COVID-19 AND CHANGING YOUR MIND ABOUT EARLY RETIREMENT

I did not retire early. I was almost 69. I would have worked longer if I did not have a chronically ill spouse who needed my time and care.

I took lots of slack from others in my family who retired in their 50s. Why was I working??

I took ageism at work. Even though I could run circles around those 30 years younger than I was, I often was treated as old.

So I watch the COVID-19 unfolding and all the people now having to work from home. The whining and how hard it is. Having to wear PJs all day etc.

Really. I get up, get washed, get dressed and put my makeup on first thing then make the coffee and morning routines for my spouse.

So many people had dreamed about working from home. What has happened is they do not like it??

So that is what retirement really looks like. Being home and making a new life.

My question- will it change people's minds about that early retirement thing? Will it make people appreciate the social aspect of the work environment? Colleagues? Acquaintances?

Those of us who have retired quickly are aware of how work colleagues drop you!!

For me I joined some new groups with new people. Now they are on hold to physically distancing and staying at home. But social being we are. They are there waiting.

Being home makes us aware of the surroundings. Is it the reason for the cleaning frenzy at the beginning of the stay at home mandate?  I wonder if the homes are still as clean!!

So the question. Has COVID-19 changed some of that magical thinking of what it would be like?? People have slowed down. Will they rev up again? Will there be an appreciation of those who have had to lose their job or income? Will there be more kindness when those same people are looking for work?

Early retirement is not so sweet, is it??
#covid19andearlyretirement#earlyretirementbubblebursted#stayinghomeandworkingfromhome#homeduringcovid19#retirementbringsitsownchallenges#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-19

COVID-19 AND NEW SAYINGS

# Stayhome- are we tired of hearing this all the time.

Social distancing became physical distancing which is more amenable. We are social animals afterall!!

Wash your hands.

Don't touch your face.

Cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

The one I saw today was

                        APRIL DISTANCE

                                                                                                       
                                                       BRINGS MAY EXISTENCE!

We will have so many phrases that will become part of the English and World language!!

So what phrases are you tired of hearing? Can you add any to the mix? Have you been creative and thought of your own?
#covid19phrases#don'ttouchyourface#washyourhands#physicallydistancing#wearamask#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-19

COVID-19 AND EARTH DAY

50 years since we started celebrating earth day.

With the environmental impact slowing due to the virus, it looks like Earth Day has a message for us.

Nature is reclaiming the earth in a good way.

Images from space show the air is clearing.

So Earth Day reminds all of us to practice good environmental habits.

I have composted for decades. I do not water grass. I let my garden be a little wild with wild flowers.

I try to walk as much as possible.

So what do you do for Earth Day??
#EarthDay2020#helpingtheEarthtoheal#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-10

COVID-19 AND MAKING A FACE MASK

Proper masks are the best. But trying to keep supplies for Health Care Professionals caring for patients is our first priority.

So not having any masks, I decided to make some homemade ones.

These are sewed by hand. I was going to set up my machine that I have had trouble with the proper tension that I thought while I watched a movie or show just as easy to hand sew.

I used thick flannel material with some fusing inside.

The first were 6 inches by 9 inches. Two pieces of material and fusing. 1/4 inch elastic or make tubing or use something for ties. I tried different sizes. I made two small ones for the two youngest grandchildren. They will not be going out anywhere but I thought to help with the situation of seeing a mask as a good thing.

I used the pattern from the Missouri Quilt Company. Jennie has a tutorial there that is easy to follow.

Missouri Quilt Company

There are other designs.

National Quilting Circle had another design. It would be best to use a machine for it.

National Quilting Circle

I tried making the folding ones but they did not work for me.

I have worn the mask a few times when out on my very infrequent outings. I am staying close to home or in home from one week to the next.

Remember not to touch the front of the mask. Take it off from one side to the next, folding the front into each other. Into the wash as they are washable. I then hang then over the floor vent to get heat. Is heat something that kills germs and the virus?? Don't know but worth the try!!

There is lots of written literature about the effectiveness of homemade mask.

My feeling- better than nothing. Nose and mouth covered

I have ordered some masks from a local health care provision company- Age Comfort.
The box of 50 blue masks will be shared with my family groups so we all have some. I was able to order some heavy duty ones too.

With a severely chronically ill person in the home, I thought it wise to have them handy for any health care people that come to our home.

But good hand washing is the best at all times.
What kind of masks do you have for yourself and your family?
#stayathome#covid19#masksforcovid19#homemademasks#propermasksarebetter#keepingmasksforhealthcareproviders#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#gettingthroughcovid19#covid-19

COVID-19 AND BAD MOOD-STAYING AT HOME MAY BE FOR THE BEST

Being home can feel like we are all getting camp fever. But being in our own space and no interference from others is not a bad thing.

Shopping with the physical distancing is not fun. Having a list and get in and out. No browsing. No time to chat. Just shop and out.

Really there are few places to go anyway. My last trip to my bank was miserable with the teller so crabby.

Getting gas is easy and paying at the pump. No one bothers anyone.

I find the mood of people to becoming a little edgy. It seems other people have become the enemy or not.

Who around us could be carrying the virus?

I am tired of seeing discarded gloves and masks in the community. Put them properly in the garbage.

Wearing masks is more commonplace now. Factory and homemade it does not matter.

So being home in one's own space with one's own stuff might be the best thing for the mood of all of us.At least if I am crabby, I can be crabby in my own space.
#moodandcovid19#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#stayinghomemaybeforthebest#beingcrabbyinyourownsapce#shoppingisnotenjoyableatall#covid-19

HERBS HELP WITH MOOD DURING COVID-19

With so much time at home, plants do help with the mood.

I started some little containers of sunflowers, tomato and peppers for a post for children. It helps as a science activity and may be planted outside once the weather is amenable.

Of course many outdoor spring bulbs are popping up through the ground like my crocuses.

What I have discovered over the years is the enjoyment of herbs.

So some online shopping for groceries has included some pots of fresh basil.

 The scent is very relaxing.

 The pots are from a company here in Ontario. Freeman Herbs.
FreemanHerbs

With most plants old dying leaves are pruned and discarded. With the basil the dying leaves are dried and can be used in food preparation. I am not sure if the plants will be good to plant in my outdoor garden. Time will tell.

Meanwhile I stop and smell the basil periodically during the day.
What herbs and flower scents do you enjoy??
#basil#covid19andusingbasiltorelax#usingbasilinfood#crocusesinthegarden#plantsgrowninthehomegivehope#letthechildrengrowsomeplants#gardeningindoorsisfun#reflecttivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-19

HAPPY PHYSICALLY DISTANCING EASTER

I guess by now we all survived the physically distantly Easter.

Waving at loved ones. Drive bys. Phone calls, emails, texts.

No hugs and kisses. Keep your distance.

Side by side but not together. Don't come into the house.

I missed the noise in the house. Grandchildren are noisy. Alive. Energetic.

Adult conversation with my grown children. Some relief for us from the daily routines we have.

The concern of how long can we keep this up- this being away from each other.

The urgency to stay well because none of us really want to get sick or better yet end up in hospital with no one visiting.

So Easter came and went. We made it-barely!!
#physicallydistanting#easterawayfromlovedones#stayinghomealone#survivingthephysicallydistantlyEaster#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#covid-a9