View Full Version : How is everyone holding up?
gimmethesimplelife
4-3-20, 10:58am
Given all the turmoil of the past few weeks? I find myself this morning both grateful to be solvent and also very much burnt out on the idea that on the other side of all this turmoil, the hospitality biz is likely to shrink and not be what it was.
I'm grateful to date that no one I know, friends or family or co-workers from before shutdown is sick that I know of. I'm grateful I went to Mexico 3/11 - 3/13 as who knows how long that border will be sealed. I'm also stepping back from politics and activism for a bit and taking a breather.
I guess I just wanted to check in and say I'm hanging in there. How is everyone else doing? Rob
iris lilies
4-3-20, 11:02am
We’re doing just fine here. Since all our hobbies and activities have been canceled, there’s no reason for us to go out in society. I am very very happy that this whole business started at the beginning of my favorite time of the year - spring/early summer. I’m grateful to have lots of garden space to work in and weather to do it in.
Our Neighborhood park is filled with people and that is cool to see it so heavily used. Our city has stopped vehicular traffic in several of the larger parks in order to encourage and protect pedestrian traffic.
Teacher Terry
4-3-20, 11:09am
It’s a difficult time. Been home for almost 3 weeks. Both my husband and I are extroverts. We walk the dogs but cross the street if we see anyone coming. We talk to our family and friends on the phone a lot. We are getting takeout twice a week trying to help out local restaurants. I am grateful for my son getting out of Vietnam and the stimulus money for my kids to help them through not working.
Business as usual here. Hope everyone is safe and cozy at home.
I love being quarantined in community that's really meant for summer travelers. It means no one is here as far as the eye can see, but I still have the beauty of the lake and the wildlife to bolster my spirits.
My DS has been here for 2 weeks now, and from my perspective anyway, he's been great to have here. He brings youth and life and good humor. He motivates me to cook, because he's a terrible eater and so I want to pump as much good nutrients into his body as possible (once a mother, always a mother). He used to HATE watching Jeopardy with us because it made him feel stupid--now we gather around the TV and we compete against each other and he's definitely in the competition with us--unless the topic is something like The Vietnam War.
We are fine, when all is said and done.
I think we are doing OK but I have to admit that mentally it feels like we have slipped into a different mindframe that this is very serious and may last a long time. I have what I think are allergy symptoms but I don't really know so there is that. Thinking thoughts I never thought I would think...
Teacher Terry
4-3-20, 12:45pm
I will feel better once my son moves in. I am going to cook all his favorite dishes that he hasn’t had in 18 months.
I will feel better once my son moves in. I am going to cook all his favorite dishes that he hasn’t had in 18 months.
When will that be, TT? Is he in quarantine now?
It's been a quiet week in Lake Woebegone.... :)
DW is still at work, so she moves into her "office" around 8 and works through till about 4 or 5, when she's done, in pretty much every sense of that word. She sometimes goes back in the evenings; she wants to get her input on employee reviews on file before she retires. On the nice days, we take a walk around the neighborhood. My inside-the-house list is the same as it's been the last several years, with fewer excursions outside for ... well, anything. We do have to be reminded what day we're on. Most of our social calendar has vanished; dancing likely is done until at least the fall. Visiting family and friends is all virtual now. That's not cutting it with the grandkids, but we know distance is important right now. They're too young to understand. Concerts, meals with friends, all are waiting for another time.
The days are pretty quiet. But that's OK. We have our health, our families and friends have their health, we have enough in the house to not worry about supplies or money, and we hope it stays that way until we can venture outside again. I hope this passes quickly.
ETA forgot about DW's "night shift".
I'm doing just fine. Laid off last week, as you all know, but bills are paid through the end of May so I don't have to worry about that.
Working out in my living room almost every day with the dumbbells and kettlebell I already had. Do some cardio to YouTube videos. Just posted on FB asking for loan of a bike. It would be wonderful if I would be able to get outside now the the weather is getting better. Plus better cardio.
Making sure to talk with a bunch of older folks form church who are close friends. Sent several cards off today.
Teacher Terry
4-3-20, 3:08pm
Catherine, he is quarantining at my oldest son's because they have a guest bedroom with a bathroom./ It has been a week tonight so one more week.
We are doing well enough. DH and I are both actually happy about being home alone together for awhile, although we certainly don't like the reason behind it.
To echo Rob, I am grateful that nobody we know, either IRL or virtually, has the virus so far.
Small silly thing I am grateful for: We had to wait outside in the rain to get into the grocery store this AM, although only for about 5 minutes. Fortunately the wind was to our backs, so I didn't have to deal with wiping rain off my glasses in the store along with my mask and not touching my face and every other damned thing. :)
I'm really glad that we have interests and hobbies and the ability to entertain ourselves at home when so many people are going stir-crazy.
Loving the spring weather and gardening, walking the dog for 1 1/2 hours every day and having a brief chat with other walkers at the proper physical distance, eating well from the stash I had accumulated over the past 6 months and regular contact with family and friends. I am trying to decide how best to help the community - Salvation Army, food bank are a couple I will donate to but so many places like Stratford and Shaw Festivals and other community arts are having major challenges being closed. Have to see what unfolds in the time that they must stay closed. What about all those in faraway places in desperate circumstances and how to help them? It is a troubling time.
We are taking it fairly easy. Our garden beds were delivered and as soon as we have a dry spell we will get them put together and prepared the spots for them. Then we need to figure out how to get some dirt (delivered or go get it) and I believe my favorite nurseries (at least as of today) will have on-line ordering and pick up service.
We try to get out for a walk with the dogs for at least an hour a day. If we are lucky there is another fairly dry time when they can romp and catch a Frisbee for a bit.
We are running low on salad makings and have a surplus of "fat foods" which I try to pace because we aren't nearly as active as we were before this.
We did the happy dance when we got our VISA bill because we have only been making essential (by our definition) purchases and it was lower than half of usual. If we keep up the savings we will be easily able to pay our differed tax bill in June. Not that I couldn't now but I really don't want to be touching savings. I still haven't looked at investments but I'm gonna take a leap and not pay my first quarter tax for 2020.
For some odd reason I'm sleeping better than usual. My hair is driving me crazy but I don't have to look at it. On the other hand I think I'm going after DH with the dog clippers again today.
Well, one of the crew I work with has a GF he lives with, and she works at a center for the developmentally disabled, and they just had 4 positive tests in the facility. So now we are all waiting for her test, and his test, and then maybe time for my test?
If covid spreads in there, its gonna be bad. Awful to consider.
Other than that, all good in the trailer park. Probably gonna sneak into some quarries this weekend, see if I can slam some bluegill.
Teacher Terry
4-3-20, 6:34pm
That population is bad with hygiene so it’s not going to be good.
dado potato
4-3-20, 7:07pm
I am grateful to have a home in the Northern Highlands of Wisconsin, in a county where the contagion has not sickened anyone. We are OK.
Grateful for many things. The 3 of us are still healthy, teen DD has accepted the social distancing, and has even mostly stopped complaining about it now. We're a house of introverts, which helps. I miss my friends but have been having more phone conversations. My job gives me lots to focus on and structures my days - and I am able to work from home. DD is in online school now and is able to manage that.
I'm working my way through various projects around the house. Between that and my garden, I think I could continue with this routine all summer. I don't miss commuting, errands, waiting up at night for DD to return home, etc! I do miss knowing that I'll be able to see my distant family and friends this summer. Thinking that probably won't happen.
I am hanging in there, happy to still be working although the possibility of being infected on the job causes me some anxiety. Only today did we stop accepting returned product, and customers who were shunted to a small entrance are now coming once again to the big main door nearer where I sit because there were not enough computer terminals at the other spot. They are supposed to stay outside of the building but numerous times they have talked front line staff into letting them wander around. I need to use the bathroom. I'm a VIP and I'll pull my account. I have to see my product choices you can't bring them to me it would take too long and I am in a hurry. But I'm wearing a mask and gloves. The part is heavy I need to help you carry it. But it's raining outside.
Teacher Terry
4-3-20, 11:44pm
Fubar!
ApatheticNoMore
4-4-20, 12:33am
Word here from a doctor (this was a presentation, I do not have symptoms of corona) is they won't test you unless you are having trouble breathing (ie severe symptoms in need of hospitalization). So easily getting tests just because you may have exposure no, not here. Some people may be able to pull hidden strings (how do all those famous people seem to know they have corona, I wonder), but not most.
I continue to be appalled and amazed by the stupidity and ignorance I see about COVID. Northern Idaho wants to be excused from the statewide shelter-in-place order. Missouri is implementing a statewide order....on Monday! Megachurch holds service wiht 500 congregants Sunday.
Docs and Nurses dying every day. PPE not available. Reuse of PPE as long as 1 week!
If you watch the news, you know the rest.
Meanwhile, I am sewing masks for RNs who are now out of PPE in the workplace. Monday, my masks are all they have in a dialysis unit:0!
SCREAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
iris lilies
4-4-20, 1:27am
I continue to be appalled and amazed by the stupidity and ignorance I see about COVID. Northern Idaho wants to be excused from the statewide shelter-in-place order. Missouri is implementing a statewide order....on Monday! Megachurch holds service wiht 500 congregants Sunday.
Docs and Nurses dying every day. PPE not available. Reuse of PPE as long as 1 week!
