We’re in this thing together…

Photo by Mason Hassoun on Unsplash

It’s hard to not panic when you read or hear the word PANdemIC. It has the word built right in. Pandemic definition: “an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population : a pandemic outbreak of a disease.”

But we still need groceries!

I went to one of our smaller grocery stores last Thursday. Everything was normal. Shelves were well stocked. I had already done a larger shop earlier so I was only picking up some things I needed for dinner that night and Friday night.

We planned to go Saturday afternoon for a grocery shop but put it off until Sunday. My husband went Sunday evening around 9:00 to avoid crowds. No such luck.

When he saw the half full parking lot he was surprised. But when he went inside he go a real surprise. People had carts over flowing. People were fighting over things.

Bread: almost gone

Toilet paper and Kleenex: gone

Frozen pizzas: gone

Meat: gone.

This is the pic my Beau sent me when he was getting groceries. We manufacture toilet paper locally…imagine!

How quickly things can change in only a few days.

This on the news and on social media, in far away places. I didn’t think we had gotten that extreme here in my hometown. I was mistaken.

Self quarantine?

People coming back home from international trips including the US and especially the state of Washington (our neighbour) , are required to self quarantine for two weeks minimum.

My son in law is testing for the virus tomorrow. He returned recently from Las Vegas.

This health pandemic has officially hit home. I could freak out and PANIC but I’m choosing to remain calm. Yet, if my daughter gets infected, it is likely my son will be as well. They spent time together on the weekend.

What can I do about it? Nothing. Except keep my fingers crossed and pray my SIL doesn’t have it. If they all get infected—-I’ll FREAK OUT and PANIC—then pray for them to survive. They will be fine they’re in their 20’s and very healthy. I am telling myself this on repeat.

My daughter’s instinct is that he has a common cold because he doesn’t have a fever. Still, getting the test done is the right thing to do. She has promised to let me know his results immediately after they get them. Until then, I will remain calm.

It’s like having a newborn without the baby

So, back to my little world (which seems to be shrinking) I have to decide whether to self quarantine or to go on normally but with precautions. Washing hands, washing hands some more, and then sanitizing.

In the event that you are self quarantined (and it looks like we're all heading that way) I've come up with 10 things to do. I am taking this with a bit of humor… Click To Tweet



I’d like to note that self quarantine is not anything new to us mothers. We are very familiar with this whole being stuck at home thing. We’re essentially “self quarantined” shortly after we give birth. We even prepare for the birth by ‘nesting’ which includes stocking up our pantry and freezers with easy to prepare foods. All this in preparation for the apocalypse that is bringing a newborn home.

We got this.

10 Things To Do While Self Quarantined:

1 Watch Netflix again. Start a whole new show and attempt to finish the season in one night.

2 Avoid watching too much news as this will likely further spook you and cause more panic.

3 Fix the _______ fill in the blank thing you’ve put off for months (years).

4 Try a paper craft like the one The Bloggess demonstrated here.

5 Dust the light fixtures. You know your cleaning lady isn’t doing it.

6 Dust the tops of the door frames and behind the television while you’re at it (all the places you NEVER dust unless youre self quarantined). Again, it’s not likely your cleaning lady is doing this. If she is, give her a raise.

7 Bake muffins although out of vogue, muffins make a tasty snack with tea or coffee which you’ll be having alone so might as well indulge. They also freeze well.

8 Clean the fridge out. You’ll have to discard all that rotting produce you bought in a PANIC but now realize you’ll never eat all of it.

9 Clean out kitchen cabinets. I’m always surprised at how much has expired in my cabinets when I tackle this annoying task. Wiping down all the shelves and reorganizing them is as satisfying as eating ice cream out of the container—-when you’re finished, that is.

10 Hand write a letter to someone you’ve been thinking about.

Or just do what you normally do

If none of these ten things appeals to you, there’s nothing stopping you from spending all day on the computer with the usual social sites. You can upload and update your current status as ‘Quarantined’. You can complain there about being homebound OR you could post pictures of your perfectly clean and alphabetized pantry.

I’ll be doing none of this as my canvas, paints and brushes require my attention. But best of luck to you. Once you’re done can you come to my place? Oh, dang. Social distancing!

Seriously though, stay healthy but above all stay calm. Try not to panic during a PANdemIC.

UPDATE my son-in-law’s test came back negative! Yippy. And just in case you thought he was a seahorse taking a pregnancy test, you have obviously skipped to the bottom of the post. 😀

How are you feeling? Do you have suggestions to stay calm during quarantine?

18 Comments

  1. Tamara

    March 23, 2020 at 8:59 am

    I’m so glad he was able to get tested and was negative. I do know of two people with the virus and both are recovering, but I know it will get so much worse before better. I worry about my parents and Cassidy’s parents and myself because I’m considered high risk, due to pregnancy, even if I’m healthy otherwise. We’ve been home for 10 days!
    We do a lot of yard work and that feels normalish. And lots of cleaning and organizing and movie nights. Plus, those books I’ve been meaning to get around to reading!
    Next week we will be surprising the kids with the ultimate distraction (not a baby) so stay tuned.

    • lisa

      March 23, 2020 at 10:19 am

      First, Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m so excited for you. I wondered if you would have a third babe. So, what is your due date? xx

      Yes! I’m afraid it will get worse. Same over here, Tamara. My mother in law I haven’t seen for a month and we only call now. My mom is in a long term care home. They are not allowing visitors now, of course. I feel bad for her stuck in without any of us being able to visit or take her out. Can only call to check in.
      You have to take extra care of you. no going out, get Cassidy to get the groceries 😛
      Movie nights and books are always relaxing. Enjoy.

