Here we are

So... I am home. Isolating. As is almost everyone else. Or at least it sounds like we all will be soon. What to do?

It's day 2 of me being off work due to the coronavirus/covid-19 pandemic. My workplace is shut down. Jane took the day off yesterday (sick day) and we basically just sat around the house while it poured down rain outside. It was a dark day. Today, the sun has shone a few times.

As I sat and pet the pet cat this morning, it dawned on me that... her life is pretty much the same. She eats, sleeps, goes to the bathroom, and... goes with the flow. I sat and looked out the window with her for awhile, and I have to say... it helped. I felt calmer, and a little more hopeful. It beats the heck out of reading the news or looking at Facebook.

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I can freak out easy. And I don't like that about myself. I went to the grocery store down the street this morning. It was chaos. Shelves are empty or in disarray. I grabbed a can of beans and peanut butter on impulse. What?!

So I've been trying to remind myself to breathe deeply every now and then. Three deep breaths, in and out. It helps.

I've also been trying to remember to do my daily stretches, and every hour or so do some push-ups or squats or something. Drink water, count out sheets of toilet paper, avoid junk food and nervous eating, remain... calm.

This is a chance to create new habits. We can do that. I can do that. New, and good/helpful, habits.

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I should probably apply for unemployment. I guess. I've heard nothing from work. No one knows.

Uber does not seem like a good idea right now. From what I hear, it's not been busy at all. Plus if they limit travel to essential-only, well...

Honestly, working is the furthest thing from my mind. Yes, at some point money is going to be necessary. However, right now my mind is occupied with ways to... help. What would really help? Not just in this moment, but long-term. This is a time when critical thinking is... critical.

I'd say the first step is to not... freak out. At least for me. So I'm going to try to establish a new routine. Be positive. Try to find hope. Take deep breaths.

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 And... that's about all I've got. I am babysitting the grand kids at the moment. Their parents are at work, it's the least I can do. Maybe this will be my job now.

I'm a little worried about my mom, though she is probably doing better than we are. We are contemplating whether to ask her to come stay with us or us go there. Which is better for everyone in the long run? She is very high-risk because of her age. I don't know that having her around all of us is the best thing. Although being home alone all by yourself isn't great either. Who knows.

Everyone who is still working is unsure what the weekend may bring.

Okay... I'm going to go watch cartoons with the grand kids again. Later...