Diary > Tuesday 18th August

[Roobarb]

I don't want this to turn into Roobarb's diary so will see if others join in and if not I'll leave it. I suppose a lot of people have been doing more normal things now and aren't confined to home. I've been copying my diary entries into a document on my computer, maybe I'll look back on it in the future and think how massively things have improved. I'll continue with that whether or not I post it on Rootschat.

Couldn't get to sleep on Monday night, was awake till 5 am and got up only a little later than normal so was very tired. Didn't do a lot during the day, just some ironing and general domestic stuff. Was going to cut the front lawn but there was a heavy shower and more later before clearing out.

Went for a walk with my friend J after she finished work, I hadn't done my usual walk this morning. It was warm and bright out. We were out for two and a half hours, really enjoyed it. She wanted to call at the shop on the way back, I stood outside. It was really weird for me as I haven't been to any shops since March, apart from paying at the nurseries. It seemed surreal seeing so many people going in and out wearing masks. Everyday life now for a lot of people.

[candleflame]

I'll add a bit. I find the lack of human contact the hardest. .......the usual activities have stopped and there's nothing to take their place. No pleasure in going out shopping- just task orientated. No pleasure in going say to a national trust place for a walk around - has to be planned and booked well in advance to get a slot
Less pleasure in going out for food as that has to be planned to avoid Monday to Wednesday's as places are fully booked at the minute  ( we don't go out every week but do like pub food ) .
Might change in time but not at the minute.

[Annette7]

I'm joining in, Roobarb!

I didn't sleep well - don't know why - and woke later than normal after dreaming.   Most peculiar dream - it had been 3 months since I had received any mail and couldn't establish why.   Address was same as usual, right postcode but was receiving absolutely nothing by post and was overdue paying certain bills and so on.   The frustration was that nobody wanted to know or could explain it.   Everyone thought I was crazy but I simply hadn't received anything from Royal Mail in 3 months so where was my mail going?   Consequently woke up all hot and bothered!

Finally got my family history project into display folders - yes, plural.   Had hoped it would all fit into a 40 sleeve display folder (as my projects usually do) but this had been bit of a tricky one in that a certain family with surname Murrell actually had no Murrell blood at all.   A female Denny had married a male Murrell - said Murrell died 1847 but Mrs Murrell had a son in 1849 and married again just 2 months later.   So, Murrell born 1849 had no Murrell blood - just his mothers surname when he was born - and his actual father was surnamed Neale.   So, had to do a Murrell tree as that was the name used by the man born 1849 - then had to do a Neale tree (for his biological father) and a Denny tree for his mother.   Got quite tricky at times.   Luckily I found some folders tucked away in a drawer and ended up with the paternal line of lady I'm doing the tree for in a 30 sleeve display folder and the maternal line in a 20 sleeve display folder.   Just a covering letter to do now.

Sat outside reading for about an hour early evening and then came in to have dinner of Chicken Hotpot which was delicious.   Finished off my book, a little sudoku, and watched some tv.

Nothing exciting here but was certainly occupied for the whole of the day.

Annette

[louisa maud]

I have found the last 5 months or so very strange, but when I looked back I realised I have felt like this since about this time last year, a friend moved away, we used to walk along the prom from time to time, she is about 25 miles or so away but she has been very ill, so not seen her,  then another friend  who I used to do the same with  has a place in Minorca was hardly ever home till lockdown, so although I think I have felt quite lonely it was  not just the lockdown, it made it worse, church and it's fund raising stopped, really missed that , no Easter fayre, no summer village day  fete and there won't be a Christmas bazaar either this year, probably no carol services either, only just got back to church services but no socialising inside, perhaps in the grounds but it is not the same, not many have returned as there are still the zoom service every week and some are worried and feel vulnerable

Occasionally we would meet up with my sister in law and a couple of friends for a nice meal, miss that as well but I did say last week we could meet in a park halfway between social distancing, take our own picnic if allowed

Yesterday my husband and I drove out to our county town, not many people about but enough, we did eat out  just a snack in M &S café, all very well organised but short of staff, the woman who was seeing people in and out also was clearing the tables, she was smiling though and I had a chat to her, she really needed help poor woman,  would have preferred something more substantial but hey ho, wasn't to be

