04/23/2020 Thursday

I put the sewing machine away briefly, taking a short mask break waiting for new fabric to arrive. I hadn't realized how active I had been sewing (moving from cutting station, to iron, to sewing area, then downstairs for more supplies). Unfortunately this hiatus coincided with miserable weather (cold, snow, wind) since the weekend, precluding me from getting outside, let alone lizarding ! I've pretty much sat inside and read for two days. I'd much rather be a lizard than a slug. The meat/poultry production situation scares me. On top of that, neither my Green Chef or Misfit Market boxes (due Tuesdays) have been delivered this far this week. We are donning masks and gloves and running out to the grocery store this AM, and have discussed halving our animal protein consumption, to make it last longer. How much protein is in Spam ?

Love you all !!

Weight 122.8, WW Bluepoints 9.

I am glad you are taking a bit of a break Diane. I hope your daughter is doing okay.

The situation with the meat/poultry plants making workers feel compelled to work to the point where COVID-19 spread like wildfire is abominable. We are okay on protein sources here in our Florida freezer for now, but obviously this may be different in a few weeks when we need to get more and it isn't available. I expect there will be a run on this in the stores now. I will have to ask DS to get some things for the freezer there prior to our return. I have not over-purchased throughout this, but as a result I had a couple of panicky moments when we got low on toilet paper and paper towels. The plus of the paper towel situation is that we broke out regular towels and are using them more now which is probably better for the environment anyway.

It is weird that so many governors including the Florida one are in such a hurry to open things. It seems very premature and risky.

In the meantime, today will include an online WW meeting and perhaps some Cecily-like lizarding. Unless my dog toenail clippers arrive in the mail so I can clip Justice' nails. I couldn't purchase them locally because like hair dye they have become scarce. I usually go to a groomer to get his nails done, but I guess I will have to manage it. I tried once previously and decided he was too squirmy to do it. But I have a plan: I'm going to secure his leash to something above his head similar to how the groomers do it, then have SIL hold something with peanut butter smeared on it for Justice to lick. That should keep him distracted enough for me to get the job done. I know I can only take a bit at a sEdison so the quick goes back, but also have styptic powder just in case.

Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy!

We ordered a clipper for cats, because our long haired cat is getting mats and needs to be trimmed. It was delayed. Guess there's a whole lot of home pet grooming going on.

We did take out from our local Perkins the other day.(If you don't have a Perkins in your area, it's like a Bob Evans or Denny 's). We discovered they are selling restaurant sized packages of meat. For example, you can buy 15 pounds of bacon for $47.00. We don't have the freezer space, but could be a good source of supplies. They were even selling toilet paper!

Weight: unknown

I am so so sorry to hear about student's suicide from DD and friend's child suicide from Cecily. News of suicide always really really gets to me. Just so sad. I'm afraid we will hear more of that as time goes on.

I may join Liz and Cecily in "lizarding". I assume that means tanning haha?! Yesterday was a very "April" day with lots of showers. Beautiful but also felt more cooped up than usual. Today will bring highs of 80 so I might sneak outside during naptime.

I'm guessing you are referring to shutdown of meat plants? I sure hope there isn't a shortage of food! I feel like my whole life this has been a concern of mine and not sure why!

Liz-so sorry to hear about your brother's girlfriend. I'm glad she will be able to be at home. I think you said May 15 is your hopeful date? I'm sure it's different for FL and MA, but currently May 15 is a hopeful phase 2 in OK

DD-you sound like a great teachers!! I wanna look into that poem.

Cecily-so glad to hear your back is healing.

Re: returning to business. Our state is opening "personal grooming" beginning tomorrow and phase 1 on May 1, but local mayors say nothing until May 1, and that is still dependent on incoming data. I think we can all agree it needs to happen, but a setback will be dangerous to both health and economy. We are supposed to have peaked 2 weeks ago and I keep reading reports that many more people have antibodies (and have already had virus) than originally thought. I just don't know. All I can say is I hope it's the smart thing. Not opening has a huge cost. Opening might have a huge cost.

