The Covid Diaries --Day 10

Faith/Spirituality

I'm a spiritual person, I believe in doing what's right, being a decent human being and hopefully leaving the world or people better in some way.  There have been several moments in my life that I can't explain why things happened the way they did. I couldn't think of anything to write about when this was due a couple days ago, but then yesterday something happened that made me feel like my unusual morning routine was meant to be. 

Monday was not my day to run, for some reason, I felt compelled. Everyone, including me, has been sleeping in a lot during the quarantine. I woke up very early Monday morning and decided I was going to run despite the fact that I ran the day before and I was going to have sore legs, sore feet and was going overboard with the running. I got dressed, grabbed my watch and stepped outside my front door to find a man, wearing only shorts, in 49 degree weather, sitting in my yard.

I didn't know him and can't say why I wasn't cautious approaching a half-naked stranger but I soon realized he was sitting because he could not stand. I said good morning, how are you and started to walk towards him, still minding social distancing. He stuttered a bit, came across very apologetic and finally asked for juice or soda. I immediately knew what was going on and ran inside thinking, "Dammit, I never have juice and pop, what am I going to give him?" Luckily, I had strawberries, which I grabbed along with a glass of water. This man is diabetic. His blood sugar is low and that's very dangerous. 

He ate the berries and told me how he ended up in my yard. He is staying at a home at the very top of the hill on the street in front of my house. So if you're looking out my front door, a street runs perpendicular directly in front of my house and it's a very steep hill. This man woke up with low blood sugar, no shirt, no shoes, went out his back door, uncontrollably stumbled all the way down his street into my driveway at the bottom of the hill.  First, I said good thing you didn't sleep naked last night.  Neither one of us knew how long he'd been there. When I asked him questions I could tell he was having some difficulty processing so I had to keep talking and trying to make him feel comfortable. Luckily, I have a ton of experience with this because one of my best friends from high school is diabetic. He always took excellent care of himself too but it's such a tricky balance. You can do everything exactly right and still have occasional issues that will blind side you. One of two things would happen to my friend, Joe, when his sugar dropped, he would either slowly put his head down and close his eyes, or he would become belligerent and start fighting all of us! Ha-ha, either way, we would always have to force Joe to eat. I'm so glad this man in my yard remained calm and knew he had to eat. 

After the berries he tried to stand and still couldn't. So I ran back into the house and got two chocolate banana muffins and he ate those. All the while he was trying to call his girlfriend but her phone was silenced, she was still in bed and had no idea he even left the house.  After another 15 minutes or so, he slowly stood up and had regained his strength. I walked him back up the hill to his house. 

Thank God he got better. Thank God he is okay. And thank you, God, for telling me to run that day when in my head, everything was telling me not to. Isn't that funny how some things work out so beautifully?  

The Covid Diaries --Day 9

A Covid Saturday

I'll admit, all but one of us broke rules today. This was a very typical Saturday for us, pandemic or not. Dave has continued to golf. The club house in closed, along with the putting greens and driving range, but people are still scheduling tee times. On top of that, family members are joining along for the cart ride but not playing golf. Not me though. I'm not tryna catch that Rona. Before Dave left this morning, he made himself and the boys his famous breakfast eggs while I was out running. 

Apparently breakfast was way too early for this guy.

After breakfast my older son packed up his airsoft equipment and met a few friends in our neighborhood wooded area. I mean, a Nerf  (airsoft) war is technically social distancing, they are trying to stay away from each other and not get shot. I've kept them separated from their friends since school let out and I feel if they are outside riding bikes or staying 6 feet apart, their emotional health right now outweighs the risk. 

I move my home office around from the kitchen table, to the dining room, to my bedroom office to my outside office. After awhile I can't find another space that is going to motivate me any further. Today however, for the first time since the second week in March, I did meet a co-worker at the office (which is still technically closed.) I have to admit I desperately wanted to get out of the house but we needed to write up a contract together and felt it would be better to meet at the office instead of my house. We were there about two hours. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. 

Cooking every day. I love it and enjoy being in the kitchen.

Today I did some baking. I definitely don't do this everyday but today I needed chocolate.

I've been going on walks just about every day. I don't listen to music when I run but I always have my playlist going during my walk unless one of the boys comes along. 

