Oh my Tillie,

I am sorry that scooter lost his boxes, but I hope he can understand that they went to a good cause. Now if Steven just donates the donations...

Maybe the virus has inspired him to do a little Swedish cleaning.

Tatoulia, rest and take care of yourself and feel better soon.

I am very tired because I did a lot of work outside today. Feeling the sun and wind. I tied one of the bucks to the fence and let him clear the fence line for me while I weeded irises. Usually goats will only take one bite of an iris, and the iris recovers.

Tomorrow has to be a school focused day, which shouldn't be too hard. The rain is already firing warning shots.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Relieved your folks are back home again.
Sounds like the personnel were doing good to keep them safe.

You & DH have everything.
People who say otherwise are either ignorant or jealous. (((HUG)))


Hi Tatoulia
Dashing out with the garbage will be perfectly fine as long as you keep people at least 6 feet away from you.
Garbage must get out to keep our homes healthy places to spend time.

I know BF will take good care of you but make sure he understands that chocolate at this time is a necessity. ;)


Last time I went to the store I really, really, really wanted to get some peanut M&Ms but out of all the candy that was on the shelf only that space was empty.
:(

Put fresh water in the bird baths and gave my blooming Hyacinth and Daffodils a drink too.

Noticed my empty quarantined Chewy.com boxes were not where I had placed them so I went to investigate.
Steven has moved them because he has filled them with donations!!!!
YEA!!! :D

Cheered me up to read your posts. Although I never left the house yesterday, I am counting today as Day 1 of my 14 day quarantine. If I have it, I'm infectious. If I don't have it, my system is fragile right now.

I will have to think about taking my garbage out tonight. I can do right at five when no one is out back. I'll wear my gloves and mask and I won't touch a thing.

But no stores, no saying hi to BF, etc. he will drop off what I need but I'm all set for water and juice. And I made a big pan of lasagne yesterday. So I'm fine. He will still insist on a drop off today.

Mom and a Dad are home safely.

They had Mom wait in the car and Dad was in and out with minimal contact in 45 minutes. So hopefully all good.

Tillie, I don't know about the little boy - it will be a day or two before I know if he is getting enough to eat, and there could be something else wrong that I can't see, but he seems happy enough. I have learned that nature gives some goats short lives and I can only make them pleasant.

Dh and I are very fortunate!

People often look at my life and say "you don't have anything out there." And I try to tell them "i have everything out here." I have a nice house and a beautiful yard, gardens, animals, vegetables in season, eggs and milk, firewood, exercise, rural delivery, electricity, running water, phone service, and even broadband! And now I have Dh all the time!

Good Morning Everyone
"Clink!"

Hi Subclinical
My prayers are that the medical personnel where your parents need to go are following proper procedure to help stop the spread.
(((HUGS)))

Wishing good things for Maple's little boy.
Is he able to suckle alright?

YEA! for a break in the rain there!
Fresh air and sunshine, your feet and fingers in the soil. :)

You are fortunate that you and DH have enough space in your home that you can get distance from each other when working.

WAY TO GO! for finding and putting some of Justin Cases' stuff to good use! :D


I have no problem buying second hand from thrift shops or other types of sales.
I just wash everything.
Even new items from retail stores must be washed.
New fabrics contain chemicals from processing plus the dirt and dust from the factories and who knows where they were before they were delivered to stores. Yuck. ;p


Hi Tatoulia
I want you to stay home.
I want everybody to stay home.
Just shut down the whole world population and everybody stay home.

What puzzles me is they say some people have only mild symptoms but still be quite infectious.
And we have no tests to know who is or isn't.
So we are all potential carriers infecting every one else.
I am staying home to protect myself.
I am staying home to protect you from me.


OK, so Mom will be getting pens and stamps, good.
That will make her happy. :D

Have a GREAT day at (home) work today.


Looks like tomorrow no rain predicted to fall here.
So I will do laundry.
They keep saying it should rain but those clouds just keep blowing over to the mountains.
Anyways, I am anxious to try my new laundry sheets.
Still have some liquid detergent on hand but I also use that to clean the floors and litter boxes, etc.

Staying home is easy and enjoyable for me.
What is hard is the constant worry about everybody else in the world.
(((((HUGS)))))

Sending love and comfort and hope to Cm and to SubCs parents.

My temp is at its usual low around 97,2 today. I'm sneezing and feeling a little weird but in fact, I'm just in hysterics, Tillie. Still I will stay home for two weeks. Bf will drop off a case of water for mom today with ballpoint pens and stamps.

Back to work. I'm feeling positive about getting things done.

Oh, I keep forgetting to tell you - I used some of Justin's stuff when I packed the take home kits.

Wow, our little online community is much busier now that we are more limited "IRL".

CM,

I hope you were able to find some comfort in your aunt's funeral.

I am still pro secondhand goods - most of which can be washed and I always have. Letting something sit untouched for two weeks doesn't seem like a hardship either, but stores in general - ug. Any place where people are likely to pick up merchandise, look at it, and put it back is an issue - we just are more aware of that in thrift stores.

Dh yells into the phone when he works from home. We created a plan where we will be on separate floors with two doors closed between us when we are both working.

Glad your bunnies are adjusting.

Tatoulia, hang in there!

Too cute about your work badge. I think your earth day ideas sound good too. I am not pleased that the single use bag lobby is trying to use this thing to overthrow plastic bag bans. If they want me to bag my own merchandise I will - one less person touching my bags - even better.

My laundry sheets were also plastic free, and I thank you for the lead!

Tillie, yay fir garbage going out!

I hope that things are ok for your neighbor kids.

Maple the goat gifted me two little bucklings yesterday morning. She did not want to be left alone, so I cleaned stalls instead of working on my classroom. One of them is white and has a slight jaw malformation, so crossed fingers for him.

The break in the rain is supposed to continue for much of today, so I will be outside again.

My parents have to go to a medical center in a major city in a high infection area (not NY) today for essential treatment for Dad. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Your Earth Day plans are/were cute and practical. :)

Glad your video conference went well and you were properly dresses, name tag and all.
Good that you feel comfortable doing them since it's the new normal, now.

You are FORBIDDEN to get sick.
No, no, no!
Not even sniffles.

