Day 21
Governments Orders Still: In the house, no group gatherings, only going into stores as needed. Outdoor walks and individual, or family only, outdoor activity acceptable. No "3 on 3's" at the basketball courts unless you are a family of 6 (us) and no use of parks playground equipment. Recommending one person from each household and limiting your store shopping to 1-2 times a week, keeping social distance in the checkout line. Wipe groceries down before going into the house and wash, wash, wash your hands.
It's no longer blue or white collared workers its now essential and non essential workers.
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Essential; not only 1st Responders and medical workers, but truck delivery drivers, post office carriers, retail grocery store employees and a few limited others working on the job. Each worker at risk, being in contact with people that may or may not have the virus. The government is trying to avoid food hoarding, and stores are limiting toilet paper and water cases to 2 or less per person. Of all things when this pandemic started, toilet paper was the hottest item. Store clerks bringing out full fork lifts with Toilet Paper and setting them down in an aisle to have people swarm them as they hand the TP packages out one by one. Crazy, but let's face it none of us want to be left at home with the last square! Honestly though, the way people were hoarding TP at first made many people question their bowel movement issues before the entire pandemic started. Well, we are all safe in our own house for now. TP is always fully stocked here and hoping it stays that way.
Hubby (Hubs) & I went into an early morning appointment that couldn't be rescheduled.
It went like this:
Sign 1 "Stay in Car if you are not needing to sign anything today."
Sign 2 "Bring in your own pens, or if you use a pen from the box, please take home with you, do NOT return it to box or leave on our table."
Sign 3 Next to a large sanitize pump bottle "Please use hand sanitizer before coming in."
Sign 4 & Final, "DO NOT ENTER if you have the COVID-19 VIRUS or fever!"
Sign 4 & Final, "DO NOT ENTER if you have the COVID-19 VIRUS or fever!"
No hands were shaken, sat down, quickly signed, did our best to barely touch door handles and out we were. Fastest paper signing appointment we've ever been through. Was good for us though and 5 feet apart from others the entire time. (I think Social Distancing all began in our own house years ago... 6 feet away at all times... lol)
Next stop, Costco (local Wholesale Store):
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| Floor Lines Marked the distance |
Employees were working their tails off and you couldn't help but feel the sterile cleanliness as if you were walking into a doctors office. Employees quickly directed us into one door, entering 6 feet apart from one another in a single file line. They just opened so there were about 10-20 people entering the building at once. The line inside the door was clearly marked with tape on the floor staggering 6 feet apart to show you where to stand keeping your required distance. This was all new for us. Swirling through the marked off line like a Disney Ride but this one completely germ free, hoping at least. An employee had gloves on while handing each of us our cart as we walked by. The exit door had another employee collecting carts coming in or going out, and an additional employee spraying and wiping down each cart one by one.
When we entered the store, people respected the distance and kept their 6 feet apart as best as possible, even waiting aside for one another to pass if needed. The large walk in coolers also had a divider of "in this way, out that way" to avoid the close passing of one another. Employees were wiping cooler handles down and the clothes were folded to perfection showing that no one is taking the time to touch, dig through and shop for the clothes on the center tables. Even if it was early in the morning, those piles are usually tackled into every other time. The Checkout Lines had the staff working with masks and gloves keeping the lines flowing with another person directing traffic.
When we entered the store, people respected the distance and kept their 6 feet apart as best as possible, even waiting aside for one another to pass if needed. The large walk in coolers also had a divider of "in this way, out that way" to avoid the close passing of one another. Employees were wiping cooler handles down and the clothes were folded to perfection showing that no one is taking the time to touch, dig through and shop for the clothes on the center tables. Even if it was early in the morning, those piles are usually tackled into every other time. The Checkout Lines had the staff working with masks and gloves keeping the lines flowing with another person directing traffic.
