When the power first went out my first reacton wasnt OH THE FOOD!
i truly was thinking about the power sources to my electronics and how to work
but once that was addressed and i was plugging along with my day with everything charging i started to think about the food
and there was no real indication as to when the power would come back on
and then we figured out where the damage was... tall old tress had come down in the older part of town and a neighbor posted at 6pm that night that the power company had finally arrived to inspect the damage
thats when i started googling - how long does food last in the freezer... it said 24 hours and if full closer to 48... well for once in my life i had a freezer that was full but not sure it was 48 hours full
i could hope - surely the power would be back on in 48 hours
NOPE as I went to bed on Monday the ETA for power was midnight on Wednesday
well one of the nice things about the triathlon community - people offer assistance all the time
and by the time i woke up on Tuesday I had multiple offers for freezer space... and off i went at 730AM with 2 coolers of food (they were smaller coolers) to a friend's house... she lived realtively closer than some of the others and her freezer was outside in a detached garage... she cleared a shelf for me and wiped the freezer down before i got there... good stuff!
and thankfully the power was back on by that night and i was able to retrieve the food on Wednesday
everything survived
it made for an interesting week 5
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Power outage
it seems that even in quarantine my consistency with blogging is about as it was when i was getting out of the house. by the end of the work day i am at a loss for words.. and with the short commute downstairs i really don't have an opportunity to decompress much from the work day
every week there has been something a little different..
week 1 was all fresh and new - remember i had put together a daily game plan for myself to make sure i got up from my desk and was active
it is a great idea but the pollen got to be a bit much and then the people started always being outside.. it is hard to feel comfortable social distancing when people come out in groups of 5 to walk etc... and those that think it is time to hang out and have drinks with friends..
week 2 there was a little stress breakdown in the middle of the week - couldnt tell you what at this point i just remember getting off a call and going for a long walk to clear my head
week 3 seemed to go a little better - i found myself some yoga routines and meditations an the bike and i got reacquainted
week 4 we had a short week with a holiday on Friday
i spent the holiday talking to a long time friend for over 2 hours - thank goodness for video chatting over the internet or that would be a silly expensive calle
and week 5... seemed like a pinnacle week.. we have crossed over into longer than a month
i woke up with lots of ideas on my mind
and BOOM yes BOOM a thunderstorm blew through... thought there were some tornadoes in the mix as well - maybe they were straight line winds but whatever they were - they took out a few trees in the cute little downtown area with the old victorian homes, tall trees and above ground power lines... the trees came down, the lines came down, the power came down. I was out of power for 36+ hours... **sigh**
what to do, what to do...
at first i worked from home. i had enough charge in my phone to get a mifi signal and enough charge in my surface to do some work
BUT I WANTED COFFEE
i considered going out to get coffee... i am a little unnerved by going out to get food. i know other areas do not have businesses open for take away food but we do here... so i could go to Starbucks, I could get a coffee... but do I really want to?
instead i went to my mom's
i have been avoiding going in to her house because who knows what we are both exposed to
it just wouldnt be fair... i am the one running to the store and picking p the groceries and such
so she made me a cup of coffee and brought it to me on her patio
that's when i had the resourceful idea - bring an extension cord and all my stuff and work from her patio - it worked like a charm! the phone was plugged in, the laptop plugged in, the tablet was plugged in... and off i went
now running some reports from the patio did not really pan out but i was able to follow up on a wealth of emails i was looking to send
and so went my Monday and Tuesday
every week there has been something a little different..
week 1 was all fresh and new - remember i had put together a daily game plan for myself to make sure i got up from my desk and was active
it is a great idea but the pollen got to be a bit much and then the people started always being outside.. it is hard to feel comfortable social distancing when people come out in groups of 5 to walk etc... and those that think it is time to hang out and have drinks with friends..