The Covid Diaries --Day 8

Entertainment

There have been an onslaught of creative and hilarious memes and videos since the pandemic hit. If anything, this has been an opportunity for people's creative juices to flow and I have been hysterically laughing just about everyday. YouTube has received most of my views during the stay-at-home order, unlike Netflix which was once my chillaxing go-to. Some of the clips may have been posted prior to Covid-19 but I hadn't enjoyed them until now. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBYkF7M4FxA

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=siri+not+going+to+catch+the+rono

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2BZNowCXws

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43RV7eZgRmI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR8ptUCKv5g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqvLbNX7q9U

My son and I learned the Blinding Lights Challenge and my friends have sent me videos of their kids' choreographed videos.  I've been well entertained. 

I also love watching live videos of TV chefs like Michael Symon cooking from home.  I enjoyed watching Ravenwood High School's Assistant Principal on FB Live spinning fresh 90's beats.

As a family we've had intense Connect Four tournaments. Blind Connect Four and Sequence are other games we like to play. 

The Covid Diaries --Day 7

How We Know What We Know

This is what I think I know about what's going on right now.

-This virus is spread through droplets an infected person would create by coughing or sneezing. 

-A person can become infected by touching the virus from a contaminated surface and touching their mouth, nose or eyes, or through the air from an infected person coughing or sneezing in their general direction.

-The virus is deadly for some people.

-We have been issued to stay at home in order to keep safe and keep others safe.

-There has been so much information, misinformation, debates, topic saturation, political agenda, it's been very difficult to understand what is going on.

I don't know the accuracy of the items I think I know. I don't care to watch the news. I subscribe to a media newsletter via email that summarizes international and world stories because it's the only broadcast communication I can tolerate.  I see all sorts of information and stories through social media that I'll start believing or worrying about and if I'm still thinking about it the next day, I'll ask my husband if he's heard about it and what he thinks. He's great at helping me through all this noise but there have been moments when I thought he seemed concerned, nervous. 

I feel like I've had to consciously decide to stop thinking about it. Focus on the moment, do what I can do right now. 

The Covid Diaries --Day 6

Reflection

The challenge is to have 10 minutes of quiet reflection with no distractions, and to set a timer to keep track of the time, then immediately write down everything that went through my head.

My reflection was spent in the evening, right before dinner, while the house was quiet, but my body and mind wasn't ready to be still.  I meditated a lot as a child before I really understood what it was. I had many opportunities while spending time in my room, from being sent to my room by my parents so often. They would want me to reflect on my behavior but I would reflect on my own existence.  Today's 10 minutes were just like all the other times I've tried to meditate as an adult. I just can't do it. 

First I had to crack my toes, then I tried to focus on my breathing. I noticed how great I felt. I feel strong, healthy, have clear breathing and am comfortable. I appreciate being pain-free--it's heaven. 

Bloomsbury Farm. Lauren's Instagram page is so amazing. I love her little girl dressed in all those adorable farm clothes. 

Head itches.

This is the longest Spring Break in the entire history of the world. 

Ohio has snow.

Today's sunshine was beautiful. It was a beautiful day. I'm in a good mood probably because of the sunshine. Just looking outside with the sun shining makes it a better day.

Blank space. Blank space.

Taps phone. There's 12 seconds left and I feel guilty for tapping the phone, I'm sorry I couldn't help it, but that 10 minutes did go kinda fast. 

The Covid Diaries -- Day 5

The G.A.C. Scale

The G.A.C. Scale stands for give a crap, using a scale from 1 - 10 with 10 being the highest of giving of crap. My GAC scale looks way different in quarantine than it did prior to Covid-19. It's been on this continuous but steady downward movement. 

Personal Appearance:

Right now I'm wearing a trucker hat, haven't yet showered today even though I worked out this morning and now it's precisely 5:15 in the PM. I'm going to go with my appearance having a GAC score of 2. It's not a one because I am wearing pants. 

House Rules:

When arguments and disagreements arise between the boys, I'd try to help them resolve, have them talk it through, redirect, assign chores or kick someone out of the house for a bike ride. Now I've been turning to my earbuds. It's crazy how listening to my favorite music makes all the uncomfortable noise disappear.  House rules and parental responsibilities gets a 4!