Everybody is waking up thinking they are getting sick.
Feeling achy, headachy, cough a little, think maybe they feel hot, etc...
It's a weird psychological phenomena brought on by our fear of getting sick.

WAY TO GO! for making your bed!!!
It's the little things that keep us grounded.


Hi CriticalMass
Be comforted tomorrow by the service and the presence of your family members. (((HUG)))

Sewing with bunnies seems like a wonderful pastime.
Doing those little straightening organizing projects do make a nice difference.
I saw your pics of the art supplies all neatly on the shelves. :)

Unless we all work at it we will all be a bit pudgier with less muscle tone from stress and social isolation.
Plus we might not be able to find better food choices in the house.
I have better food choices but find I am turning too often to corn muffins or candy. ;p

Hope your headphones help muffle the noises enough to give you the quiet you need.

I compulsively wash my hands excessively because I am a surgical assistant and it was my job to wash my hands after I touched something not sterile and then wash my hands again before touching something else.
And then wash things and make them clean enough to sterilize.
My motto "To make and defend a sterile field".
It's exhausting.

Didn't rain here, predicted to still rain here.
The clouds keep blowing over to the Eastern mountains where it snows or rains.
I took a shower and washed my hair tonight.
Clean sheets on my bed.

I don't know if I got round to mentioning it but my aunt's funeral is tomorrow morning. My first and I hope last social distancing funeral. It will be weird not to be able to hug my cousins.

Going to take some disinfectant wipes in a baggie and swipe the pew, maybe not use the missalette (paperbound book of Bible readings and parts of the Mass) or the hymn book, if we even have songs.

Also door handles etc.

Having had OCD for so long it's strange watching the rest of the world training themselves to have it... I'm not a huge freak on hand washing, but I squick out over certain things. And have trouble getting annoying or scary obsessional thoughts out of my mind. Bleh.

I'm fairly calm about the highway ride, not much energy left to worry with. This all gives quite the sense of perspective.

My roommate is having to do her online meetings with her workplace at her laptop in the living room. She has a carrying "teacher voice" that is hard to tune out, though I put on headphones and a fan. And of course I don't want to interrupt her. So maybe when I get home I will go to the back room and sew some doll clothes.

I can let my bunnies play while I'm back there. My boy and girl are getting more and more comfortable together. Yesterday I left them out while I was going back and forth with laundry (2 loads plus pressing quilt fabric dry). They didn't fight.

Roommate probably will have stretches of more just working rather than meetings - this week is for their planning together so it should quiet down. I want to really work on writing. And declutter my room some - it's harder to do that too with no "staging area," as we know.

But there are simple things I can just sit on my bed and do, like go through papers. Anything to help it improve and be nicer to live in, as I will be no doubt spending a fair amount of time here for the foreseeable future!

The next-door neighbor has an intact male lab dog,
also a female (unless she died, she was old). The male is a marathon barker. The gal had him out in their yard this afternoon. My bedroom and my roommate's bedroom are on the side of the house where we get an earful of it. I hope this doesn't become a constant thing. They are nice people, just used to the barking I guess. (Another reason I prefer cats and bunnies over dogs hands down.)

I do want to get outdoors more and I need to do something for cardio. I can feel I've really gotten out of shape. Got on the scale this morning and yep, weight has risen a little. All that comfort food after the dental visit, and nervous nibbling during the zombie apocalypse. Trying not to be harsh on myself for it. I don't want to feel pressure to change radically at this time, but if I can coax myself into small changes that'd be great.

Hello everyone! Tillie I must've missed it that you, too, were getting the laundry sheets! I hope you like them. I am so comfortable knowing that I have a year's worth, and I was able to use a coupon. They are expensive, but once I tried them and decided to buy in bulk, the price dropped dramatically. I will await your review!

SubC my laundry sheets didn't come with any plastic whatsoever so I was pleased. I am now horrified at the thought of those huge plastic jugs of laundry soap and am so excited that you helped open my eyes.

I was going to hold a company-wide earth day event this year, complete with little paper globes that were embedded with seeds for planting and battery recycling buckets at each office so that we can bring in our batteries and properly recycle. Well that will be delayed. We will be doing something modified on line.

I showered, dried my hair and slapped on some lipstick for my video conference. For a joke, I put on my work badge (conference was with a co-worker). I'm shocked at how it is the most comfortable thing in the world to have a video conference.

I missed my dance class tonight. I wasn't feeling well. I haven't been eating right. I made a lasagne so I could have some food today. I don't feel any better but I don't feel any worse. I do not have a temperature. I've been taking it twice a day but I've upped that to four times and so far, so good. But due to this, I didn't leave my house today. I need to stay in and figure out if I'm getting sick.

I'm going to take a Tylenol and a mucinex, prophylactically Again no fever. But I need to take better care of myself. I'll call dr in the AM. To report my hysteria.

I'm back to making my bed everyday and that makes me happy.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Want to be outside with the budding plants but it's too windy and cold with no sunshine, might rain.

Saw Steven take 4 full plastic grocery bags out to the garbage can.
Very good he is removing the garbage.
YEA! Steven! :D

According to the emails my laundry sheets are going to be delivered today, but they said that yesterday too.
The post office, FedEx and Ups must be terribly overloaded with people resorting to online shopping for necessities we could not get at the local stores.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
With things as they are, when it's safe to venture out again people will be thrift shopping, yard sales, craig's list, bazaars, craft events, rummage sales-ing, etc.
So all those places and events will still go on.
Problem right now is the people who take in the donations all need to stay home and stay well.

Once it's safe to gather in crowds again people will be needing to turn to more simple shopping, less expensive, rather than the big stores.


Hi Subclinical
More baby goats, YEA! :D

WAY TO GO! learning how to run a class online!
Your students are blessed to have you as their teacher.

Sounds like things with Dd's and Dsil's employment
is getting all sorted out in the best way possible.
Family first :D

Sorry if the words we have used "triggered" you.
We will try to use more gentle terminology.
Will try to use "let go" of anything we let go of. (((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia
Putting items out beside the dumpster would be fantastic.
Right now I especially worry about our poverty stricken and homeless populations.
Many depend on what they scavenge from dumpster areas for food and clothing and anything to help make their lives a little more comfortable.
With restaurants closed and soup kitchens too dangerous, where will "Freegans" eat?

