FACETIME WITH MY FAMILY

I got to Facetime with my niece and nephew today.  It was great!  They told me all about their day.  They showed me some work they have been working on.  At one point I was just looking at their fireplace and I could hear voices but I could not see any bodies.  My dog Lucky saw their dog Matisse but dogs don't see screens so it was more fun for us than for the dogs. 

The first thing I was asked was how sad I was that Happi died?  I know it is the type of things kids ask and I know they mean well but it took the air out of me.  I miss her every day.  I sometimes go downstairs to get her and forget she isn't here anymore.  I asked them if they were sad about Happi and my niece said she was sad she never got to meet Happi in person.  I am sad about that too.  My nephew was here when my sister-in-law was pregnant with him.  I remember Happi jumping on their bed.  She was a little devil and always wanted to jump on beds.  She loved to run in circles (always to the right or she would tip over!) on a bed like she was on fire!  She would mess up all the sheets and blankets. 

We talked about all sorts of things.  My nephew told me about a project he was working on.  It was way above my pay grade and he is just a little guy.  I wouldn't be surprised if he was one of the guys that forecasts baseball players performance.  Like in that movie Moneyball where he uses statistical data to analyze and place value on the players he picks for the team.  

I had a great time spending time with them over video.  It was like being there.   This week I have video chatted with my sister-in-law in NJ and these guys.  It is fun catching up and seeing what folks are up to.

Women's Month person (last day): Ruth Bader Ginsberg (RBG) is an American lawyer and jurist who is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton and took the oath of office on August 10, 1993. She is the second female justice (after Sandra Day O'Connor) of four to be confirmed to the court (along with Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, who are still serving).  Ginsburg became more forceful with her dissents, which were noted by legal observers and in popular culture. She is generally viewed as belonging to the liberal wing of the court. Ginsburg has received attention in American popular culture for her fiery liberal dissents and refusal to step down; she has been dubbed "The Notorious R.B.G." in reference to the late rapper known as "The Notorious B.I.G.". A Lego mini-figurine of Ginsburg is shown within a brief segment of The Lego Movie 2.

Until tomorrow...

NOT A WHOLE LOT HAS CHANGED IN MY DAY

I can't believe March is almost over.  It seemed to go so fast.  Granted I had a lot of things happen but still it seemed to zoom by.

I know a lot of people have had their lives horribly interrupted and things are so different now that they are staying inside the majority of their time.  I hear people talking about going stir crazy.

This shelter-in-place is not much different than my normal life.  I work from home most days so I am home a lot.  I spend a lot of my time speaking to people on the phone, through my computer and on email or text.  Outside of the shelter-in-place, occasionally I go to a clients office for a few hours for a meeting or to do work but I am not part of their team.

Of course I miss running errands and taking Lucky for a walk.  I also need a haircut badly!  My backyard was supposed to be cleared out right before Happi passed on but my gardener's dog got sick and she had to cancel and we never got to reschedule before Covid-19 hit.  Now it looks like a jungle and Lucky will only venture into parts that are not overgrown.  Lucky needs her shots but that will have to wait until the crisis is over.  No vets office is giving shots now; emergency visits only.  But these things will get done in time. 

I am also monitoring my food.  I have a bag of potato chips I am waiting for the right moment to open.  I only have so much bread and once that is gone, well, I may be able to get a neighbor to buy some more or I may not, so I have to ration the baked goods.   I have wraps for when the bread is gone but they are not as good or filling.  Just like I have English muffin-type things for breakfast but once they are gone it will be oatmeal until this ends.  I was going to buy some peanut butter but what cost $9 two weeks ago now cost $23.  I will go without peanut butter. 

Overall, not a lot has changed on the day to day for me.  I get up and work (sometimes in my PJs) and then the day is over.  I am so happy when I get to talk or Facetime with a friend or family member.   I want to hear how their days are in this changing time.

Just a funny picture of Lucy.  She wanted to be the Queen of the Dog Walker's car.  Don't worry the car was stopped.

Women's Month person: Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, was made famous by Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, and its adaptations for film and stage, The Miracle Worker.

Until tomorrow...

VACUUMING PART II

I finished the vacuuming of the entire house.  It was such a project.  The house had not been vacuumed for months since Happi didn't like the sound of the vacuum because it hurt her ears.  She would scream when the vacuum ran so I switched to sweeping the floors towards the end of her life.  Shockingly the floors were not as bad as I thought they would be.  I guess sweeping is pretty good at getting up dirt and dog hair.


