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.

Tillie, I'm glad to know you are safe. The county in which the golf course is (fortunately not my county or my school's county - we live at the corner if 4 counties) declared a state of emergency and so the golf course is closed. So, no ice cream.

Dh is rearranging the house to create a home office and help me recreate the "classroom" I used when my bio kids actually homeschooled at home. I think he is bored. He also dug up a wireless headset from somewhere that I can hopefully use for teaching. We won't be sure until I get the computer.

The next nine weeks will be an adventure.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass

Hi Subclinical
Yes, I really "get it".
Since 1968 when I was finally old enough to understand, I have been depressed by what the people were doing to the planet and all things on it.
With everything right now I feel a quiet sense of relief because the "noise" has finally stopped/slowed down. There is a weight that's been lifted from my psyche and soul, if only temporary.
Just wish it didn't have to come to this to do it.

WTG! for getting some weeding done!
That activity does so much more than clearing the garden beds.

Have fun with that facetime "do you want this?"
WTG! your Mom for using this time to Spring Clean!

Enjoy your fire and good luck with your quiet indoor plans for today (((HUG)))


Yes, it is great that the Governor was finally able to make Steven stop acquiring. ;D

In Nevada you can find slot machines in grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, etc.
The Governor also ordered all and every electronic gaming machine to be unplugged and all casinos closed so there is absolutely no gambling in the state.
So all gambling addicts are suffering too but they can't go to gamblers anonymous meetings because the meeting places are all closed.
They meet at the same place as AA and NA.
But all the legal pot shops are still open.

Gambling addiction is a big problem in Nevada.


Been enough days that we have been isolated to safely say that as of yet Steven and I are not infected.
Reno has many cases developing at this time.

Still too cold to hang out laundry or do yardwork today.
Will do some food prep and see what else I feel like doing.


Stay well Everybody (((HUG)))

Tatoulia,

I am so glad you got to see your mom!

Tillie,

It is nice if the governor to help with your acquisition problem.

While I agree that many people are probably fighting perfectly reasonable situational depression right now, I have to say that I actually feel better.

In my prepandemic world there were so many things that were wrong and horrible that I couldn't seem to do anything about, and people kept telling me that I just needed to accept them and not try so hard to find ways to change them because I couldn't fix everything and maybe I should seek treatment for depression. And I wanted to yell at them all the time - if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

And now we have a pandemic. And everyone agrees with me that the world is f-d up. And when people talk about feeling the way I did, other people say "well of course you are depressed, the world is f-d up." And they offer practical, functional ideas to make things better instead of saying "just accept it. That is how things are and you are making yourself crazy. Maybe you need drugs." (I mean, some people do need drugs. And some people do need mental health care because of this, and that is normal and they should get it. Even if they don't have money or insurance - see prepandemic version of f-d up. But a lot of us are just really upset for reasons.)

I did not need drugs, I needed to fix things. Just like we don't need to all get stoned, go on with our normal lives, and wait happily for people to stop getting sick and dying.

And all the people who kept telling me that I can't fix everything - and they were right - are upset and trying to change things even though they can't fix everything.

And even though this is horrible, there are specific concrete steps I can take that I know will actually make a difference. And not only are people not telling me I'm crazy, they are seeing some of the things I was seeing and talking about how they are actual problems we should try to fix.

Plus, clean water in Venice. There was no upside to the prepandemic pain.

That said - Dd is trying to get me used to the idea that I will not meet my grandson until he is maybe six months old, and yesterday I cried because I realized I will probably never see some if my seniors again (I'm crying a little again typing that.) Usually I don't cry until graduation.

So,Yesterday It got warm and I went out in the not raining and used a hand cultivator to pull all the weeds out of part of my garden beds. Today it is supposed to be cold again, so I am going to make a fire and work on my eight week teaching plan and my list of materials for family supply bags.

My mom is deep cleaning her entire house and we are planning a FaceTime call to play "do you want this".

That's so wonderful!!!!

(((((HUG)))))

So happy you got to see Mom :D

So sweet of the concierge to help.

