Corona Quarantine: Day #17. Lockdown.

I'll start with what was hard for me today.  

1.) Although we "only" have had 15 COVID deaths in our state thus far, a surge is expected.  I'm guessing this is due in part to our proximity to NYC, which is the epicenter of the COVID outbreak in America.  As of right now (according to CNN, which is citing the State Health Departments as its reference), there have been 2,933 deaths in our country so far with NYC having 1,218 of them.  CNN reported last night that is is predicted that the United States will see 100,000-200,000 deaths within the next 1-2 weeks. 

2.) Our Governor made a 39minute long announcement today stating that as of 8:00 tonight (which is right now), we are basically on total lockdown.  He said that we are not to leave our homes unless it is for food or medical care or unless we are considered essential employees and have a note verifying this.  All non-essential businesses are closed and nobody is to shop for any unnecessary items. And essential businesses should limit their operations and hours.  There are to be no social gatherings.  He said that these restrictions will be enforced and punishable by up to a $5000 fine and a year in jail. He also said that predictions are that our area will look like NYC within the next 2 weeks.

3.)  I was contacted my my Manager at work and told that we are cutting staff.  In anticipation of the surge, they are basically cutting back to bare bones on all ambulatory staff.  I am now only authorized to work 16 hours a week (I normally work 24) and I anticipate that will be cut back even more. 

4.)  We told the kids today we have to cancel Spring Break (we made reservations to go to Williamsburg and bought tickets to go to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens).  We were all very much looking forward to this and are all heart broken that it won't happen.  We thought that would be such a fun treat to look forward to once this was all behind us.  Sadly, in mid-April, we'll still be in the thick of it.

5.)  My Tanner is struggling.  The girls all miss school and sports and friends.  But Tanner seems my most fragile, my most emotional, easily provoked to tears.  He is such an "in-person person" and visual learner (which I think he gets from me) that this whole on-line everything, virtual everything, is totally stressing him out.  I spent a good chunk of my day worrying about him.

HOW I TRIED TO FIND JOY TODAY

Since the executive order didn't go into effect until 8pm and since Dave and I both had the day off work today, we packed up the kids, some food and some games and toys and headed to Quiet Waters park in Annapolis.  We played Clue (Lacey won 👊👏).

We climbed trees

We flew drones and airplanes.

And played soccer, frisbee and baseball (catch).

And when we got home, I noticed this on my budding artist's (Lacey) bedroom door which made me chuckle.

I am so mindful of others who are alone right now.  And during this time of social isolation and physical separation from our extended family and friends, I am so grateful to be surrounded by Dave and the kids.  We say a family prayer every day.  Today was my turn.  I always start out my prayers with what I am grateful for.  This has been a good reminder to me that I still have much for which to be grateful.  Even so, I am PRAYING that April is the end of this and we can move on with our lives by the end of April/beginning of May 🤞

Corona Quarantine Day #15: Running a Marathon

This is my friend Marija.  We met over 9 years ago when I had just given birth to Riley and she was very pregnant with her Paige (born 2 months later).  We have been good friends ever since.  She has had a ROUGH couple of years.  Her oldest son has had some major health issues and has been in and out of the hospital many times.  I've lost track of how many times.  It's taken it's toll on her and their family.  Marija decided to pour her soul into exercise.  It has become her therapy.  She decided to train for a marathon.  She's lost probably 40# (maybe more) and is in the best shape of her life.  She registered for a marathon that was supposed to be today.  Of course, along with everything else in the world, it was canceled.  She was devastated.  She has been training for months and was so looking forward to this.  She was hoping to qualify for Boston.  But just two weeks before the race, that all came to a screeching halt. Amazingly, she decided to do it anyway!  All by herself!  And with no support (water, bathrooms, pitstops, people cheering, people running with you, etc, etc).  She tried to come up with a route that would go by people that she knew so that she could get water if needed.  She started at 2:00 and came storming into my house shortly after 3:00 for a much needed bathroom break and a glass of water....

And then she was off again!  With our cheers pushing her on!

She decided to make the finish line her house and anticipated she'd be there ~5:30.  So, the six of us (Tanner stayed home but Ella's little friend came with us) piled in our car and drove to her house to offer our support and congratulations.  We set up a finish line.

Corona Can't Stop Marija!

We weren't the only ones with that idea!  There were several other friends who came to support her too.  It was so inspiring to see so many people loving her and supporting her however they could.

Groups of 10 or more are not allowed.  Once we realized that we weren't the only ones with the idea of supporting Marija and the group expanded to probably twenty or so, we all lined up down the last 1/2 mile or so of her route so we could have plenty of space between all of us.

She did it!!!!  I videoed her coming in.  But this is her right after crossing the finish line.

Wearing her homemade medal.

We "gathered" at the very end for a quick group shot (although as you can see - we made every effort to still keep plenty of space between us) before everyone quickly scattered to their cars and went back home.

It was so inspiring to be a part of this.  For Marija to have the attitude of "you know what?  This stinks my race got canceled but by golly, I'm going to do it anyway!"  And for so many to leave their hibernation and to show their support for her.

Even so, there were hard parts about this too.  Someone who was driving by called and reported us to the police.  The police came out.  They saw that we were all spaced out and that nobody was touching and said that we were fine.  Shortly after, someone came by again and stopped and took a picture of us - probably to report us on some social media page or something.

I now know what it's like to live in a Police State.  If you leave your house, people are looking and ready to pounce and report you.  

Other things that have helped this week....

Dave came home from work on Thursday and found the kids playing Clue in the backyard.  I was still at work.  He snapped a picture knowing it would warm my heart to see that my kids were okay and that they were spending time together.

