Dear ones, welcome to this month’s “A Very Special Coronavirus Edition: Where Bloggers Live, 04.2020,” because, well, this is everyone’s reality right now. We had planned to talk about our work spaces at home…not necessarily work from home spaces as imposed upon us by Covid-19. But the areas in our home where we do our blogging. And the tools, apps, etc., we use to create our posts. That post will be bumped to May. And today, instead, we are talking about the affect of the coronavirus on our lives, our community.
Where Bloggers Live
This fun series is kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…with bloggers! Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and see inside people’s homes and lives? Last month we talked about our states. You can read about my beloved Lone Star State, here. In the coming months, this group of 7 bloggers will be sharing our homes, outdoor spaces and kitchens.
Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click or make a purchase from a link provided I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
A Very Special Coronavirus Edition
It seems most everyone I follow has dedicated at least one post lately to Covid-19. I probably mentioned it most in my Sentence a Day 03.2020 post. But before that, not so much. Time to catch up now.
Ways Covid-19 is Affecting My Community
The City of El Paso has created a webpage entitled El Paso Strong where citizens can go for information on all things Covid-19. The home page explains how the virus is contracted, its symptoms, prevention and where to get help if you think you’ve come down with coronavirus. From there, users can easily navigate to read health authority orders, press releases, and FAQs.
There is a results page that updates daily the number of cases in the El Paso city and county, the number of negative test results, how many hospital beds, ICU beds, even ventilators are available in the area. As I am preparing this post, El Paso has 153 people testing positive with Covid-19, the most cases are among citizens in their 30s, and those affected are divided almost exactly between men and women.
Cases Mapped Out
For a short time we had a map of the city divided by zip code that indicated which areas were reporting the greatest number of positive test results. I had to laugh. Our home is in the far northeast part of the city. Many El Pasoans look down their noses at the ‘northeast.’ It is kind of the stepchild of the El Paso area…cheaper homes, traditionally more gang activity, fewer shopping and dining out opportunities BUT the best views in the city!!
The ‘west side’ is generally thought to be the more affluent part of town but my daughter’s zip code on the west side had 3 times the cases of coronavirus that my zip code in the northeast had!! We must be doing something right over here. Guess we know how to wash our hands.
I noticed the cases by zip code map is no longer available to view. The city has replaced it with this map.
Our first presumptive case of Covid-19 was announced on 03.13.2020, the day I flew to Kentucky to be with mom. Thankful that in a city of our low socio-economic demographic, with a population of more than 682,000, we only have 153 cases and at the time of this writing, no deaths attributed to Covid-19.
Restrictions Currently in Place
In the 3 weeks since the first case was identified, restrictions have been put into place then amended several times. On 04.01.2020, with 68 cases reported, here are some of the restrictions that were implemented.
- All individuals living within the City of El Paso are directed to stay at home or at their place of residence. Exceptions are allowed if they are performing essential duties, working in an essential business, government, etc.
- Public and Private gatherings of any number of people are prohibited.
Openings and Closures
- Any travel is restricted to approved activities. Anyone returning from travel of 100 miles or more outside the City must self-quarantine for 14 days. PC has a document that he must carry with him that shows he is ‘mission essential personnel’ on Ft. Bliss.
- Bars, lounges, taverns, arcades and night clubs, gyms, libraries, museums, clothing stores are all closed. A number of restaurants have gone to pick-up or delivery of items on their menus. We haven’t tried anything except ordering pizza for delivery and picking up Subway sandwiches. Grocery stores, home improvement stores and businesses like dollar stores where groceries, toiletries and sundries are also sold remain open but patrons are limited in number by an employee monitoring the entrances.
- State parks and hiking trails are still open. But patrons are reminded to: maintain at least 6 feet of social distance from others; choose less populated parks and trails; not park in a crowded parking lot or use a crowded trail; wash hands before and after each visit.
- Adult and child daycare is available only for family members to enable employees who are deemed essential personnel to work as permitted. Because Francisco is a doctor, Lucia could be attending daycare now but the kids have chosen to keep her home since about the first week of March.
Personal Safety
- Wearing masks is strongly encouraged around the city. On Ft. Bliss, where PC works, personnel are required to wear face masks. Social distancing is in effect everywhere. Banks are closed with the exception of drive-through services or by appointment only with bank personnel. Schools have been closed since the children went out on spring break on 03.16.2020. And will remain closed across the state until 05.04.2020, at which time the situation will be re-evaluated. This order just came across our landline, television and cell phones as I am typing this post.
What I’m Doing Differently
- Most significantly, I am staying at home. Have only been to the grocery store and to the postal annex.