I'm emotional, I know how much this meant for you to see her.

You not making your bed, me just sitting all day doing nothing are all signs of depression.
It is very understandable at this time.
EVERYBODY who is not in denial is depressed.
This is normal and to be expected.
Do not be hard on yourself, you are not being lazy or slovenly.
But we must force ourselves to do every day things like making beds and cleaning litter boxes, etc.
People's healthy diets are falling aside because many turn to comfort foods, eating too many sweets or other fattening foods, not bothering with eating veggies/fruit.
That's ok too.
I am sure many who imbibe are drinking and drugging more now too.
But we must all reign in our self comforting behavior and do what's right so we can be as healthy as we possibly can.
Most of all is we must forgive ourselves, be kind and then act like an adult, parent ourselves and do what we know we should be doing.
We will all slip again and again during this time then pick ourselves up and start all over again.
:)

Tillie, I got to see my mom!!! I spent the better part of the evening with BF while he worked. We watched the news, wheel of fortune, jeopardy, etc. then I decided to go to CVS to check on personal products for mom (her place is supposed to send them to her but they are over a week late, so I keep checking all the stores). On the way there, I was across the street from mom's and I kept staring at her three windows. After that, I continued to walk and I saw a few residents in the cafe, and one was in a pink top and I thought, I bet that's mom! So I knocked on the window and she was having trouble seeing me do the concierge opened up the vestibule, where I stood while mom came into the lobby. She had just checked her mail and had the Frank Lloyd Wright house postcard I had sent her.

So I definitely felt better!!!!!

Tillie my house is best and tidy but I've stopped making my bed. It's been years and years and years since I've left my bed unmade (except for a blip about a week or so ago). So I have to start doing it again. I'm not doing myself any favors by suddenly skipping the one thing that gives me pleasure and peace.

Love you all. It's unusually warm tonight. I just got out of the shower and I just finished washing my hair.

Hi Tatoulia
Yeah, I'm still chuckling about that too. ;D

Glad you broke that news to BF instead of him having to see it on the news.

YEA! for your bright sunny day.
Good that your grocery shops have necessary foods stocked.

Things in a big city being quiet in the daytime are probably unnerving.
Happy you can make contact with BF to feel more connected to reality.
(((HUGS)))


Vegging out on the couch watching videos.
Cats napping beside me.
Steven in his garage with his computer and spooky cans of food. ;p

Too cold and wet to hang out laundry, kitchen is clean, house is tidy.

Keep their hands off each other's balls!! I'm laughing so hard I'm snorting!

I am surviving! I am distracted and unfocused.

Well the stores are closed and yes, Steven will need to accept that. I had to break the sad news to BF that Lord & Taylor will be closed, thought he should hear it from me.

Bright and sunny after a somewhat dank day. I went to grocery store and bought a few cans of tuna and a fresh mayo for mom. I also got her sugar for her coffee and a fresh 1/2 and 1/2. I'll drop off tmr with some other things. I don't want to go so often that they are upset with me. So I'm making her a bag.

Ok going to visit BF. I'm panicking.

Another "win" for me...

His latest ranting is that he believes all businesses being closed is BS.
That there is absolutely no reason for that and that it is not legal to do that.

I countered that it is legal and binding if the Governor declares it.
Which he has.

Then he got all sad and resigned and said
"Guess it doesn't matter anyways because no place is open anyways. :("

I believe he is going through non-acquiring withdrawals.
So he will continue to stay here and shelter at home, for now.
As long as he stays in I should be safe.

Good Morning Everybody
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia
Wonderful to hear from you :D

Fantastic idea writing post cards!
Fortunate that you have that stash of interesting places.

WAY TO GO! keeping up with the daily tasks.
Miss Kitty appreciates your care.

Good to hear that work-wise things are going well for both you and BF.

Keep taking naps as needed and try getting a good night's sleep.
As long as you are staying hydrated I won't worry about your lack of appetite for now.
(((((HUG)))))

Hi Subclinical
LOL :D
Yes, as long as they don't touch each other's balls DH should go golf so you can make ice cream.

