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We’re back in isolation … again.

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I wasn’t going to write today but after a provincial announcement yesterday, I’m livid and heartbroken. We’re entering into another “lockdown” so to speak. But not really. The rules are murky at best. People are confused. There’s a lot of panic going around today about getting vaccine passports and such. All I want to say is… I’m just tired of it all. I want life to go back to “normal” whatever that might look like.

I’m resigned to the fact that I may not be able to see my dad over the next while. The rules again aren’t clear here. But for me as a single person, I’m only allowed to visit with “two close contacts” for indoor visits. The weather has turned bitterly cold already and sitting outside with that wind is not ideal.

So today, I got up early – finally pain free with energy – I’m showered, dressed and will be heading out soon to get my xray and second shot. I can’t unfortunately do my bloodwork tomorrow but I can get that done next week. It’s hard to do much when you’re in a flareup and I’ve been in a hypermobility flareup for nearly two weeks.

I ordered a new slow cooker and it’s pretty!

Today however, is a good day. I feel good. I got some sleep last night. I had a shower. And I have a slow cooker on the way from Amazon. It’s teal and really pretty. My last one cracked right in half two years ago and so I’ve been without one. I’ve missed it. The Zest Pot just does not cook meat the same way a slow cooker does.

And no, I didn’t order the slow cooker based on the color alone. I did a lot of research and found a decent budget model in my budget range $60 CDN – the teal color that matches my kitchen is an added bonus.

The Zest Pot is terrific for rice and pasta dishes. Sometimes even soup. But a perfectly slow cooked beef stew? There’s nothing quite like it. It was on sale for $80 and was the lighter version of the instant pot. I’ve said it before – I’m not a fan of pressure cooking. It’s not the same as slow cooking.

Fitness challenge – I see progress!

Tomorrow I’ll stock up on healthy food again with my biweekly grocery order. I used up most of the fresh vegetables in my fridge. I made the perfect roasted chicken the other night and ate the leftovers last night. It was even better reheated in the microwave. I paired it with the most perfect side of roasted vegetables – mushrooms, mini potatoes and broccoli. With a tad of olive oil, and seasoning. Cooked at 400F for about 40 minutes is the key here.

I even got out the apple oatmeal loaf that was terrible. I reheated it last night, added some butter and a few chocolate chips and it was delicious. I think I just need to tweak the recipe a little bit next time. Or maybe the apple was too bitter. I don’t know. But yesterday was a good eating day.

I stepped on the scale this morning and I’m down a few pounds. I used the tape measure and the inflammation is finally down because I’ve dropped a couple of inches. That means that I’m almost down another dress size – and that feels amazing. I think the inflammation from the arthritis and hormones are a killer and that’s been holding me back.

And so, that’s where we are this Thursday morning. It’s chilly outside. Like 2 degrees Celsius chilly. It’s been way too cold to sit outside at night. I think I’ll have to sit outside before the sun goes down now which happens at like 7 pm. They’re calling for a brutally cold winter and I’m not okay with that. I’m just grateful for my fireplace (it’s really just a heater) that keeps me warm. I still haven’t turned on the heat and don’t plan on it until October.

Recipe project – more coming soon!

Well, that’s it in a nutshell. I have plans to work on my recipes and food page for you. I’m looking at innovative ways to make recipe cards that won’t take a lot of work. I may go back to older recipes and re-write them totally. I need to remove some instagram links. I also want to get into recording cooking videos. I finally have a tripod for my phone, and I ordered a new mic stand and filter for my youtube channels.

Let me know how you are surviving this never ending pandemic. I’m so tired of it.

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I ate a swiss roll for breakfast. I’m fine. We’re fine. It’s fine.

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So, for those that have been following my blog for a while know that I live alone – obviously, I mean, hence the name “mostly single.” I also don’t drive. I rely heavily on deliveries and my friend Wally who is a driver for my monthly supply run.

Since discovering the wonderful world of Superstore (his wife works for them), I have been enjoying a routine of carefully selecting items that fall within my budget online. Wally picks up my groceries. He drops them off. I pay him for his time and gas money.

It’s a win-win scenario for both of us. I don’t have to leave my condo except to meet him downstairs. Which by the way, it was freezing this morning. We’re supposed to get another dump of snow tonight.

And he gets a bit of extra money for the kids. It isn’t much. But it helps us both out.

If you haven’t used the PC Express website, it works like this.

First, you pick a timeslot for pick up. Normally, you can book within 24 hours. But now – you are looking at a minimum of a ten day wait to pick up your order. But have no fear. You can plan ahead and change your order until the day before.

I changed my mind daily on what was important. I decided to stock up and spend more money than usual so I have enough food for two weeks. I’m trying to avoid going out to stores if I can help it. I don’t like crowds at the best of times. Never mind in the middle of a pandemic.

Wally shows up to the store on time. He texts me. He says it took him a long time to find a parking stall. There are designated spots for pick ups. I call the store from the comfort of my bedroom.

“What’s your name?” I tell them.

“When did you place your order? I don’t have a confirmation for you.”

I tell them that I placed it last week and confirmed it last night. I just got the confirmation email that my order was ready. Oh yeah. They send out confirmation emails about your substitutions and stuff – which is a huge plus for me. I’m fussy when it comes to brands and stuff.

“We don’t have an order for you. Are you sure you are phoning the right store?”