Yesterday was a very hard day for me with kids. I feel like that's more often than not recently. I tried so hard yesterday to keep things clean, stay on schedule. Charlotte was wailing because she was hungry and has been refusing bottle or spoon feeding. I prepared her dinner as she wailed. I put it down in front of her, she enjoyed a bit, and then tossed it all over the floor--newly mopped, btw.

But I took a deep breath. I had thai red curry chicken in crockpot for dinner and DH and I watched "On the Basis of Sex" about RBG. Ah it was so awesome! I now have a huge crush on Martin Ginsburg. While my political views do not align with RBG, I respect her. And it makes me miss flexing those muscles. In the past few weeks I've been navigating probate and I've written a purchase agreement. But I'm also very thankful that right now I'm not trying to work remotely with kids.

"Not opening has a huge cost. Opening might have a huge cost." Exactly!!!!

I would say lizarding can result in tanning, but one can lizard fully clothed! It's more about the warmth than the browning. Generally, there is no flipping over with lizarding either.

I really wanted to see the RBG movie, but it came out when I was in MI, so I missed it. One to add to my list!

Last night students led their own memorial in our school parking lot. Not social distancing, but this need outweighed the other, so law enforcement let them proceed. Our principal said the kids so want to come back to school, and some are feeling very lost. The governor will be announcing this week plans for the rest of the school year. I don't think it's going to go the way they hope. :(

As expected, our governor announced that school will remain distance learning for the rest of the year. He is a former teacher and had some rather poetic things to say. He expressed great sorrow for what the class of 2020 is losing. To teachers he said, I know what you are losing, when during a lesson there is an epiphany, and students take you to a place where everyone is learning, including the teacher, and you leave that moment with a sense of wonder. This. I've had those moments. Or the honor one receives when a student lets you behind the facade and shares their vulnerability. What a privilege.

We all have our losses with this Covid 19. Some are way, way too bitter. Mine are not permanent. So far. But I do miss that wonder, that privilege, and what they teach me. I can't wait for that awesome day when I'm greeting them at my classroom door.

Greetings Dear People

Day two zillion of a peanut butter sandwich and glass of skim milk. Not the greatest meal but if my former self was going through this I would be on my 10th batch of choc chip cookies. So there is that.

I got a few bedding plants at the grocery yesterday so we will plant those today. Such industrious plans. could not resist colorful pansies and petunias.

DianeM, glad you are taking a rest from mask making. You have done a great service. Book time well earned.

Board meeting on Zoom yesterday for the studio. I so hate zoom. cuts in and out and people miss half of everything. I sort of ranted about how we needed to avoid black and white rules when the situation involves judgements and shades of grey. The studio is used by about 60 people. a few have private areas they rent. Our director is letting two or three of them use the studio with apporopriate distancing and care because these people depend on their art for a living. Other people are crying that this is not fair and no one should be allowed in. This drives me nuts. Find a way people. Its not fair that I don't have a mercedes but I am not complaining.

Oh well, enough of that. I think of peps and puppies all the time.

So sorry to hear of the suicides. Most awful thing possible. It leaves a mark forever.

Diane M, watch your mail - I have sent you a little goodie.

Liz go for the golf cart parade! I am thinking you should decorate like a homecoming float!

Tonight is a local public broadcast of the health department and sheriff about status of pandemic in our county and what is next. While there have been no new cases in a week, I doubt there will be any change in rules and thats fine with me. Some small businesses have already closed.

I hadn't thought about meat shortages due to packing plant closures. It used to be that those plants were concentrated in cities like Omaha and Kansas City along with the stockyards. All that is has been closed down for a long time now and the packing plants are in smaller communities nearer to where the animals come from. I used to get facials from a woman whose husband was a meat inspector. Wonder what they are up to now.

Will the new currency be bacon? If so I am in trouble.

Take care all. Diane S