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glenda_al

Since the pandemic, what are you doing more or less of?

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Just thinking about what's been going on with me

Sleeping habits changes: stay up later and sleep later

NAPS

No makeup, it's just me at home

Cut my hair. Could not cut the back, so I don't look at it :o)

Less hungry, that's a good thing

No sweets, just don't have them, just cause

Enjoying sitting on the front porch more

Only been in car 3 times since all this happened, really no need to go anywhere or desire

Shopping on line and having more deliveries

Bought myself a new exercise machine, which has not arrived yet

Not eating enough fruits and veggies

Content, just staying home

Comments (40)

  • 6 years ago

    Hi, Glenda. Good question. Here's my list, off the top of my head:

    Stay in bed much later.

    No makeup - agreed. It's my DH and I but I don't bother with makeup now.

    Trying not to snack, but I've gained 5 lbs. I thinks it's from the new daily 5:00 cocktail time!

    Making far more meals at home; can't say I'm all that happy about that.

    Trying to Zoom with friends at least a couple of times per week. Even though we're not literally together, we can feel as close to being together as possible.

    Less spending, which is good. I've realized that I don't need to go to Home Goods, etc. as much as I did .... although I'd love to, because I've been cleaning out and cleaning up and would like some things for the newly-bare areas. Oh well. But ... spending, nope. Not much at all.

    More communicating with DH about our particular and individual moods each day. Sometimes we have a funk or a down day, and we communicate that to one another so that we know it's not about "us". It's about this situation and we just have to understand and make space.

    Less motivation. I hate to say that ... but I'd like to stay on the couch with the remote. I don't, because I kick myself in the butt and know it's not good for me. So I'm getting some things done or do an online exercise class or ramp up housecleaning, all of which make me feel good, but the are days that I'd just like to cocoon and watch trash TV. Most days, actually.

    A realization about how incredibly fortunate I am; I'm not hungry, I'm not depending upon a job for my rent/mortgage (we're retired; of course we're concerned about our investments, but in the long run we are confident that we'll be fine), I'm able to get outside in our yard or a nice walk, and life is simpler. Very, very fortunate.

    Stream of consciousness here ... probably more than you asked for.

    glenda_al thanked Suzieque
  • 6 years ago

    More drinking


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  • 6 years ago

    Less spending. Been out in car once since end of February. Longer walks on beach. Lots of porch sitting. More cooking. Ordering items online with delivery, first time for us. Doctor visits online also. I continue to wear makeup and choose my outfits with earrings. All dressed up with nowhere to go. Cut my hair, hubs hair. Shocked myself with cuts, very pleased but it’s hard to mess up a pixie. We have been very content staying close to home. Being in our eighties we chose to stay at home.

    glenda_al thanked hallngarden
  • 6 years ago

    More reading Kindle books. More looking at the 'memory care' clock to double check what day of the week it is. Less driving -- yesterday was the first time I was behind the wheel in ... two months?

    glenda_al thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    No movie theaters, no restaurants except a couple pick ups, less spending of money, less buying of gas since I only go back and forth to work. Made my garden bigger so will be working more in it this Summer/Fall. More deliveries including food. My chain saw came in today!!! Going to clean up the backyard with it.

    glenda_al thanked Kathsgrdn
  • 6 years ago

    Way less driving because I don't go hardly anywhere but to the grocery store, the pet store or the garden center. I am eating more comfort food.. I'm getting more excercise because I have a brand new 10 week old puppy to take care of! Not getting as much sleep since having this puppy reminds me of what it was like having a baby. I have to get up sometimes twice a night to take him outside to go potty! I am thankful I am retired and don't have to worry about losing my job. I hate not seeing my family and Grandchildren and friends.

    glenda_al thanked ghoghunter
  • 6 years ago

    Baking more bread, cooking a bit more, since I make lunch for both of us now, spend more time in the pool, spend more time vacuuming leaves around the pool, doing more sewing projects plus upholstery, buying more things on line for delivery.

