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?