34 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

It's been 34 weeks since coronvirus hit the state of GA.

34 weeks since life changed drastically for me, Doug and Briana.

 So...

  * Joe B!den and K@mala Harris are heading to the White House *

 I honestly don't even know what to say right now. I've put my opinion out into the world quite a bit before this election and now I get to write this post from the other side of it. I think I'm still in a state of shock. I will say - I'm very, VERY happy with the election results and unbelievably relieved. I said in my last post that I wouldn't gloat if things went the way I hoped they would, and I am sticking to that. But am I happy? So very much. 

Bri and I made some celebratory chocolate chip cookies on Saturday...

 

 In a little more than two months from now, my daughter won't have to hear the leader of our nation use the terms "Ch!na virus" and "Kung Fl@" ever again. So yeah, we are pretty happy.

 

Usually my blogs posts consists of the good stuff and the bad stuff of the previous week, but honestly, I was so consumed with the election last week that I didn't get much else accomplished. So, this post will pretty much be all about that.

I can say that Doug's work is busy, Briana's school is good and the basement is moving at a snail's pace. I'm super frustrated by that. I was hoping for a "before Thanksgiving" finish but now I'm not so sure. It's close but not done. It seems like I spend most of my life "patiently" waiting for things, and I'm not quite sure why...

 

Now...

Last week was pretty tough on me. Being an anxious person in general, the unknown is not my friend. All my negative/shocking experiences and all the waiting I've endured over the years has created the anxious person that is now before you. And since my chronic health issues are always ongoing and open ended, I like other aspects of my life to be more solidified. I just want to know what's going to happen.

 

I knew going into this election, the nation (the world) was in for the long haul. I mentioned it many times in previous posts. And the counting went for 4 very long days. I didn't even know if there would be an answer to this election when I wrote this post, but I really hoped there would be and I hoped it would go the way I wanted it to. I'm so glad the wait is over.

This election has made me feel like I've run a marathon, gone twelve rounds in a boxing match and swam across the ocean. My mental and physical exhaustion is crazy right now. I think it might be also from holding my breath and clenching my fists for 4 years.

I'm sure a lot of people were able to walk away from the election noise once in a while and get some other "life" things accomplished. Me - I was pretty hyperfocused on election coverage (though I was still able to do my "mom" duties). But other than basic stuff, it was super difficult for me to concentrate on anything else last week. And that is what a lot of anxious people do - absorb information which makes us feel like we have some sort of control over a situation. This tweet made me laugh because I know I was spending way too much time last week looking at maps...

 I was feeling so jittery on Thursday afternoon, I took a long walk around my neighborhood. It was a beautiful fall day and the leaves are changing now...

And then I started reflecting. I remembered all the walks I took around my neighborhood in the spring when the virus first hit and how I was looking around at all the flowers and plant life blooming then. Here we are months and months later and the virus is still freaking going strong. And not only is it still going strong in the states, it's getting worse. That's because we tried to ignore science. You can't ignore a pandemic - it just doesn't work. I guess the walk made me feel a little better, but I was still feeling sad (and very nervous).

As for the election itself, I think (I know) it was a fair election. It really angers me that people are saying it was rigged. It's undermining the democratic process. Election workers represent both parties - and they are doing their jobs to the best of their ability (a huge kudos to them by the way). There is absolutely no proof of any fraud or rigging. If there is any proof, show it. Every court case that has been brought so far (except one) has been thrown out. Decision desks were too nervous to call anything until they were completely sure of the result because they knew Tr@mp would freak out. 

 

The right is acts like the left actually has the power to rig an entire US election. It's crazy. Remember, the left actually lost some seats in the House and the right still holds control of Senate. Those election ballots that the right wants to throw out includes down-ballot votes too. 

 

And remember this...

 

 This is how I feel about it...

 

And...

 

 Look, Tr@mp can bring as many lawsuits as he wants, but he lost by too much and in too many states. He has no evidence of fraud. If anything questionable is found somewhere, by all means, investigate it. But Tr@mp lost. He lost the popular vote by 5 million votes. He just lost.

Even his advisors know he lost...