I have been watching this PBS drama titled the Drake Detective .  I am really enjoying it.

Women's Month person: Rosie the Riveter was the star of a campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for defense industries during World War II, and she became perhaps the most iconic image of working women. American women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers during the war, as widespread male enlistment left gaping holes in the industrial labor force.

Until tomorrow...

VACUUMING DAY 1

I finally felt well enough to start doing some cleaning around the house.  The house needed to be vacuumed so badly.  I started upstairs and vacuumed the dining room and living room.  I did the hallway and the kitchen.  Then I was exhausted and called it a day.

I worked on my puzzle a little bit and then cleaned up the kitchen. I have to take things slow.

I think between Happi's last months and then getting pneumonia I exhausted myself.  In Happi's last months she only slept for a few hours before she got up and then a few more hours and she got up.  It went like that all night every night.  Then the decision to put her to sleep was extremely stressful and caused many sleepless nights.  Then I got pneumonia and that was stressful.  Now I feel like I am just exhausted.  I keep falling asleep at 11 am and at 3:30pm.  I guess I need more rest.

Women's Month person: Eleanor Roosevelt was the niece of one U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt, and married a man who would become another, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Redefining the role of the first lady, she advocated for human and women's rights, held press conferences and penned her own column. After leaving the White House in 1945, Eleanor became chair of the U.N.'s Human Rights Commission. The groundbreaking first lady died in 1962 in New York City.

Until tomorrow...

BEST SANDWICH EVER

My neighbor brought me some tomatoes and now I can have tomatoes on my sandwich.  I decided to make "chickun" salad sandwich.  It was so delicious.  I didn't have any lettuce but I kept a piece of lettuce from my Thai food and put it on my sandwich.

Women's Month person: Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer with a career spanning nearly thirty years. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz music and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. She was known for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills.

Until tomorrow...

NEW PUZZLE

I am starting a new puzzle today.  I am excited to do this puzzle.  It has a lot more pieces but they are all regular puzzle pieces and not the weird shaped pieces like the Christmas puzzle.

I got this awesome card from the Veterinarian's office today.  It was a condolence card and inside was a surprise.  I guess when they took Happi away to put her IV in they also made an imprint of her paw print.  It was inside of the card.  It took my breath away when I opened the card.  My baby's paw print.

Women's Month person:  Julia Child was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality. She is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.

 Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS PUZZLE

I worked today.  I worked a lot.  But I was on hold for a long time and during that time I worked on my puzzle.  I have been working on this puzzle since December.  There were a few things that sidetracked me: the holidays, trip to Florida, doing my taxes, my sweet dog Happi getting sick and passing, and me getting sick.  Today was the day I finally finished the puzzle.

This is where it was earlier today:

This is it finished:

Now I can start another one since we were just told the shelter-in-place was going to be prolonged until May.  Yippee!

Women's Month person: Jane Goodall is an English primatologist and anthropologist. Considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, Goodall is best known for her 60-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees since she first went to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960. She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots programme, and she has worked extensively on conservation and animal welfare issues. She has served on the board of the Nonhuman Rights Project since its founding in 1996. In April 2002, she was named a UN Messenger of Peace. Dr. Goodall is also honorary member of the World Future Council.

Until tomorrow...

PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE

I am starting to feel better.  I worked a bit today.  My client had an emergency and I tried to handle it for them.

I also started watching Little Women on PBS.  I found out that I could pay a fee and watch anything on PBS at any time.  It is great.  I can never catch the things I want to watch on PBS.  It isn't like HBO in real time but if a series is on PBS, it will be on the PBS app.  It may not have local programming.  I just always miss things like the three nights of Little Women.  Now I can watch it at my own time.  Especially now when I have lots of time.

Tonight is order food from a restaurant night.  I ordered Thai food to be delivered.  I wanted to support my local restaurants.  I want them to be around when this pandemic is over.

Women's Month person: Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell received a medical degree in 1849, she was the first female to join the Medical Register of the General Medical Council. She practiced as a physician and encouraged other women to pursue careers in medicine until her death in 1910.

Until tomorrow...

STILL TIRED

I am still tired.  My chest still hurts.  My cough seems to be going away.  I started working a bit. 

I made a batch of soup to last the week.  I needed to use the kale that came in my veggie box before it went bad.  It tasted good.

Women's Month person: Susan B. Anthony was an American women's rights activist who played a key role in the women's suffrage movement. Her involvement led to the 19th amendment, which gives women the right to vote.

Until tomorrow...