If you watch the news, you know the rest.
Meanwhile, I am sewing masks for RNs who are now out of PPE in the workplace. Monday, my masks are all they have in a dialysis unit:0!
SCREAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
Things have been closed Down in Missouri for quite a while. Our city and county have had stay-at-home directives weeks. There has been some sort of state wide directive, maybe a recommendation, I don’t know, that caused all the restaurants in Hermann to close. It’s not like it’s been business as usual, not at all.
We are suppose to close on our house on Tuesday, so I have been moving our stuff to the airplane hangar and a storage unit. My son has been helping. Normally I would have at least hired some help. The paperwork has been a pain as everyone is working from home. Most thing we have been able to sign on the computer. But Monday we have to go to the realtors as some things need a notary.
im going to stay on my Friends boat that night and my wife is staying with my son. Then Wednesday we close on our new house, I’m not sure if we have to be there for that. We will move in then. We planned to have quite a bit of work done on the new house, but much of that may be postponed for a while.
So glad you are closing and able to move in on Wednesday, DMC. The new house is wonderful, and it will be a relief to have the change accomplished. There will be plenty of time to get the work down down the road.
Went to the local market to try to find hair ties to turn my dishtowel into a mask. They were sold out.
Then I went to the deli counter, not knowing there was a customer behind the coffee machine waiting for an order--he reflexively stepped backward. I apologized, and got 6 feet behind him. A woman wanted to get to the coffee machine and tenuously asked if she could get by. I backed up to give her several feet of clearance. She didn't smile.
I felt a twinge of grief.
Not well. It's been a week since we have been out of house and we may venture out today. Depressed at how citizens are turning on each other, rather than the virus, lots of blaming and judgmentalism and fear out there. Starts to feel hopeless.
gimmethesimplelife
4-4-20, 1:18pm
I'm seeing some good come out of this in a way. Neighbors checking on the elderly, handing a roll of toilet paper to those without, making sure everyone is getting access to food. Where I live we probably could socially distance better, granted - but there is a sense that we are all in this together. Rob
Teacher Terry
4-4-20, 1:45pm
Just going to Walmart yesterday for our prescriptions was very anxiety producing. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I told my husband he isn’t allowed in one for anything. It was packed and people weren’t being careful. It feels like the movie Groundhog Day:((.
So easy to stay home and be grateful that I am safe. All one needs to do is listen to RNs and Docs in NY being interviewed. If that doesn't sober one up, well, ya can't fix stupid!
Heard from my dear friend in Canada. Her SIL is having symptoms of the virus. He is an EMT and his wife is pregnant (her daughter). Makes me want to cry.
This disease seems so unpredictable as to symptoms, severity, elapsed time from exposure to morbidity, etc.
One person's annoying cough is another's death sentence, it seems.
Sometimes the facts help me when emotions are running high. What I know from my work and research —
Recognizing that what we know changes daily: about 50% of the people who get covid19 show no symptoms or symptoms that are so mild they didn’t even know they were sick. Then another 30 or 40% feel pretty sick like they realize they have a flu like syndrome but they stay at home and eventually recover. It could take a few weeks. The other approximately 10-15% are hospitalized. one or 2% will die. We’re realizing that of the people who are sick enough to be placed on a ventilator, about 80% of them die. So while lots of people will die, we need to remember that the vast majority of the population will be ok.
happystuff
4-4-20, 11:20pm
It's just all so, so heart-breaking. Lots and lots of prayers for the world.
Things have been closed Down in Missouri for quite a while. Our city and county have had stay-at-home directives weeks. There has been some sort of state wide directive, maybe a recommendation, I don’t know, that caused all the restaurants in Hermann to close. It’s not like it’s been business as usual, not at all.
Your statewide shelter-in-place order doesn't go into effect until Monday! So irritating! We should have had a national order by March 1!!!!!
It is maddening.
I've been working my BLEEP off for weeks and weeks now with our Emergency Management group, getting ready for what's about to hit us here. We're a teeny bit behind King County, timewise, and have implemented some local measures to help delay things, but shortly things will start speeding up here.
So I'm also trying hard to remain sane and healthy, so I'll be in a good position to help once we get there.
Thought that this report on CBC has some insights that many of us may know but a good reminder. Being cooped inside is somewhat similar to the experience of living in a submarine and how to cope. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/covid19-family-lessons-1.5522207
"MacLean, a former submariner, said there are "anchors" that get a ship's company through the day — and one of the most fundamental is meals...
A good meal, shared together with a chance to talk, is important and healthy.
"It's cohesion, it's routine and it's structure," said MacLean. "On a warship, there's a job to do, there's a routine to do it and there's a structure in place on a 24/7 basis, whether it's cleaning or meals, maintenance or the operations."...
iris lilies
4-5-20, 9:23am
Your statewide shelter-in-place order doesn't go into effect until Monday! So irritating! We should have had a national order by March 1!!!!!
It is maddening.
ok, whatever. But businesses have been closed or on limited service here for weeks already.
My city had a stay at home order weeks ago. Just because there’s a stay at home order doesn’t mean that people are following it anyway. There’s a regular thread on Nextdoor about large gatherings like a soccar game, beer party, etc.
Everyone here in Northern Michigan has been sheltering at home since at least March 13.
We're pretty good at social distancing already; seem to do it naturally.
Doesn't seem to be a problem here.
I had several bad days Th-Saturday mid-day. All I do is listen to news and sew masks. Poor me. No quilting, no garden store shopping and food starting.
Yesterday, I had a chat with myself. I am a retired RN. I am NOT in harm's way. All my staff and my friends are working. They are dealing with COVID patients in emergency surgery and PACU and ICU and on the floors, the testing tents, the urgent clinics and specific respiratory clinics.
what the hell do I have to be down about? I am healthy. I am safe at home. I am sewing masks to help people be a bit safer than with nothing. I have fabric. I can afford fabric. I have food. I can go to the store so my high-risk senior friends can stay home and stay safe.
And, I have a cabin to go to. It is never rented out. I can pack up some food and retreat. I don't have to go into the community for anything and risk exposing myself or them of anything I might be carrying.
I am BLESSED:)
...
what the hell do I have to be down about? I am healthy. I am safe at home. I am sewing masks to help people be a bit safer than with nothing. I have fabric. I can afford fabric. I have food. I can go to the store so my high-risk senior friends can stay home and stay safe.
And, I have a cabin to go to. It is never rented out. I can pack up some food and retreat. I don't have to go into the community for anything and risk exposing myself or them of anything I might be carrying.
I am BLESSED:)
I don't understand people who have food, shelter, the technology to keep in touch, and enough money--not to mention good health--who are complaining about spending a month or two staying in for the good of their community. If ever there were a time to count your blessings, this is it.
I don't understand people who have food, shelter, the technology to keep in touch, and enough money--not to mention good health--who are complaining about spending a month or two staying in for the good of their community. If ever there were a time to count your blessings, this is it.
+2 counting Gardnr's as well
People face all kinds of challenges that we may not know about and may not see.
I am praying for peace for all of us, and hoping we all get through to a brighter place, in this realm or the next.
+2 counting Gardnr's as well
+3. We have everything we need and want. Dh has reduced hours and we're enjoying the extra time spent together.
iris lilies
4-5-20, 12:58pm
I don't understand people who have food, shelter, the technology to keep in touch, and enough money--not to mention good health--who are complaining about spending a month or two staying in for the good of their community. If ever there were a time to count your blessings, this is it.
agreed. Our own situation is so simple and safe that I marvel. Sure that could change but so far all as well, we could keep this up indefinitely. I also think that those of us who are very vulnerable to the extreme effects of this virus need to take extra precautions both for our own good and for that of our community.
I feel so sorry for those who had a sudden loss of income or business, or for those who are concerned about their childrenOr parents health or financial stability.
Teacher Terry
4-5-20, 1:02pm
It’s not just staying home but it’s the anxiety of not knowing who will get the virus and the outcome. It’s also unsettling not to know when we can go out again. Talking to people on the phone is not the same as seeing them and touching them. People miss getting together in groups and the experiences of doing things together.
I went to see my parents and brother today but only stayed a little over an hour. Despite being bundled up it was chilly outdoors, where we stayed about 10 feet apart. I probably will not try again until temps get in the 60's.
Many of us will lose our elders in nursing homes and not even get to see them again. My MIL was sent to the ER last night as she fell and broke her elbow at her assisted living place. I am thinking that was not a smart move for her sake. But that has been her story for the last five years - a trip to the ER every few months. I feel DH and I and immediate family are very fortunate at this point but I do see DH starting to get very negative about the situation; it makes it hard to be around him sometimes. MY SIL was furloughed from the nasty religious retailer that refused to close. Approaching 60 and with very little savings, I feel for her. Her husband will be next...
Teacher Terry
4-5-20, 2:12pm
PT, that's so sad. People are dying alone in hospitals and the staff is with them trying to comfort them. Imagine the toll that will take emotionally. My husband was grumpy yesterday. This is taking a big emotional/mental health toll on many.
Many of us will lose our elders in nursing homes and not even get to see them again. My MIL was sent to the ER last night as she fell and broke her elbow at her assisted living place. I am thinking that was not a smart move for her sake. But that has been her story for the last five years - a trip to the ER every few months. I feel DH and I and immediate family are very fortunate at this point but I do see DH starting to get very negative about the situation; it makes it hard to be around him sometimes. MY SIL was furloughed from the nasty religious retailer that refused to close. Approaching 60 and with very little savings, I feel for her. Her husband will be next...