There won't be a concession speech. I don't think there will be any speech at all, but if there is, it's just going to be a speech about how the election was stolen from him.

It's funny - I thought I would feel more nervous about Tr@mp's reaction and the lawsuits and his antics. A lot of it is white noise to me now. He is definitely going to try to continue to create a lot of chaos while he is still in office and that makes me a bit nervous/nauseous. But, I'm going to try to not pay attention to any of it. The election was definitive enough for me to feel pretty confident about the future. Tr@mp is president until Jan 20, so I'll finish exhaling on that day...

And I have to say, Georgia surprised the heck out of me. I knew it would probably be close and it still is, but I didn't think it would lean left. I know there is a recount, but I think the state will probably stay in the B!den column (I snapped the below pic before B!den overtook Tr@mp in GA)...

 

And now we have TWO Senate race runoffs. Isn't GA lucky? LOL! Ugh - a million more campaign ads. I'm so burnt out already.

The one thing I do know, I still live in a very red county. Lots of people around here will be unhappy and possibly bitter. Most still won't believe this virus/pandemic is a big deal. I still have to deal with that. But, I at least have some hope now. Much more hope.

 

The results for this election (if things continue to go the way everyone thinks) will be exactly flipped from what happened in 2016...

And when 2016 happened, Cl!inton conceded...like a grown up (and I'm not really a Hillary fan). She didn't scream "voter fraud" and "stolen election." It's time for Tr@mp to put his big boy pants on. It's time for his enablers to stop enabling him.

I saw this really cool graphic on FB...

It shows where people actually live. All the red on the first map is deceiving. From the results of this election, this nation is pretty much divided 50/50 politically.

 

And to all my friends from other parts of the world, your support has been wonderful - seriously. It's amazing how many people from across the globe were so invested in this election. 

https://washingtonnewsday.com/diplomacy/fireworks-in-london-church-bells-in-paris-celebrated-as-biden-victory-abroad/

 

I do need to bring up how many times I was told that coronavirus would stop being talked about after the election. Well, it's still being talked about. The US is breaking records for coronavirus cases. A record of 126,742 news cases on Saturday. 2,195 new cases in GA on Saturday. This virus is out of control and it is super scary...

 

 https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/health/us-coronavirus-sunday/index.html

I'm going to talk now to those who voted differently than I did (if any of you are still reading my blog). I said in my last post that I would need some time to grieve and time to process if B!den didn't win. You may have to do this now, so I'll give you the time you need. Some of you may not like Tr@mp all that much but have been able to overlook his character flaws and gaslighting tactics because conservative issues are very important to you - and I am truly trying to understand that. But I couldn't overlook his character flaws. I couldn't overlook all the negative things he has done. I understand that you might be super nervous right now about B!den becoming president (the exact way I felt about Tr@mp), but he is reaching out an olive branch to you - something that Tr@mp never did for those who opposed him. He will never be as mean-spirited, close-minded and bullish as Tr@mp. If you liked that about Tr@mp, then I guess we have a different set of values. If you don't ever end up liking B!den, that's fine. Nominate a different, hopefully less divisive candidate in 2024 and we'll vote again. That is what democracy is all about.

 Over 75 million people want to try something different now...

So, I think I'll wrap this post up now. I wish I could say I'm totally calm and at peace (though I am feeling so much better), but now I have to face the holidays in the midst of coronavirus. Everything is going be very different this year. Doug, Bri and I are still being super vigilant when dealing with this virus (especially with the uptick in numbers), so that means we won't be seeing a lot of people this year that we usually see at the holidays - that I really wish we could see. It makes me sad - but this whole freaking year has made me sad.

 I think the political aspect of this blog from this point forward will decrease now (don't hold me to it - things can always still happen), but I will continue to talk about coronavirus. 

 I was never one to openly talk about politics. But when coronavirus hit in March and it so badly affected my life, my feelings about this administration - that I had kept pent up for such a long time - started pouring out in this blog. I just couldn't help myself. And it's been very therapeutic for me. Hopefully soon, the dust will start to settle and I can concentrate on just "regular" stuff again.

 So now, I'll take this win and do a little happy dance...