Goats sunk up over their ankles in mud...
Yeah, that would be a problem. ;D
By the time it's safe to forage for honeysuckle there should be a nice crop of it out there.

True, sad that it has had to come to this to get people to slow down but the benefits to the planet are already visible.
Water in canals in Venice are clear, cities with a lot of factories are seeing clear blue skies for the first time.
And there are many other improvements that we have yet to see.


So far so good here.
Down the road neighbors have all been running up and down the road for exercise.
Mostly just the teens & preteens.

I would like everybody to do a Youtube search on
(corona virus and NSAIDS)

The snow is still on the ground and it's below 30 degrees so it won't be melting soon. :D
My plan for today is to drink my tea, eventually get dressed.

Everybody stay well :D

It's weird for me. I hate that people are sick and unemployed, and things have shifted just a little too far for me, but my sweet spot is still far closer to the way we are all living life now than to the way we were living it a month ago.

My daughter used to say that if I didn't have kids I would go into town once a month for supplies.

They are having the first round of layoffs at dd2's work today. She has been told that her job is safe (today anyway). She was already looking for a new job before this, but of course, no one is hiring graphic designers right now - advertising, publications, branding, invitations, and retail....

Tillie,

I will put Tylenol on my grocery list. Eventually stores will resupply.

Yes, things grow like crazy. Mostly the weeds. The only good thing about the ground being muck is that the little honeysuckles pull out of the ground easily. But I have to be careful in the woods, because sometimes the trees fall over. Right now it is not raining, but very windy, so no foraging for honeysuckle.

The goats can't go outside today - they would sink over their ankles.

Dh says he is going to play golf on Sunday if the weather is nice and the course is open, so I can make ice cream then. In his words (off color humor if you want to skip down) "we are outside, we can stay six feet apart, we each have our own set of clubs and we don't touch each other's balls."




Tatoulia,

I'm glad your job is secure.

I think your postcard outreach is lovely! I am trying to figure out how to play scrabble on FaceTime with my mom. She has a weekly scrabble game with a friend and I know she is going to miss it. It can't be online, but I think if we both have a scrabble board, and I turn all my letters face up in the box, she can draw for both of us, put my letters in a tray facing the camera, and I can say, ok, pick up tiles 1,3,5, and 6, and play them like this: and then show her on my board - I could just grab whatever letters she plays out of my face up options and we would each have the same board, but she would have to cover the little window on her screen that shows her what I am seeing, or she could see my letters. I think she could maybe teach her friend to do that too.

It is official that family material pick up day will be Thursday. I will prepare all the materials ahead, so I am still planning on Monday and maybe also Tuesday. My next adventure....

Hello everyone! Good to read your posts! We are doing this!

I dropped off a case of cat food and bread and a magazine for mom today. She sounds really good. She's enjoying the postcards I'm sending her everyday. I once bought a ziplock bag of postcards someone had collected. From all different museums, some of which I've been to. So I'm writing one a day to mom telling her how much I love her. I'm having trouble talking on the phone but I try to get a few minutes in with her.

We too had rain today! Glad you got some, Tillie, although that is unfortunate about the buds on your trees.

Cm and SubC, you are both doing so well! And I feel like you are both accomplishing so much. I hope to be able to accomplish soon. Today after work, I took my garbage out, cleaned my furry friend's litter box, then went straight to bed. I will spend time with BF tomorrow night. I know he wanted to go for a walk today but I was tired and really looking forward to my nap.

So off to bed for me. I'll see what the weekend brings. Bf has decided to stop working as much and for that I am grateful. Not grateful money-wise but grateful that he can work on some projects at home. And get some rest.

My company is financially strong and is showing solid and steady leadership. Our Boston office continues to be closed. But we are operating as business as usual and for that I am grateful.

I may try to pop in the grocery market tomorrow to see if I can find anything. I don't have much for food right now but I also do not have an appetite.

I did buy some Pepperidge Farm chessman cookies for mom. I think eventually they will put the kibosh on my dropping off things every day. But I'm trying to give her something to look forward to. Like the mail.

