April Showers here. Possible flood warnings. Glad I pulled my van into the driveway last night to avoid her sitting in the low gutter and getting rust on her undercarriage.

Tillie, most all the clothes on the Barbies in those pix were Mattel not mine, LOL. I will post more of mine too as I get caught up, but I wanted to go ahead and show off my mini ladies. My home sewn clothes will be way better, heehee! ;) Hope so anyway.

We are experiencing technical difficulties here with time management. Roommate's work at home schedule allows for less flexibility than we thought, since she often has to communicate with the others. So minus the commute it's basically "business hours" still.

What that means is I'm still constricted in what I can get done and in what part of the house, whether I make commotion etc. Also, she still keeps the former evening schedule, with dinner and TV time chopping the evening into less useful segments. My only time to have continuity on a project would have to be during the business hours also, I'm realizing. At first we had tried having late afternoon TV time and I liked that. Maybe we can still try it now and then, I dunno.

Also, sleep is a bugbear for each of us in slightly varying ways. Last night went way too late and she was frustrated - and I understand. I don't want to habitually stay up ridiculously late myself, but I sometimes do just to have more "me time." Except I can't do anything from my room that would wake her.

I could stay up later in the back room, but since I don't tend to be unwound and ready to sleep upon finally entering my bedroom, I'd still need time for unwinding. Which would then make me WAY late getting to sleep. I NEED A TARDIS. We both do. Going to have to do some serious brainstorming here.

Today, I slept in too late. And I've been having my stupid lengthy annoying dreams toward morning quite a bit again. Those are not restful sleep hours. But I am doing what I can to put today to good use despite time deficits. I cleaned bunnyboy's cage and put in new bedding. Plus his litterbox and the playpen litterbox. He did not like me messing with his mess! (Like mother, like son, LOL.) He was a Disapproving Rabbit, like those on this website:

Disapproving Rabbits original site

It got to raining more so I'll do his sister's cage later or tomorrow so I can carry stuff out the back door and dump it easier. SubC, I need some of your stall cleaning mojo if you have extra to spare! I have trouble motivating for even my much smaller scale animal duty.

So today I'm going to do a bit more organizing of boxed dolls, and try to get my library books gone through. They are extended till May but if I could run them up to the dropbox that'd help clear the space they've been occupying. Most are large books. For novel research and I've gleaned most of what I need. Finishing up shouldn't take long. These projects should occupy the afternoon "business hours."

Everybody hang in there... Tatoulia, praying your mom and others where she is will be safe. And for strength for you.

Tatoulia,

I know this is a truly awful time for you. You are working so hard to keep your Mom safe. I think facilities are more aware now, and I know they will do everything they can to protect her. Our hearts are with you.

CM,

I also remember the doll purge. I think it is so cool that you can fix up the "hard loved" dolls and give them new lives as fashion models.

Excellent job getting to the pharmacy.

Online teaching went ok yesterday. Dh says I seem happier the last few days.

The administration sent out a letter - to the families - that we will be closed the rest of the year. They also sent out the video of all the teachers. It was good. It was fun to see all the things my coworkers came up with. One rode her bike with no hands, several dogs, many signs, fun costumes. We got to see a math teacher's new baby - and I realized that she is teaching from home on maternity leave! Her students must be so happy to have her back instead of the long term sub. Also, we don't have paid maternity leave, so this is helpful for her.

They also told the families that they will be working with us to figure out what fall looks like.

Dh is having a hard week. This is his last week working with the friend who is taking early retirement, and there will be no party. Also, he will have to fire someone this week. Only one. He did the best he could for his group, but this is a young guy who has been there less than a year, and there was nothing he could do. He is trying to take comfort that the guys gf still has her job (same company), so they will have rent.

Dd1 is worrying about how she is going to manage her work schedule as our state "reopens". I believe her boss will protect her. He is the one who told her she wasn't allowed to step foot on the job site again after someone who was working there got sick.

19 more days of video school.

Forgot to mention we got our sample ballots the other day.
They informed us that it would only be write in voting.
They will mail all registered voters their ballots.
They have a list of places to deliver our votes.
We can mail them or put them into special secure ballot boxes located here & there or in a box outside the court recorders office.

I'm good with this.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
I remember when you fine tuned the doll collection, donating the ones you didn't need.
Glad you are fixing up the ones you like. :)

The clothes you make are so cute!
And I love how you posed them out in the jungle! :D

Good you went back to sleep and in the light of day were able to overcome any fears about driving to the drug store.

It IS very important to not get sucked into all the news.
Watch or read only known reliable sources and spend only a few minutes.
Turn if off then get on with your day.

Very good news that your Roommate would have it done on an outpatient basis.
Wishing her the best results!


Watered today.
Cats came out with me but I found Scooter sitting inside long before time to go in looking "disturbed". (?)
Soon I plan to shower and wash my hair.
Will make up my bed with fresh clean linens.
Tomorrow I plan to do lots of laundry.
I am so hungry today and keep eating & eating.

I'm here - so sorry, Tatoulia, I will certainly pray.

Tillie, always praying for you to be safe and hoping he will get tired of going places.