week 2 there was a little stress breakdown in the middle of the week - couldnt tell you what at this point i just remember getting off a call and going for a long walk to clear my head
week 3 seemed to go a little better - i found myself some yoga routines and meditations an the bike and i got reacquainted
week 4 we had a short week with a holiday on Friday
i spent the holiday talking to a long time friend for over 2 hours - thank goodness for video chatting over the internet or that would be a silly expensive calle
and week 5... seemed like a pinnacle week.. we have crossed over into longer than a month
i woke up with lots of ideas on my mind
and BOOM yes BOOM a thunderstorm blew through... thought there were some tornadoes in the mix as well - maybe they were straight line winds but whatever they were - they took out a few trees in the cute little downtown area with the old victorian homes, tall trees and above ground power lines... the trees came down, the lines came down, the power came down. I was out of power for 36+ hours... **sigh**
what to do, what to do...
at first i worked from home. i had enough charge in my phone to get a mifi signal and enough charge in my surface to do some work
BUT I WANTED COFFEE
i considered going out to get coffee... i am a little unnerved by going out to get food. i know other areas do not have businesses open for take away food but we do here... so i could go to Starbucks, I could get a coffee... but do I really want to?
instead i went to my mom's
i have been avoiding going in to her house because who knows what we are both exposed to
it just wouldnt be fair... i am the one running to the store and picking p the groceries and such
so she made me a cup of coffee and brought it to me on her patio
that's when i had the resourceful idea - bring an extension cord and all my stuff and work from her patio - it worked like a charm! the phone was plugged in, the laptop plugged in, the tablet was plugged in... and off i went
now running some reports from the patio did not really pan out but i was able to follow up on a wealth of emails i was looking to send
and so went my Monday and Tuesday
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Day 25
How are you doing?
Yesterday and this morning I reached out to individuals that I havent heard from in a while just to touch base and see how they were doing.
It was nice to hear back from those that responded. A little heart breaking to not hear back from others.
My introvert ways know that if I don't do that occasional reach out I will eventually pull into myself all together. There is a little voice that says - just don't reach out - let's see how long it takes THEM to think of you... It is a miserable little head game.. probably taught to me at a young age.
Everyone that has replied seems to be OK. Some stories of how their communities are social distancing. Some stories of sorrow where friends and family members have succumb to the virus. Two have been sick but on the mend. Most are still working.
It is an interesting observation.. people are falling into their new normal. Being home with their children and their families. Working remotely and interacting with fellow employees where necessary. The circle of friends and acquaintances is getting smaller. There are no longer casual interactions with individuals in hallways, greenways or at the gym. People are only interacting with the people they have to interact with. There is no need to do anything beyond that. There is no opportunity to do much else.
So I reach out to others because I can. I reach out to others before I start to convince myself it is pointless.
Yesterday and this morning I reached out to individuals that I havent heard from in a while just to touch base and see how they were doing.
It was nice to hear back from those that responded. A little heart breaking to not hear back from others.
My introvert ways know that if I don't do that occasional reach out I will eventually pull into myself all together. There is a little voice that says - just don't reach out - let's see how long it takes THEM to think of you... It is a miserable little head game.. probably taught to me at a young age.
Everyone that has replied seems to be OK. Some stories of how their communities are social distancing. Some stories of sorrow where friends and family members have succumb to the virus. Two have been sick but on the mend. Most are still working.
It is an interesting observation.. people are falling into their new normal. Being home with their children and their families. Working remotely and interacting with fellow employees where necessary. The circle of friends and acquaintances is getting smaller. There are no longer casual interactions with individuals in hallways, greenways or at the gym. People are only interacting with the people they have to interact with. There is no need to do anything beyond that. There is no opportunity to do much else.
So I reach out to others because I can. I reach out to others before I start to convince myself it is pointless.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Day 24
today's work from home day includes talking to others that are working from home
a year ago today i was running a half marathon through the parks in disney
i think by this time we were done with that insanity and sitting on the ground in the parking lot and regrouping with friends
what a difference a year makes
the world seemed at my feet last year at this time
i had so many fun things on the horizon
and you know i did all those fun things - ran the run, rode the rides, at the food, drank the dole whips with rum, took all the silly pictures, wore the sundress, laughed, smiled at the sun, felt the wind in my hair...
I won't say it was a happier time. I am still feeling pretty happy. It is just different.
