CM, I hope things resolve well for your cousin.

I spent four hours at school for pick up and drop yesterday (plus half an hour before to set up and half an hour after to start the kiln.)

I only had 12 out of 51 that didn't pick up, so not too bad.

A few of the parents brought their kids and a couple of my teens brought themselves. It was really good to see my kids again, even from a distance.

Two of the teens hung around and had shouted conversations with me in the parking lot. I think one of my boys would have gladly spent the day. And one of my little ones wore a twirly dress and spun and spun in the parking lot.

I picked some cilantro and a bouquet of kale from our school garden.

My state starts "reopening" at the end of the week. Friday is non-emergency health care (dentists, and mammograms and such - but not elective surgery) Monday is manufacturing, distribution, and construction. Dd is construction and they never closed, so I'm confused about that. I feel like most of those stayed open. Maybe manufacturing and distribution of non-essential items? Masks will be required for employees and customers (no mask, no service) and on the 12th we will have non-essential retail again, but not things like gyms, salons, barbers, and tattoo parlors. I'm not clear on restaurants.

We picked up a pizza for dinner last night. They seemed to think they would be open on the 12th, but I'm not sure they are "consumer retail"?

Companies are supposed to keep anybody who can work from home working from home.

I don't understand what makes this ok. Cases had leveled off, but then we had a huge spike after Easter, which imho was because people went to church and visited their families. I don't know how we're going to avoid another huge spike if we open up shopping. And people will start associating again, because if you can go in Macy's, you can go to your neighbor's house, right? I don't see anything that has happened that makes thIs any safer than it was in March.

Brought home a little more stuff from the classroom.

Good Morning Everyone
Still morning here.

Hi Subclinical
That is sad about the unfinished school projects that will not be finished.

YEA! for more baby goats!
So sorry you lost the one Mother and I wish her Kid all the best.

Interesting to hear about your breeding outcomes.
I used to raise AKC registered Cocker Spaniels and it was interesting to see the outcomes.

YEA! for things growing in your garden and the trees!
My sweet basil and chives always survive the Winters and come back.

Good luck with all your plans for the week and keep up the good hygiene practices.

Well, I washed all the windows inside and out that I can reach.
Living area, dining area, storm door and the window in my tiny room.
Bathroom window is too hard to reach from outside but I was able to remove the window pane from inside and get that done both sides.
Living area window with the cooler installed in it I can only reach the inside.
Also hosed off the front porch and the door mats.
Both his bedroom windows are impossible to reach inside or out due to the clutter.

Want to do the back porch but he has crap stacked all around there and would pitch a fit if I got it wet.
But soon I will wash off that filthy porch. (evil grin)

Before I went out I did two wash loads of some of my bedding and it's drying on the clothes line.
Beautiful day, sunny and will get into the 80s.

Now to rest and find something hopefully not fattening for lunch.
All out of fresh veggies & fruit to munch on.

It never rains but it pours...

Checked email Sunday a.m. before my livestream Mass, and learned my cousin had been in ICU since Wednesday I gathered. She had an aneurysm at the base of her spine and blood traveled up around the spinal cord. They may do a surgical procedure.

The effects are like those of a stroke sort of, so she is having therapy with her legs and maybe will go to a rehab. Of all the times for this... but praying and have others praying.

For years this cousin has been my ride to see the out of town family. Her husband has health issues and can't drive. But first things first - just want her to be okay! They both just retired last summer.

Roommate's surgery plans still need cardio doc to sign off, hope that doesn't create confusion as to whether it will happen on Friday or not.

We've been preparing, I made a big list of what I need to do plus any things she's wanting to do that involve or affect me. She's in a decluttering mood, too, which is contagious and might be the motivator I've needed. I took some of her unwanted gardening items to another friend, and we may take pet items to the shelter for dogs and cats if they're accepting donations.

Possibility of severe storms tomorrow evening... Sunday was 29 years since one of the bad tornadoes that hit nearby Haysville, McConnell AFB, and Andover, with 21 fatalities. A sad day.