Pinkytoe, we are going through this with my parents. They are on complete lockdown, no visitors, the idea of not being able to see or touch them again--they are both in their 90's. It has been unimaginable, how this feels.
I am so sorry that your mil broke her elbow. I was told if anything happened my parents would not be allowed to go to the hospital; they have made arrangements to treat them in house, which means some residents may die there, alone.
Many of us will lose our elders in nursing homes and not even get to see them again. My MIL was sent to the ER last night as she fell and broke her elbow at her assisted living place. I am thinking that was not a smart move for her sake. But that has been her story for the last five years - a trip to the ER every few months. I feel DH and I and immediate family are very fortunate at this point but I do see DH starting to get very negative about the situation; it makes it hard to be around him sometimes. MY SIL was furloughed from the nasty religious retailer that refused to close. Approaching 60 and with very little savings, I feel for her. Her husband will be next...
Pinkytoe, has your SIL filed for unemployment?
I don't understand people who have food, shelter, the technology to keep in touch, and enough money--not to mention good health--who are complaining about spending a month or two staying in for the good of their community. If ever there were a time to count your blessings, this is it.
Easy for you to say... you are an introvert.
As Teacher Terry said...It’s not just staying home but it’s the anxiety of not knowing who will get the virus and the outcome. It’s also unsettling not to know when we can go out again. Talking to people on the phone is not the same as seeing them and touching them. People miss getting together in groups and the experiences of doing things together.
SIL has filed for unemployment as said nasty religious retailer has frozen all accrued vacation and sick leave pay for its employees. They will be provided health insurance through the end of April and then cut off.
I have a bike! Picking it up later in the week. 3 speed from a woman of similar vintage as myself, who doesn't ride anymore as she has dogs to walk. Ordered helmet and bike pump from Amazon, which should deliver Friday. Her DH was just recently asking if she was going to do anything with the bike.
I had originally wanted a mountain bike, but then I remembered they have small hard seats, and this bike has a nice large seat.
I have a bike! Picking it up later in the week. 3 speed from a woman of similar vintage as myself, who doesn't ride anymore as she has dogs to walk. Ordered helmet and bike pump from Amazon, which should deliver Friday. Her DH was just recently asking if she was going to do anything with the bike.
I had originally wanted a mountain bike, but then I remembered they have small hard seats, and this bike has a nice large seat.
I have a friend whose main method of transportation is her bicycle, and she has twenty-some years on you.
Well done!
Bikes are much kinder to my knees. I'm used to doing the recumbent bike at the gym. This will enable me to get some exercise. And once church is open again, I could easily ride my bike, as it's only 3 miles away, almost a straight shot.
Great score, Tradd! What a fun way to get around--make sure to get a helmet.
Great score, Tradd! What a fun way to get around--make sure to get a helmet.
Yes, I ordered a helmet with a bike pump from Amazon. You can't get a bike here if you wanted to. Walmart and Target are wiped out, from all reports, and the local bike shop is said to be doing big business (via appt).
Well done Tradd. I can believe that stores are sold out. I see so many families riding bikes with their kids, way more that I ever saw before. Kind of nice to see actually.
Many of us will lose our elders in nursing homes and not even get to see them again. My MIL was sent to the ER last night as she fell and broke her elbow at her assisted living place. I am thinking that was not a smart move for her sake. But that has been her story for the last five years - a trip to the ER every few months.
A friend and I were talking yesterday (via phone) about his mother and my MiL being in (different) assisted living facilities but being in lockdown in their rooms with no communal activities (not even meals) and with no possibility of visitors. I mentioned the irony that MiL chose assisted living in part because it offered a social component to daily life that she wasn't getting in her condo. My friend's mother is an extrovert. While we agreed that assisted living likely still was the best choice for both of them for medical reasons, quarantine has been tough on them emotionally, too.
Good days and bad days here. I think the uncertainty is the worst for us. Even the few outings we make require arming up with masks and disinfectant wipes and a targeted list of where we're going and what we're doing. For how long, no one can say. And I believe it still will be a judgement call even after (some) stay-at-home restrictions are lifted. DW, I believe, is doing better with all of this than I am. I'll work it out; so much of this is just stuff I really haven't thought about (yet).
Our grandkids seem to be silently stressed by all of this. They want to go back to "school" (daycare). We're told they're also having more "accidents". Mom and dad work a sort-of split shift so one can work while the other gives the kids the engagement they need. It's not quite good enough for any of them. They have brought in their regular babysitter to give everyone a bit of a break and we understand "other grandma" is coming once a week to pick up the kids for overnight at her place. But DW and I are uncomfortable with that as that's not quarantine. But we don't have much more influence than to point that out. We've even thought of doing a driveby and a wave at the kids, but I'm not sure what that really accomplishes. It's not quality time with the kids and I tend to think it will only leave everyone a little more frustrated.
If you need to get your mail from a group bank of boxes in your complex, PO Box, etc. (compared to your own box at your residence), and you don’t want to go out without knowing you have mail, check out the USPS Informed Delivery Service. It shows you the front of any envelopes, plus the tracking number for any inbound packages.
I’ve been using it for a week or two.
Today the local news relayed the death of a person from my community of 7,000 who died from corona virus. We have been practicing social distancing. The national news also stated to stay home this week. Do not get groceries or go to the pharmacy. Ominous.
I'm sorry, frugal-one, that is sad. We are up to four deaths now in our county, and everyone is social distancing effectively.
Today the local news relayed the death of a person from my community of 7,000 who died from corona virus. We have been practicing social distancing. The national news also stated to stay home this week. Do not get groceries or go to the pharmacy. Ominous.
Yes. I believe it was Saturday... Dr Birx said, "no trips for groceries or medication unless it's essential". Also the suggestion that 1 person per household does any needed trip out into the community thus exposing a lot less people. Yes, that means everyone else stays in.
Steve, can you do Zoom sessions w/grands? Read stories or other interactive things that are normal in your relationship with them?
I had happy hour with a friend tonight. I had put 2 martini glasses in the freezer. She let me know when she was leaving the hospital. I made our martinis and put hers on the patio table out front and mine in the garage. When she arrived, I opened the door. We chatted for about an hour 10-15 feet apart. It was good for both our souls. She put her glass on a shelf inside the garage and I'll leave it there for 4days.
It was so wonderful to visit. I felt safe and she felt like she did not put me at risk.
I do not like that my state is not releasing detailed information. All statistics are at the county level. I have a feeling many are at nursing homes not in my community. It is hard to assess the level of risk. Also charts are of cases which is meaningless. Of courses cases will go up as testing goes up. I would like to see mortality charts, and examine them for evidence of plateau or bent curve.
Why the stigma and reluctance to release data at the municipal level?
Steve, can you do Zoom sessions w/grands?
Well, aside from preferring other tools than "security-schmecurity" Zoom ;), we've done a couple of FaceTime-like sessions over the past weeks. At 4-1/2 and 2-1/2, these kids have attention spans marked in milliseconds. They also don't have a good grasp of what the camera can see them doing, so many times they're trying to show us what they're doing out of frame. Or the camera (mom's or dad's smartphone, piloted by a parent) has to follow them around. It's just frustrating all around. If they were older... or more tired. :)
We've thought about that Netflix group-watch feature, though I don't notice many people talking about it ("Tiger King" appeared like a storm cloud so people are communicating, but they don't seem to be communicating about group-watching). If we can coordinate better with mom and dad, we could try maybe reading with the kids just before bedtime. It's still not a hug or a snuggle. But we'll do what we can do. Thanks for the suggestion!
Teacher Terry
4-7-20, 12:42pm
G, that sounds like a nice way to visit.
We went grocery shopping this morning - with masks and gloves. I didn't want to go out at all but wasn't having much success with online or pickup delivery. The key is going first thing in the morning. Scored on just about everything on our list so no need to go out again for 2-3 weeks. So happy to finally get some dried pinto beans. Growing up in San Antonio, I am used to cooking a pot of pintos every month and putting jars in the freezer for various meals. Spent all day yesterday moving a raised bed to another location so now I can plants some cold weather stuff I started indoors.
gimmethesimplelife
4-7-20, 2:41pm
I'm finding yard work and planting things - today basil - is helping me remain calm and centered. And all those books from the VNSA booksale this February? I've got time to read them now! Had an interesting chat with a neighbor this morning with ten feet, likely more, between us with us both wearing fish towels as face masks - I had forgotten a little in all this turmoil how important it is for me to keep up with neighbors. Rob
gimmethesimplelife
4-7-20, 2:42pm
LOL should have been dish towels above. Stay healthy, everyone! Rob
LOL should have been dish towels above.
I wondered what fish towels looked like.... :laff:
I wondered what fish towels looked like.... :laff:
https://img1.etsystatic.com/015/1/5718380/il_570xN.446309661_5h1i.jpg
Teacher Terry
4-7-20, 6:17pm
:~)
Another sort-of chuckle:
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Life of Brian's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" has been going through my head today.
gimmethesimplelife
4-8-20, 4:56pm
Went with Mom to her physical therapy appointment today to be supportive and to get out of the house on this breezy Spring day. Anazing to me how traffic has thinned out and how many businesses are shut. My mind just can not grasp the magnitude of this. Rob
ApatheticNoMore
4-8-20, 5:01pm
Amazing to me that people are still going to physical therapy sessions. Because doctor visits that aren't urgent are pretty much zero now.