The fireplace burning and Miss Kitty in her chair sounds so cozy.
Good luck with your video call, I'm sure it will go great. :D


OK, about the neighbor children...
The nasty mean man has always been very verbally abusive to the oldest child, don't know if he did worse inside the house.
I believe she is not his biological daughter and that the two younger ones are.
The mother never did anything to protect or defend the child and seems to be physically afraid of the man who screams and rants all the time at her too.
He screamed and ranted at my horse lady neighbor too once so I went to protect her with Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson till he backed off.
Yesterday the two younger children were returned to the house.
The oldest girl was not.
I pray she is now living with relatives who love and appreciate her.
CPS made another visit last evening.

Tillie that's fun that you now have a neighbor to wave to! I notice people are being more friendly, from a distance. I too worry about domestic violence situations. So terrifying.

SubC, I will absolutely use gentle words. I do not really have anything to get rid of right now. I have one small bag to put in my car. I think ultimately I'm worried about whether thrift stores will even accept things in the future. The future is very scary. Right now I only have a few things to let go of. I also thought about putting in a clear bag out back. There are some pretty solid garbage-pickers abs there always someone looking for something. So I think I can not waste anything at all. And I will be sure to talk about letting go. Thank you! My clothes will go to my cleaners so that is a relief.

I have a lot of work to do today, including a video call at 1 or 1:30 so I'm going to have to shower and wash my hair and put on something. I'd like to do this for me as much as for the other person on the call.

I'm going to take mom's reserve personal products to my car today, so I can make sure I'm not allowing clutter to creep in the name of COVID. Kitty is in her chair in it's been spot and the fireplace is on to get the chill out of the air.

I'm trying not to panic.

Hi

I started a coronavirus mega thread in the general forum, for anyone who might come looking for one.

Tatoulia, I think you're right with your advice re not stressing over donations. I just checked online and the Goodwill is closed as of today. DAV still open and not even a mention yet of Covid19. But that could quickly change.

There are a few other thrift stores but I'm feeling squicky about going to them. Hmmm... this could be a game changer for my scavenging ways for quite some time. There are so many changes in daily life none of us can predict.

My church garage sale had been scheduled for June, but even that could change. I'll just have to play it by ear.

Fabric and other items that go into making things I will donate or sell, such as quilts for church, should be moving on out naturally. Although the bottleneck of getting them to their destinations is the tricky part.

I can certainly understand people's reluctance to accept secondhand goods in these times.

I've read everyone's posts and am rooting for all of you. Will pray for those kids at your neighbors', Tillie, and for all who are in danger of domestic violence being cooped up with edgy, dangerous people.

Good morning.

The school system told dsil he can keep his job if he tells them by the end of the week, but that if he backs out on them because things got better he will be banned from the sub list.

Then they had a conversation, and Dd called her boss, who told her, "look, I can't predict the future, but we are not the kind of company that fires a promising, enthusiastic young site manager right when her first kid arrives. Would you feel better if I told you there are people we would let go before you? There are."

Also dd's unemployment would be almost as much as dsil's salary.

So now dsil is going to call his principal (who was very excited about sil's return) and say "sorry. pregnancy hormones, national crisis, women...."

This is very good, because dsil was crushed at the idea of not being at home with his baby, and neither of my girls is well suited to that. My kids have always been a team. And Dd1 is especially family first.

Tatoulia, do me a favor. When you put things aside to donate or throw in the trash, just say you "got rid of" or "let go" or "removed" I don't want to think about the impact of donation centers being closed right when people are cleaning out.

I am sure your presentation will be great. And I'm glad your bf still has business.

Tillie, now I am worried about your neighbor kids. I worry a lot about all the kids who are now isolated in homes that are not safe - sometimes with excellent parents but just bad circumstances. I have one student who lives with older grandparents because their single parent is in jail, and I think about the virus spreading in jail, and what would happen if the grandparents got sick. CPS? Would the kid try to hide? Who is taking in foster kids now? Foster kids exposed to the virus?!

The veggie seedlings are doing well.

I'm glad you are safely getting your cat cereal. Use hand lotion!

Yesterday I learned how to run a class online, and then I emailed one of my students who helped me practice. Her mom came in to say hi. The family is doing well but missing the student's little nephew - who is staying with his mom for the quarantine period because his dad is a delivery driver.

Today I think I will work on cleaning up and organizing my "classroom" in the morning and in the barn/yard in the afternoon. The weather is supposed to be nice with no rain.

I am still on baby goat watch.

Good Evening Everybody

So far so good here.
He didn't fuss or attempt to leave today.
Still has not washed his hands.

Fortunately he has been spending most of the time out in his garage.
He likes it out there because all his precious things are there and nobody to complain about how disgustingly filthy the place is.

When he does come inside I sanitize whatever he touches as soon as he goes back out.
He only goes into his room and the bathroom so the areas to sanitize are limited.
In his bedroom I only do the door knob & light switch, open the window and spray the room with disinfectant spray every morning after he leaves the room.
The bathroom gets completely washed down with disinfectant after every visit.

If he would stay at home AND wash his hands regularly I would be satisfied.

Twinkles' stomach seems to be doing better already with the special hairball formula cereal.
He has not vomited or been making those retching noises today.
Scooter found where I hid his mousie and immediately put him back in the water bowl.
I've been keeping the 2 bird baths filled and lots of birds are taking daily baths and getting drinks.
The cats enjoy watching them from the window perch.
So do I. :D

Been doing a complete system scan on my laptop today.
So it is on.
Been 6 & a half hours + and still going.
Should clear up some issues I've been having, I hope.
:)

Hi Tatoulia
Thanks for checking in. :D

Glad you will just be throwing out some things rather than storing them up to donate later.
I use the car trunk to hold donations on a regular basis.
They stay clean & dry and are right where I need them to be.

Great precautions you are taking to stay safe. (((HUG)))


I've been slowly doing general housekeeping around here.
Next I will vacuum then wash dishes.