I also managed to bag 3 bargains whilst out, 2 items at half price, felt exhilarated to be honest and came home happy but tired,

The biggest worry I find at the moment is if it all starts off again and we are in 100% lockdown but we have to do what we have to do

It is surprising how our lives revolved around days, discovered that if I wasn't doing what I usually do on certain days I had to think twice about what day it was and I was not the only one by a long way

So, we just have to get on with it and  take it as it comes, come what may

Take care folks

Louisa Maud

[Roobarb]

Nice to read replies 

Candleflame, I'm much the same in missing the lack of human contact. I don't want to go to any shops at the moment, always hated grocery shopping and from what I've heard it's a completely different experience in other shops, no browsing as we would previously. And as you say, having to book for everything takes away any spontaneity and sucks all the joy out of it. I think there'll be a big change in the eating out though when the offer finishes after next week. I would hope for the sake of businesses that people continue to eat out but it'll probably be more spaced out over the week. Also the children returning to school might have an impact on it.

Louisa Maud, I do agree it's unsettling when things change and it's out of your control. It must be hard for churchgoers who not only miss the services as they were but also all the other things you mention that are associated with the church, a whole social life.
Well done on getting your bargains, a small taste of normal life!

Annette, what a strange dream, no doubt an expert could put some interpretation on it. Maybe it's about things you feel you're missing out on.
What a convoluted family tree that is you've been working on, it must have been so satisfying to find all the twists and turns and to get to completion and presentation. I hope the recipient is pleased with it.

[louisa maud]

Oh Dear!!

I don't like dreams, dreamt in March of my brother in law dying, I was with him, very vivid dream, only just finished telling my husband and the phone rang, yes, he had died that morning with symptoms similar to what I had dreamt, so I do not like dreams about people

I had written about this recently on RC as I really couldn't understand why me

LM

[Roobarb]

That must have been so distressing, no wonder you don't like dreams about people.

[Viktoria]

I have been very introspective, perhaps the time of year,would have been Wedding Anniversary etc.
Going to bed very late as I watch Morse at midnight to past two O’clock.
Fit for nothing then until mid day at least .
Why I do it ,as it is a pleasant torture , is that he resembles my OH for a time in his life ,white hair ,same build ,such blue eyes and the way he holds his hands together.
I can’t understand why he never gets the girl!
I of course miss Flash  Harry ,the well known teller of  porkies!
All his toys are here but he will have outgrown a lot of them.
Rain, sun,rain,sun, all day.
Going to do a good tidy up ,make my shopping list for son tomorrow ,he will phone this evening.
Maybe there will be some plants at Morrison’s - I have a few bare spots ,
Wind snapped off two gladioli ,shame ,they were a lovely pale lavender colour
Just.opening.
Some little beggar has eaten the lobelia in the planters at the front of the house.a gorgeous magenta colour which went well with the  Cumberland  grey/ green slate chippings  and planters.
Oh I am not hungry ,but must remember to drink enough .
ZThat reminds me I must check my neighbour  is OK.
Son has moved to new house away from problem neighbours , the old house needs a bit of decorating just to freshen up and they will rent it out to off set the rent they will pay.
They own the house they will rent out .
Hope this is better for them , but I can see the problem neighbours doing nasty things . I told my son to get CCTV Cameras, linked to his phone which can then be linked to tenants ‘ phones.
Aren’t some people dreadful!
What with Roobarb’s next door oddity, my son’s weird and shameless neighbours and my screaming bully,  and there are plenty more, what do you do with people like that!
Put them next to each other !
If only!
Well this is not getting anything done , fridge needs a tidy ready for the fresh stuff tomorrow.It is one of those with its own sanitiser so only warm soapy water .
Cheerio folks , look after yourselves ,the new normal is strange but we will adapt ,that is what humans have been doing for millions of years.
Viktoria.

[Roobarb]

Sounds like you're very restless Viktoria, probably as you say due to your wedding anniversary. Always a poignant time I'm sure but these strange times do seem to enhance feelings.

How awful for your son having to move away from his own house because of his dreadful neighbours, it's so unfair. I was going t say that they should be ashamed of themselves but people like that have no shame. I think your suggestion of your son getting cameras is a good idea, I have a couple of security cameras, they're very easy to set up and not too expensive.

I hope you feel a bit more motivated tomorrow, I'm sure seeing your son will help.