Week 10 - 2020

My apologies for having disappeared last week.  I was trying to get everything together for my first day from working at home while making sure every other little thing was in order.

Working from home is going well; better than I would have imagined.  I am working from a HP laptop, as opposed to a MAC with double screens at the office, so that is an adjustment.  Never realized how much faster things move with two screens.  Other than that, it has been a blessing.  Not to get to graphic, but my stomach issues have completely cleared; I am sleeping without pills; Shayna has sudden new respect from me - she is by my side 24 x 7, not a peep out of her while I am working (which includes calls to clients).  MHN is calmer because I am here in case he needs help with something.  So, for 4 days per week, 9-2, at I am at my little desk or computer desk, working away.  While I hope the virus passes us quickly, I have to think long and hard about returning to the office.  The office is tentatively scheduled to re-open April 6; the governor said non-essentials stay closed to April 22; with MHN is such a precarious position, he is extremely fearful of me going back.  (As am I.)

I have been getting up a little later and taking a quick walk around the yard for some fresh air, after getting the newspapers or putting mail in the mailbox.  Rather than using disposable gloves, I have taken to using the plastic sleeves in which the newspapers are delivered as mitts.   Keeping the glove supply for more important things.

So other than working from home, not being able to go to the library and not going to stores for the foreseeable future, nothing else much has changed!  I am still beholden to a large list of to-dos with a few more things added to it.  I want to make some face masks for our use, as what Smilow gave to MHN is not going to last very long.  They are more for his protection than mine, but I would guess at some point, I will have to venture out, but not without a mask.

We are getting Misfits boxes each week for organic fruits and veggies.  (I do have a 50% off code for the first box, so if you would to try it, leave a message or email me & I will share it with you.) MHN ordered oranges from FL.  We have a PeaPod order from Stop & Shop for delivery next week and I also did an Amazon order for junk food.  (my bad!) So far so good, after one week.

For whatever reason, I have always kept a good stock of personal necessities, like soaps, tooth paste, floss, shampoo, etc. so we will be okay for a while.  I am thinking about having to restock all of this at some future date and my head spins.  I have a checklist of items for each store where I shop.  I am trying not to worry about that now.  (Don't I have enough??)

Before I head on to the next item on my "to-do", I want to share this post from my daughter:

"Ah, COVID! I am one of the thousands of people freshly unemployed due to COVID, with no means of reliable income for the foreseeable future. I have discounted all of the pendants in my shop, and from now until April 30 (at the earliest), at LEAST 10% of all proceeds will go to my co-workers in need of immediate assistance. Thank you for your support!"

The link for her Etsy shop is:                            https://www.etsy.com/shop/turtledovecraft?fbclid=IwAR1gXtgFESCDvl6ffECDFmncNT82qRmBMxspsqnl1PeVFaUp1QxjuVuwM9o

Please check it out and consider a purchase for yourself or a friend.  These are very unusual pendants and whenever I wear mine, people usually stop to ask about it.  If there is no occasion coming up, consider purchasing one and tucking it away when you need a lovely gift for someone.  Or make today the special occasion and surprise someone!  Thank you for your consideration!

I leave you with a wish for staying safe and staying healthy.  Please do not take chances.  xoxo

Week 8 - 2020

Well, as I had suspected and mentioned last week, we did take our house off the market.  The primary reason was for health safety.  As our home is now in “lock down mode*”, we were not comfortable with people coming in, touching things and spreading potential viruses and germs.  If MHN were not sick, we would not be doing this, but he is and so it goes.

In the case of self isolation because of COVID 19, we have prepared. We have enough meds, dog food and MHN’s healthy food. I need to make one more trip to Walgreens for supplies and Big Y for my not as healthy food tomorrow before and after work.

As far as the house sale, I do plan to continue packing things away and still plan on a massive tag sale in the Spring after the hullabaloo dies down.

I have finished my library books, all of which were terrific reads. 

13. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

14. Divide Me by Zero by Lara Vapnyar

15. Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

I was genuinely sad as I finished each one as I didn't want each to end!  I have three more on hold, but two are brand new and haven’t even been released yet.  There are two personally owned books on my nightstand which I will tackle, as well as catch up on some current magazines this week.

I do get a lot of magazines via mail, but I get most of them free.  I get them via special offers, completing surveys and as a result of reading newsletters.  I have a separate email address for those blog posts, newsletters and all these kinds of goodies.  I really should clean out that mailbox this week, too.

The house smelled so divine today!  Once again, I made the eggplant risotto for MHN and it came out so great.  I also roasted a small turkey breast and MHN made an amazing gravy with the pan drippings and the vegetables which roasted with it. 

Today is the 6^th anniversary of my Mother’s passing.  Truly, just the other day, I stretched my arm out for the phone to call her.  That doesn’t happen too often anymore, and it startled me that I needed her so strongly at that time.  There are only certain things one can share with a Mom.  A Mom understands (she may not agree) but she gets you and what your issues are; she has your back 110% of the time and she wants only the best.  To say that I miss her is an understatement of extraordinary proportion. 

Dad’s 7^th year anniversary in in June and I miss him tremendously too, especially his sage advice of teaching to look at the whole picture instead of the one little fragment that is tearing me to shreds. 

This week, MIHN has a treatment at Smilow on Monday and I have my body scan on the dermatologist on Tuesday.  All those summer days of sitting under the sun swathed in baby oil with a foil screen have caught up with me.  Since I have had one minor bout of skin cancer  I now must embark on this adventure every year. 

The rest of the week is quiet.  I always try to squeeze so much into my Wednesdays off and I have housework left over from the to-do list of today.  There are projects galore of stuff I would like to do before the house goes back on the market, whenever that may be.  Que sera, sera.

I am not going to run through the resolutions this week as I think I have mostly spoken of everything in this post.  Until next time, please be safe and don’t take chances with your health and safety.  Sending love.  xo

  *lock down mode = no entry to anyone. Period.