Each register had a clear vinyl piece protecting the workers from the customers and there was also a separate person filling your cart with gloves on. The food counter was a limited menu for take out only and the soda machine was closed. The receipt checker on your way out the exit also stood behind a clear vinyl and asked you to show your receipt without him touching it. He did his visual cart check and off you went. Kudos to Costco on keeping your team members and customers so safe. Those employees were busy making sure everything was getting done. I stamp a big "Essential" Stamp on their card with an A+ all around! We left with all of our household goods and even the Toilet Paper was well stocked!
So for my first time being out in an actual store since this pandemic hit, it was an eye opener to see this is it, it's here, and we all need to work together to do our part, "Social Distancing and staying home". Face masks and gloves were also worn by many customers. Pumping gas was also a concern. Sanitizing hands before and after pumping. Gloves were recommended to be worn when pumping gas as the virus could also be transmitted on the pumps. Home made masks are recommended for everyone to wear if outside. Shortage of masks in the medical field are still an issue as well as the ventilators. Paramedics and doctors are now needing to make life and death decisions of which patient gets the ventilator, meaning the other will die. Wisconsin now has the virus in all but only a few counties with 51 deaths. So here we are Day 21, a look at what the Quarantined life is like for now, Staying Home, Staying Safe and Saving Lives; a time we'll look back at as when the "world completely stopped turning" as Alan Jackson sang heavily in 2011.
So moving forward onto the JOY of today- OUR TEACHERS!!!!!! It has been 3 weeks since our kids have been in the classroom. Their elementary school did a parade through all of the students neighborhoods and it was awesome! As we all did our best keeping 6 feet apart, we watched our teachers parade through our neighborhood with signs on their cars of how much they miss the students and encouraging words that "we'll all get through this together, Stay Active, & Love Art & Keep Creating!". It was a great way to kick off the weekend; beautiful weather was outside and he kids loved seeing everyone. I loved seeing everyone and it was just what we all needed to bring a little community and comfort to one another. And yes, the school made sure to remind us to practice social distancing as we watched the parade go by! Monday is the official day their virtual classes start and I know the teachers have been working like crazy learning the new technology while putting a different style on the students learning from home, all while doing it with their own families too. My friend Meghan said it perfectly, "This is a Reset." and I felt exactly the same way. A chance for families to grow with one another, put things in perspective of appreciating one another, appreciating the work of so many others that often went unnoticed and just putting family and our own health first. At least that's what my perspective is, and I think many others would agree.
Mia put the Kitchen apron on once again today to try her Oreo Ball Recipe! Julia put together
Chocolate Chip Frappuccinos and both were a chocolate delight for a sunny afternoon treat! I got Orso out for my run/walk this morning, and I'm leaving him home tomorrow. I'll never beat my time the way he stops and sniffs everything like a hound dog, but it is nice being out early with him! Maximus, Mia and Julia played a little volleyball over the fence with Layla and Joe next door and even learned about a few essential oils from Meghan (distantly of course). Cameron and Mark went to load up on Mulch and Dirt to get our yard summer ready.
Another simple day of prayers and kindness to our world in all ways possible. With today's end, I leave you Mia's simple and yummy Oreo Ball Recipe :) and for those of you reading, be careful, some stinkers may be hitting up your neighborhood next... Toilet Papering & Egging your house during this Pandemic Time!
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| Thanks to some fun neighbors putting a smile on our faces! |
Mia's Oreo Balls:
36 Oreos Crushed in Ziplock or in Food Processor until powderlike Set 2 Spoonfulls aside for later.Mix 8 oz. Creamcheese with the crushed Oreos (minus the 2 spoonfulls) until doughlike.
Roll into mini balls and place onto a baking sheet.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes or Freeze for 20 min.
While waiting, melt white chocolate for frosting.
Once the 20-30 min is done, take a fork or cake pop stick and dip each ball into the white frosting.
Sprinkle the Oreo sprinkles that you set aside on top of the frosted oreo balls.
Pop in the fridge/freezer for 10 more minutes and boom! there you have a yummy oreo treat!
