Hi, Abby @amberpep, so good to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear you feel like others would not want to hear "the same old thing" from you. I am certain you have many members on Connect who care a great deal about you, like @karen00 @parus @hopeful33250 @beverlymarks @sears @jimhd @faithwalker007 @smilie. I hate to hear that you feel like you've given up.

I'm sorry about the news your girlfriend may have bladder cancer, too, in the midst of an already difficult time for many with the virus.

How are you kids doing lately? Are you seeing your girls much?

@amberpep Hi hope you doing a bit better today .Where I live its a 6 story senior building also lo rental with s.s. that's about all I can afford and maintain my budget I lost the text about your girlfriend Tina I will be praying for her . I moved from Pa. to Ca to help with my grandson now he is 12 and doesn't need grandma as much. With this virus now our building is on lockdown and they dont want us to go to each others apt. so guess I,ll clean some more . I do adult coloring also to keep busy cooking and baking so that will help . Anyway you take it easy and be kind to yourself. I just had a bowl of ice cream and strawberries so spoil yourself .

@amberpep

It is good to have you back on Connect, Abby. I too am sorry to hear that you are feeling more isolated (as we all are right now). It is OK to say the same things over and over again. Sometimes it takes a lot of "telling your story" before you reconcile yourself to your feelings.

I hope that connecting with others here will be of help. I know that you have encouraged others here on Connect, so feel free to reach and say "hello" to some of your friends that Lisa, @lisalucier, mentioned in her post.

I look forward to hearing from you again!

Message me anytime! I’d love to visit with you!

@amberpep

I get what you're saying, Abby. It seems like I keep telling about my various issues over and over. I hope that regular followers don't get tired of reading it. I can't remember what I've told to whom.

I had an hour with my therapist today and talked a bit about isolation. When I'm feeling depressed, I want to isolate, but having it required as it is right now is a different kind of isolation. I know that I'll feel better when I can get outside to start the gardening.

I finished a sweater a few weeks ago - a yellow pullover with an unusual shawl collar - and steamed it to shape it to fit my body. For Christmas I made a doll bunkbed for a granddaughter who just turned 3. Now I'm knitting blankets for her dolls. I just have a few inches to go on the third one. I'm poring over my wife's considerable collection of knitting books and magazines, and looking at the Ravelry website, trying to decide which pattern I want to use for my next sweater. My wife and my daughter each gave me some alpaca yarn for Christmas, so I have to figure out the designs for a few scarves. Except for the things I make for granddaughters, I always knit with wool.

So, enforced isolation is kind of nice in that I have lots of time to do the things that are on my list. A week or two ago I put new tires and tubes on my bicycle, with the plan in mind to ride it down to the mailbox. It's a little more than a mile round trip, downhill going and uphill returning. I'm putting on a few pounds which I don't need because I've been working in my recliner. I cut out the snacks and I'm taking smaller servings, but it's not enough to do the job. I've always hated exercise, but I guess I don't have a choice if I'm to shed some pounds.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I pray that she will have good treatment for her cancer. One of my wife's friends from her knitting group just passed away after being able to keep cancer at bay for several years. She was able to do lots of things on her bucket list.

Do you ever get out for a Sunday drive? The country around you is truly beautiful. I guess you see some of it on your trips back and forth to Maryland.

Be safe, Abby, and know that you're not forgotten.

Jim