Oh I've been sending museum postcards to our friends' children. Today I sent one with a picture of a trolley from a museum in Maine, and I suggested they learn a song or poem about a trolley or to write a song or poem. Anything to help the parents out. These friends offered us to move I. With them during this time. I used to work with the wife and she is a gentle soul. I believe it was BF and my first wedding together. Ah we were so young!

Hi Subclinical

With all the rain you get I suppose the weeds grow nicely.
In California they have goats they use to keep areas clear to help prevent wildfire.
Someone offered me 3 free pigmy goats once and I wanted them for weed eating but Steven said "no".

With things all up in the air right now you need to utilize all the resources available and weeds/honeysuckle are free.

The wild Tom Turkey that lived here used to especially enjoy dandelions.

Those raging winds blew all the buds off my Apricot tree.
Wishing you a bumper crop of fruit!
Didn't check the rhubarb last few days but have been thinking about how I'll have cobbler soon.

Hope you can find a time when your DH will be not working in the house so you can make a batch of ice cream.
Does he have headphones?

Best wishes that you find an easy enough way to do online teaching.
People make online things look easy but they are beyond my capabilities to master.
Maybe you can find someone online to walk you through some of this?

WAY TO GO! for cleaning and especially for staying in touch with family. :)

Relieved your friend seems to be doing better.
With things as they are right now I hope nobody gets even so much as a paper cut.

You bought ibuprofen, I have that too.
There have been some medical personnel on youtube saying that people who take acetaminophen (Tylenol) do much better than those who use ibuprofen or aspirin for virus relief, fever, aches, headache.
Something about how the ibuprofen or aspirin (NSAIDS) interfere with our body's ability to deal with virus.
Just something to keep in mind.


Stay well everyone :)

Tillie, I am very glad you have wet of any kind.

My daffodils are blooming too, but most of them have been beaten down by the rain. Buds on the apricot and peach, rhubarb peeping up, lilac budding and honeysuckle(invasive bush) in small leaf. Usually I curse the honeysuckle, but I think this year I will need it for the goats - for a notable part of their diet, not just treats.

I almost have enough eggs and milk to make ice cream. But dh will be working from home the next two weeks (plus tomorrow) and the ice cream maker noise irritates him, so I don't know....

Tillie, I'm glad Steven is less hostile.

CM, did you get a nap?

I spent some time today trying to figure out the online teaching thing. It is going to be hard.

Cleaned the barn a little, picked up the living space, and talked with my cousin and my dd1. Ran a load of dishes too.

My art teacher friend seemed better.

Hello :)

IT'S RAINING HERE!!!

It's a bit nicer in here with less dust coating things.
Kitchen is clean too.

It's Spring today but the weather is more like Winter.
Forgot to mention that I have Daffodils blooming now.
The Hyacinth bud stalks grow higher every day and the flower buds are getting big and fat.
Lilacs and Honeysuckle are looking promising.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
Happy you will be in touch with your family members. :)

YEA! the exterminating was done!

Happy you had a group prayer, there will probably be many more in this time.

Good luck with the errands and with getting some take out.
Little treats like that help.

WAY TO GO! for laundry and mini decluttering tasks!
Keep it up little by little and soon it will all join together and make a HUGE difference. ;D

I could not find Twinkle's special hairball kibble anywhere so I ordered it online.
With everybody doing online shopping right now it will take a little while to get here.
But better late than never.

I have accomplished nothing today but a little dusting.
Overcast, cold & dark.

I think somebody straightened Steven out online.
His attitude has completely turned around and he is now taking this virus and sheltering in place seriously.
Still has not washed his hands and has not showered for 4 days which is where I believe his hands may get a little bit clean.

Oh well, at least he is no longer angry and hostile and trying to find a reason to leave the property.
There is no reason or place to go. ;)

We survived the termite man. We both want to nap. I'm going to call my only uncle and aunt on my mom's side this morning. He is 91-1/2. Has always been active, career as an electric lineman, plus growing soybeans and misc. on the farm land they grew up on.

