It appeared it was just a waiting game until the big 'L'. The word beginning with 'L' was called by many others, but everyone knew for the majority, it was going to be 'L'!Sunday night was amusing. Yes, I am going with amusing! We decided to order, and collect dinner from a barbecue restaurant. While we can, we want to support those who have made our lives easier. Our favourite spot had closed, permanently, so we thought it would be good to support another outlet, same franchise. "No cherry cobbler on this one", I groaned. You can see where my priorities lie! "Do they do beef sausage?" I prefer it. I can still have a preference, I think. Dana called the restaurant. "No cobbler. Yes to beef sausage". I checked another location, same franchise, and they, too, did not have cobbler. The lady at the first restaurant told us that it was best to order online, rather than over the phone. The process for ordering was simple enough, until it wasn't. Computer savvy as I like to think I am, I do not 'do' apps on my phone. If I wanted to order more than one think, it appeared that I would have to 'invite' the other person to join my order. Very complicated. I didn't realise at the time that I just had to 'check out' and then start again to add. It is all very new to me. Perhaps it is the shape of things to come. We decided to sit and place our orders separately, from our individual laptops (how romantic) and when we had 'checked' our option, we both pressed 'send'. Both ordeers went through. Dana's went through to one location, mine went through to another! In my quest for 'cobbler', I had forgotten to alter the 'location' back to the the place from where I wanted to pick up! Thankfully, a phone call put things right, and all was well! Dinner was amazingly delicious and whilst I will miss the 'old' place, the chain is excellent anywhere!
Day one of the week was Monday. Were we going to be put on 'L'? There were several counties that were, from midnight. Their 'day one' was going to be day two of the week, and we were not sure when our 'day one' was going to be, but it was going to be. It was like waiting for the 'go' in a race. We were ready, we were steady, and we were waiting. Samantha sent me a message. She had seen a news broadcast that said our 'day one' may be on Wednesday, or maybe Thursday, or Friday, with our 'L' starting at midnight on Wednesday or Thursday. "Thursday would suit me better", I told her. "I shall let the man on the tele know!" she said!
Day two, Tuesday, was not our 'day one', but it was 'day one' in Dallas. I received a call from one of our servers from that area, early Tuesday morning. "Are you staying six feet away from Dana?" he asked. "Oh way more than that!" I told him. He laughed. "Rose, (his wife) keeps asking me to let her back in the house, but I have said no!" I roared with laughter. Perhaps it was the break in the tension, or maybe it was just because it was funny! Dana looked through the window with a question mark, metaphorically, drawn across his face. "I put her dinner out through the cat flap", the server continued, and I laughed again. Any port in a storm?
The 'order' came through on Tuesday afternoon. There were a few 'essential' services listed, and there were a lot of questions. Who could continue working? Our building managers had told us that they had planned to keep the doors locked from midnight on Tuesday, and entry could only be had through the key card that is used during non-office hours. As we were 'lumped' in with one of the industries that was on the list of 'essential', we had to make decisions. Who could work from home and who would have to come in. I could do a lot of work from home, and Dana could bring me what needed to be done at the end of each day. It was a plan! I sent my nail technician a message. "Any chance of fitting me in today, instead of tomorrow?" She could! I drove across town at two and had my nails painted. After all, priorities were still priorities! I had lost out on the cherry cobbler! I was not the only one to have called to ask before the ban came into effect, and her phone was buzzing constantly.
Day three of the week was our 'day one' of the official 'L'. Wednesday is my late morning, normally. By six thirty, I was hyperventilating. Although I had brought my computer home, with mouse and keyboard, I had forgotten the power cord. Could I go and get it? Dana said that he was not expecting it to be too busy, so anything could wait until Thursday, day four of the week, or 'day two' of our 'L', or 'day three' for the guy who wont let his wife back home! It was Wednesday. Wednesday is my late morning, normally. I haven't even left home by six thirty, normally! I was going to have to pull myself together and get a grip!
I made lists. I had a list of things to do. I had a 'sub' list of things to do. I had a 'day by day' list of things to do. I had a lot to do! I decided that routine was best, so I would stick to it as best I could. Routine on Wednesday. Go to Joe. Get my nails done! Get dinner started for my evening guests. So, routine was not going to work on 'day one! My 'time to stop and get ready for work' alarm went off. Yes, I have a 'time to stop and get ready for work' alarm, as I need boundaries! That much is more obvious now, than ever!
It was Wednesday, and it was 10am. Groundhog day had nothing on this! I had covered one shelf. I had moved everything out of Samantha's old room, (the room formerly known as the abyss) so that I could clean it and clear it. Since the grand popcorn removal, I had longed for spare time to make it 'respectable'. It was 10am and time for some breakfast. The sun was shining and the birds were singing, so I took my chair and set it on my front porch. I sat down and relaxed. I could do this. "Hey, how are you?" said my neighbour, who was going for a jog. "Thought I might go to the pool later. It's a beautiful day". The pool! Of course, I could go and sit by the pool for a while. How many times have I thought, 'wouldn't it be nice to be able to sit down here every day, for a while'. What about the cupboards? No lining paper. What about the bedroom? I have tomorrow! What about the list? List? What about your rules? Who was this that was asking me all these questions? It was only ten! I would go for a walk.