And I caught T and R playing together yesterday!  These are my two that struggle to get along.  So, if this quarantine can result in some togetherness between these two, I'll take it!

And lastly, Dave ordered a 1500 piece puzzle of Park Guell in Barcelona Spain.

Since we have nothing but time right now, we decided to relive our travels from last year.

 What I'm missing right now:  Riley's much anticipated weekend long soccer tournament against several out-of-state teams.  Seeing the HS Rock and Roll Musical production (which we had tickets to go to last night; we paid $100 for the tickets and have been told they are non-refundable). Sigh....

If You Chance to Meet a Frown, Do Not Let it Stay!

Quickly turn it upside down, a smile that frown away! 😄

This blog is my journal. I no longer keep a separate one.  So, in times like this, I just pour my heart out into it.  And let's face it, over these last couple of weeks, life has been HARD! For all of us! In addition to my own disappointments, I grieve the loss of everything my kids are missing out on.  And then I look outside our family and grieve the loss of all the missed weddings, graduations, job losses etc of the whole world. I take it all on and just feel so sad!!  But I can't live like this.  In the words of one of my favorite primary songs, I know I need to turn my frown upside down and smile my frown away.  For the sake of my kids and everyone around me, I am going to RALLY!  I am going to be honest about how I'm feeling and what is going on in the world because I want to record what it's like to experience this time; I want my kids to be able to look on it and have all the details of what was going on and how I was feeling.  BUT, I am not going to dwell on it.  And I am going to look for positives every day.

What is hard for me right now:

I am still having to go to work every day. So is Dave. I hate leaving my kids home alone. I am scared about working in a hospital and becoming infected and exposing it to my family.

As of today, we were told that most hospital entrances were closed.  In our massive Medical Center, only three entrances remain open. When you walk in, you are greeted by security who hands you a mask and you are required to wear it throughout the day.  It's so HOT! My face gets so sweaty wearing it.  But hey, it is what it is.

We were issued this letter today.  We were told that as essential employees, we were required to carry this, along with our employee badge, with us so that if we were ever stopped (since everyone is being told to stay home) we are to show this letter and badge authorizing us to be outside our home.

Going to the store is always a stark reminder of the times.  Shelves are constantly empty of certain items (like Clorox wipes), hours are shortened, items are limited, etc.

And lastly:  The Governor (Hogan) came on the news today and stated that he has just authorized a $175 million immediate relief package. He said that as of today, there are 423 confirmed COVID cases in Maryland, 74 of which have been diagnosed in the last 24 hours, the largest 1 day rise to date. He said that Maryland has had 4 COVID-related deaths.  He said, "This crisis is really just beginning. People are looking for certainty, but we just don't know.  It will not be over in a matter of days or even weeks. Stay in place and in your homes as much as possible."

And with that, school closures were extended an additional 4 weeks.  So, as of now, they are saying school will not be back in session until April 27th. 😭

What is making me HAPPY today:

Ella stole my phone and I found this picture on my phone.  This girl makes me smile every single day and I am so grateful for this baby of mine.

Gas prices are going down!  Whoo hoo!

I got a card in the mail from my friend Maricarmen.  So thoughtful and sweet.  There are so many good people in this world.  Thank you dear Maricarmen!!  😘😘

I am also grateful that we have a camera and that even though I have to leave my kids home alone, I can still watch them and talk to them.

I am grateful for my creative son who took it upon himself to come up with Family Elections.

We all had to pick positions for what we wanted to run, prepare and present a speech and then vote.

Yours truly is the Activity Planner - right down my alley!

And last but not least, I'm grateful that Lacey was still able to host her book club.  Two people chose to stay home, which I totally understand (there are a total of 6 members), but the other three came over.  We had the four girls sit outside on the deck, wear gloves and sit several feet apart from each other.  After they talked about their book, Riley, Gianna and Ella joined them fora game.  It was some game they made up that didn't involve touching or getting close to each other.  I came home from work and watched them laugh and giggle and smile amidst the world's sorrows and fears and I thought to myself,  "It's going to be ok.  My kids are going to make it through this.  We will all make it through this."

DC National Arboretum

Several states are on complete lockdown. With rules like these.

We're on a moderated version of what New York, California, Washington and others are doing.  We can leave our homes, but we can't congregate in groups more than 10 and all bars and restaurants and most stores are closed as well.  Very, VERY few things are open and ALL activities, church, school, etc have been canceled.

BUT, we haven't yet closed Hair Salons.  Lacey and Tanner both badly needed haircuts and my heart is bleeding for all these businesses and people without employment.  So, I took Lacey and Tanner to get haircuts today to give them some much needed business.  And when I arrived there, this was on the door.  So, as of tonight, looks like all the salons are closed too.  I think they probably saw the writing on the wall and know that, especially with our proximity to NYC, it's only a matter of time until we're on lockdown too.

Desperate with cabin fever, I did some research and found out that the National Arboretum was still open!  The Visitors Center and other buildings on site are closed due to Corona, but the grounds themselves are still open. So, we packed a picnic and headed to the trees!

I have a feeling this is the closest we are going to get to China for awhile.

Can you tell who my kid is that kept saying "Mom, take a picture of me!"

Practicing their Social Distancing 😂

No Social Distancing here! 😘

A flower from my boy.

Color coordinated

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom!

We stopped and had a picnic lunch.

Followed by a game of Father/Son catch

While the girls played Frisbee.

Thank you, Nature.

You were just what the Doctor ordered.

It helps distract me from this.... the latest report from WHO.

201 US deaths. And lockdowns getting worse instead of easing up.