Holy Moly.
When I signed off my blog last time, I had no idea my next post would be about this. In my last post, I talked about going out to lunches and dinners and seeing a play. Life was normal. (Well, as normal as an anxiety-ridden person's life can be.)
Now life is really, really crazy. And different. And pretty scary.
The last "fancier" type meal that we had out in a restaurant was on February 29. We went to eat at a restaurant called "Appalachian Grill." We had to wait an hour to get seated (no reservations are taken there) and I think about how many people were in that waiting area. And it is very unusual for us to go out on a Saturday night to a crowded restaurant. We just wanted to do something a little different. No way that can happen now. And that was just a month ago.
The food was definitely worth the wait...
The following weekend, Doug and Bri had a dad/daughter day out - Starbucks, lunch, shopping. I am so glad they had that one on one time together because it was about a week after that when everyone was told to social distance.
Doug took Bri to an art store...
She was definitely in her happy place.
The week of March 9th (Monday) was when I really started getting the itch that something was off (though I had been feeling antsy before that). I did have lunch with my friend Amy that Monday, and we were both definitely concerned about what was going on with the virus.
But at that time, the president was still majorly downplaying the whole situation...
I had been listening to all sorts of news sources for weeks, and I wasn't feeling confident about it. I had read all about Italy and that really, really scared me. I mean - if it could happen there...
I started quietly shopping for groceries that week. Not hoarding at all - just getting extra things. I was trusting my gut. I got extra canned things. Extra frozen things. Toilet paper. Extra meat to freeze. Just in case Doug or I got sick. Just in case something was coming. I just had a bad feeling.
I had a coffee date with my friend Kathy Thursday morning of that week and we were both feeling really nervous about being out. I cannot tell you how many times I washed and hand-sanitized my hands while I was there. We both agreed that we were going to severely limit going out after that - just to be safe.
The food was definitely worth the wait...
Doug took Bri to an art store...
The week of March 9th (Monday) was when I really started getting the itch that something was off (though I had been feeling antsy before that). I did have lunch with my friend Amy that Monday, and we were both definitely concerned about what was going on with the virus.
But at that time, the president was still majorly downplaying the whole situation...
I had been listening to all sorts of news sources for weeks, and I wasn't feeling confident about it. I had read all about Italy and that really, really scared me. I mean - if it could happen there...
I started quietly shopping for groceries that week. Not hoarding at all - just getting extra things. I was trusting my gut. I got extra canned things. Extra frozen things. Toilet paper. Extra meat to freeze. Just in case Doug or I got sick. Just in case something was coming. I just had a bad feeling.
I had a coffee date with my friend Kathy Thursday morning of that week and we were both feeling really nervous about being out. I cannot tell you how many times I washed and hand-sanitized my hands while I was there. We both agreed that we were going to severely limit going out after that - just to be safe.
That evening, counties decided to close the schools on Monday because the virus was spreading. People started immediately flocking to the grocery stores. I didn't need to because I had already started preparing.
Bri finished up school that Friday and got her things from her locker for the long haul of being at home.
Bri had one last super quick get together with her friend Jackson (to celebrate his birthday) the weekend before we went into full social distancing...
And that was it.
We started fully social distancing.
Briana started "homeschooling" or digital learning on Monday, March 16th.
This was Bri on the first day...
The first two days were a bit rough - I'm not gonna to lie. Teachers were very anxious and sending lots of e-mails and texts. Bri didn't really know how to organize herself (on top of dealing with a pandemic). On Tuesday, I told her to take a breath and we came up with a schedule. That helped SO much. In the time since then, the teachers have calmed down, started assigning a bit less work and Bri keeps to her schedule. It's been pretty much smooth sailing ever since. I can say - her teachers have been AMAZING. They really care. They stay in touch. Hold Zoom meetings every so often. Respond quickly to e-mails. Bri has been blessed with amazing teachers this year.
Here is Bri sitting on the porch doing some homework one afternoon...
Sitting on the porch and taking walks is very helpful. Nature helps make you feel a bit more normal...
The one furry person that is loving all this social distancing stuff is Mei Mei. She is loving having us home with her all the time...
Briana has been doing some cool art stuff for her art class, but I think I'll write about all that in my next post.
Ok...I'm going to step on a soapbox for a minute. Feel free to read this part or feel free to skip...
First let me preface, I am not a die-hard liberal or a hard-core republican. I guess you could call me a moderate or an independent. I've voted on both sides of the aisle in my lifetime.