Amazing to me that people are still going to physical therapy sessions. Because doctor visits that aren't urgent are pretty much zero now.
Yep, I had a previously scheduled annual appt today. We did it by telephone.
We sold our golf coarse house yesterday and bought our canal house today. It will take a while to get things like we want them. My son is going to help me move some stuff from the hangar tommorow. Friday I have landscapers coming, the wife wants pretty much everything removed. Then we can have the outside painted and a plan for what goes back. I’m also having the roof power washed on Friday.
I still need to call the contractor and the dock and lift guy.
Yep, I had a previously scheduled annual appt today. We did it by telephone.
I've had a series of PT appointments that moved from in-clinic to teleconferencing. Seems to work about as well for this particular injury/treatment plan.
Glad the house sale/transfer went well!
Amazing to me that people are still going to physical therapy sessions. Because doctor visits that aren't urgent are pretty much zero now.
Our PT offices here have been closed for weeks now.
A senior citizen friend had shoulder surgery about 3 weeks ago. Due to the current situation, Medicare approved the physical therapist coming to my friend's home.
Another friend's elderly and in poor health mom has still been going to PT 3 times a week for her knees (she had replacement surgery a few months ago). She is very high risk. Friend reported that doctor said mom would not survive if she got infected. Can't believe she's still going and that her PT center is still open!
My coworker is still going to PT despite a scare when the therapist had treated a Covid positive patient the day before his appointment. I am guessing he has no choice, it is a workers comp requirement. They want to get him off light duty and reduced hours.
I ran down to my dive shop to drop off some tanks for the required annual inspection. They have a large repair department and do a lot of work for police/fire/medical/military, so that department is still open. They do a lot of online sales and are still getting orders. The store is open by appointment for one customer at a time.
It was a 45 min drive (plenty of cars on the road, but traffic moved well). I had the windows up and my music blasting. Felt good to be on the road. Stopped at McD for a coffee on the way down and McD for a Coke and fries on the way back. It was a really nice day earlier.
Tomorrow or Friday, I'll go to pick up the bike I'm being given. I'll do some grocery shopping while I'm out for that.
My 85 yo MIL who is in assisted living lockdown went to an orthopedic doctor today with her daughter who works in retail. The visit was very unnecessary as all they did was tell her once again that her elbow fracture would heal with a sling. I think she is one of those elders who just loves the attention she gets with medical care. No wonder so many nursing homes are having issues with the virus.
My 85 yo MIL who is in assisted living lockdown went to an orthopedic doctor today with her daughter who works in retail. The visit was very unnecessary as all they did was tell her once again that her elbow fracture would heal with a sling. I think she is one of those elders who just loves the attention she gets with medical care. No wonder so many nursing homes are having issues with the virus.
The experience of my parents' nursing home is completely different. They aren't letting them out for any reason, and I think if they did take them to the hospital, they would not let them back.
So far, no cases there, thank God.
gimmethesimplelife
4-8-20, 9:36pm
I've had a series of PT appointments that moved from in-clinic to teleconferencing. Seems to work about as well for this particular injury/treatment plan.Mom's PT just learned how to teleconference and is doing this with some patients. In my Mom's case, she is never foing to learn the Internet nor how to teleconference - with her it's in person or no appointment at all. Rob
Mom's PT just learned how to teleconference and is doing this with some patients. In my Mom's case, she is never foing to learn the Internet nor how to teleconference - with her it's in person or no appointment at all. Rob
Could she teleconference if you helped her?
I phone-checked on a friend in a retirement home yesterday. They are brought a menu to select their meals which are delivered to their rooms; no visitors and no going out.
What struck me this morning with a thud - imagine being cooped up in a small room on a cruise ship for weeks waiting for meals to be delivered. They interviewed a couple who had this ship-board experience and now are getting therapy to cope with the impact of it all.
I thought this as I walked the length of my house, took my dog out for his morning pit-stop and prepared to make my breakfast. Counting one's blessings is good.
If I were in a retirement home, I'd feel as if I were living on borrowed time, considering the infection rates, but it sounds like some places are taking all precautions.
There should be more medical teleconferencing; going to doctors' appointments strikes me as a huge waste of resources. Not to mention a good way to contract something.
gimmethesimplelife
4-9-20, 10:15am
Could she teleconference if you helped her?I believe she could but she refuses to and I'm certainly not going to force her. Rob
Teacher Terry
4-9-20, 2:38pm
If I was in a nursing home I would be hoping to get the virus.
If I was in a nursing home I would be hoping to get the virus.
ditto
If I was in a nursing home I would be hoping to get the virus.
Yes! I think it would be a blessing for most of the residents, although certainly unprofitable for the nursing home owners.
If I was in a nursing home I would be hoping to get the virus.
That's an interesting twist on Euthanasia.
My parents are in a facility that is in lockdown. They are 91 and 93. They have no desire to get the illness; they miss socializing with their friends, and they plan to live to be a hundred.
They have made new friends there, enjoy the company of other residents, and until the lockdown, loved visits from my brother and my son and their great-daughters.
I guess everyone's experience is different.
Teacher Terry
4-9-20, 4:34pm
Tybee, I am glad your parents are happy. I wouldn’t be.
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I got my new to me bike today. Raleigh is the mfg. Gal I got it from said it was $300 in 2008. I looked it up since I’m not familiar with the mfg. Current model is $520. Medium quality. I’m used to cheapo bikes from Walmart. Has a nice cushy seat. Too windy to ride today. Will get out tomorrow.
It was an extra so the gal just gave it to me. :D
Tybee, I am glad your parents are happy. I wouldn’t be.
The funny thing was they fought leaving their home tooth and nail and tried to starve themselves at home.
Once they got into a rehab facility, they turned around, and found a newfound desire to live.
I think they were so isolated at home, and now they are no longer isolated, and much happier.
3157
I got my new to me bike today. Raleigh is the mfg. Gal I got it from said it was $300 in 2008. I looked it up since I’m not familiar with the mfg. Current model is $520. Medium quality. I’m used to cheapo bikes from Walmart. Has a nice cushy seat. Too windy to ride today. Will get out tomorrow.
It was an extra so the gal just gave it to me. :D
Nice ride, nice price!
So pretty, Tradd, and that you have the shelf that you can hang grocery baskets on each side. Like the seat.
So pretty, Tradd, and that you have the shelf that you can hang grocery baskets on each side. Like the seat.
That seat is what sold me on this bike! I didn't have to buy a separate one. The color is very nice!
iris lilies
4-9-20, 8:42pm
Today I talked to one of our friends at the community garden (from 6 feet away of course) and told him I was utterly sick of people at the moment. He laughed and said well that’s too bad because you’ve been distancing for a month now! and I agreed with him that that is a sad state of affairs ha ha.
maybe I just need about 10 days where I don’t have to go chasing members of our community garden down for their money, their membership, or their signed agreement. I just need a break from that. But Saturday we have our annual meeting which will be held virtually And where
i will have to politely listen to the same ideas that are circulated each year, with no follow through and I have to type up the minutes for that. Then I could turn my mind to other things and ignore the dear little gardeners for a while.see? Cranky!!!
I have already weeded and mulched areas of the public beds they are supposed to be weeding. I did that because I don’t trust them to know what a weed is and they will pull up lilies and Iris.
When I was at the grocery store today, some random woman went off on me for not wearing a mask. I just laughed at her. She didn't get what was funny. I told her she was on me for not wearing a mask, when HER mask was pulled down around her chin, and not covering mouth and nose. She just glared. :D
Teacher Terry
4-9-20, 8:58pm
I am not getting close enough to people to talk to them. People are bizarre Tradd.
I am not getting close enough to people to talk to them. People are bizarre Tradd.
Well, it's kind of hard when someone decides to park their cart in the middle of the aisle while they're looking at whatever on the shelves. I just hold my breath and go past quickly.
ToomuchStuff
4-10-20, 12:41am
Yes! I think it would be a blessing for most of the residents, although certainly unprofitable for the nursing home owners.
Maybe dying in ones sleep might be a blessing, but as an asthmatic who has had a knife to my throat, I can't picture drowning in your own bodily fluids as you struggle for air, as a blessing.:0!
My county of 91000 people is hanging in there. Yesterday was supposed to be "peak Michigan death day."
We have 15 positive cases, 3 deaths, and 5 recovered. So that means 20% death rate, 33% recovered, and rest hanging in there.
Tomorrow is supposed to be IL peak death day.
My county of 91000 people is hanging in there. Yesterday was supposed to be "peak Michigan death day."
We have 15 positive cases, 3 deaths, and 5 recovered. So that means 20% death rate, 33% recovered, and rest hanging in there.
Nearly half the people who have died in Washington have been nursing home residents.
None of our people who have died have been nursing home residents, although all have been over 60.
happystuff
4-10-20, 9:48am
3157
I got my new to me bike today. Raleigh is the mfg. Gal I got it from said it was $300 in 2008. I looked it up since I’m not familiar with the mfg. Current model is $520. Medium quality. I’m used to cheapo bikes from Walmart. Has a nice cushy seat. Too windy to ride today. Will get out tomorrow.