But, I am just doing my best not to worry.

Yesterday i stopped at dd1's house and traded eggs for the box of glazes I had delivered to her (limited delivery area) through the porch "airlock." I wore my mask.

Then I went to school and emptied the rest of the lockers (except two kids who haven't shown up for pick ups) and packed up their stuff with glazes for them to use the next two weeks. It took 4 hours. It was nice to be in my classroom again. I miss my classroom.

I measured things so that I can work on planning a social distancing set up for my classroom for next year, and brought home some stuff. One thing I know is that less is going to be stored in my room next year because of surfaces and cleaning.

The goat finally had her babies yesterday evening - I had decided I had her breeding date wrong and stopped checking on her obsessively, so I missed it, but when I went out to do chores the babies were still wet - two boys and a girl. The girl is lovely. That makes ten baby goats - four girls and six boys. One of the girls has a breeding fault I didn't notice until she grew a bit. That was disappointing because she is my "fancy on paper" goat for this year, but I am planning to keep the other three. I will definitely keep one boy this year, and maybe a second. I need to look at the genetics and think it through.

I have two more goats left to kid. One any time and one in mid-to-late May. They were both "field bred" so no dates.

Tatoulia skip this. I did lose one of the older goats this week. It was sudden and surprising. She kidded this year, but appeared in good condition. Her baby is young to be weaned, but he is eating feed and straw, so I think he will be ok.

My peas are coming up, all the trees have been flowering. I picked cilantro and kale yesterday that over wintered in the school garden.

I have a lot to do this week, starting with running the pick up and drop at school today and then firing the kiln. A bit stressed about all the people and surfaces, but I will keep my distance and wear gloves and my mask and wash my hands.

I need to clean stalls and plant more strawberries and get things together for the week.

My cousin The guidance counselor is sleeping late and has spent entire days in her pajamas. I am working ten extra hours unpaid this week, (I get paid for "classroom hours" plus 45 minute lunches and one planning hour per week.) plus effectively doing half my weekly commute. Actually, my hours dropped when we cancelled my two classes, so it is possible my April check won't include lunches.

I threw things in the garbage at school yesterday. Projects that are never going to be claimed. It made me sad.

Yesterday i stopped at dd1's house and traded eggs for the box of glazes I had delivered to her (limited delivery area) through the porch "airlock." I wore my mask.

Then I went to school and emptied the rest of the lockers (except two kids who haven't shown up for pick ups) and packed up their stuff with glazes for them to use the next two weeks. It took 4 hours. It was nice to be in my classroom again. I miss my classroom.

I measured things so that I can work on planning a social distancing set up for my classroom for next year, and brought home some stuff. One thing I know is that less is going to be stored in my room next year because of surfaces and cleaning.

The goat finally had her babies yesterday evening - I had decided I had her breeding date wrong and stopped checking on her obsessively, so I missed it, but when I went out to do chores the babies were still wet - two boys and a girl. The girl is lovely. That makes ten baby goats - four girls and six boys. One of the girls has a breeding fault I didn't notice until she grew a bit. That was disappointing because she is my "fancy on paper" goat for this year, but I am planning to keep the other three. I will definitely keep one boy this year, and maybe a second. I need to look at the genetics and think it through.

I have two more goats left to kid. One any time and one in mid-to-late May. They were both "field bred" so no dates.

Tatoulia skip this. I did lose one of the older goats this week. It was sudden and surprising. She kidded this year, but appeared in good condition. Her baby is young to be weaned, but he is eating feed and straw, so I think he will be ok.

My peas are coming up, all the trees have been flowering. I picked cilantro and kale yesterday that over wintered in the school garden.

I have a lot to do this week, starting with running the pick up and drop at school today and then firing the kiln. A bit stressed about all the people and surfaces, but I will keep my distance and wear gloves and my mask and wash my hands.

