Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Just before the library closure I went in and checked out 30 books. On top of my TBR shelf, I should be good.

Senior year of college and things are absolutely insane. Tuesday it was announced we would switch to online learning until April 12. Today it’s been extended to the rest of the semester. Currently sitting in my apartment trying to psych myself up to pack, as I decided to leave tomorrow. I’ve never been a “college is the best time of my life” kind of person but I definitely wanted more time here and it’s hard not to feel heartbroken.

Sabrina, we had seniors crying in our hallways this afternoon when the governor announced us closing until April 13th. Suddenly the end of their high school days seem a lot closer than it did a few days ago. I'm so sorry you're missing out on those experiences!

Yep yep, we're shutting down now too, (Mid-west, USA). I'm a news junkie and have been following the unfolding events since mid-January, by the beginning of February I was preparing for hibernation, lol.

Last week I took the kids to the library and between all of us we have over 50 books checked out. They closed all the libraries down this morning, until at least the beginning of April. All check-outs automatically got a new due date of May 1st, so weird to see that!

K-12 schools are mandatory shut-down starting on Monday, but my kids already do a public school online option, so they'll continue like normal, except their teachers will be working with them from their home connections instead of them being at the school building. On our end we shouldn't see much of a difference (except teachers kids may be running around in the background of video chats, lol).

Biggest nuisance right now is we love to eat out on the weekends and have decided to stay away from crowds/restaurants (they're still open, as long as there's less than 250 people). We have plenty of food on hand but I already miss the experience of going out, and it's been one night so far :p I already told my husband as soon as things get back to normal we're eating out every night for like a month, lol!

Ann wrote: "Just before the library closure I went in and checked out 30 books. On top of my TBR shelf, I should be good."

Good idea, I assume libraries will let you keep the books as long as they are closed, however long that is. Happily, or sadly, I could be quarantined for 2 years and still not finish reading everything I already own! Plus I am spending too much time reading news updates.

Here it's restaurants that can hold more than 50 people (staff included) that have to shut. It's not going to leave many! Not that I eat out much anyway, it's ridiculously expensive here.

If my work does get cancelled, I can think of so many projects I can do here at home while we're all stuck at home.

My husband was on the phone with a friend talking about all the things canceled and how he now had so much free time and I said, "I can think of a few things for you to do!"

My county closed schools until April 20. I don't know exactly what remote counseling will lookg like, but it'll be an experience!

Jody wrote: "Here it's restaurants that can hold more than 50 people (staff included) that have to shut. It's not going to leave many! Not that I eat out much anyway, it's ridiculously expensive here.

If my w..."

We're renovating our 150 year old house and have so much that we could do with the down time we're now having, but we're struggling with a sense of lethargy/no motivation. I really need to write out a schedule and limit my online news reading ;p

We’ve been through it already here in China, and the closures and social distancing worked! 3 weeks with no new cases in my province so hopefully in a months time you will be feeling relieved about your situations too. I’m still teaching from home but there are rumors that our school may be allowed to reopen in a couple of weeks. I’m kind of enjoying working from home though and spending lots of time with my kids while they’re young :) Stay safe everyone!

Thanks for that perspective, Erica!

Thank you Erica, I think I needed to hear that.

Thanks, Erica. Definitely needed that!

Thanks Erica for your comments! We will get through this. It is kind of stressful right now with everyone panicking and hoarding food and supplies and everything shutting down.

I've been thinking of you Erica, since you had mentioned earlier that you were in China. So glad to hear that you're family is doing good and you're almost done with all of the disruptions!!

Pam wrote: "Thanks Erica for your comments! We will get through this. It is kind of stressful right now with everyone panicking and hoarding food and supplies and everything shutting down."

We're having an unexpected issue from everything going on-close friends and those in our lives who we look up to and respect are turning against us and lashing out, because we're taking it seriously and they think it's all a political/media hoax, sigh.... My husband and I can deal with it but it's affecting friendships that my kids have, so I'm really struggling with feelings of frustration and anger right now.

I know everyone's emotions are running high and things that are being said aren't meant to be hurtful, but it still sucks :( I don't understand why people can't just respect each family's decision on how they're going to handle things and then let it be. I'm really frustrated because I will most likely be helping my shut-in 89 yr old grandmother through this, (bringing her things etc), and she's in the very high risk category, with her health issues. I need to do everything I can, to reduce the risk of me spreading it to her, but yet I'm now a person of 'weak Faith' because I won't let my kids go to church activities for the time being, to reduce our exposure to large crowds?!

Sorry, just need to vent ugh....

That really suck, ZeeJane. Sadly so many people are completely devoid of empathy, and times like this really highlight that.

In my area, churches are canceling everything, so it soon will be moot what people's opinions are on attending. Mr. Rogers said "Remember the helpers" and I have been enjoying positive stories, like people in Italy singing on their balconies, NBA stars starting a fund for laid-off arena workers, local people helping each other out.

