Day 18 ....

Today is our 18th day at home. Other than a trip to the grocery store to replenish our food, we have been home the entire time. I'm happy and content to be here. I get to chat with my workmates 2 to 3 times a week on Zoom and my clients daily. It's cozy and warm, and no stress about deadlines or timelines. My dh is having a harder time ~ he wants to be out and about. I told him he should get up and do his morning routine, get in the car and go for a drive down the highway and then turn around and come home. He laughed. But I can see him doing that if this keeps up!

How are you doing during this isolation experience? We're busy and well so far, though I had a huge scare yesterday. Both dh and I are considered super high risk because of our asthma and our bouts of bronchitis/pneumonia each Winter. So far, no wheezing, no coughing, symptom free. However, I did notice some wheezes in my chest on Saturday, here and there and a cough every once in a while. I took a few puffs and it went away but later that night, I did have to take some puffs again. Not bad, disappeared, went to bed. Woke up gasping for air on Sunday. Total terror! Puffs didn't do much, so I went downstairs and dug out the steroids. Within about 20 minutes, symptom free. I chose not to do a workout yesterday as I didn't want to aggravate anything. Later in the afternoon, I started wheezing and coughing again, did the same treatment and was good until bedtime. Felt a bit wheezy, so did one more treatment. Was worried what I'd wake up to today but so far, all is well and no treatment so far. I'm going to tread and then weight lift but on a lighter scale. I don't want to get off my schedule too much but will take it easy so I'm not creating an issue. No fever, no other symptoms. I am tired but not exhausted and out of breath. I know I'm not sleeping well and had a little nap yesterday and that helped. Might do that again today. Thankful for the meds we have on hand and our supplements as well. And hope that was a one off yesterday.

Pictures, many of them, showing how we're coping ....

Our stash of tp. Truthfully, this was already in place

and we didn't have to go buy more. When you live in

the woods, you tend to stockpile when a sale is on. I

am thankful for this, and our little medicine cabinet.

Puzzle making has become a loved activity by all

in our little cottage. Kid sized and adult sized too.

The kid doing his schoolwork and the papa doing his

daily work on my kitchen island. Busy guys, these 2.

Food is plentiful and we are well stocked. Homemade

pizzas for lunch. And in house massages for weary feet.

We're all helping with homeschooling now that the litte

guys school is closed. Fun science experiments to try.

Using up my tulips to see what will happen if they are left

in food coloring and water overnight. The results are below.

Re~colored tulips and cozy slipped sloth feet. We find 

things to do to keep busy but we're also taking time to be.

Walks down the lane to visit the horses with treats.

They get so excited to see us coming up the hill to them.

They do try and steal hats and mitts though. A wee bit

mischievous they both are. We have fun on our walks.

Tv is a big distraction. "Coronation Street" at night, movies

during the day. "Call the Midwife" had a new episode last

night. Such a good show and I truly look forward to it each

week. We watched "Sister Wives" too but its too stressful!

Live concerts to look forward too as well. "Shred Kelly"

 and baby Murphy on mom's back and a local artist had

shows on Saturday night. Our artists nationally and here

in town struggle. We are doing our best to support them.

Finally, lots of outdoor play. We have to have "recess" each

day according to our little guy. But it's a good distraction.

How are you coping at home? Are you doing ok?

What kinds of activities are keeping you busy?

~ Chy

Getting Groceries.

Getting groceries is a new experience now, as many of you know. We watched a video the other night, done by a doctor, who documented how to deal with your food, once you have brought it home. Some of the things he suggested we already do, but we learned a few new ideas and I'm sure some we'll continue to do once this virus has gone away. It took longer to create a "dirty counter" and a "clean counter" and to re~bag, re~box and re~container all our food. Everything was washed or wiped down. Everything was carefully dealt with and it may seem overboard but even the doctor stated "that this will take longer but all of us have really nothing but time on our hands anyway." So true. It took quite a while, but we did it and though it will be another 2 weeks or so before we have to get food again, next time, it should be shorter now that we have a system in place. I feel this helps us stay safe and healthy and worth the extra time it took in the end. Hope it works!

             Have you had to replenish your food often?

      Have you made changes to how you put them away?

                                    ~ Chy

Hibernation.

When a bear goes in to hibernation, they do it for the health of their community and themselves. In the Winter, food is scarce, hibernating allows other animals to have access to the limited resources. It slows the spread of disease and viruses among other animals during a season when immune systems are lowered, and energy is limited. It is also a time of conserving health for the bear, a time for reflection .... it is a time that allows you to renew, to undergo change, to honour your place in life and food cycles. It is not a time for anxiety or fear. When it is time for hibernation, a bear can finally relax. All of the stress of finding food, territory, and a mate disappears. The bear believes that they have done enough and trust in themselves. They know this process is necessary and they will come out the other side renewed. 

Be the bear. 

Stay home. 

Rest. 

Know you are doing this for something much bigger than yourself.

~ Chy