Social Distancing Journal Days 236 to 238: Election DAYS in America

When I last left you, it was election night. And, if you ask CNN it is still "Election Night in America". It's become increasingly obvious over time that Joe Biden is going to win, but it's been a roller coaster, mostly thanks to all the Pandemic Mail-In Ballots, especially in places that they weren't even allowed to open the ballots until election day (here's looking at you, PA). 

It's really turned out like most people said. In states where mail in ballots were open first, Biden had a lead and then election day in person Trump votes came in, and he was declared the winner (like in Texas, Ohio and Florida). But, states that reported in person voting first, saw the opposite effect. (Wisconsin, Michigan, PA.. and even Georgia!) 

That's right, Georgia might go for Biden. He's up about 7,000 votes! In GEORGIA. 

Basically, where we sit now, is Biden is leading in four key states that haven't been called yet: PA, Georgia, AZ, and Nevada. He's just 20 electoral votes away! And, he has over 74 million popular votes (the most in American history, to be fair though, at 69 million Trump has the second most in history- population growth, high voter turn out, you know?) 

Here, Florida basically voted for nothing that I voted for (although, we did approve a $15 minimum wage!) And while the state, overall, was disappointing, the Tampa area went more blue than 4 years ago. Even pasco county was a little more purple. 

So basically for five days now, I've been glued to the news. I don't want to miss anything! And today might be the day it FINALLY gets called! 

So, let's rewind to actual election night. 

Here's Peyton with his "I voted" sticker. 

We got our giant Costco order. 

And kept an eye on the news. 

Hayden made himself a little couch again. 

And enjoyed a couple of baskets of nachos. 

And the first results came in- seems like a lifetime ago! 

I did make everyone use political names for their orders on election night. 

When votes came in for Florida, Pasco county was the first to report. So we had a breif shining moment on CNN. 

We went to bed on Tuesday night, and were really worried. Biden was behind in a lot of key places. It was feeling very shades of 2016. I felt sick. Luckily, things would turn around overnight and over the next few days. 

Day 236: Wednesday November 4. Election 2020, Day 2. 

Barely slept on Tuesday, woke up and checked my phone a lot. So I needed some coffee Wednesday morning (or all the coffee) 

And of course, Trump was tweeting. But getting flagged for false info. 

Over and over again. 

Three times in a row, in fact. 

The neighbor dog, Ali, got out too, and she joined us for a few hours until her family got home. 

Ellie always enjoys the friend to lizzard hunt with. 

We also got the futon for the office. 

And put that together while watching election coverage. 

Finishing it off in the office (because I warned them it wouldn't fit through the doorway otherwise. 

Looks nice! 

Day 237: Thursday, November 5, Election 2020, Day 3. 

Updated the board. 

Got up and started checking for updates. 

Still too close for comfort! 

Meanwhile, I was getting Trump emails left and right. 

And full of a lot of lies. 

Like, who believes this stuff? 

Then there was the ALL CAPS statement he released. Likely to get around Twitter rules of flagging false tweets. If the news media tweets out a presidential statement, they can't flag it. And that's exactly what happened. 

We did take a quick break to run out and do curbside pick up and get some lunch. 

And then we were back to watch the news. 

We ordered pizza for dinner. Because we've eaten like absolute crap the last few days. This is why I need the election to be called. Stress eating is a real thing. Let's just call the whole election so I can take some walks and eat some salads. 

And stop drinking coffee at 6 pm to keep myself awake. 

Oh, and then there was the press conference. Where Trump came out listing a whole bunch of insistences of fraud (which there is ZERO evidence of). All I could think is: "Here's an itemized list of 30 years of disagreements." 

Fox covered it slightly differently. 

Oh, and don't forget. There's a Pandemic. Crossed 100,000 cases a day. FOR THREE DAYS IN A ROW. 

My favorite Trump argument is that he doesn't seem to understand WHY so many mail in ballots skew heavily Democratic. But he spent the last couple months telling his supporters not to vote by mail, how corrupt the system was, and that they needed to vote in person on election day. So THEY DID. 

Etta has had enough. 

We did pull out some board games to pass the time. 

Day 238: Friday, November 6 Election 2020, Day 4

Updated count! 

To be fair, Biden has been "closing in on 270" for DAYS. I get why nobody wants to call it. Shades of 2000 hang over the air. Trump is a child who might freak out if you call it to early, and with all the "fake news" hatred, you do not want to get it wrong. But, man, Calib especially is over the news being on 24/7. I think maybe I scarred him as a baby by watching Bush v. Gore coverage 24/7 for 36 days. 

Oh, and then there's this. But I still think, eventually, maybe he'll admit defeat, right? 

I missed Georgia flip Blue around 5 AM on Friday morning. But if you note the side of the screen, I was awake to see PA go blue. 

Oh, and hey, coronavirus, election... lets go for the trifecta! Add in a hurricane! It shouldn't be too bad if it even comes here. But, 2020 man. Also, I don't need anymore things to "wait and see". Between the election and 2020 in general I'm tired of "waiting". We freaking have to wait for EVERYTHING these days. 

