Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-31-20

It was a crazy busy day at work.  On Tuesdays, we get our orders from our biggest customer, WW Grainger.  Today, they placed about four times their normal Tuesday orders.  So it put us schedulers in a tailspin.  We got it all scheduled, and are at the mercy of the factory to come in and get them built.

Tomorrow starts a new phase for me - working from home.  I was going to lug in everything tonight and get it all set up for in the morning but I thought I'd wait and do it on company time since I am an hourly employee.  Sorry if that seems petty, but it is what it is.  I'll get it all in starting at 8:00 tomorrow morning. 

Stay tuned. 

Monday, March 30, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-30-20

With the President saying yesterday that he wants the quarantining (not sure if that's a word) to continue till at least the end of April, it looks like yours truly will be working from home.  Starting Wednesday, I will be working from The Compound.  The Powers To Be decided that two people from our department should work from home, and I was one of the lucky ones. 

If everything goes like we hope it will, I will be able to print documents here from home to the printer in my department at the office, and will have phone calls forwarded to either my cell phone or the house phone.  

I have mixed emotions about working from home for a few weeks.  I would have still gone to the office every day if they needed me, but at the same time I will be glad to stay at home, given the fact that The Old Man has been very worried about me going to work every day. So his worries are over for awhile. 

I will be stationed at the kitchen table from my regular work hours of 8:00 till 4:30, and will only take my normal two 10-minute breaks at 9 and 2, and my 30 minute lunch.  And I will have a Personal Assistant here to help me if needed.

Stay tuned. 


Sunday, March 29, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-29-20

We had some heavy storms last night, and had a bit of damage here at The Compound, but thanks to our awesome neighbors, they had the debris picked up and a couple of things repaired in no time. 

We made a big batch of Taco Soup today, and are looking forward to eating it for supper a couple of times this week.  We've got our week night supper menus planned out for the week (of course we do - I'm a scheduler) and are now just enjoying doing nothing.  

We have a wind warning now, and it's way way too windy for us to sit outside or else we'd be out under the gazebo.  But we're happy to hunker down (key word these days) in the family room.

Stay safe, and stay tuned. 

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-28-20

We interrupt the regularly scheduled Covid19 Update to bring you more news.

Today was the day that I officially wore flip-flops and shorts.  It was 80 yesterday, and 83 today.  So I proudly sported my shorts today as I was out doing chicken farming chores, and wore my flip-flops this morning when I went out to bring in the newspaper.  

Of course, in the Ohio Valley this means that in a day or two, it will probably snow. 

Stay tuned. 

Friday, March 27, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-27-20

I had a change of attitude tonight.  I'd planned to visit the same bar/grill that I went to last Friday for fish.  When I got there and saw people standing shoulder to shoulder waiting for their fish, I had a big change of attitude.  I just went back home and we had a good supper from ingredients we already had.  

It finally hit home to me that the risk isn't worth it.  I'm already risking it every day going to work.  But I decided tonight I will not take unnecessary risks of the Old Man catching something from me.  Carryout food just is not worth it. 

We are hunkered down here at The Compound until I have to go to work Monday.  We have plenty of food, liquor and everything else we would need.  We'll enjoy being outside in our yard tomorrow and Sunday, away from everyone else.  

This was a hard realization for me - the person that used to go to a store just about once a day.  But when my Sweet Mother fell back in September and her hospitalization started and her eventual death, I stopped that.  I had only been going to the grocery on Saturdays, and only to the drugstore during the week if the Old Man had a prescription.  So not getting out to shop right now is no biggie for me. The Lord uses things like this to get our priorities in line.  

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-26-20

Once again, I got to work in record time this morning due to no traffic.  

Rumor has it that the plant workers at ZCO are "all" (and I quote) going to call in tomorrow. 

Stay tuned. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-25-20

Traffic this morning was the lightest than it's ever been in the 30 years I've been driving into ZCO.  I followed the speed limit, and got to work in 11 minutes.  That freaked me out a bit.

Work today was eerily quiet. That freaked me out a bit, too.

Late this afternoon, we got another letter from the CEO telling that we are not only essential employees, but that we work for a life-sustaining company.  I printed it out and put it in my purse, and will be sure to show it to the National Guard if they want to haul me in. 

