Monday, July 27, 2020

Social Distancing Journal, Days 129 thru 136

Oh hey guys. Been another minute. You're not missing much. We've plateaued with the same amount of cases around 10,000, sometimes more, sometimes less.  One in every 50 Florida residents have tested positive. But, we've passed 400,000. And we have about the same positivity every day. Somewhere in the low teens. Death's have climbed. We're nearing 6,000.  But, most counties in Florida are still all in "red zones"  to let us know there's an active or imminent outbreak.

So, we'll see what happens from here. I am hoping things get better, that this is a reflection of some people taking it upon themselves to stay home more, and that the big cities and various companies who issued mandatory mask orders are having an effect. But I fear the second there's any glimmer of hope, we go back to "opening up".  The state is going to announce a "safe way" to open bars this week, and movie theaters will be open next month. Speaking of opening, the new trampoline gym Calib and Peyton were supposed to work at is open. But, seeing as the University of Dayton came out with the level of risk to kids with certain activities, and they listed trampoline parks as "high", Calib and Peyton have decided to pass for now.

I could sit here and bitch about the NFL using badly needed resources thinking they're going ahead with their season, given what the MLB is going through (what with 14 Miami Marlins/Coaches testing positive), Congress who is cutting unemployment benefits to people who really need them, or Disney keeping a bunch of hotels closed and offering free upgrades as a result (when I was literally offered nothing!) It's all annoying me to varying levels. But, whatever.

At least Trump canceled the Republican Convention in Jacksonville. And haven't you heard, he's Cognitively there! Person, Woman, Man, Camera, TV! At least he FINALLY wore a mask in public, that's something right. It's a little late, but hey, lets take the W for Public Health.

Anyway, I've been on my laptop all afternoon working on stuff, so lets just get to it. Here's what we've been up to here:

Day 129. Monday, July 20

Calib finally spent some money, and ordered a new pair of shoes! 


He also had a new idea for a mask. (You can't breath very well in though). 


We got a shipment of pantry staples. Mail is weird in Coronavirus times. 


Calib has been feeling under the weather, with a head cold and a fever. It would worry me, except there's virtually no way he would have contracted Coronavirus. He hasn't been anywhere, Asa and I have only been to Costco, where everyone wears masks. We would have had to have caught it there, brought it home, both been asymptomatic and given it to Calib. Not impossible. But really, really unlikely. Like, barely possible. But, I can't figure out how he got sick, from what? He's feeling better today. But it's been nearly a week now. 


Asa and I have taken to evening walks. It's cooler that way. Still hot, but cooler. 


And Hayden brought out the Villains puzzle to do for a second time during quarantine. 


We're all starting to feel a bit like Etta though. This picture is my quarantine mood. 


Day 130: Tuesday, July 21

Asa and I celebrated 16 years together, and 12 years since we had gotten engaged. He worked most of the day though. We had debated going to Disney. But you know, that didn't work out. 

So instead I got flowers. 


And Mickey Waffles for lunch. 


We saved one of our Gino's East Pizzas for dinner. (We have one left, it might be a birthday weekend situation). 


And then we worked on the puzzle. Only a 500 piece one though, so it's quick work. 


And then we spent our evening watching Princess and the Frog in the blanket fort. 


Day 131, Wednesday July 22

Etta's always good for a morning snuggle. 


And Peyton started his orientation with WGU (Classes will start for him August 1st). 


And can you guess who's birthday we celebrated? 


George W. Bush


We also got Hayden's new sketch book. 


And started a new puzzle. 


Day 132 Thursday July 23rd

It was a rainy, yucky day, and Ellie and I were displeased. 


But at least we could still cookout. 


And puzzle. 


But, we also feel like the best way to deal with all of this is to occasionally throw yourself to the floor and whine/scream. 


We finished Moving Out, and started Overcooked. It still gets Asa amped. 


Day 133: Friday July 25th

Dipper and Etta were hanging out, so that was notable. 


We worked on the puzzle some more. 


And then we cleared out the office, because we were finally ready to put in a new floor (it's been the cement slab for months). 