Most of that they sold back in the 90s to a cousin, but my uncle still grows a few vegetables. Or did. He has rheumatoid arthritis and has slowed down. My aunt is in her 80s but as far as I know gets along well still - we have things in common like quilting and crafts.

At 11:00 a.m. here (9:00 p.m. in Rome) the Pope has invited everyone to pray the Rosary or join in prayer so I'm going to do that then nap. My roommate needs to get Rx cat food and her allergy shot. Then we hope to eat or at least get takeout somewhere.

I got my laundry bagged up and will be doing it asap, and starting to pick up various decluttering and organizing mini projects during this time at home. Roommate finally heard from her boss; Monday they'll have a virtual conference about what they're going to do.

Good Morning Everyone
"Clink!"

Hi CriticalMass
You should write or call your relatives anyway.
Just to let them know you are thinking of them.
Even a small "thinking of you" note would be appreciated.

WTG! getting the place ready for the exterminator.
Yucky messy mice getting into that weed preventer.
It is amazing just what rodents will eat even when we never thought of it as a food source.

Good luck with whatever you do today. :)

Hi Subclinical
I'm sure a lot of people's aches & pains these days are due to this constant stress.
Wishing your friend feels better soon.

I think some take out restaurants are closing because they are running low on employees.
Some food banks are running low on volunteers to get out the food.

So very sorry you are all soggy.
Same as last Spring there.
Hope your boots are holding up and your socks stay dry.


My plan for this morning is to run around in here with my dust rags and see if I can make an improvement.
The place may not look great but I am sure my allergies will be 99.9% better.

Tillie, I'm glad the senior lady called you. Helps put my mind at ease.

I am emailing with my immune compromised coworker friend every day. Yesterday she had a mild fever and a headache which worries me a bit. It could "just" be the flu, but "just" a cold put her in the hospital last year. She says it could also be the stress.

She is the other "half" (more like 80%) of the "art department" and we joked about our two week art retreat.

Tatoulia, I'm sorry you didn't get your medicine, but glad you are doing better.

CM, good luck with the termite man.

As of yesterday ddil's school is closed, ds is working from home, and Dh has a meeting this morning to roll out the new shift information - they will be two weeks working at home, two weeks in the office in two shifts that are not allowed o have contact with each other.

Dd1 is of course still going to work because it's construction. As she says "I hope my guys stay healthy, because they can't work remotely." Dd2 is also going to work because her boss is an idiot.

I didn't get my take out because the restaurant closed even for that. Which is ok. I mostly wanted to support them. I don't mind a break from restaurant food. We may get take out from the pizza place we go to every other Thursday some time soon if they are open.

I am going to do some barn/goat work this morning while there is a break in the rain (it has been raining so much. Everything is soggy soggy soggy!)

Then cleaning up the house, maybe starting some more seeds, and taking a look at my online lesson plans. Apart from the "online" - business as usual.

Dh will come straight home from work tonight as there is nowhere else for him to go.

So good to hear from you, Tatoulia! Hope the panic gets gone and doesn't return. Think of me and others who've gone through it and understand and are with you in spirit 100%.

I went to sit with my lady this afternoon. Her great granddaughter was there since the schools are closed. She's a creative, smart, funny girl and wise. We connect well. And she loves her g-grandma and of course it's mutual.

The daughter came home from her work and said they'd be closed, but staff will meet Monday morning to decide how to help their early start kids and parents remotely. So I will sit with her mom then. Don't know what thereafter.

I need to call my relatives especially the older ones. Don't want to think of worst case scenarios but don't want to miss out on a chat opportunity just in case.

The termite man is due in the morning. Roommate and I moved things around in the garage. It is only used for storage. Some mice had been eating her corn gluten weed preventer. It was nasty and stinky and I pray I don't have to worry about hantavirus AND coronavirus! Yuck.

Didn't get much done with my bedroom clutter though. Not enough time. If I can get up early might be able to make a stab at it.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
I'm relieved you are adjusting (((HUG)))
All we can do is take it day by day.