SubC, I also hope and pray that whatever works best for your job and is safe, will be.

These days seem so short. Our weather pattern is trending warmer, with a storm or shower here and there. But it's so difficult to accomplish as much as I'd like to in a day; I do a little and all of a sudden it's evening. I've been repairing thrift store Barbies, which is satisfying.

Some time back months ago I'd pulled out and given away dolls that were in okay shape but ordinary and given them to the great granddaughter of my lady I sat with, or put some in the church sale box. So these I'm fixing are ones I truly want to keep.

Sunday afternoon I took pictures of some "Fashionista" Barbies and put them on Instagram. I decided Sundays really need to be fun and relaxing, not trying to "accomplish" anything.

Today I went to Walgreen's to pick up a Rx. I had awakened after 5:00 this morning wondering if I would even feel like driving. I feared an agoraphobia attack. I prayed a bunch, tried to remember fears are worse at night, and felt better after getting up at 8:30, had breakfast, and went without incident.

It is SO important to make a conscious effort to disconnect from the pandemic news, controversies, speculation, etc. as much as we're able. Much of that is worse in the media now that we're not in the initial, shell shocked stage. If I don't get away from it, my anxiety begins to rise.

My roommate plans to go ahead with the surgery and is waiting to hear back. At least it won't be in a hospital; it'll be outpatient.

Oh Tatoulia ((((((HUG))))))
Did they say if they will test everybody, residents and staff to try to isolate the infections?

I am just heart sick.

Keep breathing Sweetie.
Know you and yours are always in my heart and prayers. ((((((HUGS))))))


Hi Subclinical
Happy Dd came to visit but wish she had just stayed there with you.

Really wish your administration would not leave you in the dark, so unfair to teachers and students.

WAY TO GO! for planting and especially for all the strawberries! :)

Good luck with the video teaching today. :)

Where is CRITICALMASS???


Going outside today and water since we didn't get any of that rain.
Scooter and Twinkles will supervise.

I do not think they should end the quarantining at home, social distancing anywhere yet.

What a sad and anxious time.

I received bad news yesterday, too. One of the residents in my mother's facility has tested positive. They have been on lockdown since March 14 so this comes as a surprise. While they cannot give a lot of details. I was able to read between the lines and it appears this person had a can't miss dr or hospital visit of some sort. They can't say whether this person is still in the place but reading between the lines, he or she is still there.

I went over alternative scenarios for my mother and right now she is safest where she is. She cannot climb the stairs to come here and my bathroom is not handicap accessible. I have one friend who offered to take her a week or so ago but then we lose all services. My mother is in diapers full time with a lot of accidents along the way. I won't have anyone to feed her or bathe her, etc. I am satisfied with the plan of action for her facility. I spoke with a second, more boots on the ground, person at mom's and they are all so devastated that they went so long without any cases.

My stress level is high.

Dd went to visit her friend and then back to her apartment yesterday. I helped her plant a strawberry pot before she left, and she took some more of her stuff with her. I was also able to share some baking powder and baking soda which are still unavailable both here and where she lives.

She took my(kitchen can sized) bag of trash with her since I have been unable to drop it off the way I usually do. She left me her recycling because she has no drop off or service and I can still drop that.

My governor officially closed school for the year. However, in spite of a graph that shows a steep increase in cases over the last six days (and we have gone from state tied for 30th per capita to 21st) He announced that cases have leveled off (they had a week ago) and businesses can begin reopening after the 1st. No official word from my administration (whom I've started to think of as "the crickets") but I am assuming hopefully that they will consider us a school and not a business. Although technically they could go the other way and the lack of update makes me wonder if they are considering it.

I planted some more stuff (including strawberries) over the weekend.

Back to the video teaching today.

Notice this afternoon on the county health website.



As the COIVD pandemic continues, ------ County has the sad responsibility to report its first COVID-related death.

The man who was the first to be reported infected here, in his 50 with some other health issues.

My most sincere condolences to his family and to everyone touched by this hell.

Everyone stay safe and stay healthy (((((HUG)))))

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Hope the water fixed the headache.
You should also periodically get up from working and stretch.
Keeps the blood flowing better.

Happy you had a very good experience watching that video! :D
I use the Roku to watch youtube on the big screen tv.
That way I don't need to wear my glasses.


Well, all my knives are properly sharp and my silver is all very shiny.
Even did the large fruit bowl, my earrings and bracelets.
It was a relaxing pleasure to polish today. Not like a chore.

The storm clouds are gathering again but I don't think I will ever see rain again.
The ant colonies are dying nicely. (evil grin)

Didn't vacuum since he stayed in bed until 2pm.
and now I am not motivated to do it.

Up to season 6 episode 9 on "Dark Shadows".

Great activities to do while watching Dark Shadows, Tillie!


Last night I watched, on YouTube, a live theatre production of Buyer and Cellar, starring Michael Urie. I was transfixed! It is available for a short time today for replay. I highly, highly recommend it. Very entertaining, clever, well-acted, etc. amazing, really, I felt like I'd been in the theatre. I can stream to my television so it was a nice, big screen. What an absolute joy.