Daily Routine and Structure:

Just no. This was an 8 a couple of months ago! I ran this house like a MOFO, baby! Getting out of bed, getting dressed, logging into the school website, getting outside, bringing dirty clothes from the bedroom to the laundry--arduous, grueling tasks for the great Prince Abdallah I and the mighty Prince Abdallah II.  GAC, 3!

Spouse Support: 

I happen to be married to a wonderful dude, a hard worker, great father, talented handy-man, funny, gross and hot. I try to make his life as easy for him as possible, we support each other. Right now, he's participating in a virtual happy hour in his office with the door open. I hear him mention his wife so I listen. He's complaining and laughing about how annoying I type on my computer and making jokes to all his co-workers. I yell up the stairs, "That's called knowing how to type!"  Spouse Support has dropped to a 5!

While the majority of my life right now seems to have a disappointing outlook, it's more of a ....self preservation thing, you see. 

Running:

Yay, running. I'm a life-long runner and no longer make a big deal about it since I know how much I need it forever in my life. However, this pandemic has me running more and looking forward to getting out of the house more than it has in a very long time. Running goes up to a 9!

Going Out:

I'm not going out so I miss my friends and my co-workers so much. I miss all the events and classes I get to go to and feel confident I'm not going to take any of that stuff for granted. I can't wait to go back out! Getting out of the house to socialize gets an 8!

K, bye!

The Covid Diaries -- Day 4

A Time Journal of One Day in Quarantine

This post comes with a key located at the bottom. 

Due to the thunderstorms all day Sunday and not being able to walk or run, I felt a little blah and ended up taking a 'quickie' afternoon nap which led to me tossing and turning until just after 1:00AM Monday morning. I woke up around 8:00 Monday morning. 

8:00 Get out of bed

8-8:15 Unload dishwasher, and wipe down the kitchen before making breakfast.

8:15-9:00 Make breakfast for the family and clean everything up. Ask kids about their plans for the day. 

9:00-9:15 Discuss the latest Rona information with the husband, create grocery list, debate home improvement projects.

 9:15-9:30 Pick out my running clothes, get dressed and put some clothes in the laundry.

9:30-11:00 ***

11:00-12:25 Go for a 5 mile run with the husband, shower, put on real clothes, make-up and did my hair for the first time in weeks.  One of kids said, "Hey, what's that smell?"  I said, "Oh, it's me, I'm clean."

12:25-2:00 Work. Log into my computer, check and respond to e-mail, register for a couple webinar presentations. Make phone calls, and write a few personal notes. 

2:00-2:30 Kids want lunch. Make a quesadilla and slice an apple, reheat left-overs.

2:30-3:30 More work, phone calls, emails. Talk to co-worker for 20 minutes, make plans to escape quarantine.

3:30-5:00 ???

5:00-6:30 Make dinner, eat, and clean the kitchen.

6:30-7:30 Searched for a really look time for my ear buds, I think someone took them because I recently overheard someone in the house say they lost theirs. I think I left mine in one of the few places I would have left them, for only temporary, then someone saw the opportunity to snag them and call them their own. They know they are mine but no one has confessed. I finally decided to use my blue-tooth earbuds and went on an evening walk around the neighborhood and enjoyed the sunset.

7:30-8:00 Listen to Jason talk about Roblox and Lego and who sued who and licencing and the Natural Disaster Worlds. 

8:00-10:00 Watched part of the Voice, texted friends, checked Facebook and Instagram, watched some lame comedy show that wasn't funny at all but I'm usually on my phone by this point anyway.  

I clearly see the need to stick to my planned schedule. The problem is I haven't been great at planning ahead my week due to the fact that I can't be anywhere accept for home. This is causing me to not use my time efficiently. Part of the reason I love my job is because it affords me many opportunities to get out and see people. It's been a huge adjustment for me to stay at home versus working from home.

