Hi, it’s Leanne again.

On Saturday night our family (multi-generational) ventured into the murky world of Zoom bingo - which actually worked out quite well in the end. Spread over 5 locations across greater Victoria, we came together to eat our dinner, and then we had a few friendly rounds. Luckily I own a bingo cage (purchased at the op shop many a year ago - but never used until now). So I sent out everyone a photo of a personalised bingo card - to print or copy, and I set up all the gear and checked all the bits were there (I reckon you could easily make your own - paper numbers from a hat would work just fine etc.).

Then I looked up bingo calls online, and adapted some to suit our family. For the primary school kids (and to appeal to my dad who is a former maths teacher) we used bingo to practice some times tables - including my all time favourite (7x8 = … 56 OF COURSE). I also included another ripper … 6x8 = 48.

Then there were the birthdays 6, 11, 12, 13, 15, etc. the best year to be born (hello ‘72) and a family friendly rhyme for 42, being “I love you” and my favourite rhyme for 41, “I love my mum”.

The Saturday night before that we came together for the first time with Zoom and held a trivia night. The rules: one person in each family had to come up with 10 questions and not tell anyone else on their team (so everyone except the nominated trivia master for the round could join in). That worked well too!

And … being a family with little shame, we also had a dress up competition for our trivia night. Hilarious.

And … we had a bit of a sing-a-long in between rounds for our bingo night. For this we found it best to mute everyone but the lead family - just so the whole thing didn’t descend into utter chaos as Zoom moved in and out of broadcasting the loudest singers (all of whom were out of time with each other - and quite possibly out of tune!).

Funny times hey? I hope your family and friends are connecting up and trying to make the most of the tools currently available.

Anyway, it would be super to hear if anyone else has tried to play other games using Zoom (or other platforms) to connect up with others. For example, charades … and if so how did it go? Feel free to send me an email. Perhaps you’d even like to include a photo and some details I could share.

Also, if you need a hand to get these things going for you, or your family, PLEASE let us know. We can help with the technical stuff (or link you up with a BeConnected trainer who knows ALL THE THINGS). Just call us! Our phone number is 9499 7227 or email us here.

Our family dress-up theme was ‘Caesar’ - linking in to Easter and all! Also, easy …

The other day Win, a regular at our community lunch, rang to ask if we could drop off some jars if we had any spare. She was pickling her green tomatoes and was running low on jars. And she knows people often drop jars off at ACC for our Preserves Club (she often drops in her spare ones herself).

Although we’d used lots of our supply for the preserves we made for the Alphington Show (gosh that feels like a lifetime ago doesn’t it - a whole world away) we did have some spare, and so I popped in to work and collected six small ones (she was very specific on the size she needed), then dropped them off at her house on my daily walk.

And in return she gave me a jar of her spicy relish - which I cracked open for breakfast last Sunday morning. It was delicious. Thanks Win.

And my point? We’re here for you! If you need something just ask. We’ll help if we can. Nothing’s too big or too small. And also, isn’t neighbourhoodliness great!

Hard core Aussie rock and roll! Jimmy Barnes getting a haircut at home from his wife Jane Mahoney. I love the tatt through the plastic! And the slippers.

It’s been quite lovely hasn’t it? The glimpses into real life. In some ways they are more interesting, in others a little boring, sometimes comparable to viewing badly edited holiday videos. But it’s also a privilege to be invited to the viewing … do you know what I mean?

If you like a bit of celebrity culture you can google your favourites with the word lockdown, to find out if they’ve put anything a bit more real out into the universe lately. They probably have! And if you don’t want to do the research yourself, here’s a few that have crossed our path (don’t judge us, it’s just a random list).

• Jimmy Barnes has been singing loads of songs at home with his family. Lots of laughs along the way.

• Chris Martin from Coldplay sat down at his piano to sing, and it was nice to see him making excuses for his early morning croaky voice.

• Jimmy Fallon has been filming The Tonight Show At Home with his kids as his sidekicks and his wife on camera. It’s quite watchable actually!

• Jimeoin has been cracking a joke a day - with his kids rolling their eyes and telling him they don’t get the punchlines (or ignoring him completely).

• Rod Stewart and his daughter Ruby Stewart combined a house tour with singing here

• Patti Smith and her daughter Jesse Paris Smith did an Instagram Live performance here

• Missy Higgins in a pink wig on her lounge room singing Let It Be here

• And Vika and Linda Bull are posting every Sunday morning. Gospel songs here.

Seen anything you’ve particularly enjoyed that we’ve missed in our list? Email us!

Our own Premier working at his dining table with the clothes horse by his side. Pegged as well!

Has anyone else lost count of where we’re up to? Is this Week 3 of Lockdown…Week 47 maybe..? Either way, it feels like a RUDDY LONG TIME and some days it’s all a bit much isn’t it? Whether you’re living solo and feeling lonely or have school-age kids and navigating the joys of Google Classroom (and realising that your 7yr old has no ability to work independently WHATSOEVER), our mental health is being challenged on a daily basis.

We all know by now that in order to be living our best #isolife we need to: have a routine, get out for a walk, get enough sleep, call a friend, give your neighbour your last toilet roll, make sure your diet doesn’t consist entirely of hot cross buns and wine etc etc but this list from Beyond Blue is a timely reminder of things which genuinely do have a positive impact on our mental health - and links to some of the excellent resources out there. Personal faves: Yoga with Adriene and Insight Timer.

Ten ways to look after yourself during Coronavirus

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

April is Parkinson’s awareness month. Local physio Inform runs weekly Parkinson’s Power classes on a Friday from 11.30am-12.30pm and you can now join in at home using Zoom. To find out more and book in just give them a call on 9481 6312.