- Wearing a mask when I do go into a public place. I had an old N95 mask from a box we bought when PC had an upper respiratory infection a few years ago. Then Lauren ordered us both new N95 masks. Can you see me sporting my mask on the security screen in the photo below?
- Washing my hands longer and more often. I have a small bottle of hand sanitizer attached to my purse, and wipes in my purse. But when I am home I wash my hands with bar soap. Thinking it might be a good idea to wear plastic gloves when going into public areas.
- Taking off our shoes, spraying them with Lysol, leaving them in the garage for several days. Both of us really prefer wearing shoes indoors to going barefoot or sock-footed. We have switched to wearing crocs (PC) and flip-flops (me) in the house for the time being.
- Washing my hair more frequently. That might seem strange but I usually only wash it twice a week. Now, if I have been out in public, I want to wash my hair and shower when I get home. Oh, and change clothes, too.
How am I filling my time?
Trying to tackle a mix of chores sprinkling between them with some of the hobbies I most enjoy.
For Starters…
- Blogging. And blog reading. Trying to keep to my blog schedule that I put together the first of the year.
- Quiet time. Almost every morning. Using several books for my devotional and enjoying aromatherapy. Doing some journaling, too.
- Crafting. Made 2 spring or Easter crafts this week. Some spring frames to hold photos of my grands in their Easter outfits (when I get the pictures from my girls). And some Easter cutlery wrapped up to look like carrots.
And…
- Reading. Started our online book club’s latest book, Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown. Finishing listening to The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy.
- Scrapbooking. In particular, my granddaughters’ births. This is a wellness goal. Not scrapbooking their births but doing an artistic activity weekly.
Followed By…
- Cleaning, decluttering, organizing our home. I always do spring cleaning this time of year. But concentrating on organizing, neaten some of my storage solutions, closets, this year. Following Taylor’s 52 week decluttering schedule, here.
- Working out. We are walking every day, riding bikes, doing some online videos for seniors (not 12th graders), and running in the nieghborhood.
- Yard work. Pulling weeds. Cleaning and brushing the pool. Hoping we can afford new patio furniture.
Finally…
- Helping Cady with homeschooling. Cadence is in the 4th grade and her school district is taking this homeschooling stuff very seriously. Poor baby has hours of assignments. I have helped some with science and math…I know, that is crazy, right? And we have just finished our first book together. She has also played Barbies for me. Cady calls it putting on a show for me. She plays and I watch. And interact with her Barbies by asking them questions.
- Playing with Cia and stalking Cami. I have watched Cia in the tub several times during the quarantine, and played dinosaurs with her once (we both had plastic dinosaurs and they hung out with each other via Facetime). Cami just lies there most of the time. Always looking adorable, of course. Although she is learning to roll over. But mostly, Cami is just adorable.
And Winding Up With…
- Supporting and encouraging my mom, mother-in-law and father-in-law with their personal crises. This week I arranged mom’s new personal care apartment via text message and phone call and photos. And today she was released from rehab to her apartment today. My brother snapped this photo outside her apartment window.
Favorite Memes
Have your social media feeds blown up with coronavirus safety tips, prayers, quarantine fill-in-the-blanks, and funny memes? Mine have. And most of the time, I read the tips, send up the prayers, fill in the blanks and laugh at the memes. But some days, when I feel weary from all of this, I ignore all of the above. So, I am going to share a few memes I found funny but will totally get it if you just pass right over them.
Or less!
I am thinking maybe we could sleep in the guest room and feel like we are staying at a bed and breakfast.
That one really made me giggle.
Your Turn
So, how are you hanging in, guys? If you were writing this post, what restrictions would be impacting your life? How are you filling your days? How many cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in your community? Hope you will take a minute to visit the blogs of the other gals in this great group.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Julia at When the Girls Rule
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Since I started this post, our number of cases has gone from 153 yesterday to 192 today, Wednesday, 04.08.2020.
[source]
The cases in my area of town have gone from 3 to 12. No more gloating for me. State parks are closed. And this policy was just released for the wearing of face masks on Ft. Bliss.
[source]
Had high hopes of having the kids over for Easter but it looks like won’t be possible. It will ham and all the trimmings for two. But I still hope we can get dressed up for dinner and enjoy Easter church service online. Wishing you a blessed Easter or Passover or long weekend. Stay healthy, sweet friends.
Hugs and kisses,
Juhli
Sounds like you are now in the same situation that we are in but with more projects and hobbies. My husband is doing better at finding things to do than I am but he is more solitary than I am so not missing activities with others as much. Our city and county’s reporting details has continued to evolve too. Stay well!