I need to clean stalls and plant more strawberries and get things together for the week.

My cousin The guidance counselor is sleeping late and has spent entire days in her pajamas. I am working ten extra hours unpaid this week, (I get paid for "classroom hours" plus 45 minute lunches and one planning hour per week.) plus effectively doing half my weekly commute. Actually, my hours dropped when we cancelled my two classes, so it is possible my April check won't include lunches.

I threw things in the garbage at school yesterday. Projects that are never going to be claimed. It made me sad.

Good Morning Everyone
Still morning here.

Hi Subclinical
That is sad about the unfinished school projects that will not be finished.

YEA! for more baby goats!
So sorry you lost the one Mother and I wish her Kid all the best.

Interesting to hear about your breeding outcomes.
I used to raise AKC registered Cocker Spaniels and it was interesting to see the outcomes.

YEA! for things growing in your garden and the trees!
My sweet basil and chives always survive the Winters and come back.

Good luck with all your plans for the week and keep up the good hygiene practices.

Well, I washed all the windows inside and out that I can reach.
Living area, dining area, storm door and the window in my tiny room.
Bathroom window is too hard to reach from outside but I was able to remove the window pane from inside and get that done both sides.
Living area window with the cooler installed in it I can only reach the inside.
Also hosed off the front porch and the door mats.
Both his bedroom windows are impossible to reach inside or out due to the clutter.

Want to do the back porch but he has crap stacked all around there and would pitch a fit if I got it wet.
But soon I will wash off that filthy porch. (evil grin)

Before I went out I did two wash loads of some of my bedding and it's drying on the clothes line.
Beautiful day, sunny and will get into the 80s.

Now to rest and find something hopefully not fattening for lunch.
All out of fresh veggies & fruit to munch on.

Good Afternoon

Been doing laundry.
All the heavy window coverings I took down and a quilt.

Went around the house spraying bug barrier since I keep seeing spiders inside.
Really big fat one this morning, "shivers".

Plan for tomorrow is to wash windows and window screens.
Hoping nothing interferes with my plans.

Twinkles found a new hatched baby yellow finch dead in the garden this morning.
I checked all the nearby trees and did not see any nests above the location.
Wonder where he came from???

Good Afternoon

Been doing laundry.
All the heavy window coverings I took down and a quilt.

Went around the house spraying bug barrier since I keep seeing spiders inside.
Really big fat one this morning, "shivers".

Plan for tomorrow is to wash windows and window screens.
Hoping nothing interferes with my plans.

Twinkles found a new hatched baby yellow finch dead in the garden this morning.
I checked all the nearby trees and did not see any nests above the location.
Wonder where he came from???

Good Morning
Iced chai masala "Clink!"

Pleasantly cool morning and it will get up in the low 80s again today.
So nice having windows open all day & some over night.
But the dust in here just keeps getting deeper.
Should concentrate on removing it but it will just come back before the day has passed plus NOBODY will be dropping by to see my dusty house.

To be able to reach the trees way out front I hook 3 hoses together.
Yesterday the "tree" hose developed a large hole.
I know for a fact that Steven has millions of hose splicers/menders in his hoard.
But he can't remember if he does or where they would be...
He always thrift shop/yard sale buys things like that so if he ever needs them (Justin Case) he has them and doesn't need to go to the store and spend higher store prices to get them.
Well, now he plans to go buy some at the hardware store to fix the hose.

When neighbor friends were preparing to move they gave me a coffee can FULL of hose fixer items and Steven took them from me because he's a man and those are man/hardware type things.
Wish I had fought harder at the time to hold onto them myself.

Anyways, he is supposed to get the evaporative cooler all set up but he can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
He can only do one little thing a day and he won't do anything else all week long because he did that one little thing on that one day.
But he would come to your house and work all day long to help you fix up things at your house.
He's gone this morning to work on someone else's house again. >:(

Good Morning
Iced chai masala "Clink!"