All sarcasm aside, I'm still glad to be able to get a paycheck, and I will keep on doing my job to the best of my ability until they tell me to stay home.  

On a related note, I stopped and got carryout pizza from our local hood pizza joint.  Today, they were giving 25% of the sales back to their employees.  We were glad to help out.  Plus, it was awesome pizza. 

Stay tuned. 

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-24-20

As the days have gone on, I've noticed that traffic in the drive to work and then from to work has been getting steadily lighter.  This morning, I got to work in record time - 12 minutes.  And that wasn't speeding, either.  

Work today was a bit different.  There was a noticeable different vibe in the office and out in the factory.  

We're still doing OK at The Compound.  We had an awesome supper of turkey and dressing tonight.  So in spite of everything going on around us, we are still eating (and drinking) well. 

Outside of The Compound, our friends aren't doing so well.  Yesterday, I found out that my childhood best friend that lived next door's son died of a heroin overdose.  And late last night, I found out a friend from church's sweet mother fell and had a soft-ball sized knot on her head, and had one eye swollen shut.  I just read that the swelling of the knot has gone down a bit, and she was sitting up in a chair in the hospital, proudly in her own gown instead of a hospital issued one.  She's a tough one.  

Stay tuned. 

Monday, March 23, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-23-20

Today, the Indiana Governor shut down all "non essential" retailers in their state, to join the edict from KY and other surrounding states.  

And this afternoon, all employees at ZCO received a letter from the CEO that declares that we are "essential employees".  I guess we'll need to print it out and tape it to our car windows just in case the National Guard stops us. 

All sarcasm aside, I'm glad to still be working and getting a paycheck.  But at the same time, I wish I could just stay at home with the Old Man for a few weeks and not have any contact with the outside world. 

Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 3-22-20

The eeriest thing I've seen since this whole thing started was Sunday at about 1:30 in the afternoon.  I ventured out to get carryout from our new favorite Mexican joint, and I passed by Frisch's.  At 1:30 on a normal Sunday afternoon, the parking lot would be filled to capacity.  Yesterday, it was eery to see the parking lot totally empty.  There were a few cars in the back, which were cars of employees, and there was on car in the drive-thru line.  

Then last night, the shit got even more real when the Governor ordered all non-essential retail businesses to close tonight at 8:00.  As I heard that, the countdown started for his order to close down everything else, including my company.  

Stay tuned. 

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Covid19 Link of the Week

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8136527/Couple-furious-told-theyre-not-allowed-buy-TWENTY-THREE-cases-Mountain-Dew.html?fbclid=IwAR1kviNGNDdDxYSpWMVLNb7a27666G2kgWmeaP0IACL0o61FcYsV-G0hCJM#v-6164223033092228476

Let me preface and say that this is for real news - not fake news.  I confirmed it this afternoon. 

This happened at the Kroger's that I shop at about a mile from The Compound.  And I am ashamed of my south end neighbors.


Friday, March 20, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-20-20

We are doing good on groceries, and the only thing I have on my list for this week is bananas.  I thought I'd stop at Kroger on the way to work this morning to pick up a half dozen. Thought being the key word. 

When I walked into the store, the check-out line was from one end of the store to the other.  I just walked back out. 

Tonight, I wanted to give a friend's bar some of our business and stopped to get some fish sandwiches for us.  I stood outside the bar and waited with a dozen other people for 45 minutes for our fish.  But the fish is that good, and plus, I wanted to give them our business during these crazy times.  But I'm happy to say that the other 11 people that were waiting with me weren't bitching or complaining; they were just happy to be able to get some of the best fried fish in the city. 

Stay tuned.  Tomorrow, I will venture out to get my bananas. 

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-19-20

We weren't in the mood for cooking tonight, so we gave our business to Wendy's to get some of their awesome chili.

We had heavy rain almost all day, and tonight we are expected to have heavy severe storms.  We're ready - our portable digital TV is charged up, and cell phones and iPads are fully charged, so we're ready for whatever tonight brings. 

Traffic on the way home today was light.  I know we don't have the school busses, but regular traffic was unusually light. 

And we are anxiously waiting to hear if we will get the much-talked-about $1000 checks from the government.