I'm working and a bit headache-y today. Probably not enough water. Will go drink a full glass and get back to work.

Good Morning
"Clink!"

Pretty sunrise this morning.
Lots of noisy busy birds waking up to continue their courting and nest building.

Plan for today is to vacuum and spot clean the carpet.
Then sit and watch "Dark Shadows" while I sharpen knives and polish the silverware.

Cats and I will go outside to look for and exterminate ants as they start to emerge from the ground after their long Winter sleep.

Good Evening Everyone

Hello Tatoulia
How very kind of you to donate your fabric.
That should make some very fancy face masks.

Glad you & BF went out for a walk, keep breathing.


Washed dishes & wiped up the kitchen.
Am making a candle right now, wax is slowly melting.

He returned home about 4 hours later.
He was coughing less, less violently and not constant.
He is keeping to himself out in the garage, as usual.

Had a 30% chance of rain today.
The clouds developed nicely, all thick and dark gray.
Then the wind blew them all up to Winnemucca where they rained nicely. :(

I am on season 5 episode 24 of "Dark Shadows".

Ok I went for walk with BF, we dropped off the fabric at the police station and we picked up milk for mom. I disinfected the packaging and dropped it off.

Anxiety is bad but I'm breathing through it.

Hope everyone is okay and I hope you forgive me for not spending a lot of time reading your posts. I am
Standing by your side and cheering you on.

Bright sunny day here. I just showered and washed my hair. Now to dry it.

I have to skim over the posts because my anxiety is overwhelming so please forgive me! Yesterday my mother overwhelmed me on the phone then BF overwhelmed me and he hates to leave me when I'm upset but all I want is to relax alone. So he said, so what else other than leaving you alone will make you feel better. So we were able to laugh and I was able to call mom back.

I washed three of my masks last night. One of the police officers is making masks and needs fabric. I have six half yards of beautiful fabric I bought when trying to figure out what I need for bathroom. So I've put in a ziplock to bring yo the station today.

I've been playing more music and that is helping. Right now Marvin Gaye ?Got to Give it Up' and I'm transformed into a teenager again.

Did two loads of laundry last night.

I'm stressed. We are all stressed.

Good Morning Everyone
"Clink!"
Not yet 11am here

Hi Subclinical
YEA! for Sunday pancakes! :D

I'm hoping people who have had the virus have enough immunity to stay safe at least until we have a dependable vaccine.


Steven has left the house.
Probably to go spend time with his denying friend who gives him distorted views.
Steven was coughing violently and in a strangling manner almost constantly all morning, never once attempting to cover his nasty face.
He had no cough yesterday.

?

Maybe he won't return...

I got up feeling much better today.

I think some of the essential workers are voluntary and some are there because they have no choice, they need their jobs.

I am hoping that what my heartdaughter had was the virus. She will be a superhero - like Spider-Man getting bitten.

My local blood center started taking plasma from volunteers on Friday for therapeutic use. One of the guys from Dh company was one of the first donors.

Heartdaughter is the kind of person who will give blood, brave grocery stores, and just generally step up for her community.

Dd made us pancakes for breakfast this morning. I'm going to get back out in my garden today.

Oh fiddle dee dee Miss Subclinical

Glad you will worry about it all tomorrow.
But you can not say you know nothing about birthing no babies. ;)

The corn muffins came out excellent.
The top crust is especially yummy.

Those brownies and homemade ice cream sound decadent.
Bet that was a really comforting food. :)

Glad that headache finally went away and hope it stays away.
I have had to use the netipot morning and night to get rid of my sick sinus headache.

WTG! Dd for sorting through some boxes!

WAY TO GO! to you too for all you did today on your Spring break!

Once I got the few items I needed through online orders I haven't ordered anything more.
I would love to give the delivery people my business but worry too much about them.
I'm glad people can have food delivered so the delivery people can make some money but I worry about them too.
But people getting food & etc. delivered keeps them safe by not having to chance the stores.
Plus the food delivery people are going to willingly do this job anyway.
Just hope they follow safety guidelines and stay safe.


Got all the way up to 72 degrees today so I put on my new Summertime dress. :D
First time I am wearing a dress this year.

I kind of want to look my administration in the eyes and ask "whom are you willing to kill to get the kids back in the building?"

I worry about all the people who are involved in getting food to my house. I have to stop thinking about it though, or I would stop eating. I got really upset about something that wasn't even food related a few years back and stopped eating for four days. I just couldn't. Dh finally put one of my favorite soups in front of me and sat me by a fire and talked to me while he watched me slowly spoon it in.

I am really torn about mail order. On one hand, it helps the post office, and the post office is really important and it helps people keep their jobs, but on the other i worry about their safety.

Dd sortedvthrough some of her keep boxes and found a few things to discard and a few things to take back to her apartment. Then she made black bean brownies, which are more like chocolate mousse, but really good.

I have done absolutely nothing today. My headache slowly went away by lunch, and I thought about working in the garden, but it rained all day yesterday and everything is still a little wet, so I didn't. I realized this is the first day I have just relaxed and not worried about school or the garden or barn or housework since my "spring break" started five weeks ago.