It was an extra so the gal just gave it to me. :D
Congrats and enjoy! There ARE nice people out there.
Teacher Terry
4-10-20, 11:35am
I have asthma so I know what it feels like to have trouble breathing. However, everyone I have known that ends up in a home has been miserable and just waiting to die.
Nearly half the people who have died in Washington have been nursing home residents.
I wonder how that number changes if the deaths in the Life Care Center (cruel irony, that) in Kirkland are subtracted...
I wonder how that number changes if the deaths in the Life Care Center (cruel irony, that) in Kirkland are subtracted...
They're responsible for 35 of them.
So, as of the Washington Web site today, 446 deaths divided by two equals 223 deaths of nursing home residents; the Kirkland Life Care Center represents 35 or about 16%. As far as percentages go, not a substantial component. Thanks, Jane.
happystuff
4-11-20, 5:47pm
How is everyone holding up???
Sometimes I just get so frightened. Other times I feel like I'm "waiting". Not sure for what, but just "waiting".
I try to keep busy so the anxiety does not bubble up. It is hard to meditate, my mind just does not want to calm down.
I like to get outside and walk everyday but our local park has been invaded by folks from all over the place so just walking around the hood and school track. The level of dog poop has sky-rocketed everywhere.
How is everyone holding up???
Sometimes I just get so frightened. Other times I feel like I'm "waiting". Not sure for what, but just "waiting".
Am there, doing that. Can I get a T-shirt? :confused:
Maybe it's not "frightened" as much as "anxious", even though I am largely insulated physically and financially. Just so many unknowns and, for so many (including myself), the stakes are high. Doing things takes my mind off that fairly well, but this isolation came at a time when many previous activities were coming to a natural end anyway -- and the current environment does not permit moving on to the next chapters. Even projects well down the to-do list require resources unavailable right now. So, indeed, it does feel like "waiting".
I do not like.
iris lilies
4-11-20, 8:54pm
I guess it is my phlegmatic nature, but I spend little time being frightened or worried although I do avoid the triggers of endless audio news and any discussion of the stock market. Being able to block that out is useful. Having access to spring gardens and garden work is super fortuitous.
DH and I had a talk about how to treat end of life events again. I don’t want extreme measures and don’t want even probably standard measures because I doubt I would survive any serious pneumonia infection of this virus. DH on the other hand, wants stuff done because he has good lungs and heart so he thinks he will survive and I think he would too.
ApatheticNoMore
4-12-20, 2:08am
How is everyone holding up???
Sometimes I just get so frightened. Other times I feel like I'm "waiting". Not sure for what, but just "waiting".
when I was unemployed/precariously employed I had such a level of background anxiety about that situation, that was just always there whether or not I was focusing on it, that anything ELSE anxiety producing, just added almost more anxiety than I could take. And sure corona virus for very obvious reasons can be plenty anxiety producing itself. But I'm glad I'm not dealing with that background anxiety as well, because I would be a nervous wreck. Glad to have a full time job, I have no more certainty it will last through this crisis than anyone who wonders about their job does of course, but day by day.
Nowdays, I tend to worry about others more than myself. Call it a comforting projection I don't know. And want above all to keep them safe (mostly by reminding them to stay home). Of course some do objectively have higher risks of course, and that's how I might intellectually justify it, but in reality noone is risk free, and who knows that it's really all that rational.
But did wake up quite depressed. Sick of the situation. Sick of all the little stupid things, being told not to go to the grocery store (well I didn't), weariness of home, sick of worrying about really dumb stuff like toilet paper supplies, sick of deprivation in general and a hard ascetic life even for me (and I tend in that direction some anyway but), bored, tired of it all, depressed about it all, and a bleak knowledge that it could last a long long time (only a treatment that radically reduced deaths might change that, unlikely we have a vaccine soon, but a treatment - well it's possible). Better by evening (before I get fully diagnosed with clinical depression). But the situation was getting to me.
Teacher Terry
4-12-20, 11:40am
I am somewhat anxious and with asthma and HBP doubt I would survive pneumonia. Having my son move in helped. Yesterday we cleaned both patios and all the furniture so we can enjoy the outside.
Having a very bad day due to being unable to attend church or be with family. Had a sad conversation with my father yesterday where he thanked me for calling and said it made him think about the good old days. It is very hard not to be able to go to them and be with them and hug them and not know if I will ever get to do that again. It is very hard.
I know this is a bad day in part because I can't help to compare it to other Easters, so it would be rather bad without this pandemic, but at least then I could plan to change things.
Feeling hopeless today, and sad.
Having a very bad day due to being unable to attend church or be with family. Had a sad conversation with my father yesterday where he thanked me for calling and said it made him think about the good old days. It is very hard not to be able to go to them and be with them and hug them and not know if I will ever get to do that again. It is very hard.
I know this is a bad day in part because I can't help to compare it to other Easters, so it would be rather bad without this pandemic, but at least then I could plan to change things.
Feeling hopeless today, and sad.
So sorry, Tybee. It's funny how some things hit you and pierce you in the heart with this thing. It hits me randomly. And, for you, especially to compare what we are going through now to years gone by with your dad.
This was the first year we didn't spend doing the Easter egg hunt with GSs 6 and 3. For years, I spent a TON of time on baskets for my 4 kids... creating the assortment by hand, and topping it off with a note from the Easter Bunny. I did that since 1979.
So today, DH said, "Hey, at least you don't have to do those baskets this year!" and it made me think--I can do the Easter Bunny notes to my four grandchildren, so I made them, and then texted them, saying that the Easter Bunny is taking social distancing very seriously this year. It made me feel better. But otherwise, today is like any other day. There are virtual services, but it's definitely not the same.
Hugs to you, Tybee.
Thank you Catherine, very much, that really helps me.
Gives me hope for better days again.
Teacher Terry
4-12-20, 1:43pm
Tybee and Catherine, there’s so much comfort in following our traditions and it sucks not to be able to do that. We quit going to church 15 years ago and with our kids spread all over the country we stopped Easter dinner years ago so it’s just been another day for years. Tybee you are so lucky to still have your parents. My dad died 27 years ago and my mom 10. I really hope you get to see them when this is over. Hugs:))
Thank you, Terry, you are right, I am lucky they are still here!
This was the first year we didn't spend doing the Easter egg hunt with GSs 6 and 3.
We didn't see the grandkids this morning, either. Well, we did on video, but that's nowhere near the same thing as following them around as they discover Easter eggs. Come to learn that their family's quarantine/stay-at-home includes the other grandma, their "default" babysitter and her mother, and a couple and their two toddlers who live kitty-corner from their house. That's an entourage, living in three or four separate households. But I guess they get to choose to handle stay-at-home that way and we get to choose to handle it our way. Still miss the grandkids, though.
We would have been in TX this weekend seeing grand-twins for first time since October. Gathering grass and wildflowers to make Easter nests - DH's German family tradition. I hope we can go by car in June for their second birthday but everything is up in the air now.
Simplemind
4-12-20, 4:34pm
It used to be a joke in the family that my mom would bitch that she was still making Easter baskets for kids in their 40's (then 50's) who would raise holy hell if they didn't get their baskets. Truth be told, she liked it and we also did baskets for them. It saddens me that tradition is gone along with the Easter dinners we used to have in Hood River Oregon on my Aunt's ranch with 80 acres of blooming apple and pear trees in the shadow of Mt. Hood. Blessed times.
Now my sister has taken over the Easter dinner which we will have to delay because holiday or not, we will not be deprived of that meal and her Lemon pies. Even though I can tell the difference, they are just as good as my mom (the master baker) used to make. The meringue is a mile high and they are heaven. We are picky and just like the other holidays, certain foods must be present and it is the only time of the year we eat them so they are an important tradition.
I miss my parents terribly but I'm also glad their gone and not having to go through this pandemic. We don't have grandkids so today we took the dogs for a walk and then I put in my onions, chard, spinach, lettuce, beets, carrots, and broccoli.
I had painted a card to go with daffodil bouquets that I was going to deliver but the plague wiped out that idea. I had to send them in the mail instead. This virus is really putting a cramp in my style. 3158
happystuff
4-12-20, 5:36pm
Hugs and prayers to everyone on this blessed Easter Sunday.
Beautiful card, Simplemind!
iris lilies
4-12-20, 7:00pm
Nice card! I spent an hour this afternoon relabeling daffodils in bloom with their permanent labels.
I’m sorry I missed this thread until now. Almost too much to respond to. Very short story, we’re physically and financially fine. SO’s hotel is down to 4% occupancy and dealing with the occasional infected person. But so far it looks like he won’t get furloughed. And he doesn’t have a ‘public facing’ job so his risk of infection from being at work is fairly low.
Today was the first day in 3 weeks since we got back from our Hawaii trip that I went out to do something other than go to the grocery store. I actually drove south of the city and went for a hike. I picked a trail that I know to be all wide (it’s mostly a service road) and was glad I did. Lots of people were out but it was easy enough to stay away from them. The weather was foggy and blah but it was so nice just to be out in the world. And in the middle I had about an hour of walking where there was no one in sight so I could just relax and enjoy what used to be just a normal Sunday afternoon.