'Day one' was going to have to be a 'practice' day. Practice patience. Practice self-control. Practice following the list and rules that I had self imposed upon myself to stop me from doing what I was doing.
I started to clean my fireplace. I had no brass cleaner, and checked online for a solution. Salt and 'baking' soda mixed with hot water. I do not think I have ever paid so much attention to my fireplace. It was shining. The glass panels were polished, and I got the 'hoover arm' into the crevices. "Just don't try and push the arm down too far....too late". Out came the shopping list. 'Bonding'. The casing had not actually come too far away from the wall, and it was only one side, and with a bit of bonding, it would stick back again. At least it was shining.
After redefining my list, and my rules, I decided the morning was
The two hours that I spent reading was very relaxing, and I was grateful for the break. Considering the little that I had achieved during my 'I am going to get so much done' first day, perhaps a break was a little frivolous, but it did stop me hyperventilating, and allowed me to get my brain into gear and focus. I came back to my house and 'set to'.
By the time Dana returned, with my power cord, I had cleaned and vacuumed a third of the room. Okay, so a third of the room is not a great deal, but there is a book case, and an ornament stand, and 'dust collecting' items. I felt as if I had accomplished something, within the last couple of hours.
Dinner was heated as I had taken out some 'leftovers' from the freezer, because I had thought I would not have time to actually prepare something due to the fact I was going to be so busy getting all the things done on my list.
"Look at the fireplace!" I said, not bothering to mention the fact that it needed to be restuck. "I polished the brass", I said with pride. "What's wrong with the glass?" said my husband. Once the daylight had gone and the illumination was not natural, the smears showed. Obviously, the 'solution' had managed to get on to the glass polishing cloth, and I would have to start again! 'Day one' was a bit of a disaster!
'Day two', which was day four of the week, etc., etc., and what day it was started to become a bit fuzzy, as not only was 'day one' during the middle of the week, it was a 180 degree turn from my normal. I had my 'day two' planned. Unlike 'day one', which was 'day three', or 'day two', depending on where you lived, this was now reality, and I could focus. (Is my plan working yet? Are you as discombobulated as me? If you are, you will find the rest of this post very easy to read. If not, read on, there is hope! Or not!) Dana had told me that there was some accounting to be done at the office, and if it was possible for me to do it, it would be a great help. It would allow him to take care of payroll, etc, and when we checked the 'order' it seemed that it was permitted for the 'payroll' employee to take care of business, at the business, if they needed. Of course, not wanting to flout the rules, we live together and work together, as a couple. Our staff are laid off for the time being, in order to comply. It would only take me a little while to complete the task, on any normal given day, but this was not a normal given day. I kept to my daily routine, completed my day four tasks, (I had worked out it was Thursday by process of elimination, e.g. what chores had I completed!) and got into the office very early. Five hours later, I had finished! 'Accounting' is my thing, but there are sometimes discrepancies with bills and payments. I would imagine that is the case in any company, but when I sit at a desk for ten hours, I can put this aside and 'deal with it later'. However, 'day two' had started focused, and was remaining so. I went to the bank at lunchtime, and came home. It was a hot day, and I had been sitting for too long. I needed some exercise, and I thought a swim, no matter how cool the water, would get me in gear. As I approached the area, I noticed the large sign on the gate, 'Pool closed'. Closed? Why? Please don't say we cannot now use our own common area! I saw Raul. It appeared that this time had been designated some time go to drain the pool, which apparently should be done every so many years, and have it cleaned and 're-balanced'. "You can swim quickly, if you want. He wont start for an hour or two", Raul said. Great, I thought. If I had not been co-opted to the board, I might take him up on the offer, but how could I, board member extraordinaire, break the rules, when I was part of the panel who put them in place! I can break my own rules, but this would not be fair. I would have to walk!
Once I had walked up to the top of the hill, back around the rest of the complex and back to my unit, I was raring to go. I took care of my 'work' work, and then continued with the cleaning of the room that was formerly known as the abyss! I accomplished a lot by the time Dana returned. I had dinner prepared, which had been prepared 'from scratch', and was starting to feel like the woman on the cover of 'Good Housekeeping', at least in mind. The picture of the joyful smile, fifties style dress, and shoes, with an apron to protect all, was definitely not me. Shorts, sleeveless shirt, and when I went out, a cap! Perhaps I had the smile! I had made enough for three, and took the 'spare' plate to my neighbour, an octogenarian that although is completely compos mentis, makes sure her dog is taken care of before herself! A few neighbours make sure she eats during the week! I know my mum has family and carers to take care of her, so I am paying it forward!