Today I am Scarlett O'Hara. I did run the dishwasher and put the ice cream mix from class yesterday through the ice cream maker. It's vanilla. It was good with the "brownies". And of course I fed and watered all the creatures and put some out on pasture.

CM take care of yourself, anc I hope your roomate gets a good outcome.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you are sleeping better. Sleep is super important.

Tillie, how were the corn muffins?

Hello CriticalMass

Great to hear from you. :D
I'm tickled too that you two might watch "Dark Shadows" too.
The episodes are only about 20 minutes each.
When it first aired it was a half hour soap opera so the other minutes were commercials for laundry and dish soap, Prell or Breck shampoo and Ivory or Cashmere Bouquet soap.
LOL ;D

So hoping Roommates tumor is benign.
All the best to her with whatever she decides to do.
I suggest that she investigate what the precautions are where she would have her surgery before she makes up her mind either way.
This could put her mind to rest or help her decide to put it off only as long as advised.

WAY TO GO! for decluttering that tall stack of papers!

My fingers are still crossed you get great weather and time to do something at storage.
I think if you could do a little in there it would make you more encouraged to tackle it rather than fear and dread it.
These tasks tend to grow in our minds into monsters when in reality it's not as bad as we feared.

A meme I saw
a lady said "I want to speak to the manager".
2020 is NOT the year I ordered.

I understand your fear of catching this virus.
In 1968 I almost died from the Hong Kong flu.
My friends all said that I looked like a holocaust survivor.
But they want businesses back to normal for financial reasons.
Actually said a few lives lost would be worth the financial gains.
It sickens my very soul.

Tatoulia, your bad sleep pattern left you and found me. Sort of. I'm not staying up till 5:30, but 2:00 is not uncommon. Mainly I don't feel ready to get up in the morning, which throws the whole day off. I've had sleepy afternoons too and gotten very little done since about Wednesday.

Our weather is supposed to finally get into a springlike pattern. I hope so.

Tillie, I'm tickled that my roommate wants to watch Dark Shadows with me. We have <10 Blake's 7 episodes to go. May do Star Wars and Harry Potter marathons between. If Dark Shadows episodes are 30 minutes each we can probably watch 2 or 3 lots of nights.

Yesterday my "big" decluttering accomplishment was going through a stack of diocesan newspapers that was about 3" thick and has been bugging me for awhile. They went into the recycling bin.

I share the feeling that people are getting too antsy to reopen everything, even as I acknowledge there are costs to not doing so. But the devastation of people dying - alone and frightened - of drowning in their own lungs, just terrifies me and I just don't know. Experts are debating this and that, but it's all so abstract. Having had that Beijing flu, and seen my friend last year on a respirator, I am more emotional about this.

My roommate is trying to decide about whether to have a surgery for a tumor that could be cancerous. I want her to get it taken care of, I know I'll be involved as driver but hopefully we can plan strategies to minimize risks somehow. But the decision has to be hers, I realize.

I can tell things are weighing on her having just buried her mother then getting that news. And I am not always sure what to say and rather preoccupied with my own worries and sometimes a bit clueless till I realize oops, this or that thing I said or did might've come off as insensitive. And then I'll want to make things better, yet if I call too much attention to it, that can make it more of a big deal and complicate things worse.

As a meme I saw online said, I'm through with my 90 day free trial of 2020; I didn't like it, and wish to cancel my subscription - to whom do I speak?

Good afternoon Tatoulia

You sound so good! :D

Getting quality sleep and taking care of business.

Happy and relieved you, your Mom and BF are all doing well.

Fewer things out at a time is opening and refreshing and you can swap them out with other items as the mood strikes you to keep it interesting and fresh.
Plus it makes things easier to clean.
Counters are able to be wiped down with little effort.

Glad you are signed up for meditation.

Enjoy your relaxing easy weekend. ;)

Okay. Coffee clinks!

I have normalized my sleep and I am so much better now! I go to bed at night and not at 5:30. I've been getting up an hour earlier and that's been nice too. I'm wiping down my kitchen counters daily and it feels really nice. I'm also taking stuff away, meaning I'm editing my home. I still want the things, I'm just moving things so there are fewer that are out. I feel a lot better.

I took a shower before bed last night and closed my bedroom drapes. Normally when I go to bed, I open the drapes for the window closest to me. I didn't last night, and enjoyed a good long sleep to 1130 when BF called me. I've been just sitting around and being quiet and peaceful.

I mailed some shredding to my office. Felt great.

Mom continues to do well. I've signed up for meditation on Thursday afternoons.

My company is strong and held a very good happy hour on Friday. Very informative.

Tillie, you are never out of the woods. Just do what you can to stay safe.

SubC and CM, I am thinking of you.

The grocery stores here are limiting # of people in at one time. There is a formula which I can't recall but I think it's something like only up to 40% of legal capacity. There are a bunch of fools with no masks and everyone's ignoring the one way signs in the aisles. I have a lifelong fear of suffocating/drowning and I do not want to go with COVID19 so I am rarely going out anymore.

Bf is bringing me my things and is sending fully sanitized treats to mom. I'm lucky in so many ways.

