December - 2020

I've been missing in action since Thanksgiving.   Covid got me, unfortunately.  The prison has mandatory testing for staff and inmates every Monday.   I tested on Monday the 30th and received my results on Tuesday the 1st at about 8:30 pm - when my supervisor called me.   I actually argued with her when she told me; I was feeling absolutely zero symptoms.  Who knows where I even picked it up; I've been uber careful wearing PPE, washing hands, socially distancing.  Guess it doesn't matter now, does it.  

I started my 10 day quarantine and was feeling great - until Wednesday evening. Holy smokes!   The symptoms hit me like a Mack truck! Snuffy nose, intense headache, body aches and extreme fatigue! I did telecommute Thursday and Friday (1/2 day), but quite honestly, I was not burning up the keyboard with productivity.  This weekend has been hot fluids, couch, and Netflix movies.(Side note, you must simply watch The Queens Gambit if you haven't already done so!)

 I have some outstanding friends - they're checking in on me  regularly through phone calls and texts, which is nice and very much welcomed.  One of my yoga students is so kind and thoughtful - she asked if she could provide a meal for Tom and I tonight.  How nice is that?  She was straight up an said "it's pure comfort food!"   Yesssss please!  (Screw the diet!)  :)

Per the state of ND guidelines - Tom is, of course, quarantined for the 10 days that I'm quarantined plus another 14 days after that - which lands him on Christmas Eve.  He's rather stubborn though and has his own opinion of what his quarantine should be.   He's choosing to follow the new CDC guidelines issued - ironically - the day we started quarantine - of If, after 5 days and a negative test, quarantine can end on day 7.   He's feeling well, so far, and quite bored.   He's been going out to the farm, morning and evening, to check on the farm, feed the cats, and enjoy getting out of the house.   Other than eating meals together (at a safe distance), he's been staying downstairs in his man cave, and I have been upstairs.  Hopefully, with his age and health concerns, he doesn't get Covid.

My brother Terry also tested positive on Wednesday.  No, I haven't been in contact with him.  So, Marna and Blaine are home quarantining with him,  Blaine had some issues with his apartment last week (water damage), so my brother has been in town every day cleaning and purging affected items - even though he has Covid.  His symptoms are fatigue and loss of taste and smell.  It's amazing how this virus affects everyone differently.  My sister Peggy had it and she had zero symptoms!  I have a co-worker( underlying health conditions) in the hospital ICU on a ventilator and in an induced coma.    At work we were given the chance to decide if we want the vaccine when it comes to ND (one of first pilot states when the vaccine is released).  At first I was hesitant and replied no to the survey, but now I believe I was hasty in my decision.  I'm going to see if I can still get on the list to receive the vaccine.

Today I am feeling 50% better and have energy to move off the couch.  I may bundle up and go for a walk around the park this afternoon.    So far, we do not have any snow on the ground and the temperatures are gorgeous ...today it's 49 degrees!   I'll take it!   As many days/months that we can take without snow the shorter the winter becomes.   

Stay warm, stay safe blog stalkers!