Available in our Cessnock Local Government Area is a free program to support people with the COVID Blues. Could this help you or someone you know?
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM?
Australians aged 65 years or over (or 50 years and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), who reside in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Cessnock region, and:
• are experiencing or at-risk of loneliness/social isolation
• have identified a decline in mental health as a result of isolation/loneliness
• would benefit from stronger social and community connections
• are seeking to reconnect with family friends and activities that have been lost
Over 12 weeks, participants will be supported to overcome loneliness and its mental health impacts, helping them to live healthier, happier, better-connected lives.
This funded program supports seniors to re-establish vital connections as a route to improved mental health.
This is a quote from Confucius that has me asking lots of questions. Is life really simple? Is it us humans that just make it complicated? Do we overthink everything? Do we have dreams or expectations that are just too much? What makes life simple and what makes it complicated?
Do we worry so much about everything, when really we should just be happy with our lives the way they are? It seems we are always striving to do better. We want a bigger house, a newer car, the latest phone. These are all materialistic things that take money, which then means we need a bigger income and better job.
Are we also striving for more happiness? Do these materialistic things make us happier or is it a case of the more we get the more we want? Are we trying to keep up with the Joneses? (Who are these Joneses?) What will make us truly happy? Is it having lots of friends and family? Is it having lots of fun experiences? Are we trying to have it all, the materialistic things, the people around us and the amazing life experiences?
What complicates our lives? Is it not getting what we want? Why don’t we get what we want? Do we know what we want and why we want it?
Imagine you want to lose weight (Ha! I know it’s not time for a New Year’s resolution) Then why don’t you lose weight? We all know that to lose weight we need to eat less and exercise more. So why don’t we just do it? Why do we even want to lose weight in the first place? Is it to be fit and healthy? Is it because we want to look like Mrs Jones when she wears her size 8 red dress? What makes losing weight so complicated?
If you could choose between a complex or simple life, which would you choose? So maybe stop stressing and worrying about things you can’t change, be happier and more grateful for the more simple things in life that we do have. For the things that you want to change, maybe find a determination to make those changes by creating small habits daily that will become larger habits over time, but don’t stress about them by looking at the long goals.
I’m no expert and I certainly don’t have all the answers but with every day, I am aiming for a simpler life, with less complications.
I hope that everyone had a fabulous Father’s Day. In 2021, in NSW, it was all about food, alcohol and zoom/facetime/phone calls with family. (I heard it on the radio and it was that way at our house too.)
Traditionally, we would enjoy a get together with family for an outdoor picnic or BBQ and bath in the spring sunshine in the backyard or park to celebrate the love and dedication of fathers, step-dads, grandpas, fathers-in-law, guardians and uncles. We want to thank them all for being our teacher, carer, friend and role model.
The children usually have a surprise handmade card and gift organised though the school and their P&C/P&F and mother’s purchase more expensive gifts like aftershave, BBQing, handyman, gardening or golfing equipment, etc. But not this year. Not when shopping is only for essentials and schooling is at home.
At least the 2021 Father’s Day in Lockdown was a very memorable one!
How did you celebrate Father’s day this year? Share your comments and pictures too.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to Australian newspapers, the earliest celebration used to be in June, alongside the USA. It was changed to the first Sunday in September in 1958 and made official throughout the Commonwealth. There was no official reason but believed it was for commercial benefit. It fits almost perfectly between Mother’s Day and Christmas, helping children and families save up for gifts.
In the USA, the history of Father’s Day goes back even further. A tragic mining accident in West Virginia in 1907 killed 361 men, leaving hundreds of children fatherless. The year after, they had a memorial service to honour them.
In 1909, Mrs Sonora Dodd of Washington, USA, was inspired by this event and her own father to rally her congressman and is now recognised as the person who started Father’s Day.
Are you already bored of watching television and doing jigsaw puzzles? Here’s some other ideas you may not have thought of.
Take your dog for a walk. I know, you already do and he’s exhausted! What about taking your neighbour’s dog for a walk? Just make sure you ask first.
Dog walking
Cook you favourite recipe and take a ‘magazine style’ photo of it. Type up the recipe with the photo and send it to a friend or family member.
Google virtual trips to places you’d like to visit one day. Dress up in your holiday clothing just to add to the experience.
Take your phone with you and take a walk around your neighborhood. Photograph all the street signs and see if you can find one for every letter of the alphabet. (Get your children to put them into alphabetical order!)
Find some of those old magazines lying around the house and cut out cute images to make postcards to send to family and friends.
Stencil and paint a favourite quote onto a boring wall.
Listen to a podcast or audiobook.
Organise your photo collection.
Do some gardening……It’s Springtime!
Wash those make up brushes that you’ve been meaning to do for a while.
Well, we can’t go out to lunch or dinner for Father’s Day, so I guess we’ll be buying takeaway (great way to support our local businesses) or cook him something special.