I'm going to do a bit of work now.

Copied from the public service announcements board of health...
April 18: 89 tests administered, 81 negatives, 5 pending results, 3 positives
April 17: Two more positive COVID cases announced
So far they have tested only 89 people from my county displaying possible symptoms and 3 are positive.

This will now continue to rise because people have all been milling about and congregating together in close quarters.

Yes it's afternoon but I'm wishing you a good morning!

In fact, let me start a second pot of coffee and I'll be right back.

Good Morning

Sorry you are having sinus issues Subclinical.
Hope you can get that cleared up quickly.
My sinuses have been torturing me too.

I am relieved Dd1 will not be going back to the job site.

So scary that Heartdaughter was probably sick with it.

I too believe that it is too soon to open everything back up.
This virus is sneaky and spreads so easily.
I fear there will be even more severe outbreaks if everything goes back to "normal" before we get a better grip on it.
It's not worth risking any more lives.

Going back into the schools now after everything has been completely disrupted will be a disaster for most everyone.
All the lesson plans have been cannibalized and formatted for video.
Too hectic and confusing for students and teachers.


My plan for today is to make corn muffins then clean the kitchen.
Might cook/bake something else while I'm at it.

Steven went out yesterday, again.
He went to "dollar tree" and "safeway" and then to the new "family dollar" store that just opened up here.
Strange that a new store opened up in the middle of this virus crisis.
Anyway, he said ALL the stores were very crowded, lots of people not respecting personal space or covering their faces.
Safeway had no respectable produce and the meat section was sparse.
But the stores did have TP, which we don't need yet.
But a lot of shelf stable foods were still not restocked much.

So once again I start my 14 day quarantine count down. >:(

Hi Tillie,

I'm sorry we left you here alone.

I made it through the third week of teaching.

My youngest dd is home, but just for a visit. She's planning to go back to her apartment. She lives alone, so if she stays in her apartment she can come back when she wants, but she still plans to go see her best friend against our counsel, so I guess we won't see her again for a few weeks.

Dd1 is not allowed to go to the job site at all anymore, even when it is empty because of the case there.

Heartdaughter just told me she thinks she had covid earlier this month. Her doctor told her that it probably was, but she couldn't get a test unless she got sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. Which fortunately she didn't. Heartgrandson was with his Dad when she started feeling ill, so she didn't see him for over three weeks. Now he is having an extended stay with her.

My administration put out a tentative plan for returning to school "whenever that is." I don't particularly like it. My governor, who has done so well up to now, is talking about starting to "reopen" After May first. He says he will talk to superintendents this week and make an announcement about schools. I really hope he keeps them closed. I don't like online school, but I have a plan and I don't think it is safe. Also, I have cannibalized some of my original lesson plans in ways that would keep me from going back to them, but following the new plan requires at least one more week of teaching from my house in May because I am using non portable equipment and my stove. The school hot plate sucks.

But mostly I don't think it's safe.

Today I have a horrible sinus headache.

Out of sheer boredom...
I did the math.

If I were to watch every "Dark Shadows" episode available on Tubi back to back, 24 hours a day
it would take me 18 days to watch every one.

Really hoping I do not have the time or be bored enough to watch them all. :(

Good Morning Fellow Inmates

Hope everyone is safe and well today.

Freaking cold today and a brisk breeze promising to grow stronger as the day wears on.

Oh how I should clean the house...
But completely lacking any motivation.
I'll just allow the dust bunnies to multiply.

Always enjoyed post apocalyptic books, movies and tv shows but never wanted to experience it first hand.
What amazes me the most is how quickly the wildlife is encroaching on the formerly human populated areas.
But the rats in big cities are suffering without the daily constant food sources they depended on.

Everyone stay safe, healthy and sane (((HUGS)))

Hello

Did some of this and then some of that today.
Laundry is all dry folded and put away.
Killed some pissants.

Scooter came outside with me and helped me keep the courting Doves out of the Olive tree.
Such a bad place to make a nest because cats can practically just walk up the trunk.

Then I came inside and Scooter was laying out in the shade.
Then Scooter was nowhere to be seen and didn't come when I called.
TWO hours later he comes waltzing through the door singing a little "hello" song.
Now he's very tired and napping in the sunshine.
Stupid cat ;p

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
So sorry you may have lost the cherries.
I lost my chance of apricots and may have lost all Lilac blooms too.
My fingers are crossed the cold didn't hurt your veggies.

Best wishes the next kids come when it's a bit warmer.

So nice that so many sewers & quilters are making the cloth face masks in bulk and selling them.

One day at a time is all we can do right now.
Praying that by September there are vaccines and better faster tests to see who is or was previously infected.


Pretty sunrise this morning.
When it warms up I'll go hang out the laundry.

Yesterday afternoon there was a constant breeze
but periodically there would be a strong violent blast of wind swirling dust dirt and debris all around.
Quite annoying dust devils.
Plan today is to keep my promise to Twinkles and brush him.

Hi tatoulia, so glad you are feeling better!

CM, I am very impressed that you can make a new hand fir your doll! Also, it's a wonderful gift that you are able to use some of your stash to help people!

