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March 20, 2020

Don’t Use That Butter!

28 Comments/ 11/ 1

Full disclosure. Someone told me the other day that they thought I was possibly the nicest person they had ever met and couldn’t imagine that I ever got angry or upset or was mean to anyone. I quickly put that fallacy to rest and shared a few of my recent transgressions.

First there was the “incident” when I exploded over the lack of consideration of property in our clubhouse library. As one of the ones who helps take care of it (before the closure of the clubhouse due to the current COVID 19 outbreak) I try to supply some basic supplies for the librarians to use while they are volunteering. Post it notes, pens, and a calendar where we keep track of how many books are returned which helps us keep track of circulation numbers are provided.

Twice our calendar has had large pieces ripped off of it which took away some of our numbers for the month that were written on it. Too many times I have had post it note pads disappear. The final straw was when I took in one of those large cubes that had North Iowa Hospice written on the four sides of it. I went in the next day and of the 5 inch cube there was a pad of probably 1/2 inch left. I must admit I lost it then. I mean seriously people. Buy your own paper. I have since put things in a plastic container labeled “for library use only” and it seems to be working out okay but honestly – I don’t care that you take a piece but not the whole pad. Criminy! See – I am getting all worked up just thinking about it….

But yesterday I might have hit an all time low. The COVID 19 pandemic and the constant news cycle may have just broken me. Chris was putting butter on his rice and I yelled at him ( or suggested strongly) that he use the stick butter and not the soft butter because we don’t know if we will be able to get more. Seriously? Butter? Never mind that he was using a fork to get it out (that might have been more of the issue) . Ahhhhhh—–I might be losing it. All over butter.

Today I vow to spend less time watching news, less time on social media, take a walk and not worry about the butter situation in our household. I will not snap at my sweet husband. (I am sorry, Chris.)I will embrace the fact that we have a full pantry and freezer and can offer food to others who might need it. I will check on friends and write letters to those who might need a cheery word. I will spend less time on thinking about me and more time thinking about others. I will forgive those people who took my notepad and tore the calendar off. Because that is the right thing to do.

I am curious. Have you over reacted to anything since this whole pandemic thing exploded? How is your mental health? Take care of yourself and leave me a comment to tell me how you are coping in the comment section. Each comment means a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause – Diaper Bank of North Carolina.

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28 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Dianna
    March 20, 2020 at 06:50 am

    So far, so good, but I think it’s only human to be a bit testy with all that’s going on. And yes, “distancing” from the news is probably a good way to handle this.Stay well, my friend! (And now go ‘butter up’ Chris!)

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 07:24 am

      Yes, I am trying to not fret about things I can do absolutely nothing about and do the things I can do. Trying to not think of the financial implications for everyone and focus on the positive. And don’t you encourage Chris! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Darlene
    March 20, 2020 at 06:52 am

    I’m keeping calm and not letting anything bother me right now. (that may change) Some say there may be more deaths from spouses being cooped up together for long periods of time than the virus itself! LOL We have a small house but are trying to give each other space. Not always easy. I understand the butter issue though. Keep calm and carry on!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 07:25 am

      I have watched the news enough to know that Spain is having a lot of virus issues so please stay safe, Darlene! Been thinking about you!

      Reply
      1. Darlene
        March 23, 2020 at 06:42 am

        Thank you for thinking of us. We are staying put. Taking turns walking the dog. Baking a lot. Today I’ll make a rum cake. xo

        Reply
        1. Beth Ann Chiles
          March 23, 2020 at 07:36 am

          That sounds so yummy. I must admit to baking a bit these days as well. Good stress reliever but maybe not so good for the waistline. 🙂

          Reply
  3. jena c. henry
    March 20, 2020 at 07:36 am

    Love this post! Just think how blessed we are- we have (at least) 2 kinds of butter. No there’s at least 3- there’s spray butter too. I have yelled at both of my kids for running around too much. Stay home! I’m fine- but I’m surprised I haven’t accomplished more around the house. God Bless!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 07:41 am

      Oh I forgot about spray butter! Yes!! We are certainly blessed to have so much butter and I just saw a post that a local dairy was overrun with products because their restaurant customers are not using them. Cows don’t stop producing milk because of a virus. So I bet I could get some butter from them if and when I need it. Right now I wish I had bought more bananas….

