Hanging in There, or Fun Things to Do When You’re Stuck at Home

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Librarylady

Hang in there everybody!

This is supposed to reduce stress – I’m not so sure. (I think my husband is channeling Bela Lugosi)

Kindness Amidst the Chaos
Good Morning! Today I want to share some ideas for how to not go . . . Stir crazy after all these years . . . wait, has it only been two weeks?! Also, I’m still looking for positive stories about kindness during this difficult time. Here are a few:

Flowers!

My friend Basia Korzeniowska left this comment on my last post. It made me happy so I thought I’d pass it along.

I was feeling a little bit low the other day, so I thought going for a walk would help and indeed it did. Combining it with an allowed shopping trip I went to Waitrose and was confronted with a seemingly endless queue. The sun was shining, the trolleys were being wiped assiduously by a member of staff and it was pleasant enough. After a few minutes I was allowed in – only 50 people in the shop at the time, and as I went in I was handed a huge bunch of flowers by an assistant. Lifted my spirits instantly!

Pixabay Photos

The Best Bakers

Here’s one from the hood. Our local Schmidt’s Bakery started giving away bread – two loaves per customer – one to keep and another to give to a friend. When the Ardent flour company heard of this, they donated 2,500 pounds of flour to offset the cost of the bread. When the word got out to the public, people came in for bread, but many more came just to buy donuts, rolls, and other things because they wanted to support these generous companies. It’s like a big happy snowball that keeps growing as it rolls down the hill!

Face Masks

face masks

Many of my neighbors have been cranking up their sewing machines and making reusable protective masks for the hospital and local nursing home. I’ve heard about this in many communities. When there’s a need, good people always seem to step in to fill it.

FUN THINGS

On another front, here are some things to do while stuck at home.

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Make lots of treats. Having grandkids over is a great excuse to make brownies. (I know – social distancing – but at this point, I’d rather have her at my house than at daycare.)

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Read all the Books

movies

Watch all the Movies

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Go for politically correct walks – six feet apart and wearing homemade face masks.

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I tried to put a face mask on my dog – wouldn’t that have been a cute picture? Lucy was highly uncooperative.

This final note appeared via Facebook:

The reports are that the truckers are getting supplies to the stores. People are stocking the shelves all night and letting old people shop first. GM said hold our cars and watch this; we can make ventilators where we were making cars starting next week. Women and children are making homemade masks and handing out snacks to truckers. Restaurants and schools said, We’ve got kitchens and staff; we can feed kids.” Churches are holding on-line services and taking care of their members and community. NBA basketball players said, “Hold our basketballs while we write checks to pay the arena staff.” Breweries are making sanitizer out of the left-over ingredients. We thought we couldn’t live without restaurants or a bar. Instead, we’re trying to keep those businesses open by ordering take-out.

I think a Japanese Admiral in the middle of the Pacific said it best in 1941, “I think we have awakened a sleeping giant.” Give us a few more weeks (maybe months) and we will be doing much better! We have a wonderful country!!

We certainly do! But there are great people doing kind things all over the world. The snowball is getting bigger all the time.

Lastly – what are you doing for fun these days?

Hang in there!

26 thoughts on “Hanging in There, or Fun Things to Do When You’re Stuck at Home”

carhicks on May 26, 2020 at 1:12 pm said:

I love this post Geanie. I have also had my grandchildren over for small visits. We have read, played games, baked and watched TV. I miss them so much as they used to come over much more often. I love all your photos, we need to take the time to appreciate what we can do. I am making masks and giving them away and it gives me a sense of doing something for others. Hope all is well with you and the family.

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Sheryl on March 28, 2020 at 3:37 pm said:

Love the photos of you and your husband. I showed them to my husband – and said, “we need one of these.” He just smiled.

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 4:02 pm said:
  
  I get that. I’m not sure we would have actually gone out and bought one of those, but a friend didn’t want to haul it along when he moved, so we inherited it. Its a great thing to have after long sessions of blogging though. Thanks for chiming in.
  
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ourlittleredhouseblog on March 28, 2020 at 1:13 pm said:

Goosebumps when I read this. LOVE this post. I am writing up a new post for Sunday and sharing this with my followers, just too positive to not and we need more happy stories like this. We are going to get out the old sewing machine later and try to make some masks for friends, neighbors and my daughter wants to make some for the kids in the school she worked at before they closed. The kids are still picking up free lunch meals at certain location, a lot of these kids are immigrants and come from low income families. I am also trying to figure out fun things to do while stuck at home like game night (vintage board games) movie and popcorn night, art in the garden and silent Sundays where we are offline for a few hours reading, writing, crafting, just quiet peaceful things. Have a great weekend and stay safe out there.