The woman who teaches sewing at our school is making a lot of masks. She gives them free to essential workers and their families and sells them for $10 to anyone else to buy more materials. She says she is completely overwhelmed with requests.

The grocery store pushed our order from yesterday to today.

It's 27 degrees out right now. I'm afraid we won't get any cherries this year. The cherry trees have been blooming beautifully all week.

My next goat is due to kid any day now. Hopefully not this morning. (She's a good momma, the babies would be fine, I don't want to hang out in the cold barn.)

I am making it through one day at a time. 5 more Wednesdays, and the last one I don't teach, I just go to the school and watch people pick up their boxes.

I worry about September.

Good Afternoon Everybody

YEA! Tatoulia!
How wonderful you are feeling so energetic and optimistic! :D

Very glad the cleaners came by today too.
Now you have a sweet clean home to shelter in.

Save some laundry for tomorrow and the next day since it soothes you so. (((HUG)))


Hi CriticalMass
WTG! Badger for taking good care of CriticalMass. ;)

Sounds like you are doing things and that's GREAT!
How clever of you to make a new doll hand.

Maybe just taking some of the stuff nearest the storage door out and getting it evaluated and sorted out.
Little bit by little bit until you have made a path with some elbow room?


Was a beautiful morning for watering.
The wind is getting a little bit much now.
Will clean up the kitchen in a little while.
Planning to wash my hair this evening changing out my sheets/pillow cases and washing laundry tomorrow.

Yay for being on the upswing, Tatoulia!

Sorry about the students, SubC, and the uncertainty. I hope husband is feeling better and starting to adapt, or will soon. And the children, hope all will be well with them.

Tillie, my cousin found my old bowling ball and returned it to me. If I could send it to you to make a ball and chain to put on Steven...alas, I fear it would be inadequate as it's only 10 pounds. So wish part of his hoard would catch and hold his attention, without making him want to go out to find something related to it. If he could just hyperfocus and putter.

I have sufficient food and will be very strategic regarding obtaining more.

Today I continue positive and productive. Even got rid of some of the little paper notes. Did one small laundry load. Am going to have prayer time then get on my laptop and go to town.

The doll's hand that I molded turned out nicely! Next step is to secure it to the doll then paint it. It has occurred to me that with mask making, my supply of narrow elastic for doll clothes will be used up. But I think I'll be able to get some online; I checked Amazon. First I need and want to make masks, then doll clothes.

Waiting to see next week's weather trend re working in my storage unit. And still mulling over strategies. Maybe I could come up with one that didn't involve renting a staging area extra unit. It looks as if we're going to be in lockdown for the long haul, which in my case gives options and less pressure. But I want that storage clutter dealt with. It has dragged out so stinking long. :P

P.S. Badger reminded me to take my supplements yesterday.

Hello everyone! I feel like myself today!! I can't believe it! I got up at 8, which is early for me right now, and I've been super productive. I was a bit harried before the cleaners came here but they came and now my house is clean. I did four loads of laundry. I have lots more begging to be done but fours enough for me. I did one set of sheets, which once dry the cleaners folded for me, I did my towels (I am doing much more frequently due to COVID) and I did the duvet cover and I did a load of unmentionables. I can't believe how good I feel today


I am doing tons of work-work, more productive than I've been since before this started.

I feel human again.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Wishing you some nice warm dry outside time today.

Sorry the girl is dropping the class. :(
But I understand it's just not the same learning experience.

We are too deep into this virus spread right now for anybody to believe that by May people can go back to normal work/school/life routines and schedules.
When the reality hits they will have a hard time coping.

To me having a well stocked pantry means I have a variety of choices even if we get snowed in and trucks can't make it over the mountain to deliver to the store and me & the cats will have what we need & want.
My pantry is small, not enough to feed a large family but more than enough for me.

Right now the fewer times we interact with the outside world the safer we can be.
Steven running off several times a week keeps me in constant danger.


There are 70 different vaccines being explored at this time by scientists all over the world.
Three of which are already being tested on humans.
Until we all are vaccinated this virus will continue to wreak havoc.
It is NOT like the other viruses we are used to dealing with.


57 degrees right now, supposed to get up to 70, slight wind but looks like it will be a pleasant day today.
My plan is to get outside and I will water.

Dh put in a food order for curbside pick up today. He is resistant to pantry stocking as a concept, but he did put whole wheat flour and dried lentils on the list. Also fresh fruits and veggies. We'll see what we get.

I associate a fully stocked pantry with grandmothers who canned and baked and created tables laden with food. - like one unending harvest festival. He associates it with a mother who hated grocery shopping and had major food control issues and tried to stock the pantry as rarely as possible and then keep the food in it as long as she could. - like living through years of famine and rationing.

Dh still thinks he will be going back to the office after May 1. My administration still acts like they think we will be back in the school building after May 1.

Our governor was asked about when he thinks schools will reopen, and he said "it's way too soon to be talking about fall."

I wish he would just come out and say we are closed for the year.

One of my favorite students is dropping my class. She sent me a very sweet note (it's not you, it's the online school) explaining that the main value for her was tied to the better tools and equipment and she just couldn't justify the expense right now when we don't have access to the things I need to teach her what she wants to learn.

