Hard to complain when we are stuck in a comfortable home and surroundings, while thinking of the many who are not so fortunate . Of course I miss my old social life, book club, choir, friends and family. I am thankful for FT and Zoom with our far away kids, and our DD and family who live nearby. I’m actually enjoying cooking more now! Lots of soups and casseroles( healthy, mostly, 🙄) freezing half for later. Our dogs keep us smiling with their antics, and all Is well.....save for the worrying. As others have mentioned, I and most of my friends are having difficulty happily hunkering down with a good book. I believe we are all too distracted, even if not consciously, as we await the next....?

It’s a small sacrifice in the big scheme of things though.

Extremely small.

Staying at home has never bothered me. I like time to myself. I am not into people socializing all that much. A little goes a long way. I've always social distanced somewhat by choice. But I hate that I have lost my freedom to make my own decisions on where I can and cannot be.

I hate the hypocrisy. I hate that they have politicized this so much. I hate that at the same time we are told to shelter in place they have narrowed the window of when essential services are available forcing into more crowded circumstances, not less when we need to go out, Hypocrisy! I hate where this is taking our economy. I hate that they have fast food workers in tight quarters but barns are closed to horsemen who have always used social distancing anyway. The hypocrisy! I hate the fear mongering. News people interviewing health people telling us to use masks and to stay inside while they stand in cluster with one another smiling for the cameras for their 15 minutes of fame. The hypocrisy. Bus service going free in order to encourage ridership in their filthy vagrant mobiles. Hypocrisy. I hate that those who want to be in control are using a serious illness to promote their own agenda. The social engineering is despicable while they themselves move about freely.

Most of all I hate being away from my grand kids and horses. I hate that there are people that are going to die before seeing their families again, not from this virus, but from time running out while they wait. Because we are told to wait. Wait while those in control pull ideas out of their rear ends without considering the long term consequences.

We are doing good staying home, but the very worst thing for me is not visiting my 90 year old father. He moved into assisted living not quite two weeks before his facility went on lock-down. He has done well, but now that they are mostly confined to their living area, and he has no visitors, he is feeling a bit homesick. I hate so much not being able to see him. But I know it is important to keep him safe! Thank God for the caregivers he has!! I also miss seeing our friends and our church family.

I like being at home but I am not thrilled about some of the consequences of the SAH order. I am not against it at all, I just do not appreciate being stopped by the cops 2 times in one day to interrogate me on where I was going. I mean, they cant really enforce criminal charges unless they run up on a group of people congregating. And they cannot prove that people are NOT going to work or to the store or going to care for someone, so why pull ME over, while I am ALONE,not with 10 other people, and stick your face in my car window during a pandemic to try and intimidate me. You're not going to scare me into quitting my job Officer Loudmouth. Now get 6 feet away. Shoo!

Luckily, my employer provided us with what amounts to a permission slip because we are essential infrastructure workers. They gave us several copies for fear that the cops would refuse to return them. They got one of mine already. Ugh. I should have just told them I was going grocery shopping. Prove otherwise or back off!

I am pleased that I am now officially on vacation, back in the sticks where the local law enforcement tends to leave people alone unless you call for assistance. Hopefully,I wont have to leave for a while. I went shopping today,got all my plants and garden supplies and groceries and gas and dog food and bird seed and some cat food for the random cat that has decided to live in SOs shop and sometimes in our crawlspace. (Havent seen a mouse all year! Whoop WHOOP!)

Amylou, I can't believe the police is stopping people to find out why their out. None of our police is doing that. In fact the state police said they have more important thing to tend to. I'm sure our local police don't want to make contact with people anymore than they have to. Even the police who always have a speed trap set up on the way to my daughters hasn't been there.

I don’t mind cooking really and a pretty good cook. But all the time? No. I don’t even like going to the grocery store, one of my least favorite things to do. I like going out a couple of nights a week, meeting friends for happy hour, a light meal, and conversation, seeing our kids and grandkids and having a meal with them. And I miss going to and volunteering at the Botanical Garden.

I don’t bake much anymore because we don’t need the extra calories and I rarely eat bread. Same with desserts of any kind. I have been busy working in the yard, weeding, spreading mulch, transplanting a few things, getting the vegetable plot ready for my seedlings.

Good grief, amy.....where do you live?

I least like that I can't get to my fitness center with the pool, my yoga classes, the Pilates equipment, and my comrades in fitness and health. There are some things that I can do at home, but my muscles and joints are terribly painful as time goes by; it's getting more difficult to participate in life with my husband and our second family.