Tomorrow is SO’s 55th birthday. We were supposed to be in Chicago with a few friends. He’s trying to act like it’s not a big deal but i know he’s sad and disappointed.
jp1, happy birthday to your SO. Are you making a special meal/getting take out?
Actually we’d planned to make chicken parmesian a week ago but never did it. He asked about that tonight so now that is the plan for tomorrow dinner. Pulled the chicken out of the freezer today.
Our 35th wedding anniversary is tomorrow and it will be celebrated differently. No card, no dinner out, no weekend away trip. Still, we are healthy, comfortable at home, and that's enough. A big celebration can wait until later in the year.
Happy Anniversary, herbgeek!
Yes, happy anniversary, herbgkek! And happy birthday to jp1's SO!
Has anyone else felt that the weather has exacerbated the mood around coronavirus? Up here it has been cold, windy, cloudy and rainy almost every day in March and up to today--right now it's gray and rainy. It sure doesn't help things. I'm SO looking forward being able to spend more time outside.
How has the weather been in your parts--is it affecting your mood?
We had a nice day on Saturday, which is when I got a bike ride in. Yesterday was warm but very windy. Today it’s cold and windy. Supposed to be cold for a few days.
iris lilies
4-13-20, 8:38am
Yes, happy anniversary, herbgkek! And happy birthday to jp1's SO!
Has anyone else felt that the weather has exacerbated the mood around coronavirus? Up here it has been cold, windy, cloudy and rainy almost every day in March and up to today--right now it's gray and rainy. It sure doesn't help things. I'm SO looking forward being able to spend more time outside.
How has the weather been in your parts--is it affecting your mood?
Believe it or not, already we’ve had two ridiculously hot sunny days. Last week was one day where it was 90°,!!!, yuck.
But overall we’ve had a pretty nice spring, a series of sunny cool crisp days. When we have runs of cloudy weather yes that makes for unhappy times.
Just saw this post. Scary times. DH's business continues, but he's trying to be as safe as possible for staff and patients. I haven't been out for about 2 weeks. My fear of not being able to obtain vegetable plants, forced me to try to grow my own from seedlings. They're looking pretty pathetic. Fprtunately, even if I don't get tomatoes and peppers, we will still have greens, cucumbers, butternut squash and beans.
We're lucky in that we have 35 acres and have lots to do with no one else around, and I have a golf cart to take the place of my legs. Besides being overwhelmed with what's going on in the world, our sweet almost 17 year old dog died 2 days ago. We are so sad. We "planted" her under some white pines, close to where our cat is buried, and not far from where my 17 chickens are buried. I'm sure there's so much worse sadness going on than losing a pet....but damn, it's hard. Kinda put DH and I both into an existential crisis. But hey.....what can we do? I'm so glad that it's slowly becoming spring and we can be reminded that life goes on.......
I hope you are all hanging in there.
Pets are part of the family--of course you're grieving. No need to diminish your pain. I'm glad she had a long life, and was loved.
Lovely watercolor work, Simplemind.
Cathy, so sorry to hear about your dog. :(
Just got a call from my landlord. Owns just the condo I rent. He said he got a nasty letter from the condo association/management company accusing me of smoking weed and making a lot of noise. He said he laughed when he read the letter. They sent a letter last year accusing me of not picking up my dog’s poop.
The people across the hall from me smoke pot. I’ve been smelling it for at least a year. I can always smell it when I’m in the hall. Noise I don’t know about. I never hear anything besides the people above me (when the guy is exercising and bouncing around) or maybe someone’s TV if I’m out in the hall.
iris lilies
4-13-20, 9:46am
Cathy a. sorry to hear about your doggie. They are so important in our lives!
So sorry about the loss of your dog, Cathy. My goodness, 17 years is a wonderfully long life!
It was glorious sunshine Saturday and yesterday so laundry got dried on the outside line; I refilled all the bird feeders, spread lawn fertilizer and Benny and I got our 1 1/2 hour walks in both days.
Today is wet and windy. The walk will happen this afternoon when the rain slows down. I am so glad that I got the fence in my backyard for the little guy to check for squirrels and explore several times each day.
The daffodil card is lovely; thanks for sharing it with us.
Cathy, so sorry to hear about your dog. :(
Just got a call from my landlord. Owns just the condo I rent. He said he got a nasty letter from the condo association/management company accusing me of smoking weed and making a lot of noise. He said he laughed when he read the letter. They sent a letter last year accusing me of not picking up my dog’s poop.
The people across the hall from me smoke pot. I’ve been smelling it for at least a year. I can always smell it when I’m in the hall. Noise I don’t know about. I never hear anything besides the people above me (when the guy is exercising and bouncing around) or maybe someone’s TV if I’m out in the hall.
Hey Tradd.....would you get any benefit from spending more time in the hall? :)
I ran around like crazy yesterday covering emerging tulips with buckets and covering newly planted veggies. Then came the 60 mph winds and temps down to 15 this morning. Snow and more snow...will it ever be spring here? On the subject of pot, I have a real aversion to that skunky smell and it is very frequent here as several neighbors regularly partake in their yards. Smells nothing like the pot of olden days.
Cathy, I am so sorry about the loss of your doggie--such a long life, and what a terrible time to suffer this loss.
SteveinMN
4-13-20, 11:03am
Our 35th wedding anniversary is tomorrow and it will be celebrated differently. No card, no dinner out, no weekend away trip. Still, we are healthy, comfortable at home, and that's enough. A big celebration can wait until later in the year.
Happy anniversary, herbgeek!
Our tenth was last Friday. A long time ago (January, I think...) we had discussed having a big party to celebrate. It turned out to be just the two of us dancing to music on an all-request radio show. Dinner was provided by Chez Mac because DW had a hankering for a Filet O' Fish sandwich and we weren't sure it would be on the menu past Good Friday (after one FO'F the hankering stopped, so now we'll never know). Our little celebration was nice, but "normal" will be nice, too.
SteveinMN
4-13-20, 11:08am
I, too, am sorry for the loss of your dog, CathyA...
It snowed here yesterday, about 5.5 inches by us and more further south. It didn't accumulate on the sidewalks so at least I don't have to clean it up. The snow will be gone by the weekend. Garden centers here have been added to the "essential business" list so I might think about planting some vegetables and cleaning up the garden at the front of the house. I really need to get outside more. Except when it's snowing.
happystuff
4-13-20, 11:41am
I'm so sorry about the loss of your dog, CathyA.
We - and our next door neighbors - spent a good deal of last year having several big trees taken down. We used to have branches falling all the time, especially in the back where we park. My stress level has significantly reduced with the removal of the trees.
Fast forward to today: It is a wet, rainy day here. According to reports, the winds are 40 mph with gusts of up to 60. I was on the phone this morning to the car insurance company to make our premium payment. While on hold, looking out the back kitchen window - you guessed it - a huge branch came down off one of the few remaining trees. It landed between two of our cars, denting the hood and side quarter panel of one. The insurance agent got back on the phone to the sound of me laughing. I didn't know what else to do but laugh. I explained to her what happened while I was on hold... still can't believe it. So, payment got made and I was switched directly to Claims.
My only question is - what's next??? :confused:
Be safe, everyone.
Oh my goodness, happystuff, what an epic moment--you'll remember that one forever.
Teacher Terry
4-13-20, 12:46pm
So sorry Cathy. I always grieve when I lose a pet. It usually passes in a few weeks but when my favorite dog died I grieved for months. Happy, that’s the only thing you could do is laugh. March was cold but we warmed up Saturday and are sitting outside a lot. We also have a patio heater that we use at night.
Hey Tradd.....would you get any benefit from spending more time in the hall? :)
It's not like there's a haze of smoke in the hall, but you definitely smell it. And it smells nasty. I have no desire to get stoned. As it is, I rarely drink.
rosarugosa
4-14-20, 6:06am
I'm so sorry about your dog, Cathy.
Yes, so very sorry about your dog, Cathy. Such a painful thing to go through.
It's not like there's a haze of smoke in the hall, but you definitely smell it. And it smells nasty. I have no desire to get stoned. As it is, I rarely drink.
Yeah, me too Tradd. My high is drinking a coke. :)
Thanks everyone for your condolences. It sounds like most of you have felt the deep pain of losing a pet. We're thinking of getting some type of stone with engraving on it.......or maybe a pet wind chime. Where I "planted" my 17 chickens over the years, I found a wind chime with a chicken on it and put it there. Every time I go past that area, I say "Hi Girlfriends. I miss you all!"
Went out for a 40 min bike ride in 38F air temp, 28F wind chill, stiff breeze, a bit of snow, and sunny. Felt so good to get out.
Went out for a 40 min bike ride in 38F air temp, 28F wind chill, stiff breeze, a bit of snow, and sunny. Felt so good to get out.
Good for you. So glad that you are enjoying your bike.
Thanks, razz. I can't walk any distance with my knees, but put me on a bike, and I'm off! I'm very seriously considering ditching my $30/month chain gym membership once they reopen (not being currently charged). My town's fitness center is $15/month. I'll try it out once to see how I like it, how crowded, etc. I can ride the bike through October, depending on weather. I don't have rain gear.
early morning
4-14-20, 7:23pm
Cathy, so sorry for your loss..... fur babies are precious.
I'm angrier every day. the WH Briefings are stupid ridiculous! 20 states are probably ready to start opening up? Seriously? The numbers are low-he said. Well look Mr Orange, these are rural states. One county in Idaho has the highest per capita rate in the entire nation!!!!!