What’s your dad’s favourite dinner? Steak and vegetables? Roast chicken? Thai or Chinese?
Breakfast in bed or a 3 course lunch on the veranda?
What can I cook, that everyone in the family will love too? At the Women’s Shed, we like to share all sorts of things, including recipes. You may have your own, but here’s one of our family favourite recipes that you can get the kids involved in making.
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Ingredients
500g tomato pasta sauce 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup continental parsley, finely chopped 1/2 cup parmesan, finely grated (plus extra to serve) 3 cup spaghetti , cooked 500g beef mince 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 garlic clove, crushed 1/2 cup fine fresh breadcrumbs
Steps
Place breadcrumbs in a small bowl and pour over milk. Set aside.
2. Place mince in a large bowl. Add egg, parmesan, parsley and garlic, and season. Add breadcrumb mixture, then mix well to combine. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on a large plate.
3. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs, turning, for 5 minutes or until browned. Add pasta sauce to pan and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low, then simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
4. Toss meatball mixture through spaghetti, and serve topped with extra parmesan.
People are talking about COVID 19 everywhere you look, particularly when the lockdown keeps getting extended. We’re feeling punished, even though we’re doing the right thing and following the order to stay home. It feels we’re back at school and the whole class is being kept in at lunchtime because of one or two misbehaving children.
But armed with some information about the way this strain is being spread, it makes sense as to why we need to imagine that everyone around us could be passing it on. I’m a visual person, so this graphic speaks to me. I wonder if it speaks to you too.
I’m a visual person, so this graphic speaks to me.
And masks……I wonder if everyone is being this vigilant about how they’re wearing their mask?
Have you used a disposable mask more than once? Be honest.
How often do you see someone with the mask under their nose?
I’m sure if I had to wear one all day at work, I’d probably be touching it and readjusting it too.
Seems pretty basic, doesn’t it. But lazy habits and rushing can sometimes mean this isn’t always done as thoroughly as it should be.
Be mindful when you’re washing your hands and imagine that you’ve just touched something that’s infected.
We should be getting used to this now. Always having your phone on you and checking in.
I find checking out the bit that’s hard to remember. “I left Coles over an hour a go! What?”
I’ve found it interesting to see how quickly I can get my groceries done. Time yourself. How fast can you be in and out of somewhere? Make it your personal sport!
Last week, recycling my cans and bottles only took 3 minutes! It makes me wonder why I procrastinated about doing it.
‘KNOWLEDGE IS POWER’ by Francis Bacon
Again, with all the ‘information’ going around about vaccinations, I like to get my information from the horses mouth, so to speak. The debate about which vaccine to get is put into statistics here, so whichever one you get, the odds are good. So look after yourself, look after your family and look after our community, and get the jab!
I want to thank NSW Health for all of these visuals.
On behalf of the Women’s Shed, I want to thank all the health professionals who are working tirelessly and doing their best to keep us all safe.
I also want to thank each and every one of you who are following the health orders so that we can get back to getting out and about again.
If you’re looking to take up a new craft or hobby, you might be trying to figure out whether you should crochet or knit.
My grandmother taught me some very basic crochet when I was little, but since joining the Women’s Shed, I’ve learned so much about crochet that I can now read crochet patterns and have created lots of beautiful things for my friends and family.
My mother, an avid knitter, has made numerous jumpers and baby sets over the years. She tried to teach me to knit but I couldn’t get the cast on/cast off thing, knit this, purl that. I’ve only ever knitted a plain scarf.
So, perhaps I am a little biased in my answer to this question but what about you?
DO I ALREADY HAVE THE TOOLS I NEED?
You may have knitting needles or crochet hooks at home that will save you from going out and purchasing more. If you are buying hooks or needles, make sure you find out what size you need for the yarn you are going to use. Medium sized needles or hooks with light coloured acrylic is best for beginners.
Ask your family and friends if you could borrow theirs while you are deciding.
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE GARMENTS LIKE JUMPERS OR BEANIES OR BABY BOOTIES?
Then knitting may be your thing. Garments seem to be more popular knitted than crocheted. A knitted garment usually drapes well and looks more like a shop bought item. Many knitters use acrylic yarns or blended wool/acrylic for jumpers as they don’t need as much tender care as hand washing pure wool. Knitted woolies have always been in style for winter and who can pass up a gift of traditionally knitted baby booties, bonnet and jacket?
Crochet garments are making a comeback, particularly if you are wanting something unique or retro. Garments are often crocheted in 100% cotton or a cotton/bamboo blend.
Do you want projects that are quick to make?
Then crochet may be your thing. Crochet is faster than knitting and many say, easier to learn. There are lots of small projects that you can make, even if you are a beginner.
Free beginner patterns are available online for fast and easy projects like novelty pen toppers, dish cloths, baby blankets, coffee cup holders, scarves and more.
