Sunday, March 22, 2020

Life: It Goes On - March 22

Last week we, in Nebraska, were just starting to feel the effects of CoVid19. I was scared and my anxiety was on high. And I had no idea what was coming. We have not yet reached the point that so many of you are already at but it feels like we are not far behind you. Miss H worked in a restaurant and is now out of a job; fortunately, she had not yet moved. The rest of us continue to work. My campus is almost entirely empty but we still need some people to go into the office; I'm one of them. There's a part of me that wishes I could just work from home but another part of me that very much appreciates still having some routine. They're doing a great job of keeping the place very clean and I feel, as much as I can right now, safe.

From what I've learned this morning, in watching a lot of really smart people, we are probably looking at life this way for another six weeks before the virus starts to slow down. That's a really long time for me not to get to seem my parents or my kids in Minnesota or my great-nieces and great-nephews who are growing up so fast. But it's a small price to pay to keep all of those people I love safe. I'm so hoping that you will all feel the same way.

Last Week I:

Listened To: I've been listening to a lot of music this week. I found I couldn't stay focused on podcasts. Friday I did finally download a book. We'll see if Cokie Roberts can keep my focus.

Watched: Friday night we watched what we thought was a video released by Lin Manuel Miranda of a performance of Hamilton. It turned out to be a video that was taken without permission and I feel a bit guilty about watching it. On the other hand, it was the perfect distraction. Last night we watched Frozen 2.  Have any of you watched it? We thought it was so dark and the plot too complicated for young children.

Read: I'm having trouble focusing on books as well and really having to push myself to read a few pages at a time. The book I'm reading now, Hell Or High Water, is a library book which now doesn't have to be returned any time soon and I may set it aside for a bit as it's really dark. I'm thinking something lighter would be better.

Made: My own disinfecting spray with Clorox, my own Clorox wipes, and my own hand sanitizer with rubbing alcohol and aloe vera. I may not be able to control the outside work, but my house has never been more germ free!

In the kitchen, today I'm making pork chops in the Instant Pot. I'd almost forgotten I had it, to be honest.

Enjoyed: Take out pizza last night. We're so stocked up on food but we're trying to find ways to help out local businesses.

This Week I’m: 

Planning: On catching up on 40 Bags In 40 Days. It's another thing I couldn't stay focused on last week but I'm back on it this weekend and I've knocked out five bags so far in two days.

Thinking About: We've got some plans to move some gardens and that work can get started this week with warmer temps.

Feeling: Grateful to my parents' neighbors who are watching over them and treating them like the precious jewels that they are. Also feeling grateful to Mini-me's employers who allowed him to step away from work while this virus is a threat; he is immuno-compromised and I've been so worried about him.

Looking forward to: Family FaceTime tonight with all of my kids.

Question of the week: What ways have you found to keep your sanity through all of this?

12 comments:

  1. Lisa, isn't it wonderful that FaceTime exists these days? Ways to keep in touch with family and friends that wouldn't have been possible not many years ago. Just sending a big hug to you and saying stay safe, stay healthy, we'll all get through this. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't actually see the people I care about. Makes you wonder how people made the decision to travel west 150 ago, knowing there was a good chance they'd never see the people they loved again.

      Delete
  2. 6-8 weeks sounds like a really long time to hunker down but you're right. Better to do what we can now than pay the price later. As it is, we are already paying a hefty price for our delayed response overall.

    My last week was a mess but I'm hoping I'm better prepared this week. It was stressful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a process, isn't it, trying to figure out how everything is going to work. And just when we figure it out, they'll add another layer to things.

      Delete
  3. We watched Frozen II last weekend and I had similar thoughts but my son who is 10 and on the sensitive side liked it. I think he got caught up more in the action and not as bogged down in the actual events as I was. He was a big fan of the water horse and the fire spirit. My husband said it could have used a few less writers as it felt like they tried to cram everyone's ideas in and I don't disagree. We are home for the foreseeable future. My husband is an engineer at Boeing and Monday the company went to work from home for all employees nationwide until further notice. It's crazy. Take care of yourself and have a nice week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think your son's reaction was probably what a lot of kids had - they take things out of it that are at their level and the heavier stuff passes right over them.

      Delete
  4. I'm not sure I have found any ways to keep my sanity but I am still trying.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am reading feel good books, watching feel good TV and watching some of the free concerts that are available online.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am loosely sane. I say that because if you look at me, I am the same as always but there is this undercurrent of dread brewing and I think it's because my son was not able to return from college. He is still there. Lost both of his campus jobs but feels like if he leaves, he will not have jobs for fall either. His classes are online so technically he could come back and we could save on housing but he is actually safer there. We have more cases here and more people.

    My other concern is the lack of ventilators. I am immunocompromised. I am not worried about getting minor symptoms but if I came down with severe symptoms I do not want to be without oxygen or worried about where I will end up. They've secured a large Naval ship for patients as well as hotels and rec centers. Can you imagine? I'd get lost somewhere.

    I am working from home and that is okay. I took my entire workstation which was a total pain but I am glad I did it. I have everything I need except a printer but I don't think I will need one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The whole ventilator thing is what scares me the most. I'm like you, the idea of being super sick, which could happen easily with your situation or my asthma, is terrifying. The idea of having to go through it alone, too, makes it even worse.

      Delete
  7. It's crazy how fast life can change in just a week. Homeschooling now and we had an earthquake last week too, which was scary. Basically just trying to do my part to stay at home. Hubby is working from home as well. We're checking in with family and friends and our neighbors. I think this will actually be a lot longer than 6 weeks... but I hope I'm wrong.

    Trying to stay informed and connected and hopefully I can focus better in the coming weeks and maybe get some projects done. Hugs to you and yours! May you all stay safe and healthy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was feeling pretty safe while I was at work because the building was so empty and everyone still there was being so careful but it does add another layer of comfort to be working from home. But I'm missing people so that will take some getting used to. We'll all just finally get used to this and have a routine when it will all be over. I wonder how long it will be before I can feel safe around people again.

      Delete