Lost in all of this, America is on the verge of electing a woman to the highest office a woman has ever held in the United States of America. And that's something. 

Also, some fun cartoons out there these days. 

Oh, and look where the Georgia votes came from. John Lewis! Yay! 

We did run out to pick up Hayden's book box from the library and get some plants at Duncheons. 

And oh my gosh the Trump emails. I've been on the list since we went to the rally four years ago. I got 22 - yes TWENTY TWO- emails on Thursday, and 23!!! on Friday. And they're getting increasingly crazier. 

Last night he was still talking about contesting Michigan. Michigan is long gone for him. Why Michigan? 

But we've been waiting forever to just have it called. But, I really do think it's going to happen today. Last night Biden came out and said basically they are going to win, to remain calm, that there is a lot to tackle and he'll be a president for everyone. 

We haven't quite moved to "Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" but that could be today. Fingers crossed. 

I leave you with this. 

Next Up: We're getting a new president, I hope! 

Social Distancing Journal, Days 234 & 235: Election Day in America!

You guys! We made it. It's FINALLY election day! Usually, election day is like my Christmas. I love it. But, in 2020, nothing is like it used to be. It's all tainted by the Pandemic. It makes things really crazy. Yesterday, I was very nervous. Last time around, we know how shocking the result was. This time around, though, I'm cautiously optimistic. Now, I could be wrong. Which is why I'm writing this before any polls close. Because, I might go dark for awhile while I cope with the reality of another four years under Trump. But, today, at least, I'm more hopeful than I've been in the last four years, but especially the last eight months. 

Many "historically" events are in Joe Biden's favor. We're seeing huge voter turn out. Historically, that benefits the Democrats. Generally if you lose the popular vote, but win the White House you don't win again (or you have to expand on your voters- and I don't think Trump did that). Historically, there isn't two shocking elections in a row. Historically, presidents who fail to meet the enormity of a crisis get voted out of office. Historically if it's an election about who you don't want, more than who you do- the incumbent gets voted out. 

But again, nothing about 2020 is normal. So, we're holding our breath. Not just for results, but for what Trump does afterwards, what people do afterwards (it is NOT normal for DC/other large cities to board up for election unrest- that's so unAmerican! Yet it's happening here). 

Today determines (whether we know results today or in the next week) whether the Election of 2020 will make it into all my fun election books as an 'At a Glance' Election, because obviously we voted out Trump during a pandemic he totally botched. Or, a long drawn out 12 pages on how we thought there was no way he'd win, how yet again polls had him down, but somehow he pulled out another Electoral College Victory (I firmly believe he won't win the popular vote even if he wins- though, I could be wrong). 

Still though, I am so excited for election day. 

But first... yesterday.. 

Day 234: Monday November 2

We took advantage of the cooler temperatures and got to building a fire pit. 

I worked hard to get it nice and level (Calib helped). 

And I think it turned out great! 

And now no more moving the fire pit if it's going to rain. We can just leave it out there! 

I love the way it turned out. We'll use it for the first time on Saturday for our house anniversary. 

We're also wrapping up the candy bar election. 

While yesterday Reese's was just 6 electoral votes from victory, Reese's has in fact won three more states since then! So, the third time running was a charm for Reese's who finally gets to be candy president. 

The electoral map in the candy bar election... 

The Haunted Mansion puzzle coming along... Asa says it's been really calming for him the last few days. So MANY nerves! 

And the Bucs played last night. They won, but both Calib and Asa complained that it was ugly and we barely won, and they were mad anyway. I told them they turned into Patriot fans! A year ago they would have said 'I don't care if it was ugly! We won!' But instead they're complaining a win wasn't good enough! 

And, we did start keeping track of how many days until the election when it was 98 days away. Almost there!!! 

I also made a menu for our election day open bar. And I've gotta say our political food and drink puns are on point! 

The drinks are my favorite. 

And finally the desserts. 

Day 235: Tuesday, November 3. It's FINALLY ELECTION DAY!! 

We are watching CNN all day!!! And eating food. And drinking. 

Slow cookers are going and ready! 

We've been waiting for this day FOREVER. 

I put on my election gear, and my 'I voted by mail' sticker we saved from when we cast our ballots a month ago. They've officially been counted, by the way. We checked! 

So some CNN is on! 

I even got all the boys to sport election gear today too. (Peyton and Calib put on their 'I voted stickers too!) 

I do enjoy Calib's 'Make America Smart Again' shirt. 

Hayden is wearing the Riden with Biden button with the sunglasses that matches his Lincoln sunglass shirt. 

And I have my election mug with unlimited coffee for the long night ahead. 

And the open bar has been open since noon. 

Hayden particularly enjoyed his patriotic red, white and blue nachos! 

And our nervous energy helped us finish the latest puzzle. 

So that's it, everyone cross your fingers. Cautiously optimistic! Not certain. Not calm. But hoping among all hope. So either I go dark and you'll hear from me in a month. Or, we start to right this ship. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE.