Negative

Unsurprisingly, I am negative. My results came through late yesterday. Himself is also negative. His results came through at 5.30 this morning! 

Three and his lot are suffering cabin fever. Another week to go. Amy's second test was negative. Go Pfizer!

We had rain overnight which was lovely but I wish we could have several days of steady rain. Himself disagrees as the garage floods and the dogs get muddy.

* * * * * * * *

Three sent a text asking for baby stuff so Himself and I hit the shops. Purchases made and delivered with the ubiquitous Sally bag with a colouring and sticker book, biscuits, chocolate, a wee toy and jelly snakes to be shared by all. THANK YOU GRANNY!!!!! I got a long distance peep at Alice. She has grown which is lovely to see but I need squishiness. Not too long to go, now.

* * * * * * * * *

Well, the day descended into another one of nothingness. I spoke with the elderly aunt in FNQ and faffed around on the computer wasting an afternoon.

It is now gin o'clock and I bid you good night.

Still waiting.

My Covid test result is still not back but that's not surprising considering the number of tests being conducted. My sense of taste is back (or my muffins really did taste like sawdust) so I am confident I am negative. Himself got tested today ahead of his colonoscopy on Monday.

I love seeing radar images like this. It's raining and chilly and my kind of weather.

While Himself was out he popped into PetBarn to get a Furminator for Murphy. Being a long haired dog he needs a long haired furminator. They are fantastic grooming tools but not cheap. However with price matching he saved nearly $30. It really does pay to check prices before shopping.

This is a furminator:

It strips the thick undercoat and brushes at the same time. Now we just need to hold him down so we can brush his fluffy trousers. He doesn't like his nether regions being touched. Can't blame him but he is due to be de-nutted in a couple of weeks so I want him nice and clean and tidy. 

He is so fluffy you can't even see said nuts.

Tested

This morning my home made muffin tasted like sawdust* and my cup of tea could have been a cup of hot water. Add this to the vague symptoms I've had of late (which could also be evidence of languishing as per yesterday's post) and I took myself off to the local testing station. I should get the result tomorrow. I'm sure I'm negative. Hells bells I don't GO anywhere! Himself is booked for a routine colonoscopy on Monday so I need to be sure. I have an image of the virus hovering outside Three's house waiting to pounce on unwary passers by.

The person checking me in did indicate that there have been a few exposure sites hereabouts so who knows. Maybe one of my infrequent outings was to one of them. We aren't told these things like we used to be at the beginning of all this.

It doesn't help that it's Spring and hayfever season. 

*this could of course be testament to my cooking skills

Languishing

I was listening to talk back radio and a psychologist referred to "languishing"...

n. the condition of absence of mental health, characterized by ennui, apathy, listlessness, and loss of interest in life.

I had an aha moment. This is what so many people are experiencing at the moment - especially in Melbourne, I feel - and certainly what Himself and I are living with. Apparently it is very common in these Covid times. This article gives an excellent insight into the condition calling it the neglected middle child of mental health between depression and flourishing. Well worth a read. Now I have a name for what I'm feeling but it doesn't make it any easier! I still take my trusty anti-depressants but I don't think there are meds for languishing. The article gives some suggestions for coping with this but it is a challenge. 

12 months ago people were optimistic that we would be out of this pandemic sooner rather than later and everything would return to normal. I don't think we will ever go back to pre-Covid normal for many reasons. We fear more. We trust less. We have seen how vulnerable we are as a species and how impotent we are in protecting our lives and livelihoods. What could have been a great unifying opportunity has caused more division and hate than many would have thought possible. Maybe that's human nature.

Anyway. I did a pie shop at the amazing L'arte in Cranbourne and dropped them off at Three's door. I also bought a bunch of flowers, some muffins and a pretty thing for Sally to hang on her wall. As well as the Sally bag with biscuits, chocolate, a colouring book and scented crayons. As I was leaving the door opened and Sally made a run for me. It was heart breaking to wave her back and hear Three tell her (kindly) to get back in the house. No wonder we're languishing.

Pies for us for dinner as well and the best chocolate brownies ever (from L'arte of course) with vanilla icecream.

Withdrawals

I received a call yesterday morning from Three asking for some bits and pieces to be bought and dropped off. While I was at the chemist (stuff to help Alice breathe better) Amy rang asking if I could do a click and collect for her. After some discussion and help from the chemist assistant we decided I would get the necessary item from another chemist and drop it off with the other things. A visit to the supermarket next to get dinner for us, Tim Tams for Amy and treats for Sally and I went chemist hunting. I found what we needed, dropped them off, got a wave and a blown kiss from Sally and headed home. I had been gone just shy of three hours.