There is very little to dislike about staying home and we are fortunate. If it were a power outage or a snowstorm, lovely.

What I dislike... no, what horrifies me, is the context. Our society had failed to the point that our Surgeon General is showing us how to "sew" our own masks for "protection." Most of the world is huddled in their homes, like latter-day cavemen. Empty streets, universities, museums. Full hospitals, unable to help all that need it. Our societies and our economies are shaken to the core. It is fertile ground for fascism and anti-intellectualism on a global scale. Our lives, and way of life, are at grave risk.

The context hangs over the minutiae of how we spend our day, however pleasant, and can poison it if I allow myself to think.

Function and rhizo,these are the city police in the city that I work in, not the one in which I live,and not state troopers. I called my former bosses daughter, who is a sheriff's deputy about it. Again,its not the sheriff but the city police that stopped me,but i thought she might be able to help anyway. She says that no citations are being issued to people driving somewhere, just people in large groups like parties and stuff, but that they want people to really think about whether or not they should be out and about before they do so. She thinks that the department will calm down and stop bothering people after this week. The city that I work in issued a 24 hour curfew not long ago and that's when it started.

Oh, and the speed traps are still there on my way home. They have to earn their keep by bringing in that fine money I suppose.

Where do you live Anylou?

Alabama

I’m not finding it difficult at all to Stay at Home. I’m not a gregarious person. The annoyances are

(1) preparing 2 meals a day, Every.Single.Day

(2) running the DW at least once a day

(3) not getting to see the Grands or seeing DD’s new house

(4) the stress of getting a “casual” husband to be attentive to things like handwashing

(5) having to clean my own house

(6) trying buy sufficient groceries to last 4-5 weeks; having to “clean” my groceries

All in all, I have no real complaints. I’m just a whiner.

I don’t mind staying at home. I have enough yard work to keep me more than busy. My problem is the lack of sleep. My husband is usually traveling half the time, so I can catch up on restful sleep without his snoring. Another thing is the food I suppose. He is vegetarian, so that’s what I am cooking when he is around. After weeks of him not traveling, I would really like some chicken :)

BBSTX -

1.can you get by with one meal? We have been having Linner for 3 weeks.

2. I have DW drawers. They always advertise them as dish storage, too. I have really come to use them that way (one of them). We load the Linner dishes in, and the next day whoever sets the table sets it from the DW. Can you do a version of that?

3. : (

4. Voodoo dolls.

5. Can you channel a competitive vibe to help? I'm a little weird but it has helped me to try to be "better" than my housekeeper. If you are mentally healthier than me, this may not help.

6. Definitely bag perishables separately, and wipe those down. The rest, leave in the back of the car for however long you decide ... up to 3 days. Then you won't need to wipe them down.

I agree Wildchild, I used to go to Wal-mart at about 1:30 am after work and driving back to my town. Hardly anyone there. Now they close at 8:00 pm. Not smart at all.

My work is slammed with calls so they are having people work overtime and day shift coming down to help, cramming us all in together even more, in a basement office space.

I forgot to mention, talked on Facebook messenger with one of our first exchange students we had (nearly 10 years ago). She is in Madrid Spain. Been in her apartment for 3 weeks now. She's angry that some of her fellow citizens are not following stay at home orders. Which means she will have to stay inside even longer.

What I like least is the uncertainty of when it will end, and wondering whether life will ever be “normal” again.

Amylou, my work sent out forms to print out too, saying we are essential workers. No one is being stopped now but I guess if starts happening in the future, I'll be prepared.

Under my state, I am an essential worker since I work for a financial institution.

I'm naturally a homebody so that doesn't bother me. My problem is not having plans/goals right now. I had home goals which are hard to do with people in all of the rooms again. I had outside/volunteer projects that may or may not happen now. If they do, they will be so delayed, it may not be worth the effort for this year. I need to get creative and come up with something to do. I had thought about cleaning out the attic or garage, but our garbage pickup has asked everyone not to put out extra stuff for pickup because they don't have the capacity with all of the extra people at home.

I hate not seeing my 90 yo Mom! She has dementia and is in assisted living. Thankfully, she doesn't remember that I haven't visited in a month. Other than that, I'm mostly content to stay home, but miss being able to just hop in the car and run an errand or pick up something at the grocery store.

My life hasn't changed all that much. I like staying home. The only changes for me have been the cancelation of a few events I would have attended...plant swaps, plant sales and a convention for Louisiana irises.

I went to Walmart last week and the parking lot was full. You had to take a number to get in. The induced panic has made the risk of catching the virus worse. It is crazy in my opinion.