I've been so incredibly frustrated about how all of this has been handled by our government (federal and state). I am NOT a Trump fan. I never have been and I never will be. And I am even less of a fan now after all of this. He denied there was a problem for so long, and what a cluster this has become. And I was furious when he kept calling it a "Chinese virus." Yes, it started in China (and believe me, I am not happy with how China handled things), but it is a human virus - not a Chinese one. When people called him out on it - letting him know calling it that could offend a lot people and that Asian people were getting bullied and targeted because of it, he doubled down. It's hard when your Asian child looks at you with curious eyes and says "Did the president really call it a Chinese virus?" It seems like now he is trying to smooth things over by saying how much he respects China, but the damage is done. He said what he said. I promise - I'm not going to make this a president-bashing post, but I felt I needed to explain my frustration with all of this.
And people are STILL not social distancing the way they should. People STILL don't believe this is something more than the flu. This is 10 times deadlier than the flu and it can kill anyone, at any age. Doug, Bri and I took a drive last weekend and it looked like a regular Saturday afternoon. Essential and non-essential stores were packed. There was NO social distancing going on at any of them. I was so unbelievably frustrated. I know people have to get groceries and medicines - I get that. But there has got to be a safer way. I haven't left my neighborhood since last Saturday, but I'm hearing it's still super busy out there (though more things are closing now like gyms, parks and salons). I'm doing my part, why can't others do theirs?
(BTW, Georgia has no shelter in place/stay at home order. The governor won't issue one. Counties and cities are taking upon themselves to do it now.)
On a positive note, restaurants have been going to strictly takeout, delivery and curbside pickup only. I do feel really badly about small businesses and I do hope they pull though this. We did get some Chinese takeout one night the week before last, but we just don't feel super comfortable getting food from restaurants right now. I may change my mind at some point if I start getting burned out with trying to figure out meals (which I kind of already am). But for now, we are just cooking at home.
I have been surprisingly vocal the last two weeks on Facebook regarding all of this. And honestly, that is not me. I don't like controversy at all. But, I am pretty passionate about this social distancing thing. To me, the sooner everyone freaking complies and stays put (except essential workers), the sooner this all ends. And I don't dip my toes in political waters, but I have been just so frustrated with all of this. I felt the need to say something. I've said my piece now, so I am think I am ok with just posting regular stuff again. And I may just limit my exposure to FB altogether.
Ok - Stepping off my soapbox now...
This social distancing thing isn't super easy, but we are dealing. And I guess it is lucky that Doug, Bri and I are introverts at heart. We are homebodies. We like our friend time and trip time, but we are pretty happy at home. Ask me my opinion on this in a month though - LOL!
I've been calling people and texting people to keep connected. Bri has been Facetiming with her cousins and friends. Doug is still working (from home) and is super busy - which is a blessing. I had a zoom hangout session with some of my besties Friday evening - so things are going pretty good.
It's been a bit difficult for me though because I am already an anxious person. Add on a pandemic - well, it's kind of a mind-blower. I know it is for a lot of people. I've had my moments, but overall, I am handling this better than I thought. And just because there is a nasty virus going around, it doesn't change the fact that I am still dealing with some tonsil issues. My tonsils are doing a lot better, but they aren't perfect - I still have some irritation. But I've had no stones since January! Woot! Diet seems to be helping so far. I'm so glad I didn't get a tonsillectomy in the middle of all this madness. Can you even imagine me recovering right now? And if I had a surgery scheduled, it would have been cancelled anyway.
I am sad that Bri's middle school experience may end this way. Away from her friends. She's supposed to have an 8th grade dance and that most likely won't happen now. 8th grade graduation and walk - may not happen. Probably won't happen. She may not get to say goodbye to her teachers in person. It's just sad. And if I am sad about this, I cannot imagine having a senior in high school. My heart goes out to each and every 12th grader. It's sad they are missing out on so much. It's really heartbreaking.
I think I am starting to ramble now, so I think I will wrap it up.
I do want to say in closing thank you, thank you, thank you to all the doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, ambulance workers, truck drivers, grocery store workers, garbage collectors, postal workers, delivery drivers, restaurant workers, plumbers, electricians and anybody that has to go out into this world to help us survive...
Bri finished up school that Friday and got her things from her locker for the long haul of being at home.
Bri had one last super quick get together with her friend Jackson (to celebrate his birthday) the weekend before we went into full social distancing...
We started fully social distancing.
Briana started "homeschooling" or digital learning on Monday, March 16th.
