Tuesday 24 March 2020

Lockdown








As of 11.59pm, Wednesday March 25, New Zealand will be in a four week lockdown, to try and flatten the Covoid-19 curve.  No school, no work unless you are classed as an essential service (so far my husband is still working), no university, no socialising with friends or visiting family.  It's scary.  Will it help New Zealand - we can only hope so.

We are lucky it is still autumn and not the cold wet days of winter.  I can open the house up for fresh air, we can sit on the decks, potter in the backyard and  enjoy some sun. I can go walking (by myself or with a gap of at least 2 metres from another person) and I am lucky I live in a suburb  with coastal views and walking paths around it.

So while Miss B and Mr J are supposed to be doing school/uni work via online teaching and lectures, I feel there will be many days of general lethargy and an I can't be bothered attitude from them both.  The novelty of not being at school will wear off, the moments of anxiety will overflow into tears. I am sure there will be many days where we will be bickering, and sick of seeing each other, arguing over who needs to vacate the sofa, turn down their music, clean up their mess.

No doubt I will be spending a lot of time in my sewing room.  I may or may not get lots of clothes made. I have started my first Bonn shirt, and am telling myself  I don't need to order or buy more fabric, I do have enough at home.  What I will miss is the access to my work printer for printing out PDF patterns, not economical to do at home.  There is a good chance I'll get my ice cream soda quilt blocks all pieced together and maybe my folk flower blocks too.

I have a few real  books to read, but have also uploaded the Libby app to my phone for e-books.  I never thought I'd not be reading a physical book.

I can prepare my garden for winter, cutting back plants, no vegetable seedlings to be seen anywhere in the garden centres though, they have sold out very quickly.  I did manage to get perpetual spinach planted a couple of weeks ago.  I can cook nice meals for my family and try new recipes, I have an awesome selection of cookbooks to use.

I will miss talking to people in real life, stopping and chatting to strangers over their garden fence as I'm walking, while I can ring, text/message or facetime friends and family it's not the same.  My parents live 3 hours drive away from me, so I'll worry about them from afar,  my sister and her family are in Australia.

These are strange and challenging times for us all, and I know I am not the only one going through this.  Stay well everyone, stay away, stay safe, be kind to yourself and to your family. Kia kaha.

12 comments:

  1. Stay well Julie and keep in touch - love your book choices, the Island of Sea Women is amazing but so sad. I've also downloaded the Libby App but it looks like I'll be waiting awhile for some of my holds, not to worry, plenty of choice on my Kindle. Take care & all the best to your family.

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  2. I know how you feel, we are in lockdown in England and i was already in self isolation anyway due to a medical condition. It is not going toe easy for anyone, the only bright spot is that most crafty people have enough stash to keep busy. x

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  3. We've been on restricted movements for a week now, for me not a problem since I am retired. I can see how that is very stressful for those with kids. I'll be sewing and cooking, and reading too. I've only read one on your list Moonlight in Paris, it was a nice light read.

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  4. you will catch on to Kindle fast - can you get Kindle Unlimited too - you pay about $10 a month and then a lot of the books available on kindle you don't pay extra for if you can't find ebooks from your library. Stay safe!

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  5. I think you have hit the nail on the head with this post Julie... I also have two teenage kids... and can foresee similar situations in our household. Fear of the unknown is the worst...

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  6. There's already a can't be bothered attitude from all in this house... Teens all still sleeping at 11am - my poor students have zero access to tech/internet/ most didn't even have e-mail addresses and zero time to do hardcopies as I was off before formal isolation... I've a ton of knitting, sewing, reading.... stay safe!

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  7. Your post...a great read Julie. I am in self isolation having come back from Australia on Sunday. DH is nearly 80 although very fit, but I have to wear a mask around the house, and sleep in the spare room, which is OK cause I can now read in bed!! We have our own computers...I am banned from his, I'm sorry for those of you with teenagers, as they are probably over it already, not being able to meet up with their friends.As you said, be sensible, and stay safe.

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  8. Hello Friend,
    We are on lock down as of today. We are on lock down until 4/25. My husband may be off work.. still unsure if they are able to work on the contract they have with John Deer, which is an agriculture contract. School was already canceled last week. My boys both will be doing on line school work. Sam is on Standby with the National Guard. Some units were called to help today.
    Take Care,
    Carla

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  9. Stay safe and retreat to your sewing room if it all gets too much! Fingers crossed the weather stays good for a while yet.

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  10. Strange days indeed. It sounds like you have plenty to keep you occupied Julie. Let’s hope and pray that it’s over soon. Good luck with the teenagers too. Hopefully they don’t send you crazy and learn from the experience.

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  11. So we are almost at the end of Day 1. It will definitely be a strange time for us all, you obviously have things worked out as to how you can spend time whilst these weeks pass. I also have my books and no shortage of fabric of course, have cooked in bulk and stocked the freezer. Patience will be needed no doubt at times!
    Keep well Julie!

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