Covid Cleanout

For all you humans who took the last lockdown to clean out the clutter and can now enjoy each other’s company and smell the roses, consider yourselves lucky.

At my new abode, I find myself knee deep in sorting and cleaning and clearing out (and sharing out) loved ones belongings.

Dad and I spend my weekend doing all the jobs he thinks up during the week. Yesterday (Saturday) was huge with boxing and bagging and putting names on stuff to go here, there and everywhere. Dad got on my tail at every step, sans hearing aids…as all day (probably on the hour) I mentioned to go put his ears in! Finally (after 8 hours of repeating everything three times, and getting rather short on voice and patience) at around 3pm I was a little more vocal and forceful and got told I sounded like Sandy. Obviously I am not attacking the situation correctly – be a bit ruder and I get a reaction.

George tidied up the last of his UK work in the morning and then went and helped Dan shovel metal as, renovations progress in winter, he was knee deep in mud and a metal spread was much needed.

I did get a quick trip to drop bags at doors and pick up prescriptions (for dad) from the chemist, but not before the realisation that Dad had misplaced his phone (you know the $20 old Nokia little black type). A call ensured it was going straight to answer phone, so a thorough phone hunt got underway. In car (we went to doctors and xray on friday), under chairs and at all the Allan hot spots and not so hot spots around the house. Concluded (me quickly, dad eventually) that it must have fallen out of his pocket either at doctors or radiologist, I can check these places on Monday. Or maybe out of his pocket on the road as he was getting into car and I’ve run it over! Replaceable…but stressful!

Day over, time to build one of these, yes we’ve been religiously ploughing through another week of hello fresh. Friday night Dad decided – let’s have a break, fish and chips-didn’t need asking twice! And last night, after my hectic day, I modified some wrappy, mincey, cheesy, spicy Mexican thing into “spaghetti bolognase” and salad! Five minute preparation and I only had to supply the pasta. A great success and less stress.

It’s hard to be happy sometimes, when our world is so uncertain. In my case, keeping busy throws all thoughts to the bottom shelf to creep out in the middle of the night to keep me awake.

Tensions and tempers and personalities clash in times of stress (and a second lockdown is certainly this) For some it is easier to walk away, for some just carry on, for others stuck in the middle, you just try to keep calm and keep the peace.

Just be kind to each other and kind to our canine babies. Smiles and waves (the social distance way) and virtual hugs are paramount to our sanity!