YEA! for being sore from all that work out!

So nice you spent time with BF.
That pita sounds really good and refreshing.

So Sweet of you to make a care package for the cleaning Fairy.
If they don't get work it is an industry where they don't get paid.

I'm sure your doctor has a lot on his mind right now so we can forgive him forgetting things.

Glad you can deliver things to your Mom.
She is right where she needs to be and has everything she needs and a whole lot of what she wants.
So good that you did all that work cleaning her place even though she has probably undone the closet by now. ;)


Did the general house cleaning today.
Nothing extra.
Have had to spend most all my time re-cleaning up after he re-contaminated everything.
If he would just wash his fricking hands!

Took a shower this evening, washed my hair and washed one load of clothes.

Checking in. Going to shower and go to bed. Hung out with BF tonight and when I left he just hugged me a lot and I appreciated that. Dropped off some personal products for mom together with a bag of hard candies and a couple of cans of pineapple rings.

Praying for you, Tillie.

Cleaner did a nice job on my house. Only one cleaner came. I paid her in cash instead of a check and I also made her a care package of a gallon of water, a roll of paper towels and a roll of TP. I didn't have her change my bed but she made it up so nicely. I did change the pillow cases.

I had online yoga last night. Oh my goodness that is so difficult. Then tonight Debbie Allen (remember her from Fane) did an online dance class on Instagram. So I'm sure all over.

BF made me a feta and cucumber pita sandwich tonight. So tasty.

Cm it appears you've been sewing. I'm sorry I can only skim the posts. I'm so pleased for you!

SubC I'm sorry I don't know what you are doing right now but I'm thinking of you.

I'm adjusting. My dr didn't send the script and that's okay. I've gotten myself together.

The lady from the senior center called me today.
They are calling all members to see if we are alright and if we are in need of food or toilet paper.
Also to remind everyone that every day we can drive up and they will hand us a boxed up meal.

Said that should any problem arise to call them and they will do their best to assist.

Really eases my mind about how people will fare in the county. :)

(((((HUG)))))
Thanks CriticalMass :)

I was just subjected to the most ignorant rank.
To spare you the whole tirade I will keep it brief.

Steven screamed and yelled that ALL AND EVERYTHING being done is stupid because this is just a simple "cold".
That everybody is acting like a-holes believing in any of this crap.

That nobody is dyeing from this "cold".

I tried my best to educate him but he just yelled louder to drown me out.

Pray for me...

Thank you Subclinical!
What perfect logic that is. :D

Maybe the body odor is deliberate. If you smell bad, nobody will get within six feet of you, so you stay healthy.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
YEA! for sewing Barbie dresses!
Yes, take your time enjoying the sewing project and not push for quantity.

It is complicated right now to make plans, set schedules.
But the most important thing is that none of us get exposed and carry the virus to the most vulnerable.
Day by day is really the only thing that we know for sure when trying to make any plans.

"we can use it as an opportunity to strengthen faith, hope, and kindness. ¢½¢½¢½"
There is your silver lining under this cloud. ;D


Hi Subclinical

"Where ever two or more of you are gathered together in my name, there is where you will find me."
Or something close to that is what Jesus is supposed to have said.
Sorry, forced to attend Southern Baptist bible school as a kid. ;p

YEA! your class was still on Saturday!

It is a relief that there is no place to have to go and nobody will be coming by.
Only obligations are those we have to ourselves.

I experienced those "blue laws" when I visited Houston. Everybody just planned around them, no biggie.
Hope you get your take out supper tonight.

Have a wonderful day! :D


I am used to staying home with no visitors for two to three weeks at a time.
Only forcing myself to venture out when the food supply is low.
Mostly it was cat food that I absolutely had to buy.
As long as I have potable water, tea, honey and almond milk I am happy.
And yesterday my honey was restocked at the store.
Got some hairball treatment goop for Twinkles too, gave him one dose and he has stopped his retching already.
They also had restocked my bismuth chewables and accidently I exclaimed out loud "bless you!"