Kellyann Rohr
Bwhahahahaha, that floor plan “travel plans for the weekend” – ha!!!! Love seeing your beautiful granddaughters and that little baby Cami is just so precious. Times are definitely different but glad to see most of us are doing our part! Your mom looks good! Have a great weekend and Happy Easter my friend!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
How is your mama hanging in with this lockdown business? Hope you are able to see her some or at least Facetime with her. Wish my mom could just do that
but it would make her crazy trying to figure out the technology. Thank you for the sweet words about my grands. I love them so. Best job ever.
Iris
Sounds like you’ve got it under control. I guess everyone’s Easter plans have been cancelled or changed. I’ll be watching my church service online – and am blessed to be able to see my son’s service (he’s in Iowa) also. I miss hearing him preach. So, there are silver linings. Take care of yourself.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
How wonderful to be able to watch your son’s service across country! For our Easter Sunday, our 3 pastors shared the preaching responsibilities and that was something they couldn’t have done in real life, so the online service was special that way.
Em
Oh, the memes! I will definitely be circulating the travel plans… my kiddos are feeling very confined, and tbh, they are!
I love how you are visiting with your beautiful granddaughters! Playing with them via FaceTime is genius! I might break out my Barbies and dial up my great-nieces today!
My daughter likewise suggested getting dressed for Easter and “attending” TV Mass together. I think we may give that a go as well.
Glad you and your family are safe!
xoxo
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Have thought of you so often. Glad to know you all are well. I had big plans to dress up and carry on for Easter but that morning, I decided it was just silly to get dressed up to eat tamales, just the 2 of us. The ham is in the freezer until life settles down again. Then we can all get dressed up and celebrate.
Nancy
I saw this morning on the news that there were services, church, online everywhere. I hope it feels a bit the same. This is my 4th week in lock down and I’m getting used to it. Gerben is also at home, he has care leave. I’m glad you and your family are okay, that’s the most important thing right now. To stay safe. Enjoy your Easter weekend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Nancy. We listened to church on Easter Sunday while eating doughnuts.
Liz Klebba
You gave me the best laugh in days with the Lentiest Lent meme, and the Weekend travel. I may go bananas and even go to the garage, but I might need to find my passport for that one! I saw the haircolor meme a few weeks ago, but that one doesn’t worry me! 😉
Since Mama lives with us, we’ve pretty much been in lockdown for the past four weeks, except for trips to pick up groceries and prescriptions. Now we’ve been asked to wear masks, but there aren’t any to be had, so I went to the grocery store in a bandanna. I was losing my mind by the time I finished checking out. I need to find a better way!
Wishing you peace, joy, and health in abundance this Easter, Leslie! XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for the sweet wishes, Liz. Glad your mom is safely living with you. It is really hard on my mom not being able to see anyone she knows for days on end. My brother can at least stand outside her window these days and wave but she can’t hear him as he tries to talk to her from outside.
The masks kind of give me the creeps and I find myself wanting to touch my face all the more. Have some more masks on order that I hope will be less annoying to wear.
Kimberly F Malkiewicz
Happy Easter! Your grand girls are adorable. I know what you mean about “playing” via video chats, haha! Soo, glad your mom got relocated safely. The lockdown has me going nutty. I do the best I can.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You sure looked amazing in your recent Instagram photos. Wouldn’t have suspected your were going a little nutty. I have good days and bad. Seems that as the weekend approaches I start to get bummed. Going to try to keep my spirits up this weekend. Stay well.
Donna Connolly
Happy Easter, Leslie. Thank you for the great catchup. It’s interesting to see what different preventative measures different governments are using.
Stay safe!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I think it is interesting to see how different communities are implementing restrictions and warnings, and safety measures, too.
Daenel T.
The floor plan made me giggle.
I’m happy to read that you and your family are doing well. You guys are always in my prayers. I know how much you tend to your mom, so I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. Stay well and keep those hobbies going.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I thought the floor plan vacation map was fun. We might sleep in a guest room at home just to feel like we’ve gone somewhere. Ha!!
Sure appreciate your prayers. This has been a tough time with my mom. Sent her a Walmart order today because she can’t get them to
give her anything to drink between meals. Poor baby!
Bettye L Rainwater
While you are not there with her, you must be so relieved that your Mom can return to her home.
I always feel a little guilty when I chuckle, but I HAVE been enjoying the covid memes 🙂
I guess everyone’s doing pretty much the same thing everywhere right now.
Stay safe!