NO CORONAVIRUS

Today I got some unexpected news.

I woke up with my plan of having a Frozen Marathon.  Can you have a marathon with two movies?  Anyway, I was going to watch Frozen and Frozen II.  I will admit I watched Frozen when it first came out and hated it.  I was forced to watch Frozen again about a year ago with my foster son and I fell asleep.  I had a very low opinion of the movie but I promised someone I would watch the two movies today so I muscled through.

I actually enjoyed Frozen today.  Maybe enough time had gone by since the movie and music was shoved down our throats.

Frozen II on the other hand, I found a bit confusing.  Maybe it was because I fell asleep in the middle and woke up and had to rewind.  Maybe I need to watch it another time.  I don't know.  5th power.  Huh?!

In the middle of the movies I got the call.  I was surprised since I was told I wouldn't get the call for 3-7 days.  I am negative for Coronavirus.  Now this is going to sound weird but I am scared a bit.  If I had it and it was a mild case, I would have had it and been done with it.  Now I am weaker and my immune system is weaker.  I feel like I have to be even more careful.  The disease is spreading more and I am even more susceptible. I will be not be going outside for now.  Not to the post box, not to take out the trash, not to walk the dog.

Women's Month person: Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music.

 Until tomorrow...

 

TIRED

I am SO tired today.  I stayed in bed all day.  I could not even watch a whole movie without staying awake.

 Women's Month person: Althea Gibson as an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals (precursor of the US Open), then won both again in 1958, and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years.

Until tomorrow...

RUSHED TO THE ER

This morning I started getting sharp pains in my chest.  My cousin convinced me I should call my doctor.  A few hours later my doctor called me back and said I should immediately go the ER.  I had to get myself ready; pack my bag in case I have to stay.  Get the dogs and bird ready.  Text my emergency people for the pets.  Put on my gloves and mask and call a taxi.

I get to the hospital and I am greeted by a people covered head-to-toe with plastic.  They asked me if I had any of the symptoms on a list.  I had two.  I was told to go to the "hot zone".  It was a cordoned off area in the lobby.  I was the only person there.  I was there about 45 minutes before the next person came to ask me questions about my symptoms.  Then a triage nurse came and took my vitals right there in the lobby.  I was pretty quickly moved to the EKG since I was having chest pains and I atrial tachycardia.  My heart was fine but the tech was a technician student and was oversaw by a doctor.  I was moved to a room.  The halls were empty and it was super creepy how quiet and empty it all was.

They ran an x-ray, blood work and the covid test.  I was told to wait two hours before anyone would come back and give me results.  The covid test was the nasal test.  They stick two really thin q-tip type swabs up your nasal passages (way up) and it burns.  Although ripping the tape off my IV hurt way more.   One of the blood tests had a problem so I had to wait an extra 45 minutes for them to run it over again.  I came prepared with my phone and my Ipad.

After about 4 hours, I was told that everything came out great (whatever that means) and I would be called in 3-7 days with the results of the covid19 test.  I was to finish the antibiotics and quarantine myself until I hear the results.  If I walk across the floor and can't breath or faint, come back to the ER.

I got in a taxi and went home.  I stripped off my clothes and took a shower immediately.

Women's Month person: Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry. Diana's activism and glamour made her an international icon and earned her an enduring popularity as well as an unprecedented public scrutiny, exacerbated by her tumultuous private life.

Until tomorrow...

DAY 2 SICK

Not only an sheltering-in-place, I am quarantined in my home.  My world keeps getting smaller.  I messaged my doctor this morning to say I feel the same as yesterday.  He wrote back "let's see how you feel tomorrow."

My day consisted of mostly work and TV.  I dealt with Amazon to get my refund for the two packages that never arrived.  I got my refund so I am happy.  Then I wrote some thank you notes and pondered how to mail them.  I stopped the mail man and asked him.  He didn't know because no one quarantined had asked him.  Finally we agreed that I would wash my hands and put on rubber gloves.  Then I would take the mail and put it in a plastic bag and seal it up.  Then I tossed it down the stairs.  He took it with gloves and used a wipe to clean the plastic bag.  In case anyone is interested the CDC states the virus only stays on cardboard for 24 hours.

My friend M stopped by with the rest of my prescriptions and we chatted for a while.  He is great about staying even though he is supposed to be at home working.I had video calls with my brother and father.  Friends texted through the day.

My young neighbor volunteered (once I cornered him) to take out my trash cans.  He used some rubber gloves to move my bins.  I was so happy since I cleared out my fridge and I was worried the stuff was going to smell in a few weeks.