FedEx delivered another item from my chewy order.
I met the lady out front and asked her to please place the box on the truck hood, "6 Ft away."
She smiled and said "I understand".
The running girl was passing by and asked how I was, "Fine" and I asked how she was "Fine too". :D

Checking in! I too will be throwing things out. I don't feel that I have a choice. I can keep any clothes but household items will need to just leave, I'm afraid. I can put some in my car.

I am still going out and visiting BF at his work and stopping by CVS. It keeps my brain together. I'm in vinyl gloves and a face mask. I do not wear my clothes a second time.

Did quite a bit of laundry today. I'm probably going to vacuum my bedroom at some point.

Yes that is adorable about SubC's dad and mom. Very cute couple!!

From all the excessive hand washing
an ancient Mummy has better looking hands than I do.
LOL ;p

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Hi CriticalMass
Happy your bunny is perking up and you have a snuggle kitty.

Hoping you are able to get to storage.
Nobody else around, fresh air and sunshine.
Places are allowing outdoor exercise as long as we avoid people.

Thrift shops will be inundated when this blows over.
People doing Spring cleaning since they can't get out and shop.
So if an item is kind of "iffy" it is OK to just throw it out.


Hi Subclinical
Your Dad is a sweetheart.

Relieved you got those supply boxes all set up!
WAY TO GO!!!

Happy you have your stash of some favorite foods, especially the chocolate. ;D

How are your veggie seedlings doing?
Looking forward to you having fresh home grown.

Hope today you and Mr. Kitty get in some nap time together. (((HUG)))


Hi Tatoulia
I am relieved that your city is closed.
As hard as it is on everybody I am relieved that so many people are safely tucked away inside.

I sent Nate a copy of my will, I have a copy in my secretary desk and the original is on file down at the county court house.
Nate has my advance directives and I also have a copy here at home.
You can also file a copy with your primary doctor or hospital.
Hope you find a way to disburse your final wishes that will give you peace of mind. (((HUG)))


So quiet, so very, very quiet.
Most all the down the road neighbors have quit running/jogging down the road except for one teen girl.
I can see she is trying to lose weight and get in good shape.
She takes a little break in the shade of my trees to catch her breath and drink her water.

Think the icky people who moved into neighbor friends house had a CPS visit yesterday.
Couldn't quite read the insignia on the woman's windbreaker.
But those children have been missing since school closed and the mean evil hostile father has not been seen for over a week now.

Too windy and cold, possible rain/snow to go outside today so I will find something fun to do indoors. :D

Everybody Stay Well ((((((HUGS))))))

I'm glad to read everyone's posts. SubC, this is so worrying with the layoffs. That's sweet that your daughter has suggested that your other daughter move in. I know as a mother you have the sense that this is a recipe for disaster but it must be heartwarming to see the girls trying to pull together!

CM I agree this is probably a good time to work on your storage space. If you are able to do so, please find a way to work around the obstacle of making donations to the thrift store. I think this is an excellent project to be doing right now. But your mental and emotional health fine first.

Tillie I too love my little table. And yes, I'll move kitty's chair and bed. I bet she's more flexible than I am. I'll try to give her the same view (down the hallway) but I'm not sure that's possible. I do know she enjoys looking out for danger.

Massachusetts is closed as if today. One of BF's businesses can stay open. He's doing okay right now. I'm worried but not able to press him. I keep telling him where my Will is and that he needs to promise to take care of kitty but he's ignoring me.

My company-wide presentation is a week from today. I'm obviously nervous about it but I also feel fairly strongly that it will go well. Patching in people from home, etc, will be odd. And terribly scary. Our main presenter still wants to come here but there is no here. Our office is closed.

Time will tell! I am glad I got the garbage out. It had already been picked up by the time I got up. I will break down the printer box and put in the recycling bin tonight

Good morning.

So much to catch up on.

CM, I am sorry for your losses. Please be very careful about going places.

Tatoulia, I am glad you are getting your nest all arranged and that your mom is enjoying her long distance adventure. You are sending the post cards, but she is the one taking trips - down memory lane.

My parents are snug tight. Last night they had a movie night with popcorn. Dad "scheduled" it for 7:00 and gave mom a ticket. He is sweet and actually loves having her stuck home with him. He is exploring grocery delivery options.

Tillie, I'm also glad scooter will get his box eventually. I wanted to suggest leaving it out and waiting, but of course, you already thought of that.

Also good that Steven made a dump run. Maybe eventually he will take things to the dump just to gave somewhere to go....

Yesterday was a lot.

Dd2 lost her job. Dh and I were expecting it, but we thought she had another week or two - until the decision was made on the olympics - she was doing design work for it. Not working for her boss is a gift, but not working is a blow. She just moved in to a new apartment with a year lease. If she had been fired in February she would just have returned to us.

Dsil asked the school district for his teaching job back for next year. They had not started interviewing for his replacement, so hopefully (?) they will say yes. Dd1 is afraid she will lose her construction job. She says if they both keep their jobs, Dd2 can move in with them and take care of the baby. I do not think that is a good plan on many levels. But we won't talk about it now. She is afraid. Whatever makes her feel better is good.

Dh's company is about to have 10% layoffs, but he doesn't think he is in danger right now. Last week his group was the only one in the company still authorized for overtime - and he is working it!

Ds is in a healthcare related field and he is also slammed. Not on the front lines though. Work from home technical support.

I went to the regular grocery store and got every single thing on my list. (It was a three bag list)

Then I went to school, unloaded, reloaded, and fired the kiln and spent eight hours packing boxes for parent pick up, carrying them down two flights of stairs to the gym, and setting them out in alphabetical order. Parents will schedule a time for pick up on Thursday. All the doors will be propped open, and they will come in the front, turn left, walk into the gym, pick up their pile, and exit through the exterior door at the end of the gym. They shouldn't have to touch anything but their boxes - which are cardboard and I touched yesterday. The stuff in the boxes they can wipe off, or not use until Tuesday or Wednesday anyway. I washed my hands so much yesterday that they were red and raw when I got home. Using lots of lotion.

On the way home I stopped at the fancy grocery store near work and stocked up on nuts, juices, my favorite ravioli, cheddar goat cheese (I don't make cheddar because it has to age under specific conditions) cookies and chocolate candy. I won't go back to the city until April 27 unless Dd needs me. I won't leave home again until I run out of goat feed. Hopefully the feed store will still be open.