I'll be back next week (hopefully). Peace out.

33 Weeks Behind Us (Weekly Update)

It's now been 33 weeks since coronavirus hit the state of Georgia. 33 weeks since life changed drastically - at least for some of us.

 

This is my last weekly post before the election - which happens tomorrow. I can't believe the election is finally here. Honestly, these 4 years have felt like 100 years to me.

 

Here is my weekly update.

 

What would be the perfect thing to add to all my anxiety regarding the virus, my health and the election? A tropical storm of course!! 

 

 The metro Atlanta area was hit hard by Tropical Storm Zeta last Thursday. I was hearing the wind start to pick up around 4AM. By 4:30AM, our power went out. Luckily, it came back on around 3PM. For others, it took days to come back. 

When I eventually went outside to survey my house, it was trashed. Leaves, pine straw and branches were all over the place. My neighbor lost two pine trees in her backyard. I don't know how we didn't lose any trees in that wind. This was the mess I found...

When does power goes out (which is rare), I'm grateful to have a gas stove. It allows me to still cook...

I know things could have been a lot worse for us with the storm, and I'm grateful we got through it ok.

 I have a bit of a Mei Mei update...

 I heard back from the state board last week regarding my complaint about what happened to Mei. They contacted me with a few extra questions. All of the parties involved are now going to be investigated. I really hope something is done to reprimand all of them. I am thinking back now and wondering if Mei's wellness check in August actually happened at the correct practice. I wonder if she had been moved that time too. I'll never know. Unfortunately, all findings will be confidential - which is super frustrating. I may never know what happens. All I know is that I've done all I can do at this point to get some justice for Mei and other cats who have gone through this.

Good news - Mei seems to be doing better. She's always going to be a bit of a nervous nellie, but I can tell she's in a much better place now. She seems more relaxed and happy. I know she will be thrilled when the basement is completely finished (just a couple more weeks - should be done before Thanksgiving).

And you all already know we had a nice Halloween...

I guess it is time for me to get into the not so good part of my blog (you know the drill)...

Coronavirus update...

As of Friday...

U.S. reports world record of more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases in single day

Way to go USA. And Tr@mp doesn't care at all. We are not "rounding a turn" at all. That's all I have to say about that...

We are actually in for a "whole lot of hurt"...

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/were-in-for-a-whole-lot-of-hurt-fauci-says-warning-u-s-needs-abrupt-change-to-avoid-winter-coronavirus-disaster-11604272958

And just remember, Covid will most likely become a pre-existing condition now for most insurers.

A friend of mine posted this meme last week and it did make me feel a bit better about everything...

And now it's time for my political view. Brace yourself. This is my last time putting in my two cents before this election is over. I might as well end on a solid note, right?

I'm very sad and disappointed right now. I know a number of my friends and family have voted early for four more years of this divisiveness - even if it hasn't been openly discussed. To me, this election feels extremely personal - especially when it comes to the term "kung flu" and racism and how people view this pandemic. I've never been one to fret about someone's else's political view (I've stated before that I'm a moderate, so I've voted on both sides of the aisle). 

 I grew up in a household with two very different religious belief systems, so being open, accepting and tolerant of other ways of thinking has been ingrained in me. But, this particular election isn't only about conservative issues verses liberal issues anymore. It can't be. It is about corruption verses decency. Right verses wrong. Discrimination verses acceptance. Racism verses bigotry. Lies verses truth. Science verses anti-science. Kindness verses viciousness.

 Tr@mp is just in a whole different category.

 Keep America Gre@t? Whose America? White people? People with money? Conservative people? All I know is that things aren't all that great for me right now - and it isn't for millions of other Americans either. That's just how I see it. And if this election does not go the way I hope, just know I am going to need some time. Time to process it. Time to grieve. Time to figure out my next move when it comes to my family, my friends and my life. So please give me a lot of time.

And want to hear a little secret? I didn't vote for socialism because B!den isn't a socialist. I've said it before and I'll say it again because it's true. I beg you - please step away from F@x News. If I hear one more unfounded "radical l@ft" and "soci@lism" argument from the right (and living where I live I have been absolutely INUNDATED by it), I'm going to lose it. It is a scare tactic, and it's working on TONS of people.

