Weather ~ More Cleaning.

Current weather here.

Yesterday, I tackled the clean down of the kitchen.  Today it's my bedroom.  I had loads of laundry, and I'm down to a few drying racks.  I ordered new ones online, and Amazon shipped them yesterday.  I used my anti-ill spray to spray down the box before bringing it inside.

I had a hen die yesterday.  It looks like natural causes.  Sad time for this to happen.

Hubby's work is now two weeks on and two weeks off to keep each other from catching anything or getting sick.  Paid leave too.  Sort of thankful for that, and now I can break out my "Honey to do list" and get stuff done around here too.

Rain and other tidbits

Oddly, it's a picture-less post.  Youngest and I have been cleaning like crazy.  We resume today again.  Just to be sure.

Mom is face-timing with the grand kids and that keeps her smiling.  My one daughter has been making sure she gets what she needs as well.  

Hubby still goes to work.  They were given face masks that look like gas masks, but they are not taking temps.  They can't find the touch-less thermometers, as every business till open is buying them.  His job is "essential" and they have no plans to shut down.

Funny how gas prices drop so low, and we can't go anywhere.

We have a friend that returns from FL this Saturday.  We'll make sure we do not go near anyone she knows.  She needs to lock herself up for 14 days.

Campgrounds and the like are now closed. Prisoners with low risk are to be let out early, and now they talking about possibly closing all daycares (left open for essential workers like nurses and doctors).

You probably saw, there is a travel ban now into the U.S.  I have an old high school friend in Thailand and cannot get to the US now.  His flight was canceled after the travel ban.

Nothing really exciting to share, other than I got my seed orders in.  There was talk they were cutting back on staff and shipping was delayed, so I'm praying my order still goes through.  

I can't work outside, although the temperature will be nice today.  The rain is coming down, and last night predictions of tornadoes.

I was thrilled to bring in 5 eggs yesterday.  They are starting to lay more.  I'm rationing their food, and giving them any scraps I can give them.  

I had to order washing soda on Amazon.  The last time I went to shop, it was sold out.  It has arrived, so that's good.

I've been sending emails to check in on family lately.  My sister in MI said she is good.  The stores they run are still open for business (they sell convenience items).  One cousin and my son drive semi, and those are still going.  I had to message one cousin to check in on her sister who lives in CA.  No words back, and someone said they are in lock down.  

I am crocheting in the evenings, but no more than usual.  I am deep cleaning which takes more time, but I really want to make sure our house remains clean during self quarantine, since Hubby still leaves the house.  It's not really bothering me being home, other than I cannot visit Mom or Dad or my other kids.

The Governor stated there was a death in a town where my one brother works, but they have not yet confirmed if the virus was the reason.

Again, I hope you are all doing okay during this isolation and pandemic.  Praying for us all right now.

Randomness

These are hard to find this time of year, but I was thankful to get 3 bunches during my last shopping trip.  I blanched and got them in the freezer for the next few weeks.  My stash was very low (dandelion greens).

I made a few "cans" of condensed mushroom soup.  One package of mushrooms goes a long way and they boost your immune system.  I tossed in some fresh thyme for medicinal purposes.

I found out my car was never trailered to our handyman's house, and he has not been working on it.  Double grr.  Guess when this is all over, we will go get it somehow and just work on it ourselves when we can.....not that we can go anywhere right now.

Our state has now closed spas, salon's, barbers, tattoo parlors, and all Jeep and other vehicle manufacturers, but my husband still has to work with 300 plus people.  They are told to get those touch-less temperature reading gadgets and use them constantly.  I am told by Hubby that they do no lack hand sanitizer there though.  First of all, the government should be supplying the thermometers considering they have not shut them down too yet. They should also supply facemasks for large places that are still required to work.

I have not heard back from the two older daughters, but one is a trainer at a gym so I know she lost that job, but they all still are working during this.

Traffic is still pretty good going by our house, but moreso semi-trailer trucks (working their bum off right now).

Also, in our state, you cannot get tested for the virus unless you are hospitalized and have serious symptoms.  I am reading about locals taking their kids to the emergency room with all the symptoms (not being tested), and sent home with medications and told to "ride it out."  We lack testing kits.  A good friend of mine, has a daughter that got sick and was told to leave her work and not return until she had a negative test.  You can't get the test, unless you doctor orders it or you are hospitalized.  It's madness I tell you.

We are huddling around to watch the news more often.  They continue to require more shut downs, and I heard that liquor stores may be shut down next.  I guess we'll see.

I wish I taught my Mom how to skype.  I can call her, but can't see her.  I have no idea how my Dad is right now.  He does not use his computer for email, and doesn't answer his phone.  They only check in's I have done are in person, and I can't do those either. My younger brother checks in on him, so I can get updates that way.