Pleasantly cool morning and it will get up in the low 80s again today.
So nice having windows open all day & some over night.
But the dust in here just keeps getting deeper.
Should concentrate on removing it but it will just come back before the day has passed plus NOBODY will be dropping by to see my dusty house.

To be able to reach the trees way out front I hook 3 hoses together.
Yesterday the "tree" hose developed a large hole.
I know for a fact that Steven has millions of hose splicers/menders in his hoard.
But he can't remember if he does or where they would be...
He always thrift shop/yard sale buys things like that so if he ever needs them (Justin Case) he has them and doesn't need to go to the store and spend higher store prices to get them.
Well, now he plans to go buy some at the hardware store to fix the hose.

When neighbor friends were preparing to move they gave me a coffee can FULL of hose fixer items and Steven took them from me because he's a man and those are man/hardware type things.
Wish I had fought harder at the time to hold onto them myself.

Anyways, he is supposed to get the evaporative cooler all set up but he can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
He can only do one little thing a day and he won't do anything else all week long because he did that one little thing on that one day.
But he would come to your house and work all day long to help you fix up things at your house.
He's gone this morning to work on someone else's house again. >:(

Sending love to all and a special hug to Tatoulia.

Tatoulia
Words can not express how relieved I am that your Mom tested negative.
We can breathe a little easier today. (((HUG)))

Today I cried tears of relief instead of all the regular tears of grief.

Yes, we are all in this together and like Queen Elizabeth said "We will meet again".

Hope you do get out for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine.

Subclinical
How very discouraging this video schooling is.
So many of the students all around the world are not responding to it like they do in a classroom setting.

WAY TO GO! getting your house better today!
Wish I was so motivated.

Did some watering.
The Ash trees are starting to leaf out.
Lilac flower buds are getting big and fat.
Honeysuckle is sending out lots of leafy tendrils.
Catmint is doing very well and gets lots of random assorted cat visitors.
Light burn barrel.
Started up the car to keep the battery charged.
Hosed all kinds of crap off the car, spent Apricot blooms, bird poop and thick dust.
Killed a few queen yellow jacket wasps.
When the sun isn't so intense I will water the grass.
Ate lunch and am watching more "Dark Shadows".

Tatoulia
Words can not express how relieved I am that your Mom tested negative.
We can breathe a little easier today. (((HUG)))

Today I cried tears of relief instead of all the regular tears of grief.

Yes, we are all in this together and like Queen Elizabeth said "We will meet again".

Hope you do get out for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine.

Subclinical
How very discouraging this video schooling is.
So many of the students all around the world are not responding to it like they do in a classroom setting.

WAY TO GO! getting your house better today!
Wish I was so motivated.

Did some watering.
The Ash trees are starting to leaf out.
Lilac flower buds are getting big and fat.
Honeysuckle is sending out lots of leafy tendrils.
Catmint is doing very well and gets lots of random assorted cat visitors.
Light burn barrel.
Started up the car to keep the battery charged.
Hosed all kinds of crap off the car, spent Apricot blooms, bird poop and thick dust.
Killed a few queen yellow jacket wasps.
When the sun isn't so intense I will water the grass.
Ate lunch and am watching more "Dark Shadows".

Sending love to all and a special hug to Tatoulia.

I know what great energy you bring to your job, SubC, and I completely understand your lack of motivation. I'm both unmotivated and distracted. It's so hard right now. It's like I'm in a constant state of heartbreak.

I do believe, if you can forgive the platitude, that we are all in this together and we will all emerge.

I am going through papers now. Will shower soon. See if ND would enjoy a walk.

I know what great energy you bring to your job, SubC, and I completely understand your lack of motivation. I'm both unmotivated and distracted. It's so hard right now. It's like I'm in a constant state of heartbreak.

I do believe, if you can forgive the platitude, that we are all in this together and we will all emerge.

I am going through papers now. Will shower soon. See if ND would enjoy a walk.