There are five students or former students who have my personal email and she is one of them.

I feel like today is going to be another long, hard day.

One step at a time.

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Really hoping Dd2 comes home to roost.

Very sorry Dd1's coworker is ill.

Good luck tomorrow with your virtual appointment and the student gets caught up to date.

Yes, the cold is weighing too heavily on me here too.
But looks like tomorrow it will be warmer for me.
If so I will get out and water.
But today I just cuddled inside with the cats.


The health department update also gave info as to where the infected man had been.
A small corner store on main street.
I asked Steven if he had been there and he gave me a smartazz answer in the negative.
But he does lie so I will take it with a grain of salt.

Statisticians did say the virus would be encroaching on the rural areas this month.
So glad I have my pantry and fridge stocked up.
Will miss fresh produce but it's well worth eating canned and frozen to not go into town and the grocery store.

SubC I really hope you get your pantry supplies better stocked up soon. ((((HUGS))))

I'm sorry Tillie. I hope you stay safe. I know you will do what you can but an't control Steven.

One of dd1's subcontractors is sick.

Dd2 called her crying because she wants to go running with a boy but she's been quarantining for 13 days so she can come home and she wants to come home. I told her she can go run with the boy, just stay apart and don't hug him.

Also, her part time job wants her to come back for two hours a week and she is worried about her unemployment. I told her to call unemployment and tell them she was thinking about applying for the job but needed to know how it would affect her because obviously she can't live on $25 a week. And if she'll come out close to even or behind to just volunteer. Because she misses the job and wants it back when the hours go up in the fall (still part time) but if she's netting $5 or something, the boss could use the $25 for the program.

I have a student who keeps missing class. I made an appointment to meet him in our virtual classroom at 5:00 tomorrow and get him caught up. He could never meet when we were at school because he had to leave for work. One point for virtual school!

It is cold here again. I am struggling with the cold.

April 13: First positive case announced
April 10: 69 tests administered, 62 negatives, 7 pending results
April 9: 59 tests, 50 negatives, 9 pending
April 8: 55 tests, 48 negatives, 7 pending
April 7: 49 tests, 42 negatives, 7 pending
April 6: 47 tests, 42 negatives, 5 pending
April 3: 42 tests, 40 negatives, 2 pending
April 2: 41 tests, 38 negatives, 3 pending
April 1: 38 tests, 35 negatives, 3 pending
March 31: 35 tests, 34 negatives, 1 pending
March 25: 20 tests, 20 negatives

It's here............

Good Afternoon Everyone

Great you have worked out a better shredding solution Tatoulia!
At home shredders were never meant to regularly do more than a few personal papers.


Hi CriticalMass

"I think we all have to find the sweet spot during these times. Motivation but not slavedriving ourselves, and flexibility as we try different methods and schedules and make tweaks based on what works best. It's a process of discovery."

This, what you wrote is so true and exactly how we need to proceed.
We, the human race have never been through a time like this before.
It's all a new learning experience.
Most of all is to realize that mentally and emotionally we need to be extra kind and forgiving with ourselves and others.
We are all being pushed to our limits but with compassion we WILL come through this.
(((((HUGS)))))

I bet scooter was super cute! Growing up, I lived in suburbs and so our cats would go outside. I loved seeing the cat out in the yard, all ears and tail!

I started to shred the work papers and it's too much. The shredder isn't meant for this volume and it overheated. . So I contacted the one person in my department who goes into the office for two hours each week. He's a very nice man and so I was very clear that if it's a hassle, to tell me. He said it sounded reasonable to him. I have a perfect mailing bag that I'm filling as we speak. Sometimes if I order something from Talbots, the bags are reusable. Just turn them inside out and there's a seal and everything to just package for a second use. So I'm filling it up now and I'll take to the PO in Thursday. I feel better already. And I can expense the postage.

Cm I hope your roommate is holding up okay.

Definitely hope no storm glitches for everybody. We had those winds and cold temps on Saturday but looks like things are leveling out.

My roommate left for the funeral 9:30-10:00 - it should be underway as I type this, start time was 1:00. I hope she is doing okay. She'll have her siblings. Two brothers in law are ministers and will help with the service.

I'm doing better than yesterday. Was afraid I was sliding into depression. Grumpy and judgmental of stupid little things, and feeling like the hoarding problem is just too overwhelming to deal with and there is not much hope of getting past it. Didn't even feel like eating really, so had no lunch, but did make dinner later in the day.

Today, I am having some soup, chicken with egg noodles. I'm also going to be sure I remember my supplements that keep my brain less squirrelly. I will take them before dessert.

I'm doing two loads of laundry and casting a replacement hand for a Teen Skipper doll I got from the thrift store sometime before quarantine. I feel good that I'm following through on a project. So often I get art and craft supplies then run out of steam or get sidetracked and they just sit.

There are other, less fun and more complicated, projects waiting. Dealing with the papers, which so often needs me to be on the computer typing info off scrawled notes and such. The papers I got rid of awhile back didn't always need that and could go straight to the shredder. I would like to come up with a plan to spend X amount of time per day X number of times a week at the computer dealing with the more tedious papers. With quarantine this is doable provided I keep my spirits and stamina up.