The things we do to keep ourselves, to keep ourselves distracted, that make us feel important. A lot of that is happening right now. The things that ARE actually important are what are happening right now. Reminded daily of the roof over our head. Planning meals and that food on the table has become the long forgotten highlight of the day. Getting outside for just a little bit. And a prayer or two. All of that we have been reminded is important.
So a week in Disney is fun. Amazing fun. But we can find good in this as well. Maybe not to the extreme of an amusement park. But this will give us pause to appreciate it that much more when we can.
a year ago today i was running a half marathon through the parks in disney
i think by this time we were done with that insanity and sitting on the ground in the parking lot and regrouping with friends
what a difference a year makes
the world seemed at my feet last year at this time
i had so many fun things on the horizon
and you know i did all those fun things - ran the run, rode the rides, at the food, drank the dole whips with rum, took all the silly pictures, wore the sundress, laughed, smiled at the sun, felt the wind in my hair...
I won't say it was a happier time. I am still feeling pretty happy. It is just different.
The things we do to keep ourselves, to keep ourselves distracted, that make us feel important. A lot of that is happening right now. The things that ARE actually important are what are happening right now. Reminded daily of the roof over our head. Planning meals and that food on the table has become the long forgotten highlight of the day. Getting outside for just a little bit. And a prayer or two. All of that we have been reminded is important.
So a week in Disney is fun. Amazing fun. But we can find good in this as well. Maybe not to the extreme of an amusement park. But this will give us pause to appreciate it that much more when we can.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Day 21
This writing every day objective is hard when you are actually very busy in the work from home mode. The CARES Act was approved on the 27th and this week has been spent figuring out what is in the Act, how to interpret it and how to implement it. I have enjoyed the challenge. I am a little nervous about everyone's rush to get the provisions out there. I hope the general public don't make poor short term decisions... which they probably will.
I continue to be amazed at how many people are out and about. Really just out there doing all sorts of things. Now I understand there is a message to get outside. To get fresh air. Do not spend all the time inside. Get some sunlight. Get some vitamin D. BUT I don't think that equates to getting in your car and driving all over the place.
Now, I havent been far. I went for a 2 mile run on Monday and Wednesday. I was thinking it would be a quiet run from my neighborhood. Just long enough to get away from my desk and clear my head. But wow... so many cars out and about. I don't know what they are doing. Where are they going. And social media seems to support it as well.
And there continue to be people out around the neighborhood. I have some new empathy for those folks. I like in a 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhouse by myself with my small dog. We have enough space. As long as he is right next to me he feels there is plenty of space. And he understands a good part of the work day means he sleeps in his bed. So I started thinking about the people all around the neighborhood. There are some small single family homes in the neighborhood. Not all of them have ample yards. And there are people with children in the townhomes. So, yes, as much as I cannot handle the playing outside because I fear they aren't social distancing.. I understand that they all need to run. I am trying to stick to the quieter hours outside.
And the pollen is still hell. And I keep putting myself out in it. Both days I went running I feared for about 24 hours as I coughed and throat tickled. The goop in my eyes pretty much confirmed how much pollen you take in when you are out there.
Today I pruned the oleander. It did really well last year. And then the lawn people just came through and hacked it back. So I let it die over the winter as it typically does. Today I pruned it back further to where you could see new growth. I am excited to see how it does this year. I have had the oleander since 1996 or '97. I moved with me when I moved in 1998 so maybe it was just '97. It lived in a pot and then a larger part when I lived in the various apartments. I would bring it in each winter and then lug it out on the porch in the spring. It went through a couple of pots and eventually I didnt have it in me to replant all the time. Luckily by then I was living in the townhouse. I eventually decided well it has been with me all these years... I will just put it in the ground and see what we get. Yes, it dies back every year. BUT it comes back every year as well. I suspect it has a strong root system at this time. The biggest thing is when it will flower. Some winters are long and hard and it doesn't have much time to bloom. Other years it is wonderful. Beautiful pink flowers with the faint sweet scent. So I took care of that today.
I rode my bike on the trainer. Did a Zwift ride through Central Park. Not as motivating as one would like. But I did it all the same and will do it again. I should probably do that right now but let me brain dump some more.
