keeps me up a bit is that we were able to move in time to this beautiful apartment and I have these views which make me feel on holidays. I try to make the best out of the situation even if I break the rules sometimes.

    ReplyDelete