7/26/2020

Weekly Update 7/26/2020

Not much this week. I have been told again that I can’t go out. That’s not something I’m comfortable with. I would be ok if I was given a rent reduction for unused services like housekeeping or social activities, but they won’t allow that. I hope this this COVID thing is going to be ending soon, but I fear it’s not.

As most of you know, I have trouble sleeping. And one thing that helps me is to watch tv all night. The tv in my bedroom was not working properly, and I assumed it was because I bought a cheap one, and I get what I pay for. But, it’s still new; I’ve had it for less than 6 months. It had trouble getting the signal, and it would continually buffer, or just shut off. So, before just tossing it out and getting a new one, being a wiser consumer this time, I decided to move it to the other side of the room. It’s marginally closer to the router now (the router is in the living room), but it seems to have helped. I think I could have been all right just watching videos, but if there’s any tennis in the future, or MNF, I need to be able to watch those events on tv. It doesn’t seem that such a little thing as moving the tv would help, or that I’d be smart enough to be able to figure something like that out, but maybe it’s all that was needed.

I have been trying to get out and walk again. I have not been doing that because I don’t have a Y trail right across the street. And I’ve been careful when SB tells me not to go out, I didn’t. But I’m going crazy in isolation, and this week I made an effort and got out four times. One day, I walked to Sylvia’s house, which is only about 10 minutes away. I went into her back yard and stood there, while she sat on her screened in porch and we visited. I didn’t stay too long, but it was nice to see her. Then I met Kay on Sunday at Tom Triplett Park in Pooler. It’s a small, but really nice, town park that has a pond for canoes, a frisbee golf course, a tennis court and a walking / fitness trail. That was the first time ‘d been there, but it was quite pleasant, and not crowded. I may do that again.

Sylvia's puppy Rupert

back to walking at the Y

7/19/2020

Weekly Update 7/19/2020

Since we’ve been in lockdown at SB, I haven’t had a housekeeper come to clean for me. So, Monday, I did it myself. It’s amazing how rapidly one can used to someone else doing that stuff! But I still remember how to wield a dust rag and run a vacuum cleaner over a carpet.

Tuesday, I was determined to get out. I’d not moved my car in more than 10 days, and I couldn’t stand it any longer. I was so excited, I was up at 6:30 – I was like a kid on Christmas morning! I started at the library where I picked up a book that was waiting for me. Then I went to the ATM for some cash, and since it’s next to the Publix, I went in there and bought wine. Next stop was Green Square where I visited with Jane, Helen and Vicki. On the way back to SB, I filled up with gas, stopped at the Walmart, and went to the liquor store. I was gone for most of the day. I got a lot done, and felt I wouldn’t have to break the rules for a while.

But, the very next day I met Barbara at the Friendship Coffee Cafe. I haven’t seen her in a long time – I haven’t seen ANYONE in long time. We sat outside so we could have our coffee without masks, and visited for over an hour.

But after that, I was feeling guilty about being out so frequently, so I didn’t do anything on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. But Sunday, I was at it again. I met Kay at Forsyth to walk. We had iced coffee and visited. It’s been hot, and dry, but the few times I was able to go out this week were great.

One thing I did accomplish while I was in quarantine this week was to put together the IKEA desk I’d ordered shortly after I moved to SB. I had heard horror stories of putting IKEA furniture together, and knowing how short tempered I can be, I felt it was going to be a long day. And the directions are not in English, they are not in Spanish, they are not in Chinese – they are in pictures. I think this says volumes about the sad state of education, even before the kids were sent home from schools. Anyway, this was going to be a challenge. I plugged away at it, and got the thing assembled in about 2 hours. It’s a little smaller than what I was used to in the office at MP, but I think I’ll adjust to it. Now, I’ve got my pictures hung, my w/d installed, and a desk. All I have left to do is some gardening, but that will wait until the fall when it’s a little cooler.

As I was outside this afternoon, watering my plants, I noticed that I’ve got another green tomato on my plant! And a few blossoms. I thought that was not going to happen, but perhaps I’ll be able to have a fresh tomato on a burger later this season. 

There were some birthdays this past week: My brother’s was July 9, both my sister-in-law and Ishy celebrated last Friday, and Rachel had a birthday on Wednesday. Robin, Rachel’s mom and my cousin, sent a photo.    

7/12/2020

Weekly Update 7/12/2020

Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING!

I read. I watched tv. I ordered more books and videos from Thriftbooks.com.

My tomato fell off the plant, but it ripened on my kitchen countertop. I had a salad with mozzarella cheese, olive oil and Italian spices. It was pretty good. There are no more buds on the plant, so this tomato cost me $30. I could have had a really good steak for that!

Next week will be better. I already have plans to get out. I’ve been careful and did what I was told for long enough. I will continue to be as safe as possible – social distancing, wearing a mask, not unnecessary outings. But I NEED TO GET OUT!

7/5/2020

Weekly Update 7/5/2020

As I often do, I ignore things and hope they will take care of themselves.  And then when I can’t stand it any more, I explode.  So I had a rant to the receptionist at SB this week about maintenance, meal services and the COVID testing.  The Director called me back and after a civilized, informative discussion, I’m much calmer now. And I have a better understanding of some of the things they are facing.  

That being said, when I got a phone message on Friday that SB was going to be in lockdown because someone in the Independent living area had tested positive for the virus, I was quite upset.  I can’t even go to the mailbox without wearing a mask.  I’m not allowed to go out – to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the library, to meet friends, to walk.  I don’t know how long this will last, I’m thinking probably two weeks, but maybe more.  I was looking forward to going back to DH and giving tours – not gonna happen.  I didn’t even go out to water my plants yesterday, and I wore a mask to do that this morning although I didn’t even step off my porch.  I wouldn’t have to do this if I didn’t live in a community of vulnerable elderly people, but I made this choice and here I am.  

Before I got this phone call, I met with Kay at BC to walk.  It was hot, and we came back to SB.  She had not seen the cottage yet, and I was anxious to have her here.  She brought me a nice plant (something else for me to kill).  As soon as she left, the handyman came to finish hanging pictures on the walls and complete the shelves in my closet.  I’m glad those people were here, because I can’t have anyone come to visit for a couple of weeks.  

Friday was the scheduled day for Emily to have a graduation party. I didn’t go, of course, because Georgia is on the DO NOT ENTER list, and I don’t want to travel anyway. So, I was feeling sorry for myself because I didn’t get any cake. I have some slices of cake in my freezer, and I made a tiny bit of frosting. I wrote Congrats Emily on the cake and placed a few stars decorations from prior cupcake purchases on top. So, I didn’t get to see everyone, but I didn’t miss out on cake.

Saturday was depressing. I overate, and slept too much. I also watched the musical 1776, which is a Fourth of July tradition for me. I watched it twice.

By Sunday, I was (marginally) feeling better. Housekeeping did not come on Friday because of the holiday, and I’m not sure if they will be allowed to come clean for the next few weeks. I hope not – If I’m supposed to take all these precautions, I should think SB would be careful about having anyone, including the cleaning lady, come inside. That was actually one of the many things that Patty Gibson, the director, told me. All elder care facilities have to abide by state regulations, which change daily. They can’t even keep up with what they’re supposed to be doing, and some things make no sense. So, I did housework. At least it was activity, and had a sense of accomplishment when my bathrooms were cleaned.

I zoomed with my brother and his wife, my nephew Chris, and Ishy on Sunday night. I’m staying a little to connected, thanks to Chris who sets this all up.