We are now under shelter in place. We can leave home only if we are essential workers or to get necessary supplies (the loophole for parent pick up day) all non-essential businesses are closed. Daycares are closed. The state is providing daycare to essential workers with children in groups if no more than six.

My almost neighbor(only a few miles), friend, and coworker was boxing up preschool materials yesterday on a different floor (she runs our preschool program.) We had a short conversation across a flight of stairs. Both of her sons are out of work. One is at home. She says if things get really bad, she might need to borrow a goat (she got rid of hers) I told her if things get really bad she is welcome to borrow a goat, I will appreciate somebody else feeding one for a while. She has pasture.

I was exhausted last night and thought I would sleep late this morning, but woke up at 4:30. Maybe today I will take a nap.

Yesterday got really fragmented by the end of the day with lots of phone calls and texts.

Today I had to get up early to go sit with my lady this morning. It was foggy. My agoraphobia is not fond of fog, but I had the radio on and didn't get anxiety.

There are even some times in all this craziness that I feel like I've burnt out my panic generator. It's weird. But I'll take it.

On my way home I went to the storage unit, something I'd been thinking of doing. I'd been carrying those partly assembled wire shelves in the back of the van. They had come disassembled riding around so long.

So all I could do was just put the shelves in willy nilly as I haven't had a chance to go over there and properly make room for them. It is a nightmare there. Looks pretty hoarded again. :(

The city is going to lockdown - but maybe I can go over there under the radar and actually do some good. I mean, it's close to home, and I wouldn't be around other people. If I can do that, it's likely I could do my tasks with no witnesses and therefore no embarrassment.

I'll have to think that through; for instance, if I find things to donate but thrift stores are locked up, that won't work. Perhaps I can make one small corner for future giveaway items and work around that.

I need to call my elderly lady's daughter tomorrow because I forgot this evening, and see what's up with her work, and whether that changes when I'll be needed.

My aunt's funeral and burial are Thursday morning at 10:00. It's about a 45 minute trip to get there, riding with my cousin and her husband. Probably will have lunch (though not a big family gathering like with other funerals) then 45 minutes to return.

My roommate has some medical tests coming up and possibly a surgery. Hospitals here are limiting and screening visitors. But it sounds like her stuff will be in doctors' offices at least the preliminaries.

Bunny girl has had a good appetite from later yesterday till now. Hopefully she is back on track.

Kitty boy is snuggled at my feet. I'm going to finish my computer stuff and enjoy my sleep - and not having to get up tomorrow as early as I did today! Tomorrow is laundry day, woohoo.

Good Evening Everybody


Hi Tatoulia
January date is not really expired. ;)

I have a small antique drop leaf table, not a gate leg, that is so multifunctional.
Have used it for many things for 40 years.
Right now it's in the dining area with the silverware chest on it and Scooter sits up on the silver chest till I tell him to get down.

You will have to compromise with Miss Kitty about moving her things, she may have another opinion about it.

Sandwich glass is so pretty and there are so many designs and colors.
Wonderful to hear your Mom is enjoying herself. :D
Such a relief not to worry about her being quarantined and bored.

If you do the yoga poses regularly they will stop hurting, honest, I promise. ;)

YEA! for a Hershey bar.
I still have mine and am saving it for Justin Case.

Rain! You have rain and snow.
You can send any extra this way. :D

WTG! Getting trash and recycling out!
Saw Steven removing a few small bags of trash from his garage this afternoon.
Since he can't shop I hope he is taking advantage of the free time to declutter.
Hey, I can dream...


After three days I can bring in the big box for Scooter.
They said the virus can remain viable up to 3 days on cardboard.
But time, fresh air and sunshine will deactivate it.

Ps the cranberry sauce was delicious. Expired January 2020 so it felt safe. It started to snow as I was eating it! Very cozy.

It's been absolutely pouring rain all night. But, garbage out and recycling out. I'll take out printer box tomorrow. I'll break it down and take it out.

That was a good box, Tillie! I still have the printer box in here but all other wrappings were taken out tonight. I will get it out tomorrow. My friend/colleague/coffee-worker isn't a box cat. She likes to be under things but not in.

I slept after work today and mom called filled with happiness and joy. She loves the postcards I'm sending her each day. The one she received today is from the Sandwich Glass Museum and we talked about that and the time we went to the Gillander Glass Factory in Port Jervis NY. She then called back a few moments later to tell me about some of the Rick Steeves travel shows and she had been to many of the places. She is filled with joy. And so am I.

BF's one business remains open, although he is closing two hours early. I hung out with him from 8:30 to after close. I'm now home and showered.

I'm hoping for a focused day tmr. Oh! I pulled out my little narrow drop leaf/gate leg table and yes the printer fits on it. This table is probably 6 inches wide when the leaves are folded, so it's a great little thing to have. I generally open one leaf when I'm sitting in my bedroom chair and watching tv and having dinner. So now it's near the desk

I may have to move kitty's chair and bed tomorrow once the cables come and I can actually use the printer. I cannot use the wireless function as it will not work with our VPN and will make an already cumbersome process worse.

Ok I'm ok tonight. I had a Hershey bar.

I don't have the rescheduled date for my nutritionist but I do have yoga tomorrow. So painful.

FedEx delivered a large box today.
Scooter was upset when I left the box out on the porch.
He really wanted that big box.
But I opened it, wiped down the enclosed item and brought it inside, leaving that box outside.
Then Scooter saw that it was a 22 pound bag of cat food!!!
He forgave me for quarantining the box after I allowed him to eat his fill of the precious cereal.

Could not find high quality hairball kibble in town so I ordered it from Chewy.
There will be another bag of another variety arriving Wednesday.
It's taking them longer to fill orders but as soon as they receive their shipments they fill ours.
Better late than never. ;D

Good Afternoon Everyone :D

Hi Tatoulia
Hope you are enjoying the pot pie and expired cranberry sauce. ;D
As long as it's not too far off and the can looked intact
you will be just fine. ;)

Yes, do what you have on hand to rearrange the printer.
It doesn't have to be perfect right now today. (((HUG)))

Keep on doing the yoga and dancing!