Oh Tatoulia,

I am sorry about the resident, but so glad for the news on your mom!

I'm feeling a very low level of motivation about my job. My first class yesterday only two students showed up. I had to turn the class after lunch into an independent project because my video crashed. 16 more days of video school.

I am working on my house today.

Oh Tatoulia,

I am sorry about the resident, but so glad for the news on your mom!

I'm feeling a very low level of motivation about my job. My first class yesterday only two students showed up. I had to turn the class after lunch into an independent project because my video crashed. 16 more days of video school.

I am working on my house today.

Mom's tear came back negative! They tested eight residents who had that aide and two tested positive. The first positive resident has died.

When we got the news, BF admitted he'd suffered terrible stomach problems.

Mom is very happy. I didn't tell her that the one resident died.

They've taken even sharper measures to protect the residents. And I'm very grateful for that.

I feel the best I've felt right now. I've been a ball of nerves and even after getting the good news, it took me the last 20 hours to adapt and adjust

Thank you for standing by my side. I'll write more later.

Love you all so much.

Mom's tear came back negative! They tested eight residents who had that aide and two tested positive. The first positive resident has died.

When we got the news, BF admitted he'd suffered terrible stomach problems.

Mom is very happy. I didn't tell her that the one resident died.

They've taken even sharper measures to protect the residents. And I'm very grateful for that.

I feel the best I've felt right now. I've been a ball of nerves and even after getting the good news, it took me the last 20 hours to adapt and adjust

Thank you for standing by my side. I'll write more later.

Love you all so much.

Good Morning

Will be hot today, 80s.
Going out in a bit to water some things.

TTYL 🙂

Good Morning

Will be hot today, 80s.
Going out in a bit to water some things.

TTYL 🙂

Hi CriticalMass

I've been mindlessly eating too and not anything good.
Scooter and I are both phat.

Walking bunnies in a stroller sounds like so much fun!

Start calling the thrift shops and asking them when they will be taking in donations.
With so many states/cities/towns ending the quarantine, thrift shops will be opening up again so they will want the stuff.

Next Friday, that's quick.
Enough time to get things ready there for her recuperation.

Hope the relatives only come for a little day visit or get a hotel/motel room for overnight.
I'm sure you can help roommate with whatever she needs while she's down.

Jealous of your rain clouds and lightening.

Hi CriticalMass

I've been mindlessly eating too and not anything good.
Scooter and I are both phat.

Walking bunnies in a stroller sounds like so much fun!

Start calling the thrift shops and asking them when they will be taking in donations.
With so many states/cities/towns ending the quarantine, thrift shops will be opening up again so they will want the stuff.

Next Friday, that's quick.
Enough time to get things ready there for her recuperation.

Hope the relatives only come for a little day visit or get a hotel/motel room for overnight.
I'm sure you can help roommate with whatever she needs while she's down.

Jealous of your rain clouds and lightening.

Rain here today too. Sky got so dark from about 1:00-2:00. The bulk of the clouds are past now and it's lightening finally.

I'm gaining quarantine weight. Mindless nibbling, extra sweets, little if any exercise. I'm going to cut back on eating, and though I still have zero desire to go on roommate's dog walks after the latest fiasco, there is the bunny stroller and her two bunnies in need of bonding. The stroller distracts the bunnies from murderous intent toward each other.

Her surgery is a week from today. Enough time to prepare but not so much that we get complacent and I forget what day it is. And probably ideal time for her to prepare yet not worry too much.

Several of her siblings are offering to come and help. We are both apprehensive due to the crowdedness and clutter. Her sibs have good paying jobs, spouses, kids and grandkids, nice roomy homes, etc. Sometimes they pick at her for her clutter, having several pets, etc.

They're nice people and not intending to be mean, but they don't understand how a single woman has to be chief cook and bottle washer, how if things break down it's not as simple just to repair much less replace them, etc. And why pets for companionship when you don't have kids mean a lot.

