~ Depressed and scared, not making it financially ~

@amberpep You are welcome and I hope the church works out and you find some friends. I understand that feeling of time is short and im a firm believer in things spoken of in the Bible of end times so I would hope you find someone that can be of help with your feelings. May God bless you.
Dana

@amberpep, Hi, Abby, at 76yrs old, I sometimes shake my head in wonder that I am really past the 3/4th century mark. However, it only takes a moment's reflection of recalling life events to make me marvel that I am still here at all, much less still standing and able to walk. vbg

Several chronic health issues plus age have put me in that "vulnerable" population for COVID-19. Before the pandemic arrived in the U.S., I was aware of less energy and taking more frequent "sit down breaks" from tasks that before would keep me at them longer. I had stopped going out as often socially mainly due to changes in my friends' lives. Some had moved away; others were moving into senior establishments and some had died. However, with the constant bombardment of virus news, I began self-isolating earlier than acquaintances, neighbors and friends in my area. Although I live in a smaller city, TX is a state that "re-opened" early and continues to report increases in virus numbers daily. Although I am one of the youngest in the eight family homes at end of the end of our block, I am the only one who is still staying put and ordering local grocery deliveries.

The locals I mentioned above are attending church, getting hair and nails done, shopping at nurseries, groceries and stores. Many of that group are in their mid-80's and I've begun to question if I am the one living in an alternate universe by staying home.

While some seem energized and are busily getting rid of things no longer needed, wanted or used in their homes, I seem to be in more of a fog. My "virus" daily routine differs from my "before" March 13th activities. However, I made an early decision to jot down three tasks to do each day the night before. Short and "doable", they give me a direction each morning. I also start and end each day by adding to a growing list of gratitudes.

None of us can know how long or short our time will be but it continues to amaze me that so many of us here having taken individual safety health precautions are still trucking along after so many weeks of the pandemic. One of the many benefits of this support group is that others know and understand the challenges, fears and concerns that befall us all. While the specifics may differ, we share a common desire to support, encourage and empathize with one another.

What helps me most when feeling blue or anxious is to literally "make myself" do something physical. I even play the childhood dare of promising myself a "reward" if I'll just "do" whatever. Maybe infantile and the rewards are simple and free but giving myself the "permission" to take an afternoon "off" or having a dinner from the freezer rather than doing another from scratch seems to do the trick for me. smiles

Are you following any of the Connect threads for special interests or hobbies like the walking, visual, just want to talk, or others?

Hi too am over the 3/4/of a century . At 77 As fiesty76 I had a good life and look back at all I was able to accomplish I give God the credit for it all. But with this virus it is scary and I isolate as well as most people. I'm concerned with how @fiesty76 and @imallers are doing as both states are up in rise of the virus . We here are too. Especially at our building we found out there is the virus on a lady that is in the hospital with the virus and pneumonia ,fever '105 . I'm monitering myself but really was,nt in touch with her that much except she laundred my clothes . I can't spell anymore since I've gotten older anyone else find this at our mature age? A friend of mine here did touch her and is self isolating . I pray we don't get it in our building or any of us . Take care

@lioness, Hi, friend, Linda. I am certainly adding my prayers to yours that you continue to stay well and safe, even more so now that a laundry person in your bldg has been hospitalized with the virus and pneumonia. When you say monitoring, are you taking your temp now daily? Are there additional precautions you are also taking now?

We've chuckled before about our joint lack of spelling prowess now with the growing number of years and when you ask now about others, I had to tell you that an acquaintance who is at 10 yrs younger was moaning the other day that while she competed in her state's spelling contest in her youth, she now finds herself reaching more often for the dictionary. Naughty of me, but I really appreciated hearing that! vbg

I haven't seen one of your recent colorings on the visual effects site. Are you still finding pages to color? I printed out a free copy of a turkey from the Crayola site and it remains uncolored even though I have crayons and markers with which to turn it psychedelic garish. I think what is stopping me is that there are so many state and federal leaders I'd like to send it to with a rather "how the cow ate the cabbage" message that I just can't find the "right" colors with which to begin...hmm any suggestions ...mebbe pea green with mustard and fuschia for the gobble???

@fiesty76 Hi friend you made me laugh I think pea green and mustard yellow would be appropriate . I'm glad to hear we are't that old that a youngster can't spell either . Yes I'm taking my temp 2 times a day its 96.6 it was always low from the norm. Extra use of clorax,water on my soles of shoes , wash face and eyeglasses when I get back in . Besides the mask ,gloves and clothes . I did'nt do a painting but tried my hand a drawing I don't know if you call it zentangle as Ginger does but I'll post it see what you think . Glad your o.k. take care stay safe . Linda

If I knew I had been in direct contact with an infected person, I would have panic attacks, would not be able to sleep, would probably have the thermometer in my mouth every hour. My daughter's boyfriend painted a bedroom for me and while painting, he noticed a huge spider in a web next to the window. He has a phobia about spiders. So, instead of doing something about it, he just kept looking at it the whole time he was painting. He told my daughter that night he dreamed of a huge spider driving a car up the street. I laughed and never did forget it--that's been probably 20 years ago. To him, this was a real nightmare. I saw a centipede heading for my bedroom this winter. I got out the Rainbow Sweeper and tried to find it with it. My bedroom got cleaner but the centipede is still roaming around. I lay in bed at night, thinking is it in this bed? Of course, the blankets and sheets have been washed many times but I obsess over these things. I am still hibernating myself. I did finally after months, go to Wal Mart. I have always worn a scarf around my neck and if I heard anyone coughing or sneezing, I put it over my face. Now, I have a mask.

@woogie good for you in wearing a mask It is so scary and is spread first the way other virus are spread ,via mouth ,cough sneeze and cold . I think those that refuse to wear a mask they are rebels that have'nt left there teenage years.

@woogie, Your stories brought a smile and also a long forgotten memory. At summer camp away from home and homesick those first days, I awoke one morning to find a large grasshopper on my pillow! I was scared to pieces. Everyone in the cabin was suddenly awake because of my shrieks. A farm girl thought it hilarious and caught the monster and tossed him outside. I love small creatures but to this day do not like to see grasshoppers hopping around in my yard. I'm not yet shopping in stores but do wear a scarf when outside or on walks. I have a few hospital masks from an earlier purchase but am saving those for when I do venture into a shop at some point. After so long at home, did it feel really strange to be inside a store among others close by?

@lioness, Really glad to hear you are taking extra measures to stay safe! Did you post your zentangle in the visual thread? I'm behind on posts.

@fiesty76 yes but it is more just doodling . @gingerw is the expert . Love her picture for her name