Random Thoughts

Today is a very special day.   Today is my 20th Day of Coronavirus Isolation.  20 Days.  It also is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.   Not only that, but it's Alex's Birthday! (my son from another mother)

Alex (left) and Mitch (right) on our trip to Jamaica, 2011

Last week I told you I'm back to work (almost full force), which limits my time to work on the 100 different home improvement projects around here and cuts into the time I have to blog.  Here's a recap of the past week and some thoughts on this time in isolation.

This past week, I decided I wanted to use this time to read the Bible, so I started a 90-day Bible Reading Plan in YouVersion, a Bible app.   In addition to that, I've also been participating in a couple of different devotional reading plans for Easter.  Each morning, it takes me about an hour.  In the past, I tried to read through the Bible, committing to read 4-5 chapters a day, with the intention of reading it a year.   I've failed every time.  I don't know if it's because it's my perception of "forced reading" (I mentioned that last week), or if I get distracted or busy, fall behind, don't feel like I can catch up, or what.  But something strange has happened this time.  I can barely wait to read my Bible each day.  This particular reading plan goes through the Bible in order, from Genesis to Revelation.   If you've never read the Bible before, let me tell you, those first books are FULL of drama.  Not only is there the whole Adam & Eve story, the fall in the Garden of Eden, the story of the first murder, Noah and the Ark, but the Bible provides a complete history of God's province to his people.  Again and again.  God makes seemingly impossible promises, but His word never fails.   Never.  The people of Israel fall down again and again.  Yet God is there for them every time.   He even details how they should live, what is safe for them to eat, how they should settle disputes (they must have had a big problem with the oxen back in the day), and what is an acceptable sacrifice to Him.   He leaves out nothing.

It's like this time, I am reading the Bible with a new awe.   I feel hungry for more.  The nice thing about YouVersion is the option to have it read aloud aloud to you, which I enjoy sometimes.

When this whole period of social distancing and isolation started, it took a while for me to adjust.  I had mostly good days, with a few bad days mixed in.  I expect the same to continue, but I find gratitude is the best way to get me through.  I have so much for which to be grateful, most of all my husband who loves me, with whom I get along great, who laughs and jokes with me through some of the craziness, and who is sharing this period of time and isolation with me.

Laughter is the BEST Medicine

Where is my desk?

What Netflix series have you been binge-watching?  Brian and I started watching The Office.   It is so bad, it's hilarious.  Jim's antics, Dwight's obsessive nature, and Michael...such a tool.   Michael is such an @$$, you hate him so much, but you can't look away.  Sometimes I laugh so hard, I almost pee myself.

Speaking of Netflix...have you seen Tiger King?

Apparently COVID19 has the entire nation tuning into this not-appropriate-for-children series.  It's like a bad car accident.  You just can't look away.  The more you watch, the worse it gets and the harder it is to turn away.

OVERLOAD

Working from home, how I feel every day:

We (administrators & teachers) spend our days trying to figure out how to deliver School Online, tracking seniors who are supposed to graduate in June, planning for next year, and a host of other things I can't even begin to list.  By the end of the 99th ZOOM meeting, my head is on complete overload.

Big question:  Does working from home mean I can work in my PJ's and keep my bed-head going for days on end?  I've made a few attempts to at least try to feel human.  I created a somewhat "homey" work space in the dining room, every day is now "Bring Your Dog to Work Day", and I get to sneak in quick walks with Leia when I have a short break between meetings.

Brian found me on one of our walks and delivered a coffee from Dunkin!  Told you, he loves me!

Scenes From My Walks

I really think I should make some hearts to put on our doors or windows.  

I met up with Giselle one day and we walked six miles!   Notice the warnings on the trail....

Spring is definitely here!  

LAUNDRY - the NEVER ENDING Story

Who else strips and puts their clothes straight in the wash?

I started doing laundry every other day instead of every day because it is so maddening!  This afternoon, Brian cleaned out the garage and put a huge pile of dirty clothes on the floor next to the basement stairs.  Even when it is all folded and put away, there's some out there somewhere just waiting for me!

A Blessing

God can and will make things better.

This period of isolation has afforded us all time.   Time to be grateful.   Time to appreciate the small things, like hugs, haircuts, toilet paper and dine-in service.   Time to focus on faith and family.   In many ways, the time has become a blessing.

The ever changing "situation"

Every day the CDC guidelines regarding the Coronavirus are changing.  The latest update asks us to cover our faces when we are out in public.  I've got this!  I have a bunch of headbands I wear during cycling season which can easily be converted to a face mask.   Just like that, viola!

Grocery Store Adventures 

Project Update

Today I endeavored to start a garden.  Planted a bunch of seeds and set up a lighting station in the dining room.  This meant I had to relocate the items that were on the buffet table.  So I enhanced my work space a little.   Still need to finish Mitch's room...

Online Church

Our church broadcasts the worship service on Facebook Live, with a follow up Zoom meeting for members.  Today's message was really powerful.  The Zoom meeting provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the message, pray for each other's needs and join in community together.  Service airs live at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and is rebroadcast on Friday evenings.  You should definitely check it out.

Today's Meditations

In the middle of all that's going on around us right now, it's only normal to have anxiety, to be afraid.  The Bible gives us permission to be afraid, and even tells us what to do when we are afraid.  I mentioned earlier that I have a prayer list going.  Sometimes I pray through each request individually and other times, I lift the list as a whole to the Lord, asking him to answer them.  Laying them at His feet.   Meditate on these verses...

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.   In God, whose word I praise -
In God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

I Surrender by Hillsong Worship

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My daily posts since my Coronavirus Isolation period began:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12
Koby Update: Day 13