All in all it was a busy day.  A few days ago I put these sheets on my bed and they are cheering me up.  I have had them for years but never used them.  Now was the perfect time:

  Women's Month person: Estee Lauder was the founder of a global cosmetics company.  Known for her marketing acumen, she built a beauty empire – including brands such as Bobbi Brown and Clinique – which eventually made her one of the richest self-made women in the world.

Until tomorrow...

YUP, I GOT IT

Well, I knew this was a possibility.  Maybe more of a probability.  I am sick.  I guess the stress of the last few weeks has caught up with me.  Maybe the germs of another person landed on me?  Who knows?   Either way I am sick.

Late last night I waited for the phone call from my doctor's office but no one called.  I actually fell asleep with the phone in my hand.  First thing this morning I called my doctor's office and left a message and he called me back around lunch time.  I explained to him that my chest feels like there is a vise around it or an elephant sitting on it.  I am coughing.  My nose is running.  He said it sounds like a secondary bacterial infection such as pnenomia or it is Covid19.  He did not want me coming anywhere near his office at the hospital.  He said there are no Covid tests and I didn't fit the category for testing.  I have not traveled overseas and I don't have a fever.  The prednisone I take has probably stopped any fever.  I don't get fevers.

The doctor called in some antibiotics and other medicine and said I need to call/email him every day to check in.  I need to stay quarantined.

My friend M very nicely offered to pick up my meds and then we spoke in my doorway for 30 minutes (with a 6 foot distance).

Now I relax and wait and see what happens.  There is nothing I can do about it but relax.

Woman's Month person: Clara Barton was the founder of the Red Cross in 1881. During the American Civil War (1861-65) Clara distributed medical supplies, worked near the front lines and treated both Union and Confederate men. Her work earned her the nickname ‘Angel of the Battlefield’.

 Until tomorrow...

SECOND DAY SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Second day of shelter-in-place.  I thought it would be an easy day of work.  No.  Lucky was up all night again.  I called the vet and they said bring her in and leave her here all day.  I could drop her off curbside and did not have to go in. 

They called later and decided to give her an ultrasound on her tummy.  They wanted to make sure she didn't have something twisted up.  She did not just a lot of inflammation in her intestines.  She probably has IBS and this making her miserable.  They changed her meds and I brought her home.

All day my chest has been bothering me.  It feels like a vise is around my chest.  I felt it for days but today is the worst.  I had to take my bra off it hurt so bad. I am also coughing.  I was texting with my cousin and she convinced me to call the doctor's after hours number.  I am waiting for them to call back.  I don't think it is that bad but she is convinced something is wrong.  We shall see what they say.

Women's Month person: Wilma Rudolph was the first black woman to make a major impact on international track and field. She recovered from childhood polio, pneumonia and scarlet fever to win three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games, the first American woman to ever do so. Her post-Olympic career included goodwill ambassadorial work for the American government in Africa, as well as campaigning work for the Civil Rights movement.

 Until tomorrow...

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Well, my area now has a shelter-in-place for three weeks.  We are not supposed to go outside unless it is for a reason.  The only things that are open and working are:

• Banks
• gas stations
• food stores
• pharmacies (plus prescription delivery)
• restaurants to do home deliveries/curbside pick-up
• post office

We will still have:

• water
• sewage
• garbage pickup
• mail delivery
• transit (people sitting at a distance)
• ability to walk outside, walk dogs

We just can't go to work unless your job is a necessity.  All other businesses are closed down and everyone needs to stay inside.

 I have been doing this for weeks now with a few short trips to the supermarket, post office, bank and pharmacy.  I have plenty to eat and drink and to keep me busy for the next three weeks.

Women’s Month person: Florence Nightingale worked with a team of nurses improving. The unsanitary conditions at a British base hospital, reducing the death count by two-thirds during the Crimean War.  Her writings sparked worldwide health care reform. In 1860 she established St. Thomas’ Hospital and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses. She died August 13, 1910, in London.

Until tomorrow...

TIDBITS FROM THE LAST FEW DAYS

Here are some interesting tidbits from the last few days:

I was in a little grocery store this morning at 7 am after getting gasoline.  The store had only about 25 people in it.  The food was still in the boxes with the plastic wrap.  The employees were stacking the food on the shelves.  The people were just ripping the plastic off the boxes and taking the food out of the boxes to buy.  It was a bit chaotic.  I joined in to get what I needed.  I got it all but soy milk and bread.  Oh well.