Dipper was pleased with the temporary location of the cat tower. 


Day 134, Saturday July 25th

New floor install day went very smoothly. I didn't even swear once! 


And it looks lovely. But, man, my legs are killing me after squatting for a couple hours. 


Asa also made us greek chicken on the grill for dinner, and it was delicious. 


And we finished our puzzle. We believe it to be number 13 of Quarantine. 


Day 135, Sunday July 26

We were off to Panera for a curbside pick up. They have tomato basil bread by the loaf! 



Plus, free iced coffee (that we keep in the fridge to have whenever, because that's who we are now.) 


Peyton also decided he wanted to make curry. Or, rather, he wanted to suggest it, and then watch while Asa made it. But, it was good. 

And Today: Day 136, July 27th

Another president's birthday was up today: John Quincy Adams. He might not have loved my choice in wardrobe, but hey, at least it wasn't the same hat for 10 years. 


Hayden did his drawing, and I worked on Ford's birthday for later this week. I'm behind on July birthdays and need to get caught up before August. 


We also used our new slow cooker for the first time today for chili. It's Asa's long day, so it's nice to have that for whenever he's available. 


That's it, lets get to the count with a few additions. 

Most popular "hurricane snacks": Cookies from Aldis. It's like girl scout cookies but only $1 a package! 

Current binge watching obsession: We finished Love Life. It was a cute series. Now we've got to find something new. 

Most popular game: Overcooked. Suns out, Buns out! 

Boxes of Elbows used: 3 of 16

Puzzles completed: 13 (Periodic Table, Track & Field, Villains times 2, Chicago, 2 Pixar Ravensburger Puzzles, the 4 pack of 500 piece Disney Puzzles, the impossible Mickey Puzzle, and the Princess Puzzle). 

Boredness scale 1 to 10: 5. It just is what it is. 

Frozen II Watchthroughs: 56, I believe. 

How many times we've walked the loop: 77. 

Days Down: 136

Days Remaining: All of them. This is life now. 





Sunday, July 19, 2020

Social Distancing Journal, Days 123 thru 128

Hey guys. I know I've been MIA. I've been struggling a little the last week or so. I'm just so over Florida's non-response to our growing out of control cases. If I felt like something was being done, then I'd have hope. If we closed things down, did a state mask mandate, SOMETHING, I'd feel like we were making progress to normal life. But, instead I feel like I can't go anywhere because it's so out of control. 

Even the White House task force listed Florida (and my county) in a "red zone" where we should roll back our opening, closing gyms, and indoor dining among other things. Of course, the 'red zone' document was leaked, and nobody actually did anything. But, it's good to know that's what we SHOULD be doing. I guess. I don't know. 

Anyway, I've probably forgotten half the things that have outraged me in the last week. I know hospitalizations are up, deaths are up (setting record numbers for FL every few days), and cases daily fall somewhere between 10 and 14 thousand. Positivity in the low teens. Day after day, after day. 

So instead of catching you up on anything else, and sharing graphs and crap (spoiler alert, they are staying about flat- but still terrible), I just uploaded the pictures I took over the last five days. 

Day 123, Tuesday the 14th 

Morning coffee with Etta. 


A new project in the works 


And our 50th watchthru of Frozen II during quarantine, which we celebrated by having an ice cream cake. 


We used our second box of elbows (we used a third on mac and cheese Asa made yesterday, so we're down 3) 


And we celebrated my mom's birthday by sending her some sidewalk chalk art, and having a zoom birthday party for her. She's at Cort's lakehouse having a grand old time, so while I feel bad we couldn't be with her on her birthday, she's in good hands. 



And some dog pictures to round out the day. 


Day 124: Wednesday the 15th 

I started out my day by despressing myself while working on the Election of 2000 for George W. Bush's birthday (that we'll do this week- a little late) 


And we played some Moving Out. 


I was having a really bad day, and I opened the door to go on a walk (in the swampy, sweaty weather, which isn't awesome, but necessary in these times so we don't gain the quarantine 20) and I was greeted with a package from the Foster's. And there were surprises for all of us. 