I hold my phone away from my face and give the phone my best WTF look. I tell them calmly and politely that yes, I have the right store, the same store I order from every month – sometimes every week. I tell myself to remain calm and civil – they’re doing their best.

“We don’t have an order here for you.”

I hold the phone away further and let out a small cry of frustration. Someone else comes to the phone.

“What’s your name? What’s your confirmation number?”

A few more minutes go by. Because clearly, it was me who made the mistake.

Another person comes onto the phone.

“Oh, we have it right here. Sorry. We’ll be right out.”

Twenty minutes later – Wally texts me to say he’s on the way with my food. TWENTY minutes later.

I mean, I know we’re in the middle of a fucking pandemic. But still. Why are people are always so quick to lay blame on the consumer? Why is it always the customer’s fault? Like, I know how to place an order. I’ve done this for months.

Anyway. Okay. I’ve ranted. I’m over it. I have food for the next two weeks and basic supplies. I don’t have to leave my house (Condo) if I don’t want to.

But oh… I do. I’m bored. I’m restless.

And I ate a Swiss Roll and a bowl of Corn Pops for breakfast this morning. Does that count for dieting? I think it’s safe to say that my healthy eating has been replaced by comfort food.

Hold the phone. I’m going back for a second Swiss Roll. God help me.

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Isolation Update

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My dad’s residence is on full lock down. We can’t visit him which has me really worried for his mental health. He hasn’t been in a great place and he needs more help than most.

Social distancing. I’m fine with this. I’m a homebody and am off work anyway, so. I’m okay there. I got my Netflix account back and have been binge watching SHIELD (great show) and working on art skills.

Etsy store – still no sales. Just working on building product. Bad time to start a store I think even with digital downloads.

Health – runny and stuffy nose – thanks sinuses and asthma. You are the reason I am in isolation now.

Food – I’m okay for the week. Spent all morning trying to place an order on Superstore. Site crashed multiple times. I ordered toilet paper and quite a bit of canned goods. No more than my usual supply order I do every few months.

The earliest I can get food picked up is Tuesday morning! This is insane. People are still in panic mode and being absolutely (insert R word here).

I have watched too many horror movies to know how this all ends when people panic. It’s not even the virus that worries me. It’s the people.

Also it’s -30 today.

Church was canceled and this is an eerie feeling.

Stay safe folks. Keep me posted how you are coping with this. How is your province handling things?

Also to the people who robbed the Edson food bank – you are pond scum. Lower than that. You are the stuff that feeds on pond scum. I hope you go to jail for a long time.

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I’m officially in self-isolation.

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Things are getting pretty serious here, and I don’t like it. Mostly, it’s just stupid people being panicky and well, stupid. There’s another word I’d use to describe these people, but we’re not supposed to use the R word in this day and age. But you know what I’m referring to.

I tried logging into Superstore last night to place my weekly grocery order. I had food delivered earlier in the week. I thought I would be proactive and stock up for a couple of weeks – worst case scenario. I like being prepared.

The website was down. Then it came back up and there was no toilet paper to be found on the website.

I went onto Amazon for shits and giggles. I came across a 12 pack of Purex for $60.00! Yes, Canadian. That is unreal.

When I buy paper supplies, I normally stock up so I have enough for a couple of months. I’m wincing at the thought of how much toilet paper I wasted last month. Luckily, I have a whole pack left over.

If I ration carefully, I should be okay for a couple of weeks. Worst case – I have paper towel should things get really sticky.

Okay, gross potty humour. I don’t apologize.

Image result for toilet paper memes supernatural

The posts on social media are just maddening. People are panicking. In some places, like in Airdrie in the last 24 hours, a video surfaced of people robbing a Walmart.

Food shelves are low in stock. Things like canned goods, paper goods and milk are getting harder and harder to find.

RCMP investigate an armed robbery at the Walmart in Airdrie, Alta. on March 12, 2020. .

I’m okay. I repeat, I’m okay.

But I worry about seniors who can’t get out to get their groceries or who don’t have a lot of money to spend on things like toilet paper.

Are we fucked? Yes. Pardon my French. But it’s because people are being that R word I won’t use here. Instead of using common sense, people are hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer like it’s going out of style.

There’s this gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’ve been saying to my friend Wally for weeks, “I don’t like this. I don’t like this one bit.” You know, in reference to the state of the world.

Does it seem like the sky is falling? For real?

First, there was the ripping of the doctor’s agreement here in Alberta. Then there was the layoffs. Then food prices went up. And oil prices went down. Then there’s the recent stock market crash.

And now this. The virus that has people panicked.

I’ve watched every end of the world horror movie that I’ve heard of. I fee like these movies have prepared me for this. But still. There’s something I don’t like about this particular event.

Maybe I’ve seen Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland one too many times. Or maybe I watched too many episodes of shows like V and The Walking Dead.

But, shit’s going down folks. It’s getting real. And I fear, this may be the beginning.

It’s not the virus that has me worried. It’s not world events that has me concerned.

It’s stupid people that ruin it for the rest of us who use and practice common sense daily.

And did I mention. I’m actually sick. I woke up with a runny nose and stuffy head. I think it’s just my sinuses.

But I’m officially in self-isolation. I may be writing a lot more than usual.

And yes, I’m whiny as heck.

PS If you’re looking for entertainment, Woody in Double Tap is hilarious.