When I got home I discovered Himself had decided that he would "fix" my computer. A Men's Shed member had sent out some information about a Windows fix and he applied it to both our computers. His was fine. Mine was out of action for over EIGHTEEN BLOODY HOURS!! I have it back and it is exactly the same as it was. But I couldn't read the things I usually do and I felt discombobulated. The phone is really only good for checking facebook and even then the feed I get on that differs from my PC. It was a strange feeling not being able to "quickly check" my favourite bloggers which made me realise I probably spend a little bit to much time on here. In my defence, though, during this never-ending lockdown it is often the only way I feel safely connected to the outside world and faceless bloggers have become familiar and comfortable. In the hey-day of blogging (before facebook and other social media) I had a long list of blogging friends but they have all but disappeared. During our latest lockdown I have discovered a new bunch and I appreciate their words and insights more than I can say.

The plumber will be back this afternoon to have a look at the roof. Apparently the Great Earthquake of 2021 popped some rivets or something but what he did initially hasn't fixed the leak. The internal ceiling has been assessed and we wait for a decision. It's a big ceiling and will require a lot of painting to cover up a relatively small repair.

Three and his wee family are OK. He and Alice are snuffly, Sally is bingeing on movies and Amy is ready to tear her hair out. Dealing with a 3.5 week old with feeding issues AND Covid must be a nightmare.

I finished the scarf for the not favourite sister-in-law and am quite pleased with it. This afternoon I will warp up for a scarf for a good friend. I'm still waiting on orders so I can start other projects.

Himself has said he will buy me a new computer as this one is slow as a wet week and is 5 years old. Positively ancient in computer terms. It was my 60th birthday present. I don't know if I really need one but the thought is lovely.

Sunny Sunday

 I forgot to say that Three has had his first jab. He was due for his second yesterday. Amy is double vaxxed - 1st when pregnant and 2nd when Alice was a week old. The kids, of course, cannot be vaxxed. It will be interesting to see if Amy tests positive down the track living with 3 cases but being fully vaxxed.

Amy's step father returned a positive yesterday. They haven't seen him since Alice was born so no cross infection there. He lives locally to us and there was a positive case at our local supermarket. Fortunately Himself chooses to shop a bit further away with greater variety of supermarkets (Karingal).  So that household is in 14 day quarantine which means the drop and knock is down to us. Even if they don't actually need anything I will make sure to drop off little surprises for Sally to keep her occupied.

I can't work out why we are having these surges in numbers unless it is lockdown fatigue and people just can't be arsed any more. It also shows that vaccines won't prevent infection but will make it less serious. 

Two rang last night. Hooray!! All good there and Mads has a new job (she was made redundant in the middle of the year - not unexpected so no tears shed). This is in the same field which she knows well and enjoys. Something to do with streaming on demand but I have no idea how it works.

As I did nothing yesterday I will probably weave today. I am making scarves for Christmas pressies and this one is for a sister in law I am not particularly fond of. Maybe that's why it's taking its time! I have plans for my fave sis in law and can't wait for the yarn to arrive.

Earlier this year I dropped 10 kgs. I have regained 5 so the summer wardrobe I was looking forward to wearing is now too small. Again. Some of these clothes I have had for over 5 years hoping to fit into them. Never been worn. I know what to do and it's not difficult but the head is totally in the wrong place. Maybe by putting it down here I will trigger something.

Second cuppa calling and maybe a piece of toast and crunchy peanut butter.

3 out of 4

So the results are in. First we heard Amy was negative; then Sally was positive and finally Alice is positive, too. So the four of them will quarantine together as Alice is only 3 weeks old.

The local health network (Monash for those in the know) has been in touch, did an assessment of Three's state of health and risk factors and have deemed him safe for home quarantine. They have given him a list of things to watch for and will monitor him by phone daily. I am much relieved. If Alice had been negative it would have been Three and Sally having a staycation! I think he was looking forward to it as he will have to look after himself, the two girls and calm Amy down. She doesn't do well being stuck in the house for any length of time so a fortnight will be challenging. We will be doing supermarket pick ups and drop and knocks. Adult and children treats will be included!

I have done sweet bugger all today. Not even weaving. Mindless game playing on the computer. I need to process stuff. Even though my head knows all will be OK, my heart is petrified and my stomach is churning. 

Two had better not ring with any bad news. This mother can't take much more!