THE KEY

***Something goes wrong with the space-time continuum

??? There was this portal, and I think I fell 

The Covid Diaries --Day 3

Food Purchasing and Consumption

Yay, food, my favorite topic! I haven't been to the grocery store in weeks, which is so weird. My husband has been picking up groceries about once per week since everything we eat can last about that long accept for the bananas. There's usually something on the list he can't find either because it's out or he had to purchase another brand. We are buying some things we usually wouldn't buy so the kids can make their own snacks when they get hungry, such as slider buns and deli turkey. The biggest change for us is we are not eating out. We love to eat out, it's more of a form of entertainment for us as a family. The kids are finally realizing that whatever is on the table for dinner is dinner. They are no longer asking to go out, they aren't asking for Sonic ice cream every night, they aren't asking for anything because they know I'm not going to the grocery store tomorrow like I usually do. It's nice. 

There's an effort being made to have some sort of structure during these days. The kids are sleeping in so we are having a late breakfast and an early dinner. Some days there might be two large intermittent fastings going on and I'm down with that. I've had to give up some control on keeping everyone on the same schedule and making sure no one is spoiling their dinner. If I'm cooking breakfast and dinner then you better be there if you're going to eat. And they have been. I was the only person in the family to enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day but they are now open to having yesterday's leftovers if today's dinner is not to their liking. 

I believe the average American can pretty much go to a grocery store within a few miles of their home, purchase exactly what they are looking for based on their budget, any time, any day. Globally, that privilege is rare. We have conveniences and variety like none other. The rest of the world doesn't get to live like we do, is what I tell my kids all the time but they really don't get it and most of us don't or won't. Many people for the first time in their lives have witnessed empty grocery store shelves. I can't say if it's a shortage or there's a sudden high demand and the next shipment simply hasn't arrived. I think it's the latter but with so much business being shut down, people are left to draw their own conclusions and there seems to be an uneasiness and some fear. I feel terrible for all the businesses and especially small business suffering. I have confidence we are all getting through this and it's going to be okay, our economy will recover. This pandemic has been devastating for a great number of people world-wide. I think of them and am reminded how fortunate I am. I have my family, a place to live, clothes, clean water and I have food and I'm so very thankful.

Happy Easter! We have thunderstorms but still wanted to do something special for the holiday so we're smoking a bunch of food which will become this week's meals.

The Covid Diaries --Day 2

Safety Choices

There's a crap-ton of information floating around for all to enjoy regarding the Coronavirus.  The news is sensationalized and the political debates are depressing. Not that I don't advocate, but I do believe there are actual professionals, expert in areas of study where I am not, knowing a thing or two about their profession, for someone like me to learn from and analyze the data and hopefully make an informed decision. All I really know at this point is I don't want the Rona. If my kids get an allergy, I freak the fuck out. So, there's that. Here are a few of the facts: We are being ordered to stay home. That means if you are not an essential employee needing to report to work and unless you are traveling to pick up essential items, you need to please stay home. I cannot go into my office to work. The kids have no school. 

These are some of the extreme and irresponsible safety choices we have made and the reasons why. First, we are not socializing. I miss my running buddy. She just returned from being away from me for a year and we were finally back together running, right before this pandemic hit. Running is a major part of our lives. We ran a few times together, staying 6 feet apart, until a couple weeks ago when the number of infections and death count continued to rise, we decided it's best we run solo, for the safety of our families.

I'm fortunate in that I live in a neighborhood full of walking trails and paths, however, everyone else has the same idea of 'getting out' and these once naked paths are now full of families, strollers and dogs. I'm forced to run in the streets where I'm a bit more able to distance myself.

I mentioned the friend thing regarding my children in my previous post. We are not allowing our kids to visit friends. They do have access to call and communicate, but not visit in person. The reason is not so much the kids but we don't know where their parents have been. I have friends on the front line, working in health care. We ourselves could be infected and not even know it. 

My husband continues to golf. The golf club is so busy because it's one of the few places not closed. I'm not trying to throw him under the bus BUT HELLO! He says he's staying six feet apart. Fine. While he's out, he will pick up the groceries for me. I'm the cook. I'm the shopper. I always get the groceries, but right now I'm so scared that I haven't gone out at all. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I am. I'm also a control freak and surprised I'm allowing him to get groceries because I can't monitor what he's touching and how he's shopping, but that's how scared I am.
Speaking of husband, he's a chemist. So we have crazy debates about how I don't like chemicals like Mr. Clean in my house and he 'rationalizes' the actual chemical makeup.  I don't care. To me everything is cancer causing. Anyway, he just bought a farm animal medication to combat Covid-19.