My Spirit is light and I am happy, smiling and laughing out loud.
I have music playing on Youtube, singing and dancing along.
So many hilarious popular songs the people have put corona virus lyrics to too.
Many songs of hope from people all over the entire planet too.
Nobody could be blue or low listening to all this.

:)

Tillie I am so sorry about the anxiety attacks. They are so awful and so difficult to stave off. I am so sorry.

I am taking a salsa dance class on Wednesday, assuming I live through my yoga class tomorrow night.

The printer will be a pain. I have to have it near my desk. But not as painful as it would have been once. I can do this. I'll try out the table from my bedroom in a bit.

My bed is made and I'm heating a chicken pot pie, which I will enjoy with my expired cranberry sauce.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Sometimes a good cry can be very cleansing.
Don't be afraid to cry (((HUG)))

It's ok for something new coming in to be not arranged right in the home while you ponder it's permanent spot.

Is it big and bulky?
Does it need to be near other things to be plugged in, connected?
Would it interrupt the "flow" if it's in a certain room?

All things to think about for now.
Really no rush to get it in perfectly right now.

Makes me wonder why they didn't send the cable with it, needs the cable. ;p


Had a bad night last night.
Stupid anxiety attacks.
But that is what always happens anyway whenever I talk with Steven.
He is always such a doom & gloom "the sky is falling" hysterical over reactor.

He should be happy. He has a massive hoard of things he has accumulated for Justin Case things like the "Zombie apocalypse" worst case scenarios.

Maybe now he sees just how wasteful and useless it all is.
Nothing out there to help get through this in any way.
;)

Apparently one of the streets in my neighborhood is doing a sing a long. I'm just trying to keep it together and I'm afraid if I go to it I'll cry. I used to always tear up at the hand bell ringers in Faneuil Hall and sometimes I cry at parades. I don't know why.

My new printer arrived but the cable for it did not. So I'll wait another day. I also have to figure out where to put it. I don't know if I could use my tiny drop leaf in my bedroom/bring it out here. For now it's on the printer box but that is the first sign of returning to hoarding and losing my peace of mind.

Hi Tatoulia

WTG! for all the walking!

Poor Miss Kitty being terrorized by the toy.
Please don't tell her the image makes me giggle. ;D

The care packages sound so nice, I'm sure she really appreciates them.
A little bit of everything in there.

If/when your city grinds to a halt maybe the citizens will serenade with musical instruments and singing. ;)

Enjoy the quiet and slower pace.
Snow would be nice too.

Good night.

CM I am so sorry for your losses. A very difficult time, to be sure, and to not be able to mourn in the usual fashion can also take its toll. I am so sorry.

SubC I love the exchange and seeing your daughter's baby bump! You have such a nice family. How is your mom?

Tillie I understand on the alcohol. Wow I cannot believe he's gotten some sense!

I don't know what is happening here. We are still proceeding as normal, but I don't know for how long. BF closed early tonight. I got a lot of walking in today and got two nice bags delivered to mom. Good combo of mom things and cat things.
I bought her a new laser pointer mousie for the kitty and I took it apart to pull that small plastic out to get the battery working. (then I cleaned the mouse). Well I tried it out on Miss Kitty and she was terrified. She kept galloping sideways to get away from it. Duly noted. So I put some catnip on her elephant tonight. I also had a cardboard scratcher for the cat. For mom I had two bottles of antibacterial soft soap, sugar, 1/2 and 1/2, Scottish shortbread, tuna, new mayonnaise. I also had a new pair of shoes that I'd bought her but was waiting til spring to give her. Well spring has sprung.

I think we are getting snow tomorrow. None of this matters anymore. It's so odd. But the city is quiet and feels so nice. Like we've hit pause and decided to slow down. I haven't yet heard the city grinding to a halt but I suppose that is coming.



I've had to postpone my appt with my nutritionist. I'm having a copier/scanner and other things delivered here tomorrow. I only received half her email so I'm not sure where things stand.

I have yoga Tuesday and I may do a dance class on Wednesday. For now, I am in my pjs and ready for bed.

Hi CriticalMass
My deepest sympathies for your losses (((HUG)))

If you do travel to attend the funeral take care and come home safe.

Get all well soon Bunny Girl.
Now is not the time for bunny belly aches.

Glad you have made an appointment to do your laundry.
I get it, some people are dog people and some people aren't. LOL :D

Wonderful that your church is making time to keep in touch with parishioners.
Staying connected is important at the best of times but even more so during uncertain times.

My friend's mother-in-law passed in the night.

So did one of my aunts, my dad's second-to-youngest sister and my godmother. The funeral will likely be Thursday and since she wasn't married and had no kids, we nieces and nephews will go. It will be limited to 10 people family only. I will probably go. The county where she resided has only had 2 cases of virus so I guess it's as safe as it can be. And I can take my sanitizing wipes etc. along.

My girl bunny has been in a gastro stasis since yesterday. I thought the fact that she was eating her chow later in the day meant she'd gotten over it, but my roommate noticed (I was streaming the Mass, which was lovely). I tried to give bunny the special mush for when they are sick. She was full of attitude about that. But she did eat some parsley and hay, and later her pellets. I think she will pull out of this on her own if I am just a helicopter mom till I'm sure she is back to normal.

Tillie, I saw where even Vegas has closed down nonessential places. I'm glad Steven has come round. Sorry about the drinking but I get it, if he were to stop it could be bad. Prayers for the both of you.

Tatoulia, you sound as if you're rallying. I'm so relieved. Keep posting and letting us know so we can encourage you as needed. Yay for the 4 laundry loads, too!

With my roommate home I made an "appointment" to have the laundry machines to myself on Tuesday. That way I can OCD-clean the dog hairs off the machines and out of the lint traps before I start my wash. I am really not a dog person... sorry to anyone who is. I like Snoopy and abstract dogs but don't do so well with real life dogs.

SubC, what a lot you have to do - everyone is in scramble mode I know. Your list and sub-lists are quite elaborate but it is good to at least have lists. I could not survive without my lists! Good thing you got your clay while you still could. Keeping your daughter and little baby in progress in my thoughts and prayers.