I am almost out of hay. My source is back near where we moved from. I have been unable to find hay of equal quality here, so Monday going to buy hay.

Bastian's swim and music lessons have both been cancelled indefinitely and I hate that. He is only going to be a baby once and I want him to do all his fun little baby stuff :(

TVQ1,

I miss visiting my Mom too. She is about 3.5 hrs from me and I usually go down to visit every few weeks and stay over night. She has some dementia too but it comes and goes. She is technically in hospice care (long story). I am not sure how that impacts visitation policy, but at this point I think she is quite stable and more at risk from a visit so I have not asked. If her health changes I wonder if I would be allowed to visit.

Beagles, be glad he will be too young to remember. Those things are fun, but they are really memories for the parents, not the kids. He will not miss it at all. You might, but only a little I hope!

@mtnrdredux_gw, oh I already know I’m a better housekeeper than the woman I pay to do it. After all, I own my own set of professional dental picks so I can clean teeny, tiny places. And when I clean, it is generally on my hands and knees. I can’t expect her to do that. I couldn’t/wouldn’t except a few times a millenium.

btw, I’ve been preaching Pure Grain Alcohol as a disinfectant if nothing else can be found. I bought 2 fifths at the liquor store today. I have no idea what I will do with it if I don’t need it as a disinfectant. I’m a little too old for trash-can punch. You have to be young and stupid to drink that stuff!

I miss my gym, the dog that I walk, and most of all I miss hugging my kids

Even though I'm completely comfortable at home and enjoying the quiet down time, I don't like not being able to come and go as I please. I like to have choices and right now my choices have been limited through no fault of my own.

I'm sad that my family cannot celebrate together next weekend. Saturday is my husband's 80th birthday, Sunday is easter, and Monday is our son's birthday. Plans were to have the whole family here from far and wide - 6 kids, 6 spouses, 8 grandchildren - for a grand celebration, but it's all been cancelled. First holiday alone together for us since we married 52 years ago. But we will ZOOM or Skype or something.

Seeing friends for catch ups over cocktails, or massive natters slouching around each other’s houses.

Oh and driving (a bit)

I’m happy as could be about being at home other than that.

I miss having my friends over for dinner, cooking something special and drinking nice wine with them. I miss my swim aerobics classes and my arthritis is complaining fully. I miss visiting nurseries looking for spring flowers (although they are open, but I don't think it's right to go there right now).

But I LOVE not having to go anywhere for days on end. I LOVE staying up really late and sleeping in because I have nowhere to be.

Mostly I hate the reports of who is not sheltering in place. Going out for necessities--seeing groups of teens hanging like always--drives me nuts. The people who do not care to comprehend what's happening...THAT is what I hate most about staying at home. The grocery clerk who insisted on engaging me during the early morning elderly hour of shopping Don't ya know lady talking spreads germs!!! Stay the heck away from me and a smile is sufficient!! Other wise at home is great for me. Guess I am an introvert that way.

My life has changed very little, I still keep in touch with my children and friends. If I need something, my kids will help me. I am stocked up and doing well. I even had my son in law show up and till my garden and am anxious to get some planting done. It is even a bit bigger this year. 3 of my children will have gardens again. Did have a septic tank problem and another son in law came over dug it up and took care of calling a company to come and clean it out. So all is good and I have been in for over three weeks and doing well.

Sue

One thing I hate about SAH is the lack of a paycheck! And the only other things I can think of are not getting to have the two older grandkids over for dinner every Friday night and having a playdate with my granddaughter every Thursday after work.

I truly love staying home. I certainly don't miss my 45 minute-1 hour commute to work and then home again every weekday. I get to spend more time with my prince. DH usually does weeknight cooking, but now I get to cook more than just on weekends. When I need or want to do something that takes up a good part of the day, I don't have to say, "I'll do it this weekend".

I get to spend all day in the sewing room if I want to. And right now, that is pretty much what I'm doing, making masks for family, friends, the people working at our pharmacy, etc.

I haven't been in my car since March 16th. DH is our designated shopper. He has always kept our pantry and freezer stocked well.

If I survive this horrible thing our planet is experiencing, I think I will enjoy my someday retirement.

Being at home is not a big change for me because I am retired. But trips to the grocery store, which I have never minded in the past, are now very stressful. I came back from shopping yesterday and realized I was exhausted.

This is turning into the lifestyle of the communist Soviet Union.

Step 1 line up to enter store

Step 2 store has only a few items on the shelf

Step 3 you may only purchase one item of the said items

Yikes!