I am wondering how this will be for kids looking back on this era. It's a defining moment like Pearl Harbor, JFK assassination or 9/11. "What did you do during the coronavirus time?"

I've had my moments where I've thought, "is it really as serious as they say?" But at the end of the day, it's a very small price to pay to stay home for a while if it means lives saved. Especially since both my mom and grandma are in the high risk group. Sure, many of the same thing could be said about the flu but meh, if someone said it was socially acceptable for me to do the same thing during the flu season, then I would (mostly my work obligations). Granted, I've realized that quarantining isn't that much different than my daily habits 😂

In my area they don't seem to believe the hype so it's a struggle to get my teenagers to see the importance of it. My husband thinks he's not in a high risk category but he's constantly in denial that his lungs and liver are not in that great of shape. And I'm with you Laura - it's not that much different from my daily habits but I do normally go shopping with my daughter once or twice a month and I might venture out with friends once or twice a month. While the kids are home I'm going to have a huge list for them to do that involves yard work and some more spring cleaning.

ZeeJane wrote: "Pam wrote: "Thanks Erica for your comments! We will get through this. It is kind of stressful right now with everyone panicking and hoarding food and supplies and everything shutting down."

We're ..."

ZeeJane, my family wasn't taking things seriously either calling it a hoax. However, when churches were cancelled for the next 30 days, they suddenly changed their minds. I understand the frustration and just hope it gets better for your family.

On a high note. My house has never been so clean and my garden is ready to go in when the weather warms. Being positive.

I think where I live many people think it is all a hoax but are still choosing to error on the side of safety. Also, the churches are closing and recommending people watch live streaming of services.

I'm also getting a lot of yard work in too. Pulling weeds is aggravating my seasonal allergies but hopefully once they are pulled I'll fell better.

New thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

For those of you need a break from the c-word. Members can add their own tidbits or just discuss the topics/ideas freely.

I’m all settled in back home with my parents so that’s definitely made me feel better! Friday was really rough with having to say goodbye to my friends at school, and texting people that I didn’t get to see before leaving.

I wish people in America, and especially young healthy people in America would take this more seriously. We’re on the exact same trajectory as Italy so if people my age keep going out to bars and brunch and yoga we’re gonna be screwed in about a week. My demographic are the largest vectors of this - bc we tend to get only very mild symptoms, or even no symptoms. Really hoping the bars close by st Patrick’s day to help prevent spread.

I’m also really concerned with how this is affecting primary voting. Many colleges forced students out and now they’re not in their correct polling location, and it’s too late to get a ballot by mail. The states scheduled to vote on Tuesday seriously need to postpone voting like Louisiana did. It’s not going to be representative and it’s completely unfair to college voters. And even though mom where I’m supposed to vote, I don’t want to be a vector of corona to hundreds of people

Very frustrating

After my daughter and I made 2 separate runs to the grocery, we worked together to clean out the pantry/cupboards and get them organized. It’s a great feeling to know what’s in there now and where to find it! I think we have enough food where we can avoid eating out for a few weeks. We eat out A LOT so this is a big change for us. Both my husband and daughter still have to go to work. Despite the public schools being cancelled for the next 3 weeks, my daughter still has to go in, since she’s Administrative. Planning on doing more de-cluttering and organizing in the coming weeks! Reading, too! 📚

Wow. Just got the news that Ohio is closing all bars and restaurants starting at 9 pm tonight. (And not to get political but I really dislike governor dewine, however I think he’s doing a really great job of being proactive about this virus and containing spread so that’s good at least)

Pam wrote: "After my daughter and I made 2 separate runs to the grocery, we worked together to clean out the pantry/cupboards and get them organized. It’s a great feeling to know what’s in there now and where ..."

I need to do a kitchen organization this week, I have stuff stashed in the craziest spots right now, lol.

We also eat out a lot-usually 2-3 times each weekend. This is the first time in memory that we haven't gone out, feels so weird!

My office is in a mall but we're closing all malls in the city starting tomorrow. So I'm joining the WFH people. I might mostly read though.

Well the toilet paper crisis finally hit Switzerland. Not a square to spare in the stores near me today. Yikes.

We have now been warned about people knocking on doors of the elderly, saying they are concerned and gaining entry. Then they are taking things and trying to get their credit cards from them so they can shop! What is this world coming to? I do so hope these scammers get caught.

Oh my, Jill - truly saddens me to hear that, just awful 😢

Day 3 of Coronacation and I’ve now reached the “1000 piece puzzle” stage of entertaining myself. Where will I even go from here??

Sabrina wrote: "Day 3 of Coronacation and I’ve now reached the “1000 piece puzzle” stage of entertaining myself. Where will I even go from here??"