The church has set up a phone network with volunteers phoning other members; mine just called to check on me. The feeling of community with that, and other things I see on social media, is a light in the darkness of uncertainty and previous disconnectedness - may we keep that new connection going strong after the crisis has passed. It's what our tired world has needed for far too long.

YEA! Subclinical!

WAY TO GO!
You and DH running around and having very successful errands.

That's cute. The knitting book muffin exchange. :D

You got the clay just in time YEA!!!!

Great plan for keeping Dd2 out of the line of fire yet blowing the whistle.

Here, the grocery store got less busy, fewer people once our Governor announced the upcoming closures.
I was able to actually get some of the items I needed and so were the other people.
I think the TP, etc. "hoarders" gave up trying to buy it all up, or they finally ran out of money.

Very grateful you have your Tylenol now.

My fingers are crossed you get all the things on your shopping list tomorrow. ((((HUGS))))


Great news...
The dump transfer station is open for business!
YEA!
Steven made a dump run.
Said so many people have been dumping this weekend there is a HUGE mountain of trash there waiting for the truck to transfer it.
So, lots of people are staying home and getting the trash out of their homes and yards.
;D

Well, that changed quickly.

Dh did go to the grocery store. He got a lot of the things on the list - including Tylenol, Tillie.

Dd1 called and asked if she could have my sweater knitting book to make sweaters for the baby because she is bored.

Then Dh got home and said "it was really quiet in the grocery store. I told the cashier and she said "yeah, we're just bracing fir the rush after the governor makes his announcement"

I said "what announcement?" Dh said "I don't know, you can read it later." But I got online to listen. He is closing all nonessential businesses tomorrow.

I had an hour and 45 minutes until the clay studio closed for the day. So I called my boss "Are we still having supply pickup on Thursday? Because if we are, I have to go buy the clay I need now." She said "go buy clay."

So I rushed off without my soap and water, used a paper bag over my hand to operate the gas pump, called the clay studio and had them put the clay on my account, and picked it up off the loading dock 20 minutes before they closed. Gas was $1.40 a gallon!

Then I went to DD's house, put the book between the storm door and the real door, and knocked. She opened the door, showed off her baby bump, talked to me for a few minutes, and then replaced the book with some freshly baked pumpkin muffins and closed the door. I brought them home to share with dh.

So, Dd1 isn't going to work tomorrow - she says all they will probably be doing is locking up all of the expensive equipment and materials in the large metal thing they dropped on site expecting this to happen.

And if dd2's boss makes her come in, we decided that the honor of reporting him to the health dept (level two misdemeanor with fine) and getting him shut down goes to dd1's friend who has been locked down in a tiny apartment in NYC with her husband and would love to actually do something to help. (Trace THAT back to my kid...)

So tomorrow I'm still packing take home kits, and maybe trying a different grocery store on my way home and hopefully making a feed store stop. (Fingers crossed on that one)

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Great preventative measures you are taking! :D
WAY TO GO! for 4 loads of laundry!!!

Sounds like you are having more Spring like temperatures there.
Have a wonderful walk delivering the care packages to Mom and Kitty. (((HUG)))

Unfortunately, Steven is such a severe alcoholic now that to do without his liquor causes him to go into withdrawal and die without medical intervention.



When Steven returned today he was extremely contrite and actually listened and answered me as I grilled him as to where he'd been, who he was with and what he touched.

He had been with his friend who is NOT a denier and has been sheltering at home.
I believe Steven being with his friend brought home the seriousness of the situation.
They went to the gas station, bought gas and a coffee.
They then sat in the vehicle drinking the coffee and talking.

Steven then spent about an hour discussing with me the severity and logical steps we all need to take.

I am relieved.


Down the road neighbors are still periodically running, jogging, fast walking up & down the road.
When I am out they wave and say "hi".

Horse neighbor waves as she rides by.

Beautiful sunny and warm day, laundry is drying nicely.
It's all dry now but I want it to hang out a little longer before bringing it in.
Scooter & Twinkles are outside so I better get back out there with them. ;)

Hello everyone. I did four loads of laundry today and. Have clean sheets on my bed and it looks so fresh. I took off a couple of layers and used my thin white quilt and have the duvet folded at the bottom. I did not wash my sheets yet. I did towels, intimates, darks, pjs.

I will head out soon. Our building is open for business and I think everyone is here. I am trying my best. I wear gloves outside, wear my mask, and stand far away. I bathe each night. I too prefer soap and water.

I will make a drop off to mom today. I have a few things for her and a few things for kitty.

SubC I loved the story of your grandmother. Women are so strong and practical.

I don't think having Steven drinking is a good idea. I hope his belligerence doesn't increase.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
YEA! for your happy-nesses! :)

Condolences for the sadness. (((HUG)))

Great that you can access ancestry .com and do some genealogy.

Hope you enjoyed your online church service.


Hi Subclinical
Enjoyed your Grandmother's home birthing story :)
Sounds like your Dd1 is being sheltered well at work.
My prayers are that by her due date they have virus free delivery hospitals/clinics set up with proper protocols in place. ((((HUGS))))

Good luck and best wishes that all your plans and preparations help you slay those nightmares.


Well, Steven has gone out this morning to places unknown.
Really wish he would take this seriously.
I don't care if he gets sick but he will just infect me.
I do not want to be sick.
He still has not washed his hands, not even once.
His bar of soap at the bathroom sink is pristine.
He has not showered in too many days.

Anyways, my clothesline is filled with fresh clean laundry.
10am here and I am still not dressed.
Soon as I finish my tea I'll get dressed. ;)

Dh just left. He has permission to pick up the monitors and anything else he needs from his desk.

He took the grocery list too and might stop if it doesn't look crowded to see how many of the items on it he can by.

Hi CM,

It is good to hear from you. I hope you enjoy your online church today. If it makes you think of any tips for me, let me know.

Tatoulia, did you get to do laundry?