I think we all have to find the sweet spot during these times. Motivation but not slavedriving ourselves, and flexibility as we try different methods and schedules and make tweaks based on what works best. It's a process of discovery.

Good Morning Everybody

Glad that storm wasn't too bad where you are Tatoulia.
Too bad you missed the trash pick up and now have the company of that bag to enjoy till Thursday. ;p

Is it possible to have a box of shredding sent to the office?
That would be great to be able to just send it all away and not have to deal with it.

Happy you also have something you enjoy watching.
It helps fill in some of the time in a pleasant way.

WAY TO GO! for keeping up with dishes and making your bed!
It's important we continue to do routine things not just because they need doing but to keep us centered and grounded.


Frigidly cold here.
Sun is shining but way too cold to go outside and play.
Have no plans yet.

All day yesterday Scooter played hunt, stalk and attack with me.
He would crouch down behind things and swiftly jump out and touch me as I walked past.
Was cute to see just his ears and eyes peeking up from hiding places.

Good morning! Storm was scary but not terrible. I didn't take my garbage out because it was so windy. I got up early to do and I'd missed it. So I have a giant bag of garbage here til Thursday night. I just couldn't risk having it tossed around.

Cm I know you are striving for normalcy and I admire your efforts! I'm keeping up with dishes and having my bed made and not much else. Cleaners come tomorrow.

SubC you are doing great!!!

Tillie I will continue to chip away today. I have a lot of work shredding to do. I'd like to box it up and send to office to go in the shredder. It's so much work and very time consuming. I did make sure the office knows that this printer is leaving as soon as this madness is over.

Tillie there's a show I like that I watch through Hulu. It's what We Do In The Shadows. I really like it.

I have only vague memories of Dark Shadows. Glad you can watch it!

Hey Tatoulia
Hope that storm isn't hitting you too hard.
That you are warm and dry and have electricity and internet.
((((HUGS))))

Hi Subclinical
Sounds like today was a much better day for you. :)

WTG! for all you accomplished!

YEA!!! that all your new clothes fit!
The book skirt sounds very cute.

That's great that you have learned something new to do online to help with the classes.

I really hope the kid's parents help them gather the ingredients and utensils so they can make ice cream.
That would be such a fun project to do while stuck at home.

I think it is good that the students can see and hear you even if it is on video.
To have their teacher teaching them even during this time is familiar and a part of the way things were before and that can be very comforting and reassuring.


Discovered that Tubi has added all episodes of
"Dark Shadows".
I remember watching it after school almost every weekday and find it hard to believe that was 53 years ago!
:O

CM - Maybe start a load of laundry and then just pick up the papers one at a time until it's time to switch it over? You might be surprised how many you get done.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you had a nice time with BF.

Today I made ice cream mix - I will chill it overnight and put it in the ice cream maker in the morning. Dh can close his door and wear his headphones. I timed myself and wrote down everything I used including the spoon rest so that I can demonstrate for one of my classes on Friday. I wanted to make ice cream together the last day of school - but that is not going to happen. So each Friday class will get an ice cream recipe and a demonstration. But I have to do it on different days and match it with a second activity, because normally at the end of class they would eat and evaluate and I would wash up for the next group.

I was complaining to a coteacher friend this morning (I called her) about having to do demonstrations instead of doing this stuff with the kids and I asked "how is that better than YouTube?" And she said "it isn't." Which somehow made me feel better. Not about what I can offer the kids, but about the fact that I am not crazy to be critical of it.

We also discussed the almost complete lack of communication or support from the administration since school closed.

I disbudded the other two baby goats.

And I took my new pretty dress and skirts out of quarantine and tried them on for Dh. They all fit and he liked them, so I washed them and hung them up in my closet. He especially liked the skirt I was afraid would be too short - it only goes to my knees, but he says it looks good. It is printed all over with books.

I emailed my last two missing kids and copied my administration, and got back an "oops, sorry, one of those kids left the program." (Again, support. if you are going to ask us to contact kids who are absent twice in a row, maybe update our class list by the start of the third week?)

I worked on my lesson plans and I just have a few more small things to do this evening to be caught up for tomorrow.

I learned how to do a new thing on line to make one of my online classes work better.

And I emptied the dishwasher.

It was too wet to plant, but the sun came out a bit.

Hello CriticalMass

What is the one task that is bugging you the most?
The one that will give you the biggest bang for your buck?

OK, laundry done would really make a difference.

Is there one area/spot that is a constant annoyance?
Get Badger to help you start chipping away at the edges.
Just grab one item and decide keep/toss/recycle or relocate to another area.

You want to do papers?
So just grab one paper and deal with it.

Maybe sew one new mask.

These little quick tasks are the best way to find some motivation to carry on doing just one more.

Try hard not to think about all and everything that needs to get done, that's just too overwhelming and demotivating.
Just see one tiny area.

Try to relax. Make sure to eat and drink enough and sleep when you need to.
Breathe.
Hard to go from full throttle down to 0.