Day whatever started early. Routine, routine, routine. Self-control and discipline! I had plenty to do before starting the 'extras'. Now, any guys reading this, please bear with me, the brief details are necessary! I had managed to get some leg wax on a towel. I had read that the best way to remove the stickiness was to boil the offending item. I had tried. However, I decided to wash the towel after boiling and of course, it all congealed again. I threw the towel away, but wanted to preserve the saucepan. I filled the pan with water and salt, went to put it on the stove and decided to check that there was no wax on the base. I lifted it up, lost my grip and dropped the full pan. When I say there was water everywhere, there was water everywhere! The top of the stove, the cupboards, the fridge, the floor, It had fallen so hard, the force had even made some hit the ceiling! I stood and stared. The best laid plans, etc. Dana appeared round the corner. "Not a word!" I said. He retreated.
By the time I had cleaned the kitchen, washed my floor, and boiled several lots of water in the the offending pan, the pan was not sticky, the kitchen was relatively dry, and I felt a little better. I had to get into work to take care of some 'essentials' that could not be done from home. This time it did not take too long. I left with things to do at home and drove to the house. I walked, then worked. By the time Dana returned, we had two rooms ready for house guests, (if ever there was a contradiction in terms,) a selection of all sorts pampering products available for non-existent guests, and drawers and cupboards so dust free, it could be used as a clean house! Well, perhaps the last phrase is a pushing it just a little! "The house is tidiest it's been since before Samantha and I moved in!" I said, proudly, although immediately realising what I had admitted! Day three, six, nine, the goose drank wine ..... It was the weekend! I was not looking forward to the weekend. No Samantha. I was going to have to do this alone. Perhaps I was more concerned about being stopped and asked, "Is this shopping trip essential?" The roads were quite empty. I drove to Costco. The line appeared to be fairly long, although not excessively. However, as everyone was six feet apart, the queue was actually quite short. They had opened early, and although I arrived earlier than usual opening hours, I was late! The lady behind me commented on my braids, and we started to chat. Everyone started to chat. It was fairly loud as you can't really whisper when you are talking to someone six feet away! Laughter and joyous voices could be heard above all else. People were coming out of the store without toilet paper, yet the sign did not say they were out! People had stopped panic buying, mainly because they were not allowed, but perhaps because they had realised it was pointless! "Eighty people at a time, folks", said the man who stood at the front with a 'stop/go' sign. Thirty out, thirty in!
The toilet paper was hidden in plain sight. The three 'frozen' aisles had toilet paper in the middle. No one fought. I found myself wandering through the store, without a care. However, I soon realised that I was one of eighty, and needed to be one of thirty to get out so another thirty could get in. By the time this thing ends, my arithmetic capability would be exemplary! I had made a list and did my best to stick to it. I actually succeeded quite well. I was unaware of a shortage of anything, because all I needed I got. I did almost bump into someone, who was coming up the aisle I was going down, and passed him a little too close for his comfort. He threw his hands in the air, and I must admit, I got a little irked. If he was that concerned about 'nearness', he should not go out! I was far enough away to comply with the distancing order, but not far enough for him, and he came up my aisle. What was I saying about friendly and civilized! However, I smiled and apologised to keep in standing with my own rules!
On to Walmart I drove, after checking out and loading up my car. The restrictions were 'noted', and I did not buy anything I did not need. I did, however, stock up for the homeless man that lives in his car near the store. I was hoping there would not be a restriction on 'ring pull' cans of sausages and vegetables. Thankfully there was not. The shelves were a little less full, but then it was midday and I would imagine most people had already 'raided' the stocks. As Samantha said, the warehouses require membership, the regular stores can be accessed by anyone at anytime, during restricted opening hours. I did not lack in finding what I needed. I did buy a couple of alternatives, but on the whole I was able to get what I needed. Apart from 'fabric detergent'. Washing powder has become the new toilet paper, it would appear!
The 'homeless' man had moved. There was a group of people standing on 'his' corner, with signs, bouncing around to silent music, asking for help. I was a little dubious as to whether they were homeless, as they did not look particularly weathered and their signs displayed a little too much detail. The children definitely looked well nourished, and well dressed. Now, I am trying not to be judgmental, but I knew of some employed, and housed people made a fair bit of cash standing on street corners in their lunch hour, and their whole stance is different. I have seen a family 'pack up' their belongings and put them in a very clean, spacious, new vehicle, which did not have enough to house them. I have given to people who look at me as if to say, 'is that all', and know that they are not wanting. But I digress. My homeless man was by the petrol station, and I took him a bag of things, along with candy, and chatted, at a distance, for a few minutes. He told me a little bit about himself and how he became homeless, and he had a ray of hope in his voice, regarding the future and employment. I believe him to be genuine. His car was definitely his castle!
Sunday morning was Sunday morning. I knew it was Sunday because Dana did not get up for work, and we had watched a programme on the television the previous night that airs on Saturday! I made breakfast and we sat for a while before heading to our separate computers. I did go for a walk and waved at neighbours near and far! The temperature has, thankfully, dropped to the seventies, and it was very pleasant.
It will be Monday tomorrow, I think. I am not sure as to what sort of week it will be, and whether I will be required to be 'essential' or find something else to do. I have stocked up on sticky back plastic so I can finish off the shelves in my kitchen. With a smile on my face, I will end by saying that I hope all stay healthy and fit, and hopefully look forward to ............ another story!
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