Stay tuned. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-18-20

When I got back to work today, there were a few emails from HR about the pandemic.  The one that affects me the most was the mandate that we are to eat our snacks and lunches at our desks instead of in the lunchroom.  I'm OK with that. 

Last night, I had an epiphany that I'd like to share with you, faithful readers.  Now is the time to use up the stashes of plastic wear that we've collected from all of our carryout food over the past months.  I am putting a pack in my lunch bag every day and will use it instead of reaching into the drawers at work to grab a fork or spoon.  And I'm also using a for real plate or bowl that I have, instead of reaching into the stack of disposable plates and bowls at work.  It might not seem like much of an effort to some, but I think it sure is a good start for our new normal for the next few months. 

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Covid19 Update 3-17-20

I did an errand of mercy today, and delivered a few things to a shut-in from church.  I was careful, and left the stuff on her front porch.  But in the ten minute trip to her house, I noticed how eery it looked. 

Dixie Highway was pretty deserted.  And it looked weird to see Frish's parking lot empty. Normally it's full any time day or night. But vverall, the drive-thru's that I passed were nor more busy than normal for a lunch time.  On interesting thing I noticed was how every hair salon and nail salon I passed were filled to capacity.  

My mini vacation is coming to a close, and it's back to work tomorrow.  I've already been warned of the latest restrictions at ZCO that will affect me - namely, we are being instructed to eat our lunch at our desks.  

Stay tuned. 


Monday, March 16, 2020

Covid19 Update

This morning after the Governor said that all bars and restaurants will close today (with the exception of carryout and delivery), things took an ugly turn.  

I made the big mistake of forgetting to get milk when I went to the store on Saturday, so this afternoon I ran up to Krogers to get a gallon.  So did pretty much everyone in the southwest part of the county.  I did a quick walk-through to assess the damage.  In addition to Sunday's report of the Ramen noodle aisle being empty, today it was the microwave popcorn aisle.  

Tonight, we were forced to tap into our emergency Girl Scout cookie stash, but we are rationing out our Samoas for now.

We'd planned to cook today and tomorrow, but the local mom-and-pop restaurants are having great deals on carry-out, that we decided to do our part.  Today we got $10 off at a local BBQ joint.  Tomorrow, Tumbleweed is having BOGO free on all dinners on the menu, including their awesome 6 oz sirloin.  So tomorrow, we will postpone our corned beef and will have beef burrito deluxe enchillada style and some of their awesome queso.  We're doing our part to help.  

Stay tuned. 

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Surreal Sunday

I apologize for not posting yesterday.  The Old Man and I spent the day down in Elizabethtown visiting his two cousins and their spouses.  Cousin Cathy fixed an awesome old school dinner of pinto beans, fried potatoes, cornbread and ham, and topped it off with peach cobbler for dessert.  I think I was too full when we got home to even get on the computer.  

It rained on us the hour there and rained on us for the hour back to The Compound, but while in E-town, we stopped and filled up the Odyessy for $1.59 a gallon gas.  Can't beat that at all.

It's a little weird this morning, I will admit.  With church and pretty much everything else in the state cancelled due to the coronavirus, it feels a little weird.  As I sit here at the computer, I can look out the bedroom window and it looks eerily quiet outside, if that makes any sense. 

I'd already planned to take off tomorrow and Tuesday to help with an event that was going to be held at our church, but after that event was cancelled, I decided I needed a break and am going to enjoy a mini-vacation here at The Compound.  I plan to not sleep in tomorrow morning, and get to Kroger when they open at 7:00 to hopefully get my fresh fruits and veggies that we want for the next week or two.  I am proud to say that I went down to the Dollar General Store during lunch on Friday, and believe it or not, I was able to get over 75% of the items I had on my grocery list - most of it on sale.  Plus they had plenty of toilet paper and paper towels! We were ok on the TP but since they had plenty, I bought two 12-packs, one of which I delivered Friday night to someone that was down to a half a roll.

Now I'm going to take my coffee and go watch TV with the Old Man this morning, and enjoy just being together. 

Friday, March 13, 2020

Freaky Friday Update

With lots going on at church, work, and at home, and with the Cornavirus pandemic, and with last night's forecasted storms and tornadoes, I was preoccupied and didn't post.