There was a fight at a supermarket in my town.  I didn't witness it but I saw a video.  The lack of supplies was to blame.  I don't know what they were fighting over but I am sure it was toilet paper.

If you haven't seen the hamster showing the COVID19 rules, you have to.  Here is the link.  It is in a John Oliver segment.   Go to minute 11:35 to see the hamster or just watch the whole show.  That hamster is hysterical.

Then of course there is Gloria Gaynor singing I will Survive.

Isn't that great!  That is all I have today. 

Women's Month person: Gloria Gayner was born Gloria Fowles in Newark, New Jersey.  She is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits "I Will Survive", "Never Can Say Goodbye","Let Me Know (I Have a Right)", and "I Am What I Am".  In January 2020, she won her second Grammy Award in her career, 40 years after her first (for I Will Survive), for her roots gospel album Testimony.

Until tomorrow...

PHISHING PHONE CALL

I had the craziest thing happen.  While I was at the vet's with Lucky, I got a phone call from the electric and gas company.  At least that is what the caller ID said.  I was checking out from the vet's office so I really wasn't paying attention too closely.  I answered and there was a recording saying that my electricity and gas would be turned off because my payment didn't arrive.  I immediately hung up, not because I thought anything but because Lucky came out from the backroom at that moment and she is always a ball of energy. 

We walked to the car with me stressing.  Did I pay the bill?  Was my electricity and gas going to be shut off?  They don't turn your electricity and gas off after missing one bill so why would they be calling me? 

I got in the car and googled the electricity and gas phone number and called them.  I first checked my balance and that seemed okay.  Then I checked my contact information and my cellphone number is not even listed.  Then I spoke to a customer service person and sure enough, everything was good.  It was a phishing phone call.  They wanted me to think it was the electricity and gas company and give them my credit card number.  That is something I would never do.

I got home and my electric and gas were on and working fine.  Why is it these types of things always happen when you are at your most stressed out?  It is like the phishers have a sense of when you can't focus on them phishing you. 

Poor Lucky is still not feeling well.  The vet wants me to try some of Happi's medicine on her to see if that gives her some comfort.  I just want it to make her sleep! 

Women's Month person: Katherine Graham, was the first female publisher of a major American newspaper after she took the helm of the Washington Post Company in 1963 after the death of her husband (while being a mother to 4 children).  She the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company after taking the company public in 1972. In 1971, she oversaw the publication of the Pentagon Papers and coverage of the Watergate scandal that toppled President Nixon.

 Until tomorrow...

CRYING DOG

This day was going along fine until around lunch time when Lucky began crying.  She didn't want to eat, play with her toys, lay down, sit on my lap or go outside.  She just wanted to stand near me and cry.  I called the doctor and he had me go the office and get Lucky a shot for nausea.  Since then she has been better.  No crying.  She still is not eating but no crying.  I will take it.

The problem with dog crying is that you have no idea why they are crying.  You want to make it stop because the dog is in pain/anxious/upset but you have no idea why they are crying.  If only they could talk. 

Right now she is sound asleep.  I hope she stays that way all night.

Women's Month person:  Coco Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel.  Coco was a French fashion designer and businesswoman. The founder and namesake of the Chanel brand, she was credited in the post-World War I era with liberating women from the constraints of the "corseted silhouette" and popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style.

 Until tomorrow...

A NIGHT IN THE DOGGIE ER

Last night didn't end after I wrote my post.  At 11pm Lucky started crying and running around the house.  She would not stop no matter what I did.  She would not eat cookies or get into bed.  She wanted to go outside and eat these sticky leaves (weeds) that grow outside.  She would not go down the stairs without me going with her.  Then she started vomiting. 

At 2 am she had now vomited 5 times and had been crying for 3 hours.  I was afraid something really bad was happening.  Plus I could not sleep.  I drove her to the ER vet.  They x-rayed her stomach and gave her some anti-nausea meds.  We got home and she climbed in my bed (something she is not regularly allowed to do) and went to sleep.

When we woke up, I called her regular doctor because she once again would not eat and I could not get her to take the meds the doctor had given her yesterday.  The doctor wanted to see her so we went into their office.  They ran blood work and gave her a different medicine.  She had this same thing 4 months ago and that medicine worked really well.  So we are going to try it again.

I brought her home and she took a nap.  She has been low key today but I got the new meds into her and I smelt her passing some gas so that is a step in the right direction. 

Women's Month person: Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. She employed a naïve folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society.

Until tomorrow...