Tillie, I am sorry Steven broke your quarantine so soon. :(

I am not going to make ice cream today. Instead I am preparing for a military style assault on the world. When I go to bed tonight, I need to have charts with 8 weeks of lesson plans for my classes broken out with materials. Materials lists for each class/child/family. Items from home for box kits loaded in the car. Trash and recycling in the car. Soap and water in the car (I am not a fan of hand sanitizer. I will be hand washing in parking lots after pumping gas or dropping recycling) clean towels/washcloths and a bag for used in the car. Clay, boards, and plastic to roll slabs at the studio in the car, grocery list in the car. List of items to pick up from my classroom in the car. I will be gone all day.

I was going to sleep late this morning, but I woke up at 4:45 from a nightmare. I was a child at my parent's house, and the attached garage caught on fire. At first it wasn't a big deal because it was the outside wall by the car door, and there is a big fire extinguisher there. I was actually kind of excited to get to use the fire extinguisher. But the fire extinguisher didn't have enough pressure, and then I tried to call 911, but the phone was like one of those crazy remotes, and I couldn't find the numbers and I kept making random calls. I accidentally called my mom and I tried to tell her the house was on fire and we needed to call 911, but she just wanted to chat. Meanwhile the fire spread up the side of the garage and the woods caught fire, and then I accidentally hung up on my mom and I couldn't call anybody and I woke up. 100% it's my brain trying to process my stress around my parents and teaching online in this pandemic.

Dd1 is starting to be stressed about getting groceries. Even though she is still going to work, she sees very few people and touches very few shared surfaces. She has now limited her hours on site (she is sharing supervisory duties with her boss who isn't sure she should be there at all "in her condition" and picking up more of his work that can be done online) so that she doesn't have to use the bathroom at work, so it's basically the building door and her office door. Her Dh had a "secret stash" of hand sanitizer (a giant bottle he bought apparently for some art project that takes advantage of the alcohol gel) and he is keeping her little bottle filled up.

I told her I will bring her groceries. She is also terrified of having this baby in July which is predicted to be peak infection here. And blood shortages. We are the same blood type and she told me I have to come to the hospital with her and be a human blood reserve. I told her no problem. I should remember to take my iron.... somehow, I am not worried about the baby. My father was born during WWII and spent the first two years of his life sleeping in the bottom drawer of my grandmother's dresser. His little brother was born on the kitchen table in rural WV. (My grandmother was a nurse and she felt it would be far easier to clean the kitchen than the bedroom.) My father was 6, so he was sent outside to play.

Hey, I'm here...

Yesterday and today have gotten a little broken up in happy ways and sad ways.

Happy that we were able to go to stores and find a few things. Happy that I got on a roll with one of my novels last night and typed 4 pages of character development. Etc.

Sad in that one friend's 94 year old ex-mother in law with whom she had remained on good terms is in the dying process. The lady had had multiple health problems and been on hospice for some time. But I know it will be hard on those who loved her. I used to go by her house with my friend when the lady was still able to babysit my friend's grandchildren. She will be missed.

The public library has a subscription to Ancestry.com so I can also do genealogy for free during this time.

Our church will live stream tomorrow.

I feel time pressure because of having another person around - yet I suppose it's better for my anxiety level not to be alone - ambivalence...

I'll post more asap, but didn't want to go any longer without posting something.

Hi Tatoulia

Good that you are keeping in touch with friends.
Knowing that you each are out there helps keep from feelings of loneliness and being cut off.

Are all residents sheltering in place in your building or have some gone to join others?

Good luck getting to do some laundry.

Please take care while out running errands, avoid crowds and wash your hands. ;)


Steven was not gone long at all.
Returned with meat and a lot of alcohol, whiskey.
Hope he got his prescriptions too in case he really did need to get refills.


Been tidying up after myself as I do things.
So no dirty dishes by the sink and stuff like that.

I do know that at least one of my friends is continuing AA on the phone. The other friend contacted me today. He genera has a good support group and I hope he is making this work. I did invite him to bicycle down to see my BF if he needed any human contact. My friend is recently separated from his wife so I want to make sure he's supported without being a pest.

I need to do some laundry. It is piling up because I'm doing so little. I spent the afternoon with BF, running errands. I'll run a few errands for mom tomorrow and then drop off a care package. I miss her but I'm dealing right now.

I will go unload the dishwasher. I may check on the laundry room situation and see if it is realistic to do a few loads tonight.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Alright...
There MUST be ice cream.
Tell DH to go outside and play with his balls if he complains about the noise.

I'm glad he is helping with setting up remote teaching set ups.

Last time I grocery shopped it was plain to see the alcoholics with their carts full of alcohol and a few random food items.
Hoping your Dd and others are keeping in touch by phone or internet.


Hi Tatoulia
Great that you are still doing your dance and nutritionist online!

Yes, together we can all do this.
We can all adapt to the new "normal".

For CriticalMass...
Thinking about you
Stay well (((HUG)))


Well...
He has escaped the compound. :/
Said he had to go to the pharmacy.
Then as he was running out the door he mumbles something that sounded suspiciously like "grocery store".
So my count down will have to start all over again.
The pharmacy here does deliver through the mail.
I honestly believe this is all just that monkey on his back talking. >:(

So far today I have showered & dressed and done a few daily tasks.
Then I prepped some food and cleaned up some bell peppers and cucumbers to munch on.
Looks like tomorrow will be a good laundry day.
No daytime rain predicted and temps into the high 50s.
YEA!

I hope many of the changes stick.

Dd used the AA thing as a gauge. She said "if I can't go to a meeting, it really is the end of the world." I think they are calling each other.

She said she was playing "spot the alcoholics" at the grocery store when the bars closed. She said "I wanted to walk around saying "hi, I notice you are skinny and have a cart full of beer. Would you like a booklet?" (She did not)

People will bet on the virus.

SubC I too have felt like the world is a bit more peaceful and I too am cheered by Venice's clear water.

So yes I'm anxious and a bit depressed but I am grateful to learn I'm not the only one feeling a weight lifted off of me.

I just took a dance class and my nutritionist and I will use the computer for my class on Monday. Bonus that I don't have to take 1/2 a vacation day!

Tillie I do worry about the gambling addicts. They will make themselves crazy trying to stay amused by lottery tickets. I have two friends who are sober and they are trying to find ways to still have their AA meetings.

Strange times. And we've got each other. And we can do this. We can adapt.