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.

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.

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".

Good Morning

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

TTYL 🙂

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.

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

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.

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"...

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.

I have noticed I want fewer things out. It's helping me a lot to reduce what's visible.

I wish I had a place to donate things. This is a problem. I will have to find them new homes somehow.

I am not being dramatic I'm just panicking but I really need to see mom and her cat again.

I'm here!! Thank you! Just not focused! Always here!

Greetings and salutations

Hi Tatoulia
Holding you close (((HUG)))

Hi CriticalMass
Wishing you lots of happy distraction playing with your dolls.

Hi Subclinical
That is so sweet of her to help in this way.
Sorry half your students played hooky.

Steven has been staying out of the house and out of my way.
He has stayed home and there are noticeable changes in the hoard.

The small pathway through the carport to the garage is wider now, stuff has been moved.
Saw him carry things out and put them in the truck.
Lots of other things in his hoard have been relocated to other areas of the hoard.
Shuffling.

My plans for today are to get out the Spring/Summer window curtains.
Might even get them hung up.
Brush Twinkles some more. His long thick fur is shedding with the warmer days.
Really need to straighten my closet shelves. Stuff is where it's supposed to be but the stacks could be neater.
The pissant extermination in the yard is going very well.

Everybody stay safe and well (((((HUGS)))))

I'm sorry. I'm so distracted and not reading the posts. Today's call was from her elder care services place to tell me that mom's morning aide is sick with COVID19. She last took care of mom a week ago, she's had different aides since that time. Mom was swabbed today. We are staying the course. I bought lunch for everyone at her doctor's office/elder care services place because I didn't know what else to do. I found out where they have lunch and sent a large gift card over to them. They can just take it with them when they want lunch and then bring it back for the next person. I told the woman not to say it was from me. I just want them to eat lunch.

Mom is doing well and her spirits are good. Bf took her some ok and other snacks tonight.

Cm I keep meaning to mention the Barbie hand. You are amazing.

I am so sorry I can't read right now. I did two loads of laundry and that felt good. We had a smaller happy hour today, just my department, and it was lovely and fun. I started to panic about 20 minutes in bug bi one could tell. I stayed on the video and muted myself.

Please stay safe and know that I will be reading again soon.

Boston's schools are closed for rest of the school year.

Tatoulia -

If you see this, just know

We are here for you

No matter what. ♡♡♡

Good Evening Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Very glad you finally know.
Bet that video was fantastic for everyone to see. 😀

So sorry for your Dh.
What a heavy burden to carry.

My wish is that when the states start reopening businesses they have very strict safety protocols in place first.
But I hold out no hope since too many "necessary" businesses are too lax as it is now.

Hi CriticalMass
Good luck getting the library books in the drop box.

Please send any excess water this way. ;D

Have you been getting enough physical exercise?
Your sleep may be better if you get yourself physically exhausted.
I know I sleep best after spending time doing some strenuous physical labor.
Doesn't have to be a LOT but more than what I get on "normal" or lazy days.

Been busy since I got up.
Filled the clothes line with linens.
Washed & dried all my clothes.
Removed a lot of fuzz from cat blankets, quilts couch covers, etc.
Then washed them all.
Washed rags and stuff and washed the washer to remove any fuzz.
Made spaghetti.
Did a bunch of washing of possible contaminated areas with an antiviral cleaner.
Folded and put away things from the clothesline as they dried.
Did a lot of random other miscellaneous stuff too.

Went to the main source of all the cat fuzz by brushing Twinkles.
Got 3 kittens worth off him.
Wanted to do more but he tagged my hand with his claw.
Maybe later I will do some more brushing of him, he is still asking me to brush him more.

77 degrees today.

Well, they finally got around to telling the teachers. I'm tired tonight. Papers to check and I just don't want to. The weather was really nice today and nearly half my kids didn't show up.

18 more days of video school.

Heartdaughter went in stores and found prenatal vitamins and bleach for dd1. She is going around helping people.❤️

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.

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.

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! 😀

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 😀
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".

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 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.

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.