Cleaning closets.

LOL :) :)

Or, you could do what my family has done and aquire a bunch of bunnies, lol. We have a friend who's a breeder and she was supposed to do a rabbit-caravan this week, (where they drive around the country dropping off bunnies and picking up others to bring to other places), but due to what's happening her caravan got canceled so she's up to her eyeballs in rabbits, lol. We're set up to have rabbits (we have one angora ourselves), so we're now watching a mama and her 5, 5wk old bunnies, THEY ARE SOOOO CUTE! There's something so calming about just sitting outside holding a bunny. We're calling them our coronavirus therapy rabbits lol :)

Please post bunny pictures. We could all use a little bunny therapy.

Agreed, I need bunny pictures.

I don't know how to post pictures here?

ZeeJane wrote: "I don't know how to post pictures here?"

You can upload to imgur and then share the link with us. There's not really a need to embed the image so it's immediately visible on the page. Just click 'copy image address' and then paste.

I would love to see bunny pictures!

I got an e-mail from the shelter where I volunteer. They said they're trying to find fosters for all the animals due to the risk of losing staff/volunteers to illness. I felt awful that I can't foster due to your dog/cat.

But we are "fostering" all the houseplants from my husbands work! 😂

I’m going to have turn the news off and stop checking FB for Coronavirus updates! It’s creating too much anxiety for me. I’m going to put some music on instead and work on my paper decluttering project! I’ve got to distract my brain. I’ve tried reading but can’t stay focused. Meditation using the Calm app works. Hope everyone stays healthy!

Pam wrote: "I’m going to have turn the news off and stop checking FB for Coronavirus updates! It’s creating too much anxiety for me. I’m going to put some music on instead and work on my paper decluttering pro..."

I've been 'spring' cleaning today and it feels great to just unplug from the news for a while!

Laura wrote: "ZeeJane wrote: "I don't know how to post pictures here?"

You can upload to imgur and then share the link with us. There's not really a need to embed the image so it's immediately visible on the pa..."

just signed up for imgur, will try and get pictures uploaded!

Ok, lets see if the links work-

https://imgur.com/zIcJlGh
https://imgur.com/HeHMp7D
https://imgur.com/eEcxnAP (this one includes mama)

Their mom is an English/lion head mix and dad is an Angora. We're watching them til the end of the week :)

Love the bunny pictures, ZeeJane. Thanks!

Thank you, ZeeJane. I will just click on those any time I need a smile.

😍😍😍😍 So adorable!

I want the greyish looking one. Love bunnies.

I remember last year my cat had kittens, she was supposed to be spayed. My rabbit had bunnies, way too many (13). So I took four away from her and gave them to my cat. She thought they were weird, but raised them as her own anyway. Until they got bigger and began to hop instead of crawl. She was so frustrated. Took her a while to accept their behavior. It was hilarious.

Those bunnies are adorable!

I'm doing a puzzle too, Sabrina!

I've finally got my energy back after being sick almost two weeks (not COVID-19!) and having energy, plus the cabin fever from that combined with the thought of being locked down sent me into a bit of a frenzy. I changed all of my bed linen over to my Spring set, planted a bunch of herbs and flowers, de-calcified the coffee machine and the kettle, deep cleaned the dishwasher, deep cleaned the washing machine, deep cleaned the kitchen cleaned out the clothes dryer with a metal skewer (seriously lint gets everywhere in that bloody thing), and then my cleaning ADHD got me distracted while looking for a box of bicarb soda, and now I've started cleaning out and rearranging all of the cupboards.

I'm trying to look on the bright side. I'm probably going to be at least six weeks all up at a minimum without income, but I'm loving having the time at home to do everything that I just haven't had the time or energy for, I'm getting to spend quantity time with my daughter. Tonight I taught her how to make a stir fry - she did a fantastic job! I think we'll be doing lots of cooking and baking that we can actually spend lots of time on. I might finally learn how to make macarons!

Jody, I'm tackling my coffee maker tomorrow, lol :)

I got a decent amount of stuff done today-talked briefly to my neighbor who's across the street (we both stood at our mailboxes and shouted at each other, LOL ). Called and checked in on my husband's grandparents (they're pretty much in lock-down at their retirement community right now), cleaned our coat closet and pulled out all the winter stuff (hats, gloves etc). Dusted my living room (waaay overdue), cleaned our parrot's play gym area and cleaned our ferret's cage-we have soooo many pets, sheesh lol. Snuggled with some bunnies and cleaned up their cage area (holy cow, 5 bunnies and 1 mama produces a LOT of poo LOL). And best thing-I started a new book, yay!!!

Now I'm waiting anxiously for hubby to get home, he worked from home yesterday but he had to be on a job site today. I joked this morning that he needed to take his blindfold and parakeet with him (Bird Box reference, I'm such a dork, lol).