    Doing less: riding bicycle (too hot here), watching TV (we don't have cable here), going grocery shopping - DB does half of that, and I go with him the other half of the time. In general, shopping less.

    glenda_al thanked Lars
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I decided I'd not squander this chance to improve things. I have worked and worked on projects around the house that have been languishing, and I've done them. I still have to figure out how to do a couple of the really needed things, but I will.


    I thought I really needed to reglaze the windows, and a couple of years ago, took out every pane and scraped every inch of one window. Last autumn I puttied the inside portion, but the outer, didn't. I thought I had to use putty, there was no other choice. I was wrong. I siliconed the outer portion in an hour. Sigh. And I don't have to glaze the rest, I don't think. Biggest pain may not be. I've wrestled too long with this and I will be glad to have the monkey off my back.


    What I really wanted to do next was improve me. Instead, I ate, drank, and been merry. Tomorrow is another day? I'm so squandering.

    glenda_al thanked rob333 (zone 7b)
  • 6 years ago

    Baking more. Less Mexican Train (like none), Less bridge, less exercise, less luncheons. In other words, no social life at all. I have started reading some. At first that was a deep decline. Occasionally put on a bit of make-up. Hair is becoming a real challenge. Pretty much life is about the same except no social.

    glenda_al thanked georgysmom2
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    georgysmom2, I miss weekly Mexican Train at my place. Plus not going to the Y for water aerobics. Ant the monthly luncheons that I organize. No social life now,

    Bummer!

    Missing church. Do watch on the internet.

  • 6 years ago

    More praying, worrying about my loved ones and the country in general. Less driving and thus less spending. Since I cook all the time normally it's not that much more but I would like a break and sit in a restaurant and be served a meal for a change. Surprisingly not doing any more than usual on my interests such as quilting and gardening. I did do a lot of sewing of masks but I'm tapped out on those. I do a lot of fretting and procrastinating when I need to go to the grocery now, I just hate it.

    glenda_al thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    I wear make-up less only because it gets all over the inside of my mask and my face was starting to have break-outs, so now I'm skipping foundation. Of course, I'm washing my hands more and using disinfecting wipes on any items that come into the house. Otherwise, my life is about the same.

    glenda_al thanked Fun2BHere
  • 6 years ago

    Like ritaweeda, I pray a lot for all those who have this virus, for those who have lost loved ones, for all of my loved ones not to get it, and for God to give our scientists the knowledge they need to develop a cure and a vaccine. Saying prayers of thanks that hubby and I are staying virus free and for all of God's blessings.

    I trimmed the ends of my hair. It was getting too long.

    I don't leave the house except for a doctor appointment.

    I'm doing more crafting making cards. Spending more time on my computer surfing.

    Trying to stock up on paper goods in anticipation of the next shortage. There is still a shortage right now though. Can't really stock up on jugs of water. It is still limited to 3 jugs.

    Taking more naps.

    glenda_al thanked lindaohnowga
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Less makeup.

    Less, like no, hairspray. And I like it! I still use my styling lotion and blow my hair dry most days, but I like it better without the spray.

    Fewer audiobooks. I get them from the library. Just before all this I got two, and I’ve already listened to Julia/Julia again, and watched the movie—twice—and the other is a book I love but I couldn’t listen to the reader for more than a minute,

    Less upper body work, and regulated core work. I miss my fitness center and working out with my buddy!

    Less structure, largely from DS being on campus. Driving him to class added structure to my day, and I thrive on structure.

    More work on my parents’ house. For awhile I was prioritizing exercise over that, but now it’s what I do. Dumpster coming in the morning!

    More Breaking Bad. Since we have less library, we are limited to Netflix, and running out of things we both like. I could leave Breaking Bad, but I can come here while I watch!


    glenda_al thanked bpath
  • 6 years ago

    My life has not changed significantly. Less business but that's OK as I was beginning to cut back anyway. But less business with other peoples' gardens means more time in my own :-)

    Still procrastinating as much as always.....maybe more! I have all manner of projects around the house I could be doing but choose not to. The motivation is just not there. Walking more.