Allison is the best at putting together packages. She nailed it. Peyton got all kinds of Asian snacks, Hayden got all the stuff to make Allison's pita chips (and directions!) and Layla repaid Calib's Cheerio's she ate while she was here. I got all kinds of snacks and such, and Asa got rum. 



Layla also colored us a picture. I appreciate Allison, and Nate, and Layla so much. I really needed a pick me up, and this has helped tremendously. 


We all went from Fight Club to Groundhog Day, to Onward after our delivery. 


And then the swampy, sweaty walk wasn't so bad. 


We also decided to break out the next puzzle. 


Day 125: Thursday the 16th

Asa is done with work by noon on Thursdays, so we decided to go "out" to lunch and try the new Aussie Grill. Of course, out, these days means eating in the car. But the burgers are yummy no matter where you eat them. 


And for dinner, we made Allison's pita chips per the recipe she sent us. 


And Asa did greek chicken on the grill like Allison, too. It was delicious. 


Plus, another walk. 


With a gator sighting. 


And more puzzling. 


And more dog pictures. Calib feeds them, can you tell? 


Day 126: Friday the 17th

More puzzles. 


And running errands, which is basically just driving around to various places and having people drop things in your trunk. 


I was most excited we could try out the new Aldis. Curbside was super easy and quick, the prices are excellent, and so far we've liked everything we've tried from there. I was glad we weren't going in, because there was a line around the building to get in, and people weren't all wearing masks (or social distancing). 


We also swung by Panera, who finally had Tomato Basil Bread you could buy by the loaf in stock. This was very exciting news for the weekend lunch. 


We also had one more surprise package from Allison. I got a text from her, telling us to check the front porch and sure enough, there was a box. Apparently, you can order 12 packs of Cheerwine from Amazon. Who knew? The boys were thrilled. 


Peyton's game for his birthday also showed up. He should be getting his mentor soon, and classes will start for him August 1st. But right now he has a ton of free time on his hands. 


And more puzzling. 


And walking. It's the same day after day. 


See, but you go walking so you can have desserts, like crepes! 


But, you also have to deal with a lot of boredom. Some of us often fall to the ground and yell and whine. (I might do it as well, just nobody takes a picture of me when I do it). 


More dog pictures. 


Day 127. Saturday the 18th 

We finished the puzzle rather early in the day. 


And dodged the rain to take a walk. 


And got curbside Moe's for dinner, since we all got coupons for BOGO burritos. 


We spotted all kinds of deer on the way home too. 


But, yea, still whining. 


Day 128, Sunday the 19th 

Asa and I took our Sunday bike ride. Which, is less fun when it's 100 degrees and there's not really a pool to go in afterward. 


But we also ran some errands, including a stop for a curbside pick up of the new Greenwise Publix that opened. (Jen is the manager and said people are wearing masks, and we could totally come in at an off-busy time, next time we go). 


And for dinner tonight, Asa grilled out brats and made crab fries like we had at Frenchie's on our anniversary week. All delicious. And I finished Bush's story, so I'll wrap up odds and ends tomorrow and we can get to it on Tuesday. 


That's it. Here's the updated list/count: 

Most popular "hurricane snacks": Everything Allison and Nate sent! 

Current binge watching obsession: We finished West World. This season was just terrible. Like, TERRIBLE. 

Most popular game: We finished Moving Out yesterday, getting all the medals (on platinum), and checklist items. Then we bought the Overcooked DLC. 

Boredness scale 1 to 10: 8, 9. Somewhere in there. I want to go to Disney. Like, I'm rationalizing that everyone is wearing masks, and it's probably ok. Even with all the cases. 

Frozen II Watchthroughs: 52. After we hit out 50th watch thru, I told Hayden he could put it on in the background again. 

How many times we've walked the loop: 74. Including the one I'm about to go on right now, since I just finished blogging- it's best to go right before sunset. Less hot that way. 

Days Down: 128

Days Remaining: All of them. This is life now.