Whether you lean towards crochet or knitting or both, crafting with yarn is good for keeping your mind and fingers active.
Both are easy crafts, easily transportable and great for making garments, homewares, toys and novelties for yourself or as gifts for family and friends.
That’s probably why so many of the people at the Women’s Shed Branxton bring knitting or crocheting projects with them each Thursday. It’s fun to create new things, learn from each other and share ideas.
We’re all tucked away in our homes, doing what we can to stay safe and stay sane. So when you’re not schooling your children, cooking endless meals and snacks or doing the repetitive household chores, what is it that you’re doing?
Kay shared with us her latest projects. Tea cozies were in discussion at our last face-to-face gathering at the hall and she’s made this beautiful, blue one with a cute pom-pom on top. I love it. Knitted?
She’s also made this lovely blue blanket. Crochet?
Thank you for sharing your finished work. It’s one of the things we enjoy doing each week when we catch up. Although not all our projects are this nice. This was my attempt at a teapot cozy. I like the colours and the flowers but the stitch in the pattern has lots of spaces that allows the tea to cool. Maybe I’ll try a different pattern.
Use your favourite table cloth and tea set to make your break feel even more special.
TAKE BREAKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Make sure you plan some break time in your lockdown routine. Set your alarm or time yourself for each activity you do. Give yourself a time limit to cleaning the house each day, home schooling (or directed learning activities) for your children. Use your break time to stretch, enjoy a cup of tea, another chapter of your book, or give your dog/ cat a cuddle. Taking breaks throughout your day can boost your creativity and passion, refresh your attention span and concentration, and keep your eyes happy and healthy. Try not to spend all your day on the computer, phone or TV.
Be wary of heading to the pantry or refrigerator too often during your break. Too many breaks that include too many snacks could result in too many extra kilos!
2. KEEP A REGULAR BEDTIME AND WAKE UP ROUTINE
In the age of Netflix, Stan, Binge, etc, there’s no need to stay up late to watch your favourite shows. Even if you have to wait until the children have gone to bed to watch something not suitable for them, the next episode will still be there tomorrow night. Binging shows is easy but not good for you. Plus, it’s so upsetting when you’ve finally seen every episode and become lost for what to watch next. While we are in lockdown, make a routine that fits into your ‘normal’ routine so when lockdown is over, the transition will be easier.
Set your morning alarm and make a plan for your day just as you would any other weekday. Get up, get dressed, do your hair and make up (if this is normal for you). Be your best self, even if no one but your children and dog will see you.
3. MOVE YOUR BODY
I know, we get told this all the time, but mostly to make sure we look after our bodies. During lockdown, going for a walk or a bike ride is one of the little luxuries we have and can be good for our minds as well. We are very lucky to be living in the Hunter Valley, where we can go for a walk without being crowded on the footpath, but at the same time pass friendly people who say, “Good morning/afternoon” or pass neighbours that we don’t often see when we’re living our busy lives. Take the time to hear and see the birds around you. There are lots of corellas, black cockatoos, kookaburras and rosellas around. Make up different routes and checkout the houses or greenspaces around you. Is someone renovating? Walking past the same houses sometimes can mean watching the progress of someone’s new fence, new pool, or even the flowers in their garden that are starting to bloom.
4. STAY CONNECTED
For those who have fully embraced technology this can be easy. While mostly, I mean the generations who were born since the 1990’s, others may need help to access video conferencing technology like facetime, messenger, zoom, snapchat. A family zoom gathering may take some time to get everyone on, but well worth it.
Videos and photos of grandchildren just doing their normal thing at home can seem boring to parents but mean the world to grandparents who miss seeing them.
If the technology just isn’t happening for you (although you’ve managed to read this blog!), there’s always the phone and the post. Ring someone to check how they’re going. Post some photos or children’s artwork in the mail. Do what you can to stay connected with friends and family. It will help you and may help them as well.
5. TAKE SOME ‘ME’ AND/OR ‘WE’ TIME
Develop a new skin care regime, give yourself a home manicure, enjoy a bubble bath with or without wine), try out a new recipe, learn a new skill or craft, buy yourself a small treat like fresh flowers, a nice candle, a magazine, do a jigsaw puzzle, play a game of Scrabble or Monopoly with your partner, have that candlelit lunch/dinner.
“Self-care is not an indulgence, it is self-preservation” Audre Lorde
6. BE GRATEFUL
Now is the perfect time to start a gratitude journal. It’s an opportunity to think of all the positives about our lives instead of focusing on the negatives. We still live in the “Lucky Country” despite sometimes feeling overly controlled. I wouldn’t like to be in Afghanistan at the moment or in a third world country that has no medical support for people with COVID. If you have a roof over your head, food in your kitchen, the support of friends and family, then you have something to be grateful for.
If you have some other ideas that support wellbeing, please leave a comment.
Women's Shed Branxton 