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| Smitten Quilt - stitch in the ditch is progressing |
Here in Australia, borders are closed to all non Australian citizens and residents. Those who do return must self isolate in their homes, for the 14 days upon their return. This is the case as of today. As of now. Rules are changing on a daily (hourly?) basis and we're overwhelmed with a constant barrage of information.
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| Lake Illawarra in the evening |
At home, we try to continue to maintain our normal routines (like our family walks after dinner) although life has taken an unwelcome turn. With borders closed and travel being limited to essential only, airlines are forced to ground their planes and as a result, staff are being stood down until this is over and life returns to normal.
Hubby is a commercial pilot, which means that he won't be working (or earning an income) for the next few months. He was a pilot when we met and so our relationship has always involved him being away for days/weeks at a time. It's a rhythm that we're used to and the kids have been brought up this way... and it's what they know. Dad is here and then dad is away.
For the first time in our 16 years, he'll be at home every night - at least there is something good to come of this. We'll get to see him all of the time and he'll get time to do all of those jobs around our home that get put off until next week or next roster etc.
Schools are still running as normal, though I do wonder for how much longer. My daughters teachers seem to think that it won't be long until they're also closed and we go into stricter lock downs. Their school is preparing to teach kids at home and have spent this past couple of weeks testing the technology on their individual devices and preparing all of them for the possibility. Naplan (national testing for kids in years 3,5,7 and 9) is cancelled, which has made them very very happy as they were both to be tested this year.
For me, life could possibly get much noisier with everyone at home. Perhaps this will be the time to try new recipes or learn a new craft. Watch a new TV series or introduce the kids to some of the ones I used to enjoy when I was their age.
I also hope to make the most of this social isolation time at home by reading more books and working on my UFO's. My Smitten Quilt is coming along as I've now finished the quilt top and have started to quilt in some of the ditches. Once I have enough ditches quilted, I plan on adding lots of big stitch quilting with lovely Aurifil 12 wt threads in a rainbow of colours.
I hope everyone is well and coping under these strange days we've been dealt.
What are you hoping to achieve during these times of social isolation and time out at home?
what a lovely positive post … wishing all the best to you all... sorry about your Hubby's job, it wont be easy for so many....
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Thank you Fiona. I'm trying to stay positive with all of the constant gloom in the media. Kids stay at home starting from tomorrow onwards, so I'll have to blow some of the cobwebs out of my old brain to help them with school work. Year 9 maths - eeeeeek!!
DeleteI hope that you find time amid the chaos to do the sewing that you love, we will all need our happy times in the days to come. The Smitten quilt is looking fabulous. So sorry about your husband and work, it is so hard for everyone. In England schools and universities are now shut, as are all clubs, bars, restaurants, gyms, beauty places. There is little open apart from shops and only the most essential are open, most others have voluntarily closed too. I am mostly home but enjoying a quiet dog walk each day outside and becoming more grateful each day that this is allowed and I get outside and see all of the lovely flowers. I will be taking extra time to sew and read, baking is one of my favourite calming activities but it is virtually impossible to find flour in the shops, among other things. Stay safe. x
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, thank you so much for your message. I do believe that we are following the same path as England - as of today all of the clubs, pubs, restaurants etc will be closed. Schools remain open for those parents who work in essential jobs and need their kids to go to school, but the state government has asked that we keep our children at home for the next little while until the Easter school holidays.
DeleteIt's lovely that you can still go out for your walks with your pup. We were in England this time 2 years ago and I must say that springtime in the UK is just so gorgeous. Enjoy your sewing and baking xx
As long as we all stay safe then jobs will be there afterwards and hope you all get through until then. Just want to say I love your work and choice of colours and that I hope I can settle to sew again soon. Hard at the minute but things will settle. From Ireland good luck 😊☘️
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely message Marie. I'm sure we'll all be fine in the end, just need to try and remain positive and enjoy the time at home with my little family. I hope you get back into some sewing soon too, though I understand that it's difficult to concentrate with things as they are. Take Care xx
DeleteBig adjustments for us all ahead. Enjoy the extra "hubby time" and hopefully extra sewing time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen. I've put him to work out in the garden these past couple of days. It's meant to get cooler and wetter later this week, so it'll be the perfect time to sit and sew. I hope you're well and other than the social aspect hasn't affected you and your family too much. Take care xx
DeleteInteresting to hear what is going on with you. I live in Virginia which is adjacent to our national capital, Washington, DC. (I'm about an hour away on a good day and 3 hrs on a bad day.) Our schools have been closed for a full week. Restaurants haven't been mandated closed but many are closed or only serving take out. We've decided not to eat out as a precaution. We are of the age to be in a higher risk so don't want to take chances. I have had great days sewing and days that I've done almost nothing. It's going to be an interesting couple of months. (Yes, I think it will be months before life will slowly return to normal.) Our economy is taking a major hit so the new normal may still be hard for people. Take care and enjoy your kids and sewing time.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to hear how your country is dealing with the virus. Take care and enjoy your sewing time!
ReplyDeleteHello, Anorina! Your Smitten quilt is gloriously cheerful, exactly what I needed to see this morning! I love how you've combined machine stitching in the ditch for strength and to accentuate the piecing with big hand stitching in thick, decorative threads! Here in North Carolina, USA, my 19-year-old son is home from college very much against his will with online classes beginning later this morning, and my 16-year-old's high school is also closed and trying (largely unsuccessfully) to initiate online learning today as well. The school district was totally unprepared for this and each teacher is attempting to use a different platform, utter chaos...
ReplyDeleteYour Smitten quilt is so beautiful and will be stunning after the big stitching is finished. Life as we knew it is over for the time being. It's an adjustment to self isolate and social distance...it's just not natural!! However it is necessary. It's hard to imagine when we'll be safe again, or what life will look life after this pandemic. We'll pull through and be stronger for it!
ReplyDeleteOh I like your attitude!! I am tracking right with you. Mine travels too and has been grounded.. and it was a little stressful for the first 3 days - but that was also because we were getting kids back home and out of college.... I love having everyone around - and an excuse to cook - so I am a happy mom! Hugs to you - and hugs for all the unknowns out there!
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