51 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

 51 weeks are now behind us since coronavirus hit the state of Georgia full force. We are almost to the one year mark.

I just received a "Timehop" notification that one year ago, Doug and Bri had their last fun, normal weekend outing (dad/daughter time) on March 7th before the pandemic hit us....

We had no idea what was ahead of us and just how bad it would get.

Bri went to school that following week (March 9-13). Kids were told they didn't need to go to school on that Friday, but Briana went that day because she needed to wrap up a couple important assignments and grabbed as much from her locker as she could (it's funny - over half the school no showed on that Friday and now people complain about not being able to go to school every day). Bri and I both knew we might be in for the long haul at that time. We just didn't know how long. Bri and I had one more get together at a friend's house the following weekend and then Bri started virtual learning on March 16. She's been learning virtually ever since.

I look at the above picture it makes me sad. Life (at least for my family) has changed so much since then. I've lost a lot. Not as much as a lot of other people (some have lost family members to the virus, health, homes, jobs, etc), but I've definitely experienced my share of loss in different ways.

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 Now, the virtual academy Bri attends (which is tied in her high school) is looking for a year long commitment for the next school year. This school year, we were able to commit by semester. We are now being forced to sign up for a year of virtual and we can make a final decision/opt out in May. I have no idea when teens will even be vaccinated for the virus. Bri is only virtual because she doesn't have a vaccine yet, and my county is forcing parents to make a long-term decision as if we aren't under pandemic conditions. People are just starting to get vaccinated now, and I guarantee a bunch of people in my neck of the woods won't get vaccinated. I accepted that Bri might have to start 10th grade virtually (we start back in early August) and then I figured she could switch to F2F once she got vaccinated (possibly mid-year). I don't think that is possible now. So, I either send her into a maskless, overcrowded hornets' nest in August after all this time of being super careful with no vaccination or keep her home for another whole year for virtual learning. Bri really does not want to change schools with only 3 years left, and I am going to respect her wish. Right now, it feels like we are being punished for protecting ourselves from this virus and it really sucks. I'm at a loss about all of this. I hope I have more answers by May.

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And unfortunately, I am still dealing with my TMJ/blocked ear issue and I've been at it for over a month now. I haven't wanted to see a doctor because I am so over seeing doctors and I hoped it would rectify itself. So far, it's not happening. I may be reaching out to my ENT sometime this week. Having this issue makes it very difficult for me to focus and concentrate sometimes. It just messes with my head.

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On a more positive note, Mei Mei is doing so much better. Guess whose fur is growing back? Finally!!!

Her arm and leg fur has almost completely grown back in. And her belly actually has fur on it (it had zero)! Right before we went on vacation, I realized I hadn't given Mei a "revolution" topical treatment in a while (fights heartworms, fleas, mites, etc). She hardly goes on the back porch and with her being an indoor kitty, I didn't always remember to give it to her (I won't forget now). She just seemed even more itchy than usual lately. So, I gave her the treatment and she had a lot of quiet time alone while we were on vacation (thank goodness the basement is done). I've also been wiping her fur down periodically with dander cloths and brushing her to try to help any dry skin. I'm not sure what has done it or if it was a mix of all three, but the fur is growing back now. Woo Hoo!! 

She seems more at ease and happy.

She loves to sun herself...

But, she still doesn't love having the camera in her face...

The other day, our termite guy came to check our termite stations outside. Mei decided to do some quality control...

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On Friday, Bri's friend Jackson and his family (who are in our social bubble) invited Doug, Bri and me to a super cool, vintage arcade to celebrate his birthday. We had the whole place to ourselves for a couple of hours!

I forgot how much I enjoy playing pinball machines. It was so nice to feel a bit "normal" for a while, even though we were wearing masks.

Everyone had a lot of fun...

Some of my favorite machines...

A big thank you to Jackson and his family for a fun afternoon. We will definitely be going back over there!

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I'm still cooking quite a bit for the family. We do takeout and delivery sometimes, but it just seems easier for me to throw stuff together at home. I do get burned out sometimes and then I'll tell my peeps I need a bit of a break.

I make a delish (not super healthy) buffalo chicken casserole that they really enjoy (yes that is bacon and cheese on top)...

I made pastrami Reuben sandwiches over the weekend (I use pastrami instead of corned beef, so instead of Reubens, I make Rachels). I'm thinking I probably should have waited until closer to St. Patrick's Day to make them - heh. Bri likes them minus the sauerkraut - I need to work on her about that...

And I did bake some cookies the other day...

I am quite jealous of those losing weight during this pandemic. Sadly, I am not one of them.

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We have been enjoying our basement home theater immensely. We've watched several movies and TV shows down there and it feels like a true movie theater. I'm not sure we will need to go to the movie theater again! Doug also got us a popcorn maker, so now we really can stay home!

(I am very sad WandaV!sion is over. It was such a good show.)

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Now it's time for me to get a bit political and a bit real.

 Let's start with some really good news...

And some more good news...

Light at the end of the tunnel!

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 *Now I am going to vent a bit *

On March 9th, 2020, Tr@mp tweeted this...

He tweeted it weeks after he knew this...

 

He knew the severity/the danger and he boldface lied to everyone...

Over 500,000K dead in the U.S now. This is HIS fault (and those politicians who followed/supported him).

And after everything, Tr@mp is still somehow worshiped...

It's something I will never, ever, ever understand. How/why are we still talking about this lame duck?

Republ!cans who have spoken out against him, are now caving (some caving for a second, third, forth time). What kind of mind control is this madman using against people?

The hypocrisy is mind-boggling. 

 

All of the Jan 6th insurrectionists who have been caught/arrested so far have confessed to being full blown Tr@mp supporters. ALL OF THEM. 

And those getting arrested for the insurrection are now confused and upset that Tr@mp isn't pardoning them - claiming "It's not fair!" that they are in jail. Heh. Tr@mp doesn't care about anyone but himself. He uses people and then throws them away. He always has, always will. He never planned to help them in any way. 

 

Karma is a funny thing...

It was NEVER Ant!fa that day. Only weak-minded people fell (are still falling) for that...

The one thing I do agree with - it's not fair that Tr@mp isn't sitting in a jail cell right now too. His time will run out - something is going to get him one day. He can't run forever.

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It's sad to me that I have some people in my life who I know that are still in "the election was stolen" and "Tr@mp is a god" camp. Unfortunately, I have made a choice to distance myself from these people.

I know a lot of people say that we should all be able to "agree to disagree" and that people can still be friends and continue to love each other when we disagree. I used to feel that way too. But, if we are disagreeing about things like supporting an insurrection and the overthrow of our government, promoting racism and antisemitism and backing voter suppression efforts - I'm sorry, these are deal breakers for me. I'm out. I have to be.

 

I can't be sure if these people I know have changed their point of view over these last few years or if they have always been like this and I just didn't see it...

 

 I think each of these may apply to different people in my life.

It's not easy to sever a relationship. But sometimes in life, you have to make difficult decisions...

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Well, I think I will wrap it up now. I'm just trying to keep on keeping on...

I am very ready for my haircut in a few weeks. I'm willing to take the risk (of course I'll mask up) because mentally I need it. I have a feeling a cut and color will make me feel a lot better.

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Next week will be the one year anniversary of the start of pandemic mode for my family. I have so many feelings about it. I'm not even sure what I will say next week. I guess I will have to think about it. So, I'll be back next week. Be safe, smart and wear a mask.