Thank the good Lord that we only got some heavy rain last night.  

And thank the good Lord that we haven't had any more positive tests for Coronavirus people today.  

I'm taking off Monday and Tuesday - I need a major break.  And my plan is for Monday, to do nothing and stay in my pajamas all day long.  

But please know that unless I get preoccupied or something happens, we are not cancelling TWIT during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Stay tuned. 

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

WTG, Puddin

I tried another culinary first today - I fixed a pork roast in the Crock Pot.  It was so tender tonight, I think the Old Man could have eaten it without his dentures.  He bragged on it all during supper.  It was just what I needed to hear. 

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

WTG, Old Man

TWIT and I would like to say way to go to The Old Man aka my father.  He knocked it out of the ballpark today with a pot of homemade vegetable soup.  

You rock, Old Man. And keep on rocking!

Monday, March 9, 2020

Monday, Monday

At least we didn't have any rain today on a Monday.  

Sunday, March 8, 2020

We're Doing Our Part

I am happy to report that we're doing our part at church to help fight off the coronavirus.  Today during the morning welcome, the pastor told the congregation to just turn and wave to someone instead of giving them a handshake or a hug.  And I noticed one person wearing a mask.  

Attendance was down today, and I'm going to attribute it to the virus scare.  

We've already got plans in place if the virus hits Louisville hard.  When we have communion, instead of people reaching in the plate for the bread, we will be using individual cups.  They are almost identical in size and shape to the little plastic cups that coffee creamer comes in - only these have grape juice, and when you peel off the top of the cup, there is the flat wafer.  And we already have live streaming, so if necessary, we can have the pastor and a cameraman come in and broadcast live over the internet. 

Stay tuned. 

Saturday, March 7, 2020

A Good Saturday

It's been a very good and restful Saturday.  

The day started out at our favorite fish place for breakfast.  Yes, you heard that right.  And the Old Man and I both agree it was one of the best restaurant breakfasts we've had.  

Then we did some housework, and I did the grocery shopping.  And then I did much of nothing the rest of the day.  A great nap was had, and I think I'm caught up on the hour of sleep I'll lose tonight. 

Friday, March 6, 2020

Flashback Friday

Forty years ago today, one of the best movies ever was released – “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”  Sissy Spacek’s performance as Loretta Lynn is second only to Loretta herself.  This movie holds a special place in my heart and memory because me and some of my best friends in high school went to see the movie after we had our senior ring ceremony at school.  I’m sure the cooler school kids went out drinking and partying after they got their senior rings, but my group went to see Coal Miner’s Daughter, and we had a blast.  We all loved the movie, since we were all big country music fans. 
 
And I am proud to say that all of us school friends that went to see Coal Miner’s Daughter that day still keep in touch with each other today.
 


Thursday, March 5, 2020

Thursday, Thursday

In keeping with this week's trend, today is Thursday, Thursday.  

I was NITM for anyone's shit today.  I had a very bad arthritis night and morning, and no amount of extra strength Tylenol helped.  I'm just glad the day is almost over. 

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Wednesday, Wednesday

I bit my tongue today at work, and didn't start a shit storm that should have been started. I followed the advice from my dear friend and faithful reader SDF who told me to let it go.  And let it go I did.

Moving on. 

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Tuesday, Tuesday

I spent my first thirty minutes home from work today on the phone with Spectrum, trying to get our phone and internet up and running.  After the aforementioned 30 minutes, we were back in business, and had full phone, internet and cable tv.  All is well in the world.  For now. 

Monday, March 2, 2020

Monday, Monday

Once again, it was another rainy Monday all day long.  The weatherazzi says we'll have storms tonight.  And more rain tomorrow. 

There are no words to say how I am over all of this rain in the past six months.  I know I'm not alone. 

Sunday, March 1, 2020

A Day Of Rest?

I honored the Sabbath today by going to church and worshiping the Lord.  But then when I got home, the proverbial ox was in the ditch and it had to come out.  

I just spent an hour outside raking up all of the debris left over in our front yard after last month's car crash.  I got up as much of the broken glass as I could, and I filled in the big crater as best as I could.  
Now I'm going to rest, after I get my laundry out of the dryer.