My life feels unbalanced. Home life is all about artistic expression. Gardening, cooking, photography, playing with color (on the walls, eye shadow, flowers, etc.). Work is science, logic, order. It's really feeling lopsided. I live by compartmentalizing, and they're seeping into each other. That, and I miss real clothes, going out for sushi, conversations with someone other than my son...

I miss my friends. I miss playing bridge with them, I miss playing Mexican Train with them, I miss having lunch or dinner with them. My daughter, who spends most of her time traveling around Europe is finally stuck at home and we can't get together.....I wave through the window. The irony of it all. :-))) This will all be over in a few months and life will slowly get back to normal.

I miss seeing my kids and grandkids. Just typing this brings me to tears.

We are fine personally, and I'm grateful for that. We just completed week 3.

But there is a lot of suffering happening in the world, not just with corona and other health concerns, but job and money concerns, stress of people confined together too long, homeschooling doesn't always work well if at all, bored and lonely children, frontline workers putting themselves and their families at risk. It's a tragic turn of events for the world. I find myself having a headache most of the time because of clenching my teeth. I talk to my sister a couple times a day on the phone, and that helps us both. The dog gets walked 2X a day. That helps, air so fresh with fewer car emissions, beautiful weather, treest and flowers blooming. Gotta appreciate that.

Georgy, I'm holding you to it: This will all be over in a few months and life will slowly get back to normal. :-)

I don't mind staying in, I'm a bit of a home-body anyway.

I dislike being alone though. This would be so much fun if Hubby were here with me, as we loved each other's company and doing things together. I wouldn't be taking solitary walks and have an interest in meals.

Jasdip, I’ve been thinking about you and your DH a lot lately and wish he was with you too. (((Hugs)))

One of my staff members is having a hard time, she’s about ready to retire, lives alone, children across the country, and we are really, really busy right now, so she’s stressed on all levels. Speaking personally, I love all aspects of WFH, but I will miss live music this summer.

On an existential level, I'm terrified for and worried about how individuals - not corporations - are going to fare now, during the worst of the pandemic and after its over. I fear our way of life will be fundamentally altered, and not in the ways I want (my preferred altering would be women having full control of their bodies, ERA passed, stricter pollution/air/water laws, Medicare for all, UBI, immigration reform, all the progressive stuff), but with high unemployment, more poverty, more of a class divide, more inequality and more misery.

I dislike that I can not move. No movers no carpet cleaners. I just want to get on with my life (as do all others) I do think I may break stay at home rules the first week of may to start taking stuff I can move . I will not be near any one else so no risk to me or any one else.. At this time orders are set to lift on May 4, of course who knows.

I am missing the long trip we had planned to visit our son and DIL in Augusta. And our trip to visit my family in Michigan. So instead of happy times with them, I worry about their health from afar.

I cannot complain...what we are asked to do is so little in the scheme of things.

I live alone, so I do miss just getting in the car and going to a new store, or for a drive. I miss meeting a friend or two for lunch - what a pleasure that is!

For those who have pure grain alcohol if you have any after this is over you might look for recipes for liqueurs. A long time ago I had a book that had about 100 different types you could make with either pure grain alcohol or other spirits using fruit and herbs. I do not remember if I diluted it when I made a couple of things but if it needed diluting I would use distilled and not tap water because it can make a flavor difference.

My only complaint is lady in another building brings her 2 kids out to play when I'm ready for my nap. Wouldn't mind it but the kids scream at the top of their lungs for no reason. She never tried to quiet them Or anything. I know fresh air is good to get but so is my sleep. Thank god for ear plugs.

SamKaren Your resident dj

You can make vanilla extract with leftover grain alcohol. I'd also just keep using it as a disinfectant and cleaner if nothing else.

I related to nearly every post in this thread. I might be getting a wee bit tired of cooking for my family, which I have always loved. My extended family also has many milestones we had planned on celebrating in the next few months, which obviously are on hold. It's not knowing how long this will last, that's difficult.

Hugs jasdip. Me too.

I'm less alone that I would otherwise have been, since my sister, and my wife's oldest brother and his wife and staying here. But I'm really lonely.

Bob_cville - I've lost my maternal grandmother and 2 of my brothers to suicide. If anything happens to my husband I would find a way to follow him because I honestly could not live alone.. I am very sorry for you and feel your pain. Anger and distress goes along with that. Makes me remember and cry. Such gut wrenching angst. Prayers for you. I'm in tears...so very, very sorry for you and your family.