I'm grateful I run on a very low blood pressure as i can handle the BP surge during a briefing which I feel are my responsibility to watch.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
I think he would prefer to be called Emperor Orange, by the sounds of his pronouncements lately. I kind of like Duc L'Orange, but that's probably not sufficiently lofty.
I think he would prefer to be called Emperor Orange, by the sounds of his pronouncements lately. I kind of like Duc L'Orange, but that's probably not sufficiently lofty.
My dear friend in Colorado calls him "Cheeto". :~)
I'm happy to see networks like CNN and NBC (?) cutting away from the dailies as soon as the doctors speak and the session switches from information to disinformation. There is no news value to watching the President* take so much time doing what he always does.
Stimulus payment just showed up in checking account. Transferred it immediately to savings. Since menopause, the last year or so, I wake up often in the middle of the night. Trying certifying for unemployment, but you can only do it from 3am to 7:30pm, so I'll stay up the 30 minutes or so, listening to the radio and playing online.
I usually refer to the "pres" as "Asshole-in-chief".
I usually refer to the "pres" as "Asshole-in-chief".
With such sophisticated opposition clearly his days are numbered.
frugal-one
4-15-20, 4:11pm
With such sophisticated opposition clearly his days are numbered.
We can only hope!
My reaction to trump during this chaotic time is visceral. Just watching him talk, squint and puff up makes my skin crawl. I still can't fathom how this man came to be the prez.
I have trouble figuring out how he reached the age of 73.
I have trouble figuring out how he reached the age of 73.
Because I consider him to be a an idiot savant: a P.T. Barnum reincarnated. You can't take that away from him. It served him well enough with the advantages he had through his father Fred and through his narcissistic escapades in real estate and reality shows, but it's hard to be President when all you want to do run the show yourself and protect your own ego.
It is hard being away from my parents. My dad's amplifying phone broke and he does not think he can get anyone to fix it now. He will not use a computer. I talk to my mom daily but today she broke down because she is losing her vocabulary and can't come up with the words she wants.
It is hard being away from my parents. My dad's amplifying phone broke and he does not think he can get anyone to fix it now. He will not use a computer. I talk to my mom daily but today she broke down because she is losing her vocabulary and can't come up with the words she wants.
It is so, so hard being away from family. Can you or your dad call the company to see if his amplifying phone can be fixed? Three of our kitchen range burners are out, and DH called the appliance company, and they will come out, but they have rules: they come in, sanitize, we stay outside or in another room, and they sanitize again before they leave.
Maybe something similar can be done for your dad? Maybe they don't even have to go out to the house.
early morning
4-15-20, 7:53pm
I'm sorry, yppej - that's rough. Would it be worth it to just buy him another phone and have it sent? I am so sorry, it's hard enough when you're close to aging parents, but when there's a geographic distance, it must be very difficult and frustrating, to not be able to just go sort things out. Of course, right now you couldn't do that if you WERE local...
I am so sorry, Yppj, that is so hard, particularly with your mom. I would second the idea of sending a new amplifying phone--I got my dad a Clarion and it worked for 25 years then kind of stopped.
Thanks for the suggestions. I reached out to my brother who is more tech savvy than me and he is going to see if he can help them troubleshoot the phone.
I am local but am staying away so I don't infect them in case I am a carrier. My job is not safe. People are not following procedures. Today 20 or so returns were taken back. It is supposed to be no returns. People are also coming into the building who should not be. And some employees come right up next to you instead of staying 6 feet away. Our cubicles are spaced out nicely, it is not a space issue but a compliance issue.
Teacher Terry
4-15-20, 9:12pm
Y, I am so sorry. Does your mom have dementia? I hope you are able to keep working.
yppej, so glad that your brother is helping out and I hope he's successful. My initial thought was similar to others. Electronic crap is so cheap it might be worth just ordering a new one from amazon or whatever and having it delivered. The cost, if it can be afforded would be money well spent.
Several times during the past several weeks I've actually been grateful that my parents both passed away years ago. Dealing with them in their final decline was hard enough. Part of what got me through it both times was the fact that I could go visit on a regular basis, with the full support of my then employers. I don't even want to imagine what it would be like if I were dealing with it in this environment. My heart goes out to you.
When we were on vacation with my MIL in the middle of last month she was very resistant to the whole social distancing thing. She's 87, outgoing, extroverted, healthy, and before all this happened she struggled to find enough things to do to keep busy and happy. Now she just sits at home, alone and bored, and reads all the books she's bought over the years and never got around to reading. Imagining how long this could keep going is a drag to me. But for someone who measures the rest of their life in months or at best a few years, not decades, this must be a devastating situation.
yppej, very glad you have your brother to help. Please keep us updated.
Yes, happy anniversary, herbgkek! And happy birthday to jp1's SO!
Has anyone else felt that the weather has exacerbated the mood around coronavirus? Up here it has been cold, windy, cloudy and rainy almost every day in March and up to today--right now it's gray and rainy. It sure doesn't help things. I'm SO looking forward being able to spend more time outside.
How has the weather been in your parts--is it affecting your mood?
Yes. A little snow overnight and possibly more Saturday. I remember Aprils when temps have hit the 80's, and we usually don't get snow the second half of the month. Warmer temps may slow the virus and would definitely make exercising outdoors more inviting.
Y, I am so sorry. Does your mom have dementia? I hope you are able to keep working.
She has not been diagnosed and won't go for testing. Instead she relies on internet science - things like I can smell peanut butter when I'm blindfolded so I'm okay. I don't think she has Alzheimer's because she forgets both long ago and recent things, but the area of her brain controlling vocabulary has been impaired for years and getting worse. She will say things like, "You know that place where all the stores are" because she cannot come up with "mall" or "you know that thing women your age have" because she cannot come up with "menopause". She was a teacher and used to have an excellent vocabulary. My youngest brother lives with her and my dad.
happystuff
4-16-20, 9:22am
Yppej - I'm so sorry for all you and your family is going through. Sending prayers out your way.
My bil's father died and will be buried tomorrow. Restrictions are necessary but so hard during situations like this.
She has not been diagnosed and won't go for testing. Instead she relies on internet science - things like I can smell peanut butter when I'm blindfolded so I'm okay. I don't think she has Alzheimer's because she forgets both long ago and recent things, but the area of her brain controlling vocabulary has been impaired for years and getting worse. She will say things like, "You know that place where all the stores are" because she cannot come up with "mall" or "you know that thing women your age have" because she cannot come up with "menopause". She was a teacher and used to have an excellent vocabulary. My youngest brother lives with her and my dad.
Do you think she might have vascular dementia?
I agree, doesn't sound like Alzheimers.
She has not been diagnosed and won't go for testing. Instead she relies on internet science - things like I can smell peanut butter when I'm blindfolded so I'm okay. I don't think she has Alzheimer's because she forgets both long ago and recent things, but the area of her brain controlling vocabulary has been impaired for years and getting worse. She will say things like, "You know that place where all the stores are" because she cannot come up with "mall" or "you know that thing women your age have" because she cannot come up with "menopause"
This is similar to my Mom, other than my Dad took her to a neurologist a couple of years ago and she is confirmed to be impaired. She has a really tough time with nouns and names, forgetting even her own children's names or their partners frequently. But she insists she is "fine" because she can still do yardwork. Anything requiring a knowledge of time is beyond her- such as putting anything in the oven (she refuses to use a timer even before this). She insists she doesn't need help with bills, even though my sister has to make sure she puts the payee on the correct line, and she doesn't write down the amount in the checkbook, and she has to ask you what day/month/year it is every time. She hides paperwork and money constantly (not sure from whom, she lives alone) and doesn't remember her hiding places then calls my sister in a panic because the money is all gone. She seems to no longer understand the concept of a bank statement: when she had both a March and an April savings account statement she insisted she had twice the money she did because she had 2 papers saying she had x. She also doesn't understand direct deposit or ATMs.
Its especially hard since my Dad died at the end of February, and social distancing is keeping us from enrolling her in senior center activities.
We're bummed, the National Park Service just cancelled our barn workshop, but they said we're on for 2021, so I guess we just look forward to it and plan for it for next year, even if it means traveling back to Michigan if we have moved by then.
I am overall, fine. I've already cancelled 2 (low cost) trips to visit a friend in Nashville and my sister in Portland OR. Our 40th anniversary trip is to begin June 20. I suspect that too will be cancelled (3 national parks for 2 weeks). My family has our every 5y reunion booked for July 11-18 in central Idaho. I really really really want that to happen. We are spread across 4 states out West and we now number 37 in 3 generations (my parents are both long gone). I see about half between reunions.
We also love our College football and have season tickets. I hope they play fall ball even if we don't fill the stands.
These are interesting times in our country and the world for that matter.
I had an online session for my big diving class last night. We're going diving up at Wazee Lake near Black River Falls, WI for a weekend the middle of May. I can't wait. Requires two nights in a hotel, but it was $65/night, and I can swing that now. Yes, it is open. The campgrounds are closed, but the park is open for day use.
https://www.co.jackson.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={725638CD-7569-4914-BDCB-E61BC8C2707D}
I'm so glad I have this to look forward to. Hotel was cheap, $65/night for 2 nights. My gills are drying out and I so want to get into the water.