  2. Vishnu

    March 23, 2020 at 6:16 am

    hey Lisa – hi from Malaysia 🙂

    Living in Asia now and Malaysia is on lockdown.

    I’ve written bout 12 blog posts since the lockdown started. Going to start on or finish a book too. Hope you’re doing well and glad your SIL is ok!

    • lisa

      March 23, 2020 at 10:15 am

      Hi Vishnu, so nice to see you! Wow, you’re living in Malaysia! LOCKDOWN. Scary, right? We’re on self quarantine. We may get to lockdown depending how fast the virus spreads here. 🙁

      Good for you, using your lockdown time productively! I will pop over and read and share those posts, Vishnu. Yay, another book!!
      Yes, such a relief he was negative. My kids are all still working. I don’t know if that will change.

  3. Marcia @ Menopasal Mother

    March 20, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    These are all great ideas to keep busy while we sit at home. Hope your son is okay!!

    • lisa

      March 22, 2020 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you, Marcia. my son-in-law’s test was negative! Phew.

  4. DGKaye

    March 19, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Great tips Lis. Yes, I watched the world change in a day here too. I’m going to venture out into grocery land tomorrow. I’ll let you know what I discover, although I’ve already heard of the lineups and empty shelves 🙁 Glad your son tested negative. Stay in! <3

    • lisa

      March 20, 2020 at 10:34 am

      Thanks, Deb. Yes, it’s happened fast. Changes daily.We aren’t built for such rapid changes being creatures of habit that we are. I think the stores have set limits on purchase like toilet paper 😛 and have re-stocked quite well. Let us know how it goes. I’ll have to venture back soon, too. Stay safe, Deb! xx

  5. LA CONTESSA

    March 19, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    THE CLEANING IS ON MY LIST BUT NO I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THERE YET…………..
    I have plenty to keep me occupied its THE ITALIAN I worry ABOUT!!!
    Wish me LUCK in that department he is a DOER…….NOT A SITTER!
    NOR does he like to READ!
    WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!
    YOU BE WELL!
    THATS AN ORDER from a CONTESSA!
    XX

    • lisa

      March 20, 2020 at 10:32 am

      Hmmm, you’ll have to give him some more projects 🙂 It’s hard and now I’ve heard your state is on lockdown, which is even more restrictive. Stay healthy, CONTESSA! Thank you for your well wishes! xx so far, so good.

  6. Christine Carter

    March 19, 2020 at 9:37 am

    Ha! I love the ending, Lisa! I DID in fact read through your entire post and I’m SO RELIEVED he tested negative for the CORONA VIRUS. But bigger news would have been that he was pregnant and THAT would have been a fun distraction for us all. 🙂

    I love your list and well, I’ll get on some of those cleaning tasks someday… My gosh, always an excuse even when you literally have ALL THE TIME to do it, am I right?

    Muffins and Netflix, I can do. 🙂

    I’m glad you are safe and well, friend. Enjoy your painting and please share your art with us all!

    • lisa

      March 19, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Haha! Right? 😀 Thanks goodness he doesn’t have it though. Just a cold but he had to test since there was a case out of Vegas when he was there. Wouldn’t mind some seahorse grand babies tho. 😀

      Chris, I still haven’t done any of that cleaning. There are other more interesting things to do at home, like paint. I have many creative projects on the go at the moment. But I will probably take this ‘time-out’ to tackle some spring cleaning eventually (like next winter). Why not? Muffins and Netflix are far more appealing.

      Thanks, Chris! I may share my latest painting as it is soooo cheerful. Bright, bold just the opposite of how we are feeling right now. Hmm, ironic.

  7. ShootingStarsMag

    March 19, 2020 at 9:23 am

    It’s definitely a time full of anxiety. It’s crazy how much is disappearing from the grocery stores as people hoard it. Sheesh! I’m so glad your son in law is negative for the coronavirus though – that’s great news!! I’m not really worried for myself, per se, but I am worried for my mom and sister who are both immuno-compromised so it could be bad if they got it. I’m able to work from home now, which is great, so I’m not really around many people. At the same time, it’s a bit isolating and suffocating. I hope things get better sooner than later.

    -Lauren

    • lisa

      March 19, 2020 at 10:41 am

      Yes, anxiety is high. I try to do the things that ease anxiety for me. Cleaning is one of those things although I have opted for painting lol. Also reminding myself it will end eventually. This too shall pass, as they say. Working at home if you’re not used to it, can make you feel quite alone. We’re all here, though 🙂
      I suppose your mom and sis are self quarantined now? That will keep them as safe as can be. It’s hard not to worry though. my mom is in a seniors home and she has a bad cold suddenly. Nasty cough…so that worries me even though it’s not the virus. Take care, Lauren. We’ll get through this, one book at a time. Hugs.

  8. Balroop Singh

    March 19, 2020 at 9:04 am

    Lisa, I like your spirit and good to hear that your son-in-law is safe. Panic is ingrained in human behavior and those who are prone to it would realize that it doesn’t help…some life lessons to be learnt from every situation. Hope is always lurking at the corners and we have to wait and watch.
    We have a lot of reading and writing to do. 🙂

    • lisa

      March 19, 2020 at 10:28 am

      Yes, the panic seems contagious. We’re into it before we realize. Hope is always that sliver of light. It does feel dark now with many businesses shut down. Isolation can create panic but we’re all in this together and social media allows us to be a click away from one another.

      Yes. Reading and writing two of our favorite things! xx

  9. Darlene Foster

    March 18, 2020 at 11:36 am

    All the times I’ve said, I wish I had time to read a big fat book, well now is that time!!

    • lisa

      March 18, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Haha, for sure! Good time to start (or finish) the Outlander books 😀

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