    Wish I could see my family. My daughter and her partner moved into a new house at the end of the year that I have not seen. It is in the back of beyond...a ferry ride and a two hour drive away and I just cannot yet justify that sort of excursion. Same with my brother, who is in the process of selling his house and moving into the city. I do see my sister who is only a few minutes away and we both miss going out to the movies together and grabbing a bite. But we trade meals and sit outside enjoying a glass of wine every now and again when the weather's good.

    My dog is loving the extra time and attention he is getting. As far as he is concerned, mom staying home all the time is a good thing. And means more walks!!

    Other than the grocery store, the post office and a recent visit to the nursery, I haven't really gone anywhere.

    glenda_al thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • 6 years ago

    Bpath, I loved Breaking Bad! My two recent Netflix faves are Bojack Horseman, a brilliantly well written and drawn animated series for adults, and Servant of the People, written by and starring Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zalensky back when he was a standup comedian. He's like a combination of a young Dustin Hoffman and Mr. Bean.

    glenda_al thanked jupidupi
  • 6 years ago

    Cooking more. That's about it. My life has gone on as normal pretty much with the exception that SO is squeamish about eating food from a restaurant right now. So I cook all our food. Other than that, same ol same ol.

    glenda_al thanked amylou321
  • 6 years ago

    No thrifting. No renting movies from the library. No yoga class or doing any at home, even tho I could. Less trail walking, been working on the rental's lawns instead. It usually rains this time of year and we've got a drought. So I'd be doing this even if we weren't in lock down. Walking the cat more often, since I'm home more. I'm wearing more makeup, over the sunscreen/spf 50 since I'm outside more. Haven't been out-to-eat with friends.

    I'm pretty stressed. This is unfamiliar territory.

    glenda_al thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    I moved. The new place is really nice, but much smaller. This means I still have much much more stuff to get rid of, and so I think it will be fall before the Conner of one room is empty of box’s and shelf’s are less full and neater. I don’t go many places, but I kind of miss doing the grands Landry twice a week, and when I go to the store I can’t believe the amount I spend . Doesn’t seem as bad when you do it two or three times a week, as when it is done once every three to four weeks.


    glenda_al thanked greenshoekitty
  • 6 years ago

    Cooking, like real meals, last night I made German Spaghetti, have made chicken and dumplings, beef stew, things I haven't made for years! Of course it's been cold here, so these are good on days like we have been having.

    Baking too, been pulling out some old recipes. Plan on making Ginger Bread with Lemon Sauce. DH doesn't like it, oh well, I don't like German Spaghetti, but made it for him.

    Sewing is an ongoing thing for me. Love making my click bags that I give away!

    Can't wait until I can do another give away! Need to buy some envelops to mail them in.

    Today it got to 60°F, so going to be able to get outside a bit soon. Want to wash all the rugs and hang them outside. Use my steamer on the floors and make them so clean. Plus pull out the fridge and stove and clean behind/under. Haven't done that in a couple of years.

    So many plans of things to do. Now just to get the energy!

    glenda_al thanked kathyg_in_mi
  • 6 years ago

    What's German Spaghetti?

  • 6 years ago

    Eating more.

    Staying up late at night; sleeping later in the morning. No place to go; why get up?

    Watching Netflix more.

    Haven't been out except for a few car rides on my own.

    Oddly enough, I usually love to read but now find I have trouble focusing.

    No motivation to do anything. Good thing no one is visiting here. They would be appalled by the dust.

    Praying hard for those on the front line and those who are sick. I have it easy in comparison.

    glenda_al thanked jerseygirl07603 z6NJ
  • 6 years ago

    I have been so unmotivated. I usually spend my days surfing the net, reading, playing online games, napping. I am eating way too much and lots of junk. I am falling into a depression and wish I could motivate myself to do something. This has just gone on so long and I feel like I have lost precious time which I can't get back. I miss my grand babies.

    glenda_al thanked satine100
  • 6 years ago

    More time on the on the net. much is wasting time but am also taking zoom horsemanship classes and watching a lot of instructional videos. Eating more junk. Snacking more than doing actual meals. Less fresh fruit and vegetables. Taking naps and my sleep habits are now the worst they've ever been. Less time outdoors but that is changing. I make time to get outside now to get some natural vitamin D. I have always read a lot but now it's more. More time on the phone talking to friends.