Ummm, yeah, Ima have to take a hard pass on this. The kids and I are not taking this.

I think you can easily lose yourself in the craziness, the changes and inconveniences. I know people cope with change in lots of different ways.  The first few weeks didn't seem to be a big deal but this week my 10 year old had a melt down, crying, telling me he missed his friends. Heartbreak. Yesterday, the 13 year old informed us he was the only teenager on the entire planet not allowed to hang out with his friends. This was shocking to us as parents (cue the stair stomping and door slamming.) Believe me, I know, if I was living in this as a 13 year old I would have been giving my parents hell.  This will be life changing for the young people. I try to remind them, this is incredible! It's devistating that people are dying, it's awful. This will somehow change your character and I truly believe only for the better. 

The Covid Diaries --Day 1

Per assignment, I'm to take five pictures that demonstrate what my life looks like during this pandemic.  These photos are supposed to be interesting and representative of who I am. I'm not sure how interesting they will be because the days have been very similar and familiar for at least a few weeks now. I try to somewhat keep a schedule and some structure in order to break the days into more interesting pieces. I'm encouraging the kids to do the same thing because they tend to let the day get away from them too often.
Cooking and cleaning the kitchen three times a day sucks. And I love to cook, well, at least I used to. Gone are the days I tried a new recipe every evening. It's the same carb-loaded meals that the kids won't whine about (such a Debbie Downer!) So, with the whole diary, honesty thing, I'm letting the kids sleep in. I think they are thinking, why get up today? I'm cooking a late breakfast and making an early dinner.  There. Down to two meals and kitchen clean-up per day. They've eaten the snacks too fast to last for the next grocery trip so they are learning the term and meaning of 'rationing,' which is a word my mom used often during my childhood because we did not have extra money for tons of snacks and extra food to spontaneously invite friends over for dinner.

Dish washer runs twice a day instead of just once.

Multiple walks a day to get out of the house.

After breakfast we have to move! I'm running now more than ever because of the need to get out of the house. My 10 year old has movement issues, as in, he doesn't want to move his body off the couch, so he and I take walks around the neighborhood or he rides his bike down to a park and back. He's no longer allowed to play at the park or with his friends. It's difficult because he can see other kids in the neighborhood still playing together and we decided that was a risk. I'm feeling terrible for my kids. They are 10 and 13 and their friends are their world. I was the same way at that age. In fact all throughout my childhood I only wanted to play with and see my friends. I'm sure this quarantine is much harder on them than it is on us.

Jason bikes to this wonderful park in our neighborhood.

My husband works from home when he's not traveling and he's definitely not traveling. I'm a realtor and have only showed one vacant house since the quarantine and most of my clients are waiting to move. I'm using my work time to catch up on continuing education and planning for a busy summer and rest of the year. It's great I have that to focus on. The kids have student resources available to them through their school district. The activities are voluntary at this time. They take the rest of the morning or early afternoon to get in some math practice and reading.

Working from home looks like no shower, no makeup, large bags for me!

Dining table is for puzzling and school work.

Mid-afternoon has been the most difficult time of the day for me. I'm tired of reading and I already exercised. I've found it helpful to call a friend or parent just to talk which is very spirit-lifting. I'm dying to go to a happy hour and I've never really did that much prior to the stay-at-home order. The fact that I can't see my friends makes me want to have more meet-ups for coffee and come over to my house for back-porch drinking. When this passes, there will only be better perspectives.
Dinner time gives me a second wind while getting out the cutting board and chef knife. Maybe I'll even pour a glass of wine and I think about the rest of my family that I can't see. Dinner has been eerily quiet. I guess everyone thinks they don't have a 'day' to talk about. I wonder what everyone is thinking, but I'm just kinda dozing off into space myself. It could be so much worse. We've spent time counting our blessings and feeling grateful for what we have.
We try to agree on a movie to watch in the evening. I'm the only female so I'm always outnumbered by Marvel, another episode of The Office or another episode of the Simpsons. After about a half hour into whatever we're watching, one by one, people start disappearing from the family room to go text a friend, finished up some work, or get into the shower and I'm left with the remote I don't want because I'm scrolling through Facebook looking at all the funny memes about The Rona.