      Reply
  4. Jeni
    March 20, 2020 at 08:16 am

    I bought a back-up butter too! Laughing imagining you snapping over butter but I also get it. Jake and I are learning how to be harmonious coworkers over this week, one.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 09:40 am

      Butter was the breaking point apparently ! Yikes! What’s next? Hope you and Jake can peacefully co exist as coworkers. It is definitely challenging at times!

      Reply
  5. reneewilliams7
    March 20, 2020 at 08:27 am

    It’s difficult…and we’re all so stressed. Time to be gentle with ourselves. I picked up a book for the first time in a week yesterday. I’m a news hound (former journalism major), so it’s hard not to watch, to back away. Mike keeps telling that we’ll be all right, and I ask him to please keep telling me that. We are introverts and so very much alike that we’re doing pretty well. But I confess that I didn’t sleep last night because I am worried about my parents, my sister-in-law though she is fairly resilient but just suffered the loss of her boyfriend, and our friend Dave with Parkinson’s.We’ve tried to joke about things here: the crazy conversations about buying toilet paper, worries about limited access to alcohol, and heaven forbid the closure of our favorite pizza joint and Dairy Queen, but I think those should stay open even with a shutdown. I’m scared. I hug my dogs, I hug my husband, and I say a little prayer that we’re all gonna get through this all right. You do so much to help others. Give yourself a pass on this one.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 09:42 am

      Hugging your spouse is a great thing and yes–we will be okay and come out the other side somehow. It is just difficult when you are in the midst of it to see that at times. I have not read as I thought I would read but today I think that is what I am going to do. It is so beautiful out that sitting on the deck reading will be great medicine. Oh and the hubby wants to make a trip to the local creamery who find themselves with an abundance of ice cream…….

      Reply
  6. dawnkinster
    March 20, 2020 at 08:38 am

    I haven’t snapped at anyone (yet) but I’ve had similar feelings. The more I watch TV news the more anxious I get..so I’m trying to limit it. I did save four tiny little pieces of tomato that we hadn’t eaten the other night, (we had tacos) because I didn’t know when I’d be able to get a fresh tomato again. Then I caught myself and ate them. Still, I am becoming more and more anxious as I realize this isn’t just for 2 weeks and though I’m set for the two weeks (one of which is almost finished) I didn’t hoard and I don’t have enough of anything to make it through months. Even my pantry has just beans and tomatoes, and not enough of those either. I think I will start making soup and freezing it while I can still get to the store. I don’t know…maybe making soup will keep me calmer. Oh…and writing letters, I’m definitely doing that. Even though I don’t have any fancy cards to send…I have paper! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 09:44 am

      We all have to do what is healthy for each one of us and for me limiting the news is what I need to do right now. I can’t watch our investments without getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach so I have asked Chris to not tell me. Denial is a great thing at times. Writing letters is a great thing and I just sent flowers to the staff of the Memory Lane unit where my mom is so that made me feel better as well. They deserve so much for the care they are giving and maybe it will brighten their day!

      Reply
  7. Mary Ellen
    March 20, 2020 at 09:39 am

    I recently spent a week away, dog sitting for a friend in the town where our son works. When I came back our sweet Labrador was so happy to be with me. While I was gone, it rained a lot which, in Phoenix, means weeds have miraculously multiplied. However, our dog, Missy, thought I was there to play fetch with her and nothing else. Normally she quietly drops the tennis ball and I throw it but she was so excited she kept barking if it wasn’t thrown quickly enough. Two hours of weeding and I was not happy with the barking and getting her quiet. I finally opened the door to our house and said, “Go in and lie down!” She went inside quietly. A little while later I went by the sliding glass door and she was sitting quietly with big sad eyes waiting for me to come back.