While I was in the store I noticed there were quite a few people shopping who had extreme body odor.
Usually there may be one but never before so many.
(?)

Good morning.

CM, I'm glad you got your sewing done. You and your roommate can worship together at home. Isn't there something in the Bible about two people being enough for a congregation?

The zombie apocalypse is reminding me how out of step with my culture I am. I don't eat a "normal" diet - everything I wanted was still in the store. The closing and cancellations of the few places I would like to go and things I would want to do are simply minor annoyances - and likely to feel that way for months, or even become less annoying as I get used to them. They are balanced by a sense of relief that no one is going to "just stop by" my house. No one is going to expect me to go somewhere.

Apparently people are starting to get lonely or stir crazy - I got an e-mail this morning from an acquaintance I haven't had any contact with in, maybe two years? She lives a few miles from me. Many people would call her "an old friend" as we used to engage in activities together. But my minimum definition of "friend" is someone you would miss if they moved away. - personally, not functionally. I would miss the woman at my school who sources things for us because she is very good at her job. I have pleasant conversations with her often, but she is not my friend. Anyway, it has only been 4 days. And the shutdowns gave been progressive - on the weekend bars and restaurants were still open. I went to class on Saturday!

As a kid I lived in a small town with "blue laws" all retail was closed on Sunday except gas stations. I always assumed that was why gas stations carried things like bread, milk, and aspirin. Grocery stores were closed. Restaurants were closed. Libraries were closed. The zoo was closed. It was gas stations, church, police, hospitals, and fire stations. (People who worked in places like nursing homes and hotels also had to go to work) That was it. People were used to it. Sometimes it was inconvenient, but it was fine.

Honestly I think what the "social distancing" rules are doing to the speed of life in the places with minimal infection is healthy. I would love to see the whole country shut down for a couple of weeks every year. If we knew it was coming, we could plan for it. Heart disease might go down.

Dh wasn't able to bring home take-out the other night due to working late, but he is going to try again tonight. He had planned to play racquetball tonight, but the racquetball courts are closed.

Today I am repotting tomatoes, cleaning the barn, and doing laundry. Exactly what I have had planned for weeks.

I only got one Barbie dress made, and it still needs snaps - but that's okay. I'm a bit rusty on my sewing, and the lighting in the room was dim despite lamps. I decided getting one item done and feeling okay was better than pushing too hard and hitting the wall.

I'll miss my new sewing venue Friday - I'm guessing the group won't meet since it's mainly seniors who might not want to get out. And I don't fancy driving across a deserted city.

Tomorrow I'm still on to sit with my lady, but the schools and colleges are closed for the year, so grandkids and great grandkids might be available to help more.

Also the daughter who coordinates the bulk of scheduling caregivers is waiting to find out about her own job. The caregivers who are seniors themselves will not be sent by the agency. It's complicated! I could end up going there more, or less. I just want to be sure I don't bring any bad germs with me, ever.

You are right, Tillie, about the churches. It's surreal but what God would want people to do, to look out for one another, and we can use it as an opportunity to strengthen faith, hope, and kindness. ♡♡♡

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY EVERYBODY :D

Hi CriticalMass
your pics are so beautiful I could almost smell that hyacinth.

I know in my heart that your God/Creator wants you all to stay safe and healthy.
Isolation, cancellations and keeping a bit of distance from others seems to be the most practical solution right now.

YEA! for getting BBQ!
WTG! for expending the energy raking out those wet leaves.
Hope you are busy creating Barbie outfits now. :D


So happy I went back to the store today.
The things I wanted that were sold out last time were back on the shelves today!!!
Still not a "square to spare" in the TP but I am good with what I have.

The senior center sent another automated phone call and it seems that due to my age I am supposed to shelter in place. Only venturing to the store when necessary.
Today I was able to buy some cleaning supplies, cleanser, Lysol general purpose disinfectant cleaner to help me in my battle to keep Steven from infecting me.
Except for fresh produce and almond milk I have enough in the pantry to last two months.

Ordered Twinkle's special hairball cereal from chewy .com and ordered laundry sheets off Amazon.
Those items should arrive this week.