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 2:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks for your good thoughts. Vintage game night sounds fun. We still have Sorry and Trouble pop- o- matic! Around here somewhere. It’s fun to hear how everyone spends the time. My girlfriend says you have to be careful entering her family room because hubby is chipping golf balls in there. (Whiffle ball variety). Good to hear from you.
  
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Basia Korzeniowska on March 28, 2020 at 11:24 am said:

Thank you for quoting me- there is indeed a lot of kindness around all this despondency. sometimes when we are overwhelmed it is good to remember that what most of us are going through is an inconvenience – unless of course we get the disease – but otherwise we are not at war, nor afraid of sudden attacks, dorced evacuation etc etc. in the meantime I went to another shop the other day and received another beautiful bunch of flowers. the shops had overstocked for mothering Sunday – and a lot of children – including mine could not get to the shops. but I had more than enough fortuitously.

Keep well and safe and do what you enjoy!

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  You know, you actually make a really good point. We are not at war, we haven’t been hit by floods or famine. As in so many things it’s a matter of perspective. Thanks for the good thoughts.
  
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Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 8:09 am said:

Thanks Marla, I appreciate your comment. I hope you’re well and finding lots of fun things to do at home.

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Yeah, Another Blogger on March 28, 2020 at 6:51 am said:

Hello there. Take care. Be well. Stay safe. We’re in this for the long haul.

Neil Scheinin

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 8:13 am said:
  
  Hi Neil, I think you’re right. We just got word today that we’re shut down. Before it was recommended, now it’s official. Oh well, I hope you stay safe and find lots to do. Thank goodness for our blogging community!
  
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Irene Tron, Heaven's Sunshine on March 28, 2020 at 4:27 am said:

Thanks for such a delightful post. 😊

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 7:46 am said:
  
  Thanks for reading Irene! I hope you and yours are doing well. Have a good one!
  
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  - Irene Tron, Heaven's Sunshine on March 28, 2020 at 9:41 am said:
    
    Thanks, we are doing well. 😊
    
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The Sassy Library Fox on March 27, 2020 at 11:37 pm said:

What a lovely and inspring post! ❤
Thanks for that! Our daily life is dark enough so this felt like a little sunray! XD And I've to admit I'm doing all the things you just mentioned. I cook, I read, I watch all the movies and I go out for a walk with my hubby and kid! 😀 Is that your actual house library? Because if yes, it's stunning! XD Also your granddaughter is super adorable! Reminds me of my own kid. 🙂

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 7:52 am said:
  
  Thanks Sassy, your comment made my day. Yes, that is my library. I was in charge of the book sale at work for way too long and ended up with lots of great reading material. This is actually pared down quite a bit as I hauled a truckload back to the library a month ago. When my husband complains, I always say “if there’s ever a blizzard and we’re stuck at home I can supply books for the whole neighborhood. Well, guess what . . .
  
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  - The Sassy Library Fox on March 28, 2020 at 8:32 am said:
    
    Ahh I’d be the same! My hubby is already complaining about the books I’m borrowing from the library. (I usually end up having 3 piles of books and always hit the limit of 25) It’s good to know you’re collecting them too. If I ever get in a blizzard and happen to be near your house I’ll definitely visit you. 😛
    
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  - Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 8:37 am said:
    
    Actually, you don’t have to wait for a blizzard, come any time. Oh wait, we can’t leave our houses. Well, maybe next month!
    
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Ancient Skies on March 27, 2020 at 9:43 pm said:

I see you really like hanging around! Wonderful post.

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 7:56 am said:
  
  Hah! It’s a good stretch especially after a long session of blogging but gives me a headache. Thanks for your kind words.
  
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  - Ancient Skies on March 28, 2020 at 11:22 am said:
    
    🙂🍃
    
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Debra Lamb on March 27, 2020 at 9:04 pm said:

Thanks for the uplifting post. It’s just what we all need right now- to focus on the wonderful people and kind acts that surround us!

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 7:58 am said:
  
  Hellooo Ms. Debbie, How kind of you to chime in. I’m so inspired by the good people in the world. Love you guys!
  
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bestadmanspeaks on March 27, 2020 at 7:29 pm said:

Love to hear the positives out there. People can be wonderful. Best wishes and prayers for everyone out there. Each one of us can make a difference

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 8:03 am said:
  
  Hi Bestadman, good point. If everyone looks for ways to help it can make a big difference. Even small things matter. The other day my husband decided he would start calling people and checking on them. Not a big deal, unless you’re the one sitting home alone and feeling forgotten. Hang in there.
  
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Marla on March 27, 2020 at 5:59 pm said:

What lovely uplifting post. Thank you. 💕

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- Librarylady on March 28, 2020 at 8:09 am said:
  
  Thanks Marla, I appreciate your comment. I hope you’re well and finding lots of fun things to do at home,
  
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