What I am worried about is the massive voter suppression and intimidation that is being carried out by the right (Tr@mp just praised hardcore Tr@mpers who attacked a B!den bus) and the possibility of a "stolen" election. If this election ends up being decided by this conservatively "stacked" Supreme C@urt, then yes, it will have been stolen (and just know - the new justice wants to criminalize IVF, which is one of the routes I tried to start my family). Be prepared for not only four more years of Tr@mp, but there could be possibly more years after that. He's been bending and changing rules for four years now with a crap load of enablers helping him. If you don't agree with him, he just fires you. What would stop him after that? From staying longer? Seriously what? I'm trying to prepare myself for it. If he is elected, I'm hoping at least for a "flipped" Senate to keep him in check.

 This election is just too close to call right now. No one should be overly confident about what will happen. NO ONE.

Oh - and stop comparing 47 years of B!den's career to 4 years of Tr@mp in office. It's like comparing apples to oranges. B!den has never been in the number one spot. He's been a congressman and vice president. He's never held the power that Tr@mp has as president. It is just ridiculous...

So I guess this is it. When I write my next update, the election will be over - even if we still don't know the final result. Half the country will be happy and the other will be devastated - no matter who wins. If things do go the way I hope, just know that I will not gloat about it. I just won't. I will be happy and relieved obviously, but I won't gloat. I wouldn't do that to anyone. And if you feel the need to gloat because your candidate won, then that says a lot about you doesn't it?

Sadly, kindness doesn't seem to be a necessary quality for a lot of people anymore. 

 

So, I will be back next week (hopefully/maybe). For better or for worse. Peace out.

All About Halloween 2020

We might be in the middle of a pandemic and yes, 2020 has been scary enough, but we weren't going to let all that take Halloween away from us this year! We love it just too much!

We did our pumpkin carving...

The day before Halloween, Doug's company had an "all hands" company meeting where everyone was asked to dress up. Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz made a special appearance...

When Tropical Storm Zeta took out our power for about 10 hours on Thursday (more on that in my next post), luckily I had some battery powered Halloween decorations to light up the house a bit...

As you already know, we have decorated our house - inside and out...

We've watched some of our favorite (blast from the past) Halloween specials...

 

(Charlie Brown, The Worst Witch, Garfield and The Winter Of The Witch)

 

Pumpkin seeds were baked...

 

 And then on Halloween night... 

My fortune teller was ready...

Doug put out the candy shoot he worked so hard on putting together. We wanted safe, social distanced candy distribution! He did a fantastic job...

We put up our little barrier and waited for the kids up on our porch. We weren't sure who would show up. Bri dressed up just like she said she would...

And kids started showing up! The shoot was a HUGE hit. They thought is was so cool...

The kids also really liked our graveyard and green lights. One little boy yelled, "Hey, it's the green house!" Doug enjoys doing this for the kids every year.

 

And the full moon was out...

 

 This is what I posted on FB about our evening...

"Halloween was a big success! We had probably around 70 kids come to the house. Doug, Bri and I safely passed out candy to the kids and the candy shoot was a huge hit - so much so, we will probably do it again next year! I am torn about tonight though. As much as I enjoyed seeing all the great costumes and enjoyed finally feeling a small sense of "normalcy", I was saddened at the same time by the fact that so many people around here acted like there isn't a pandemic going on in the world right now. Lack of masks, large groups of kids together, golf carts and cars loaded with people, etc. I'm truly hoping virus numbers don't spike after tonight."

 

This is what we saw...

 

I was hearing grumblings during the evening that there were not as many houses participating in Halloween due to the pandemic, but I actually feel like there has been a decline in participation in general over the last few years anyway. And we had so many kids come by last night - it pretty much felt like a "regular" Halloween to me.
 

Despite 2020 being quite sucky overall, Doug, Bri and I actually ended up having a great Halloween season. Doug and I got all the indoor and outdoor decorations put away today already. We took advantage of the weekend and longer day.

I'll be posting my weekly update tomorrow! Be ready!