    Miss eating out. We have done a bit of take out but it's not the same. For a while I was actually driving more. Lots of wasted mileage at first driving from store to store just to get basics but that has settled down. So now I shop less but buy more each trip.


    More trips to Home depot and Lowe's since they are what is open. Less time in the saddle but I manage once a week. That's a whole new adventure since I have to drive some distance and I am not a student but a horse exerciser/caregiver.


    A lot more time feeling PO-ed due to the mess the politicians have made of this and the loss of my freedoms.

    glenda_al thanked wildchild2x2
  • 6 years ago

    I'm shopping earlier because I'm up at 7ish anyway, and maybe there are less people during the early Senior shopping time and I hate waiting in line?

    glenda_al thanked drewsmaga
  • 6 years ago

    Not going to the gym which I really miss.

    I think I've used the hairdryer 3 times in the past 2 months and that would normally be an everyday routine, wearing no make-up.

    I used to grocery shop every day as I'm not a menu planner now I go every 10-12 days and have more staples in the house than usual.

    I miss walking my nieces dog which I've done every M, W and F for the past 5 years.

    I haven't seen my mom in 2 1/2 months.

    I miss going to the library and meeting friends for coffee.

    I trailrun with running buddies three days a week and because we have no where to go we've just about doubled our daily running mileage and instead of hiking one day a week we're hiking two days a week. I have to make up that missed gym time.

    We're in the middle of having a major renovation of the decks and gardens in our backyard so that's something to brighten up our day and mix up the routine.

    I still get up early but not as early as previously.

    I'm a news hound but I've turned it off.


    glenda_al thanked blfenton
  • 6 years ago

    Pretty much the same. LOL I cut my own hair, so I'm fine in that department. Going for my daily walks which I could never do without. I'm also saving money because I used to get a coffee everyday at Tim Horton's. Now I'm making my own coffee because I found a really good one that I grind on my own. I've also cut back on watching and reading the news. It's been really depressing the last few years, but even more so with the 24/7 coronavirus reporting.

    glenda_al thanked dee_can1
  • 6 years ago

    Nothing has changed much for me. I have not been anywhere since I think March 12th. Still cook a lot, share with my kids. I go to bed early and get up early. Do have some garden planted, but I did little of that.

    Sue

    glenda_al thanked Marilyn Sue
  • 6 years ago

    Same as Marilyn Sue. Nothing has changed for me, except no company, and I am okay with that. I am busy taking care of my horses and other animals, potting waterlilies, and making rose cuttings. I go to town as needed to buy horse feed, groceries, or anything else needed. I need to go today to buy horse feed, and will pick up a few groceries.

    Jody goes to the coast about once a week to check on the shrimp boat and to buy hay for the old horses. We live in a very rural place and less than a dozen cases of virus here and no deaths.

    glenda_al thanked marilyn_c
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    More eating especially cheese. Yum and not good for me

    Less exercise. I get most of my exercise from walking our dogs and usually from work but I only have two jobs now as the rest aren't essential services clients. I don't know when we will all be able to start jobs. I'm willing to sacrifice but I know I'm paying the price.

    More depressed. I tend towards situational depression and this situation is depressing.

    Less optimistic. I was really hoping that the world would come together and agree on how to handle a big thing like this but the infighting is continuing. I just wish we could agree for 2 months exactly on how to handle it. Just do it and get through it. I knew the reality wouldn't be this but I was hoping for a facsimile thereof.

    glenda_al thanked yeonassky
  • 6 years ago

    I haven't worn a bra since March 12th when I got home from work you found out I was staying home. I've done laundry 3 times cuz I don't wear clothes when I'm home.

    I'm reading more especially since I have no tv.

    Spending quality time with cat and getting lot more practice with Lola (my ventrilquism puppet)

    Nap everyday

    Eating less (lost 9 pounds) cuz I hate to cook.

    I'm procrastinating on my painting at the moment.