I had an online session for my big diving class last night. We're going diving up at Wazee Lake near Black River Falls, WI for a weekend the middle of May. I can't wait. Requires two nights in a hotel, but it was $65/night, and I can swing that now. Yes, it is open. The campgrounds are closed, but the park is open for day use.
https://www.co.jackson.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={725638CD-7569-4914-BDCB-E61BC8C2707D}
I'm so glad I have this to look forward to. Hotel was cheap, $65/night for 2 nights. My gills are drying out and I so want to get into the water.
I have to ask this--probably a dumb question, but how in the world do you stay warm in the water? The wetsuit just protects you from the water, right? Isn't it absolutely freezing?
I have to ask this--probably a dumb question, but how in the world do you stay warm in the water? The wetsuit just protects you from the water, right? Isn't it absolutely freezing?
Water temp will be low 40s. I'm used to diving at those temps. I wear a drysuit, not a wetsuit. The only part of me that gets wet is my head and I wear a thick hood. I wear what's essentially a fleece onesie with Smart Wool base layer under it. Two layer fleece socks on my feet with merino wool under. I even have dry gloves that lock on the suit. There are seals (latex at neck, silicone at wrists) and a waterproof zipper.
Photo is me on a wreck in the Straits of Mackinac last June.
Video of diving at Wazee (just off a YT search)
https://youtu.be/feda-0Xv9uQ
Water temp will be low 40s. I'm used to diving at those temps. I wear a drysuit, not a wetsuit. The only part of me that gets wet is my head and I wear a thick hood. I wear what's essentially a fleece onesie with Smart Wool base layer under it. Two layer fleece socks on my feet with merino wool under. I even have dry gloves that lock on the suit. There are seals (latex at neck, silicone at wrists) and a waterproof zipper.
Photo is me on a wreck in the Straits of Mackinac last June.
Very cool! It takes me until about third week of July to be able to swim in Lake Michigan--we're a couple hours south of Mackinac Island.
Video of diving at Wazee (just off a YT search)
https://youtu.be/feda-0Xv9uQ
Please stop sharing these gorgeous photos ofWisconsin and Michigan; my beautiful Midwest has been a secret from all the East Coasters for as long as I have lived out here, starting 44 years ago.
You’re not a native then? I’m a Mitten State native.
You’re not a native then? I’m a Mitten State native.
No, I am a native of Georgia, born on the beach. I came out to Chicago after college in Massachusetts.
I did find out through genealogy though that 3 of my 8 great-grandparents were born in Michigan. They were Michigan pioneers who came from upstate New York via the Erie Canal.
Tybee my mom has not had strokes so I don't think it would be vascular dementia. Herbgeek yes, similar. She finally agreed to have the senior center's free service do her taxes this year because she kept getting them kicked back by the state year after year for errors and she didn't understand why. A few weeks ago she was saying she had to withdraw a bunch of cash because her bank is closing due to covid. I asked her is it just the lobby that is closing, and she said yes but it is too complicated for her to learn to use the drive thru.
The good news is my dad's phone is working again.
Yppej, glad to hear about your dad's phone.
happystuff
4-17-20, 9:00am
I'm trying to make this not so much of a depressing day.
Today is my dd's "Airplane Day" - called such because it is the day she got on an airplane from her birth country and came home to join our family. It is also the death day of my oldest. The virus means that we will not be able to honor the one or celebrate the other in the ways we have traditionally done, but things will be as they will be. Today is also the funeral for my bil's father - I feel sooo sad for them all. I know tomorrow will be a better - if not simply a different - day.
Prayers to all. Stay safe.
I'm trying to make this not so much of a depressing day.
Today is my dd's "Airplane Day" - called such because it is the day she got on an airplane from her birth country and came home to join our family. It is also the death day of my oldest. The virus means that we will not be able to honor the one or celebrate the other in the ways we have traditionally done, but things will be as they will be. Today is also the funeral for my bil's father - I feel sooo sad for them all. I know tomorrow will be a better - if not simply a different - day.
Prayers to all. Stay safe.
Praying for peace for you, happystuff.
Not holding up very well considering Ive only seen my grandson once in the past month. Marion Co. TN 27 cases, one death.
Still working, although the Courthouse has been closed to the public.
Tybee my mom has not had strokes so I don't think it would be vascular dementia. Herbgeek yes, similar. She finally agreed to have the senior center's free service do her taxes this year because she kept getting them kicked back by the state year after year for errors and she didn't understand why. A few weeks ago she was saying she had to withdraw a bunch of cash because her bank is closing due to covid. I asked her is it just the lobby that is closing, and she said yes but it is too complicated for her to learn to use the drive thru.
YPPEJ, I understand what you're going through. Your description of your mother's loss of words, etc. sounds exactly like what happened with my mother, shortly before she was diagnosed with cerebrovascular dementia despite never having had a stroke. She also had an excellent vocabulary, loved hard crossword puzzles and Scrabble. She managed to withdraw a large amount of cash and when I asked her why, she said she didn't remember (her sister had taken her to the bank and wasn't aware of the withdrawal; I put the money back in the bank). She also kept asking me the same questions over and over when I was at her house, and would then call me at home to ask again. At that point, I insisted she sign a POA in case I needed to step in and handle things, which did eventually happen.
Is she on blood thinners? I don't know if that can cause or increase the dementia, but it turned out that my mother had managed to overdose on her Coumadin. She went for regular blood tests and her doctor would then call and tell her to increase/decrease the dose. This worked fine for years but later it was determined that instead of changing the dose, she kept adding to it.
Best wishes to both of you.
happystuff
4-17-20, 11:56am
Praying for peace for you, happystuff.
Thank you.
Teacher Terry
4-17-20, 12:31pm
Happy, losing a child is so hard. Hugs:))
happystuff
4-17-20, 2:45pm
Happy, losing a child is so hard. Hugs:))
Thank you,TT.
Sbagirl she is on Eliquis.
My dive club did a meeting over Zoom. Someone has a personal Zoom account. We had 45 people. Someone had done a dive trip to Truk Lagoon in the Pacific two years ago and does excellent photography. It worked out really well.
happystuff
4-24-20, 2:49pm
Found out today there has been another death in the extended family. Don't think it was covid-19, but a death all the same - and about my dd's age. It's just so sad.
I am so sorry, happystuff. It is terrible when these deaths are occurring and we cannot observe them and act as family needs to.
I am so sorry, happystuff. It is terrible when these deaths are occurring and we cannot observe them and act as family needs to.
Agreed. So sorry, happystuff.
Teacher Terry
4-24-20, 3:36pm
So very sad.
happystuff
4-24-20, 4:32pm
Thank you, everyone.
This really is getting ridiculous and I wish it would stop. If we were allowed out, this would be the third funeral in two weeks.
ToomuchStuff
4-24-20, 11:24pm
A friend who moved a couple months ago, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, that had spread, last week. He died Monday morning.
Can't even console his wife.
One reason so many people are dying is they are afraid to go to the hospital for heart attacks, strokes, appendicitis, and other non-covid emergencies. That's how badly the media and government have scared people. Now they are trying to tell them the hospitals are not hotbeds of disease and to go in if you need to.
A friend who moved a couple months ago, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, that had spread, last week. He died Monday morning.
Can't even console his wife.
So sorry to read this.
People are going to do what they want to do. My mother has been an obedient person her whole life, but she hates being cooped up in the house. This is how her mind plays tricks on her:
Although not diabetic she has diabetic feet. All of a sudden her feet start bothering her. She does not conclude that she should cut back on spring yard work and stay in the house. Instead the idea comes to her that a diabetic foot cream she has not used in many months is what she needs. But she knows she is not supposed to go to the store. The more she thinks about this the worse her feet feel. Soon she reports it is so bad she cannot stand without being in severe pain. She does not call the doctor. She decides she must have the exact brand of diabetic foot cream she previously purchased at Dollar Tree. I have told her if she needs anything I will go to the store and get it for her. She does not call me. She who reportedly cannot stand without severe pain goes to an adjacent town and not only gets the foot cream but wanders around the store picking up cat treats and other $1 bargains. As soon as she gets home with the very first application of the foot cream her feet magically feel all better. She thinks because she wore a mask and gloves to the store and went for an essential item that what she is doing is fine. I made no attempt to reason with her. It does no good.
One reason so many people are dying is they are afraid to go to the hospital for heart attacks, strokes, appendicitis, and other non-covid emergencies.
The number of 911 calls for medical issues I am responding to has dropped about 80%. I don't have any explanation, but people don't seem to be calling 911 here for anything non-terrible.
The number of 911 calls for medical issues I am responding to has dropped about 80%. I don't have any explanation, but people don't seem to be calling 911 here for anything non-terrible.
There was a news piece earlier this week that expressed concerns about the cardiac issues not being treated early because folks fear exposure from EMS and the ERs. :(
Maybe there are just a lot of unnecessary 911 calls and doctor visits.
Fewer people out on the streets would lead to many fewer 911 calls. And the cynical side of me says 90% of doctor visits are unnecessary.
We *finally* got a gorgeous sunny day here. Went for an hour bike ride. Would have kept going if the breeze hadn't been stiff. Felt so good to get outside. It's been rainy, windy, and cold here for days.
I had my son who lives with me trim the back of my hair and feel better now. Was not going to travel to Georgia for a hair cut!
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