I have successfully eaten through all the fresh food in my house aside from 1 head of cauliflower. I did a grocery pick up for my mom yesterday. Not sure she is really liking the idea. I will need to touch base with her again on it. See what she needs for the next go around. I get a large load of groceries for myself tomorrow. Mostly fresh fruit and vegetables. We shall see how it goes. At this point I have a good amount of frozen meat in the freezer. That is what i will work to eat this week. I will make another shop ahead list tomorrow as well with the hopes of grabbing the following Monday. I think that will be the routine.. at least for me.
I did a wine pick up as well. It is a local store doing curbside delivery. I figured that would be a good way to support some local business. Others are doing curbside prepared meals. Not sure how I feel about that at the moment.
Mentally I feel OK. Been getting enough sleep. getting enough hydration. exercise. some social interaction.
have heard some sad stories. trying not to obsess on them.
have tried to do my part.
taking it one day at a time
I continue to be amazed at how many people are out and about. Really just out there doing all sorts of things. Now I understand there is a message to get outside. To get fresh air. Do not spend all the time inside. Get some sunlight. Get some vitamin D. BUT I don't think that equates to getting in your car and driving all over the place.
Now, I havent been far. I went for a 2 mile run on Monday and Wednesday. I was thinking it would be a quiet run from my neighborhood. Just long enough to get away from my desk and clear my head. But wow... so many cars out and about. I don't know what they are doing. Where are they going. And social media seems to support it as well.
And there continue to be people out around the neighborhood. I have some new empathy for those folks. I like in a 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhouse by myself with my small dog. We have enough space. As long as he is right next to me he feels there is plenty of space. And he understands a good part of the work day means he sleeps in his bed. So I started thinking about the people all around the neighborhood. There are some small single family homes in the neighborhood. Not all of them have ample yards. And there are people with children in the townhomes. So, yes, as much as I cannot handle the playing outside because I fear they aren't social distancing.. I understand that they all need to run. I am trying to stick to the quieter hours outside.
And the pollen is still hell. And I keep putting myself out in it. Both days I went running I feared for about 24 hours as I coughed and throat tickled. The goop in my eyes pretty much confirmed how much pollen you take in when you are out there.
Today I pruned the oleander. It did really well last year. And then the lawn people just came through and hacked it back. So I let it die over the winter as it typically does. Today I pruned it back further to where you could see new growth. I am excited to see how it does this year. I have had the oleander since 1996 or '97. I moved with me when I moved in 1998 so maybe it was just '97. It lived in a pot and then a larger part when I lived in the various apartments. I would bring it in each winter and then lug it out on the porch in the spring. It went through a couple of pots and eventually I didnt have it in me to replant all the time. Luckily by then I was living in the townhouse. I eventually decided well it has been with me all these years... I will just put it in the ground and see what we get. Yes, it dies back every year. BUT it comes back every year as well. I suspect it has a strong root system at this time. The biggest thing is when it will flower. Some winters are long and hard and it doesn't have much time to bloom. Other years it is wonderful. Beautiful pink flowers with the faint sweet scent. So I took care of that today.
I rode my bike on the trainer. Did a Zwift ride through Central Park. Not as motivating as one would like. But I did it all the same and will do it again. I should probably do that right now but let me brain dump some more.
I have successfully eaten through all the fresh food in my house aside from 1 head of cauliflower. I did a grocery pick up for my mom yesterday. Not sure she is really liking the idea. I will need to touch base with her again on it. See what she needs for the next go around. I get a large load of groceries for myself tomorrow. Mostly fresh fruit and vegetables. We shall see how it goes. At this point I have a good amount of frozen meat in the freezer. That is what i will work to eat this week. I will make another shop ahead list tomorrow as well with the hopes of grabbing the following Monday. I think that will be the routine.. at least for me.
I did a wine pick up as well. It is a local store doing curbside delivery. I figured that would be a good way to support some local business. Others are doing curbside prepared meals. Not sure how I feel about that at the moment.
Mentally I feel OK. Been getting enough sleep. getting enough hydration. exercise. some social interaction.
have heard some sad stories. trying not to obsess on them.
have tried to do my part.
taking it one day at a time
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