    SamKaren Your resident dj

    glenda_al thanked samkarenorkaren
  • 6 years ago

    More cooking, cleaning and eating, less exercise. More time to practice the piano and work on a long neglected project.

    Spending I suppose is down with no eating out, going to the theater or concerts, no hair or nails done, not many new spring/summer clothes bought.

    glenda_al thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
  • 6 years ago

    We joined a virtual wine & cheese, bourbon tasting group that takes place on Friday & Saturday evenings. All items are curbside pickup and zoom check in is 7PM.

    Experiencing new foods. Plenty of walking and biking.

    Repainted the master bath and closet. Colors get changed often around here.

    Outdoor gardening is limited due to excessive rainfall this spring.

    Baked a cornbread this morning.

    I don't mind if this stay home thing lasts a few more weeks. There's plenty on my to do list.

    glenda_al thanked Michael
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Less driving

    More meetings for work - some people think a meeting is working

    Less actual working

    More fishing - great form of social distancing

    Less showers - usually every 2 days unless I forget and then I start to smell bad and quickly remember. Last month's water bill was about 60% of a normal April.

    More gardening in short spurts - I can usually find an hour in between meetings during the work day to get some garden time in. This will be nice in a couple months when it's blazing hot and I can get some garden time in the mornings rather than after work in the heat of the day.

    Drinking more beer - can't let the breweries go belly up!

  • 6 years ago

    Less driving (much) My normal commute is 54 miles round-trip. I drive a fully-electric car, so our utility bill has gone down by about $30 a month (that's how much it costs in electricity for me to drive my car around 1,500 miles a month).

    I am waking up later- I used to get up at 4:30. There's no need now- I get up between 5:30 and 6 now.

    Less of seeing friends and relatives.

    That's about it ... other than that, life is about the same.

    glenda_al thanked Jamie
  • 6 years ago

    I've still been working the whole time - but half the week at home, half in the office. So not a lot has changed for me except maybe grocery shopping which I used to do a lot of at lunch time. Now I do almost all via pick up. I miss meandering thru the isles! lol

    I definitely am saving money by not shopping as much. Cut way back on my Amazon shopping as well.

    Dh and I were already homebodies, so not a lot has changed there.

    glenda_al thanked share_oh
  • 6 years ago

    Elmer, Glenda gave me a shout out for the recipe. Look for her post.

  • 6 years ago

    More cooking for sure. But less eating.

    Since I can’t go to my Pilates and Yoga classes, I’ve been doing some of the virtual classes offered by the studio. They are mostly mat classes but that’s ok. The owner started our reformer class again last week with only 3 participants per class, so we are able to be distant. Yay! I also run or walk 2–3 times a week.

    Finally got a haircut yesterday.

    I have worked a lot on my gardens and plants outside. It’s been a nice spring for it and I’ve done a lot. DH picked up 20 round bales of pine straw last month and I spread all myself (except 2 I have left). Cleaned just about everything in the house, attic, and my potting bench and shelves of gardening stuff. Cleaned our spare refrigerator, closets and several drawers (again) and have a bunch of boxes to take to the thrift store. Sorted through more old photographs (I think they multiplied when I wasn’t looking).

    Naps!

    glenda_al thanked OutsidePlaying
  • 6 years ago

    I'm not doing much different. instead of going out 2x a week I go out once every 7-10 days. I spent more money at the store the first 4 wks or so than I normally do. but then knowing I wouldn't be going out much I bought up extra food, dog food, cleaning and paper products when I could find them. lots of times I'd put off getting something until my next trip out (that same week) but now I don't know when that'll be really, so good to have a bit of stocked up here in case I don't get out. a few times I went out and only got a few things (milk, eggs, bread type). so I'm sure the $ amount equals out. also with this 'opening back up' we can't be sure it won't get a bit worse out there. now a lot more traffic is out there and I don't like going out in that either. I'm going to attempt an order at W with delivery and see how that goes. there's nothing on the list that is needed asap so if they can't get it here for a day or 2 I'll be ok. I find I don't even like going out every 7-10 days anymore... so maybe I'll do delivery more often in the future.


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