In Uncertain Times

Our Current Situation

Unless you've been living under a rock, our world is now facing a pandemic of a virus that is killing people in the thousands every single day. Our state governor recently issued a "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" mandate starting today at midnight. We are to practice "social distancing" by staying home unless we need to get essentials like food, gas, supplies, etc. On this note, please DO NOT buy more than you need. There are others out there - especially those in the medical field - that need it much more.

Working from home in sweats - YES.

While I had some warning about what our governor was planning on doing, I made the necessary preparations in case our state went into some kind of lock-down. 

I saved files I'm working on onto my desktop.  I made sure with our IT that my remote connection on my laptop worked.  I grabbed my physical files and books from my office - items that would help me at home.  I sanitized my desk and phone to ensure I wouldn't be leaving my germs and mess behind.  Our cleaning lady has been diligently coming by to clean our work stations. 

Now that we have confirmation from our governor, I am working from home until things die down. 

The Negatives

Over the past month, I've heard several comments - selfish comments, quite honestly - from people that weren't taking this issue seriously.  People were completely pissed that we had to cut down our gatherings to under 250 people then on to 10 people.  All for completely selfish reasons because their "fun" was being shit on.  Waa...waaa....waaaa.  Cry me a river.  Y'all have your whole lives to hang out and 2 (or so) weeks is minuscule compared to that.  So calm the hell down.

In the media, we've all witnessed evil emerge from the shadows in the form of racist and/or ignorant attacks.  Unfortunately, with how some people are thinking - whether by their own ignorance or simply being misinformed, it will become chaotic.  Do your research folks.

In my makeshift office

Because I work for a company that provides essential services to the public, our office is still open; however, our office workers (thankfully) have the ability to work from home.  Again, another one of the many blessings in my life I am grateful for in this time of crisis. 

With Negatives, come the Positives

It's only been a few days that I've been working from home and I'm seeing some positives already.  Like other states, my kids' schools are shut down and, with the help of their teachers, I am doing my best to keep them up-to-date with their lessons.  I've also added a special "life lessons" course where I teach them about "adulting"  - things like cooking, cleaning as well as writing checks, current events, etc.  Some may think it unnecessary but I feel like it's good random information to have.

This time at home has certainly brought us closer together and have definitely posed its challenges...sometimes, my patience wanes when trying to help the kids with their schoolwork (God Bless teachers and regular home-school parents) but we are learning to work as a team and I am forcing myself to do things slower.  More home-cooked meals are being prepared so that we can eat healthier.  The kids are well-fed and are seldom having packaged (mostly junk) foods.  I've never been one to love cooking but I do find it sort of therapeutic after experiencing the (somewhat) mundane act of working from home.  I am also tackling the messy pile of paperwork by my bed and organizing areas that badly need it.  It's awesome!  HAHA!

School is STILL in session

Stay home...PLEASE!

While some (despite the state mandate) are irritated some of us are working from home, I can bet most of us are making a decision to stay put for the sake of our children and elders, our pregnant friends and families, as well as those that don't have quite the strong immune systems that the rest of us are blessed with.  And, if you did NOT know ...any one of us could be a carrier of the virus with absolutely NO symptoms but can still spread it to someone else.  Don't chance it and stay inside!  The more we can stay put, the better chance the rest of us can stay healthy.  Save a life!

With this said, I'd like to take a moment to say a huge "THANK YOU!" to those who are currently out there tending to the sick, that are helping us to live our daily lives, and that are giving to those who are in need.  Stay safe wherever you are and be kind, always.

~XOXO, Mari