As for me, I will have to up my decluttering game just enough to be able to get my stuff out of the common areas and close my bedroom door. Sigh.

After she recovers, I guess I'd better just resign myself to going to the storage unit and trying to deal. This is not how I'd pictured this spring. None of us expected all this craziness. Wonder if/when thrift shop donation centers will reopen.

Whatever...

Stay safe ladies

Rain here today too. Sky got so dark from about 1:00-2:00. The bulk of the clouds are past now and it's lightening finally.

I'm gaining quarantine weight. Mindless nibbling, extra sweets, little if any exercise. I'm going to cut back on eating, and though I still have zero desire to go on roommate's dog walks after the latest fiasco, there is the bunny stroller and her two bunnies in need of bonding. The stroller distracts the bunnies from murderous intent toward each other.

Her surgery is a week from today. Enough time to prepare but not so much that we get complacent and I forget what day it is. And probably ideal time for her to prepare yet not worry too much.

Several of her siblings are offering to come and help. We are both apprehensive due to the crowdedness and clutter. Her sibs have good paying jobs, spouses, kids and grandkids, nice roomy homes, etc. Sometimes they pick at her for her clutter, having several pets, etc.

They're nice people and not intending to be mean, but they don't understand how a single woman has to be chief cook and bottle washer, how if things break down it's not as simple just to repair much less replace them, etc. And why pets for companionship when you don't have kids mean a lot.

As for me, I will have to up my decluttering game just enough to be able to get my stuff out of the common areas and close my bedroom door. Sigh.

After she recovers, I guess I'd better just resign myself to going to the storage unit and trying to deal. This is not how I'd pictured this spring. None of us expected all this craziness. Wonder if/when thrift shop donation centers will reopen.

Whatever...

Stay safe ladies

At times, if push comes to shove
I strongly that one family member should be allowed to be with their loved one.
Keeping them away is just too cruel.

Hi Tatoulia (((HUG)))
Do you still have some antianxiety medicine?
Please take it, get a refill, you need it.
We all need something to help cope.

Having fewer things out helps to keep our minds from becoming too cluttered with visual stimulus.
Helps keep us calmer.

I have been sorting out and storing things in the car trunk.
The decluttering is soothing even though it's just a distraction.

Someday I believe that I will be able to donate these things.
4 cat quilts, one tiny blanket for the homeless kitties.
Clothes and soon some assorted linens will be added.

Since you live in a big city is there a place nearby where the needy homeless could pick up your items if you left them out?
Clothing, blanket, etc. ?

Having a hard time today getting things done.
I try but for some reason I lack any focus.

Steven has driven off somewhere.
Glad he's gone and taken his nasty disposition with him.

Tatoulia, you are not being dramatic at all! I do not want you to panic, but panicking seems perfectly normal.

They know and they have had time to make plans and I'm sure they will keep doing everything they can to keep your mom and the kitty safe. ❤️

Attendance was better today - something goid about the rain.

17 more days of video school.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Hoping you are having a good day today.

Hi CriticalMass
Hope you are having some fun today.

Hi Tatoulia
You are ever in my thoughts and prayers ((((HUG))))

Been up & doing stuff all day.
Swapped out the Winter drapes for Summer drapes/curtains.
Straightened the towels and wash cloths, found a few to designate for rags.
Made lemonade.
Refilled bird baths with fresh water.
Started working on my potpourri, handkerchief sachets.
Killed some wasp queens under the eaves.
Did a bunch of little miscellaneous tasks.

Kitchen is a mess.
Plan to get to that soon.

He was screaming and screeching at me that the write in/mail in voting scheduled is a plot by the Russians to overthrow the United States government.

"heave sigh"...

Tatoulia, you are not being dramatic at all! I do not want you to panic, but panicking seems perfectly normal.

They know and they have had time to make plans and I'm sure they will keep doing everything they can to keep your mom and the kitty safe. ❤️

Attendance was better today - something goid about the rain.

17 more days of video school.