    While all this was happening, our son found out that he was laid off from the winery and restaurant where he loved working due to the virus. My husband, a college professor, has been quickly transforming his classes from regular classroom to online lectures and homework so that students can continue their classes and not be on campus.

    Needless to say, fetching with Missy was not at the top of the list of things on my mind. Those sad eyes faithfully waiting for me to play reminded me to stop and enjoy each moment.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 09:47 am

      Oh Mary Ellen—that was so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. I am sorry about Michael’s job–that is just so tough. I need to touch base with my niece in San Diego and see what is happening with her job status now- i talked to her last week but things are changing hourly. All of our kids/spouses are working from home and have been. Chris is still fielding phone calls but consulting has definitely slowed down due to the virus. We will get through this but it will take some time and patience. Hang in there and throw that tennis ball to that sweet girl. Give her a snuggle for me.

      Reply
  8. susi_snaps
    March 20, 2020 at 10:07 am

    We are allowed to get upset about things especially when it feels like people are takin g advantage. I try to stay cool, calm and collected as much as possible but I think we all have our threshold. I’m watching the food disappear around here having everyone at home, including a giant 19 year old.
    I know we will get through this one day at a time and make the best of this odd situation we all find ourselves in.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 23, 2020 at 07:37 am

      I can no imagine how much food that 19 year old might be devouring! But at least you are all together, right? We video chatted with our kids last night and I just wish we were all together.

      Reply
      1. susi_snaps
        March 23, 2020 at 09:32 am

        Yes, I’m so happy to have all my duckies under one roof, safe and sound.

        Reply
  9. Ally Bean
    March 20, 2020 at 10:44 am

    Dawn sent me this way because she thought I’d like your post. She was right. Oh dear, the whole tub margarine versus stick margarine *discussion* has been ongoing here, too. Forget nice, just do what I say and there won’t be any problems.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 20, 2020 at 10:45 am

      It thanks for stopping by! I felt horrible the minute the words came out of my mouth!!! Fortunately my husband of almost 38 years is very forgiving!

      Reply
  10. catladymac
    March 20, 2020 at 04:54 pm

    Oh mercy – I am a serial ranter; But since I am retired and live alone, only the cats have to ignore me !

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 23, 2020 at 07:37 am

      Serial ranter. 🙂 I love it. I am sure your cats are supportive of your rants. I know mine are! Stay well!

      Reply
  11. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    March 20, 2020 at 10:59 pm

    Don’t beat yourself up, Beth Ann, nothing is normal right now. It is affecting us all in different ways.Chuck & and I are fine except for cabin fever. I find my peace from our Lord. but I am human and some moments get away from me. The news certainly does not help but we do need to be informed. The Lord will bring us through.<3

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 23, 2020 at 07:39 am

      Shirley –we will all come out of this on the other side a little more tolerant, hopefully, and full of thankfulness for all who are taking care of things during this period of time. It is crazy to think that this is happening but it is a reality now as our first case was reported in our county. It is just a matter of time till we are all on lock down I think. Lots of reading ahead!

      Reply
  12. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    March 23, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    Randy thought he would have to keep me from throwing something at the TV while listening to a news conference the other day. I was mentally throwing items. Or verbally, I should say.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 24, 2020 at 06:56 am

      Oh goodness, Audrey! You need to take a break from the news! I honestly have had to limit myself because it is a continual black hole — I am trying to keep a balance but it is difficult at times for sure. Hang in there. Stay well.

      Reply
  13. Mama's Empty Nest
    March 24, 2020 at 05:56 pm

    I can identify — I suggested (rather loudly) that my hubby stop using paper towels for every little thing for the same reason you had about butter. But we will get through this. We just need to take deep breaths, calm down, and stop watching the 24/7 newscasts.

    Reply

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