This was Bri on the first day...
Here is Bri sitting on the porch doing some homework one afternoon...
First let me preface, I am not a die-hard liberal or a hard-core republican. I guess you could call me a moderate or an independent. I've voted on both sides of the aisle in my lifetime.
I've been so incredibly frustrated about how all of this has been handled by our government (federal and state). I am NOT a Trump fan. I never have been and I never will be. And I am even less of a fan now after all of this. He denied there was a problem for so long, and what a cluster this has become. And I was furious when he kept calling it a "Chinese virus." Yes, it started in China (and believe me, I am not happy with how China handled things), but it is a human virus - not a Chinese one. When people called him out on it - letting him know calling it that could offend a lot people and that Asian people were getting bullied and targeted because of it, he doubled down. It's hard when your Asian child looks at you with curious eyes and says "Did the president really call it a Chinese virus?" It seems like now he is trying to smooth things over by saying how much he respects China, but the damage is done. He said what he said. I promise - I'm not going to make this a president-bashing post, but I felt I needed to explain my frustration with all of this.
And people are STILL not social distancing the way they should. People STILL don't believe this is something more than the flu. This is 10 times deadlier than the flu and it can kill anyone, at any age. Doug, Bri and I took a drive last weekend and it looked like a regular Saturday afternoon. Essential and non-essential stores were packed. There was NO social distancing going on at any of them. I was so unbelievably frustrated. I know people have to get groceries and medicines - I get that. But there has got to be a safer way. I haven't left my neighborhood since last Saturday, but I'm hearing it's still super busy out there (though more things are closing now like gyms, parks and salons). I'm doing my part, why can't others do theirs?
(BTW, Georgia has no shelter in place/stay at home order. The governor won't issue one. Counties and cities are taking upon themselves to do it now.)
On a positive note, restaurants have been going to strictly takeout, delivery and curbside pickup only. I do feel really badly about small businesses and I do hope they pull though this. We did get some Chinese takeout one night the week before last, but we just don't feel super comfortable getting food from restaurants right now. I may change my mind at some point if I start getting burned out with trying to figure out meals (which I kind of already am). But for now, we are just cooking at home.
I have been surprisingly vocal the last two weeks on Facebook regarding all of this. And honestly, that is not me. I don't like controversy at all. But, I am pretty passionate about this social distancing thing. To me, the sooner everyone freaking complies and stays put (except essential workers), the sooner this all ends. And I don't dip my toes in political waters, but I have been just so frustrated with all of this. I felt the need to say something. I've said my piece now, so I am think I am ok with just posting regular stuff again. And I may just limit my exposure to FB altogether.
Ok - Stepping off my soapbox now...
This social distancing thing isn't super easy, but we are dealing. And I guess it is lucky that Doug, Bri and I are introverts at heart. We are homebodies. We like our friend time and trip time, but we are pretty happy at home. Ask me my opinion on this in a month though - LOL!
I've been calling people and texting people to keep connected. Bri has been Facetiming with her cousins and friends. Doug is still working (from home) and is super busy - which is a blessing. I had a zoom hangout session with some of my besties Friday evening - so things are going pretty good.
It's been a bit difficult for me though because I am already an anxious person. Add on a pandemic - well, it's kind of a mind-blower. I know it is for a lot of people. I've had my moments, but overall, I am handling this better than I thought. And just because there is a nasty virus going around, it doesn't change the fact that I am still dealing with some tonsil issues. My tonsils are doing a lot better, but they aren't perfect - I still have some irritation. But I've had no stones since January! Woot! Diet seems to be helping so far. I'm so glad I didn't get a tonsillectomy in the middle of all this madness. Can you even imagine me recovering right now? And if I had a surgery scheduled, it would have been cancelled anyway.
I am sad that Bri's middle school experience may end this way. Away from her friends. She's supposed to have an 8th grade dance and that most likely won't happen now. 8th grade graduation and walk - may not happen. Probably won't happen. She may not get to say goodbye to her teachers in person. It's just sad. And if I am sad about this, I cannot imagine having a senior in high school. My heart goes out to each and every 12th grader. It's sad they are missing out on so much. It's really heartbreaking.
I think I am starting to ramble now, so I think I will wrap it up.
I do want to say in closing thank you, thank you, thank you to all the doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, ambulance workers, truck drivers, grocery store workers, garbage collectors, postal workers, delivery drivers, restaurant workers, plumbers, electricians and anybody that has to go out into this world to help us survive...