Went to the water depot and now have 31 gallons of potable water.
Nice thing about that place is you drive up to the dispensers, insert your money, fill your bottles, put them in your car and drive away.

I am so happy now.
Don't have to leave the house for anything for the next month!!!

Since the rain/snow has stopped the dust storms, tomorrow my plan is to start doing some major Spring cleaning in here.
And I am looking forward to that. :D

Despite everything,

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I've got on my green shirt and green socks with shamrocks and kittens that I just got lucky (heehee) enough to find a few weeks back at the Dollar Tree.

Some places are having virtual St. Paddy's events. I was never into the boozing, but there is also Irish dance, which I love.

Roommate and I went to Walmart. Things like sanitizer and TP were out but we are okay on that. Got a few other items like vitamins.

We ate at the barbecue place we like, dine in with a few changes such as not having drink lids out in a common bin, etc. Some restaurants here have gone to drive through only.

The public library and YMCA are now closed. Banks probably about to be as well. Bishop said no Sunday Masses, not even Holy Week and Easter :( I guess it's wise though.

He and other Kansas bishops and some priests had been over in Rome to meet with Pope Francis as is customary, a few weeks back. Don't know if it was during the early unknown incubation in Italy, and none have come down with anything. Hoping that will be stay the case. So I guess I will go to church via EWTN.

My smaller church events today were even cancelled, quilting and holy hour. Two of the ladies had gone, and Father shooed them out! I'd known about it last night.

Sometime like maybe tomorrow we have to scoot stuff around in the garage so the termite man can inspect on Thursday. And I should do some cosmetic damage control with my room (sigh...).

This morning when it was brought up, I was kind of frustrated and angry, not wanting to do a boring mundane task - felt like a whiny child. But I did go out and clean some yucky wet leaves away from the side of the house. The physical labor worked out the frustration then I was okay.

But - This afternoon I'm determined to sew St. Patrick's Barbie clothes and hopefully take photos. And listen to Irish music.

It's still grey, chilly, and very changeable weather here. Tomorrow is forecast sunny and 75! Then thunderstorms Thursday and back down to the 40s Friday.

Be sure and check out my shamrock on IG - one of the garden centers has all this lush plant growth under the benches, different things, and one area was all shamrocks and those babies were 3-4" in diameter! Really cool.

Hang in there Tatoulia
Keep in contact with all your support people.
Enjoy the yoga.

Please try to ignore all those crazy people in your city.

So wonderful you and BF have made contingency plans.

((((((HUGS))))))

Not doing well but I'm getting the support I need. From you, other friends, BF. he is still opening his work every day for now and we have a plan for when he does close. Kitty and I will move in with him. I'll work and we have a vast project for him.

I'm sorry that I'm not being good about reading posts. I can read but cannot process. Very bad panic. On line yoga starts tonight and yesterday I had to sleep as soon as work was done.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical

Great you are stocked up on Goat chow for now.
WTG! Mr. Kitty. You are now safe to roam and do your rodent exterminating job.

Your garden will be great this year.
Wishing you many non-rainy, sunny days to get out and play in the dirt with all the sprouting veggies. :D


There is a light powder sugar like frosting of snow covering things.
What a relief after so many days of raging winds blowing dense dust around.
Planning on a trip to town this morning to see if I can locate a few items I am low on or completely out of.
The 24 hour WallyWorld has closed now from 11pm to 6am for cleaning and restocking.
Really hoping they have placed limits on the quantity people can buy so the rest of us can get something, anything.
Before the panic there was always enough for everybody.

Updates here -

Our elections have bern cancelled.

Dh is still going to work.

My class has been cancelled.

I have 2 weeks of goat feed. The manager asked me how much feed I use in a week and told me I could get twice that, so I did. He expects to be shut down but is going to try to get out as much notice as possible. Apparently I am one of his top three customers - number one is my dd2's best friend whom he plans to call personally the minute he knows anything.

My cat has been vaccinated.

Dh pointed out how much time I'm going to have for the garden this spring.