I hope you are all safe, and I am continuing to pray for this country.

Reflecting and a plead to help my Mom

Our younger daughter is in crisis mode.  She won't be going to state competition, as it's canceled.  She may not have prom, or even graduation.  I may have to cancel her graduation party if this stuff doesn't clear up.   Seniors graduating this year are very torn right now.

She does have homework, and the school provided computers as well.  I can only pray that her life events she was looking forward to, will just be delayed.  I guess she can still practice hair-do's on me.  

Her job interview has been delayed, as that salon has now closed.  

Colleges are canceling commencements and sending students home (all told to leave campus).

I've sent text messages trying to get in touch with my older 3 kids, but two haven't answered.

They have not enforced a lockdown, but keep talking about it.  Why not just do it now and prevent more spread?  

Although I've debated to "close" my farm store, I will be restocking.  I can't take an order, not knowing if my nearest post office will close (they are already down to 2 hours a weekday).  To be honest, we are doing self quarantine.

I hope you are all okay through all of this right now.  I am sure with all of our self-sufficiency skills we are well educated on surviving through it all.  I bet people who made fun of me and my weeds and such, are not laughing now.  

By the way, my Mom is trying to order elderberry syrup online and can't find it.  Even MRH is sold out.  If you know of a resource, please comment, so I can order it and have it sent to her home direct.  I can't even find dried elderberries for her that are not price hiked right now.  Please and thank you!

Spring? Tree Down and other Updates

Signs of spring?  Daffodils coming up.

Came home from our trip to Columbus (for our daughter's cosmetology exam) to find the county cut down our front largest tree.  It was hollow in some branches, but now we have more wood.

Our younger daughter was home the (we must have been out shopping), when the men showed back up to cut another tree down.  They knocked on the door and asked her if we wanted to wood.  She replied, "yes, just put it by the barn."  We both got a chuckle that she thought they'd move it, but they did! 

Guess what is growing, and not in a garden pot?  I am tickled pink and will let it grow there.  It's on the side of my house where a few roses had been planted but died.  I may make it my "weed" patch.


Updates:

My younger brother put Mom in quarantine.  She is 82.  He said (he works in the police force) there are not enough ventilators and those 80 or over will be left to die if they get the virus.  This means she cannot babysit her grand kids, we cannot visit her, and she cannot go out of her home to prevent contracting the virus.  She is very upset, but I'm glad my younger brother did this.  She cannot risk her life.

My 20 year old called us in panic that she "feels" that stores will be forced to close next and to get to her store and get what else we need.  She is stocked up just in case, but wanted to make sure we were well supplied.

I have no status update yet on my car.  That saga continues.

We just canceled our trip to Amish country (next month) with our younger daughter.  Due to the ban on gatherings of more than 100 (which went from 100 to 50 and now to 10), and now restaurants closed, it would be a fail trip other than taking a chance the health store there was still open. 

If they enforce a 14 day quarantine we won't be bored.  We have no houses near us.  I could still take the dog out and walk around the property, cut wood, clean house, heck I can clean the garage now that the weather is a bit better.

State of Chaos!

I'm still here.  I'll be back in a few days to up date you all.  This corona virus crap going on is making people go mad!

Our state closed all schools for 3 weeks, so our daughter isn't back in school until April 14th (if then).  All venues canceled, no groups are allowed over 100 people etc.

As of today they are closing restaurants and bars at 9pm.  Stores are selling out of everything, and people are just going nuts and it's mad crazy.

I hope your state is doing much better.  I'll try to be back as soon as I can to update.  Just lots going on right now, and I need to make sure I'm stocked up on chicken feed and other essentials like that.

Thank god we stocked up on ammo, because if they start shutting down stores it's going to get real bad.

Busy Bee but all Good!

We've been busy.  First, Daughter took her exam for state board for cosmetology.  This required travel, and a whole lot of waiting.  School paid for the exam, but not lodging nor the license (that was another $45.00).  I read my book, and crocheted cross bookmarks, and we did a little bit of sight seeing window shopping as well.

Our hotel was the most fanciest hotel we've had.  There was a doorbell (I'm told it's for hearing impaired), curtains that operated by a button to pull them up or put them down, and the largest TV I have ever watched TV on.  

Oh, she passed her exam.  Woohoo!  She has her license now.

Second, another daughter got me out of the house to take care of some errands.  Thankful for that.

Third, the car parts arrived, so that's been going on too.

Fourth, the baby blanket and booties were delivered.  It was a bit of a haul, but done.

We have had some foggy and beautiful mornings.  I hope this is a sign we'll all have a bountiful year.  Today we are told we'll get snow showers.