Bettye
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I think we are all kind of secretly or not so secretly enjoying some of these quieter days and the slower pace. At least those of us who are not having to work from home while homeschooling a family of children. I feel quilty laughing at the Covid memes, at times, too, but sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying.
Debbie Harris
It was so interesting, and reassuring as well, to read your post Leslie. This virus is having the same impact on everyone’s lives around the world. I love you playing barbies with Cady, and connecting with Cami while watching that adorable baby roll around! You sound like you’re keeping busy and I agree some of the memes are very clever and funny! we have. anew thing here in Australia, with people taking their bins out and getting dressed up to doit as the bins go out more than people these days :). It’s so funny to see the efforts some go to! I’m glad your mum is settled now and I too worry about my mother and mother-in-law who both live alone in locations many hours drive away from us. Take care Leslie and stay in touch 🧡
jodie filogomo
Bummer…I was going to say how nice the parks are still open, and then boom…that changes.
I have to admit that at least we can connect with our loved ones with the virtual technology. That makes it better for sure.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank goodness for technology. Glad your moms are safe where they are.
Laura Bambrick
You seem to be doing a great job of staying busy and having many things to do while on the stay at home order. You have some great ideas about staying ‘clean’ too. I didn’t think about washing my hair after grocery shopping but it really makes sense. I will do that now. You are really doing a wonderful job of interacting with your granddaughters over facetime! I love the barbie idea and how you help with schoolwork. I wonder if my oldest would work better for her grandma than me? I should give it a try this week!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You could have grandma step in to help with school now and then. I think it is good for the kids and the parents to have someone else step in to help. I am probably not as strict with Cady as her mom and dad would be, but I think she wants to please me, too, so doesn’t buck or complain as much with me. The commissary practically had us bathing before going in today. I unpacked all of my groceries in the garage, threw out the bags, and wiped down all of the groceries. Hope I am doing enough. Stay well, my friend.
Dara
Isn’t it crazy how things are constantly changing? In the beginning I wrote a post that I had to edit like 20 times because of the things that were changing every few hours. I love that you are helping your granddaughter’s with their assignments. Simon is in 4th grade too. He doesn’t have a lot of school to do and I wish he had more to keep him busy! I hope you can make the most of Easter today. Maybe virtually sharing your meal with your family!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Easter wound up being very lonely. How was your Passover? I have saved all of the food for a celebration when we are released from virus restrictions. Cady has a lot of school work it seems. Poor baby. I am trying to read with her so she can have the success of finishing some books during this time.
Jill
That floorplan meme is hilarious! Can you imagine going through this without the technology we have today? Your grandchildren are precious! I’m glad you’re able to help with Cady’s schoolwork! Stay healthy and safe!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, thank goodness for technology. If we could find a way to ‘see’ mom, then all would be well for now. My brother is finally able to go to the window of her new apartment in personal care and yell at her through the glass. And he sends us pictures. But there is much that needs to be done in her new apartment. I just wish I could have an afternoon to be with her and get things set up.
Joanne Long
I returned on March 18 from Mexico. I was quarantined for 2 weeks. Monsieur stayed in a hotel for this time because he is older and has some respiratory issues. I did not develop
the virus and Oaxaca seems to have few cases. It might be that they don’t test as much.
I stay home except to walk in the sunshine and look at the spring flowers. I’ve been tidying and extending household chores, reading, revisiting travel photos, posting on Instagram
and I finally was able to start a new blog. I have not been able to link my old blog but perhaps I will get some help when healthier days return.
In British Columbia, our “curve is flattening” We have fewer new cases and many recoveries
but we are warned that this is not the time to relax social distancing. Our parks and trails
are closed. We are asked to avoid travel but we have no penalties right now. We order food from restaurants about once a week. We order groceries to be delivered.
My church is in constant contact at this time. Facebook, Zoom, and Youtube besides a telephone tree for older folk. The minister is creative and engaged. I’m just listening to BBC
radio. It seems that Spain is relaxing a bit. I hope that we do not open up too soon.
Hope you had a peaceful Easter.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
So very glad to hear from you and to know you are well. Will add your new blog to my Bloglovin’ reads. Have missed your voice.
We live across the border, the Rio Grande, from Juarez, Mexico and for the longest time, they have reported almost no cases of
the virus. And then this week – BAM! Not sure if testing became available or they decided to ‘come clean.’ Our shelter in place
has been extended through mid-May so I am afraid we are in for a longer haul than some. Glad your minister is so creative and clever.
Ours has been doing online services which we have enjoyed with a Sunday morning doughnut.
Stay well, my friend.
Bojana
Life is definitely different at the moment, isn’t it. We are testing around 700-800 people a DAY with a total population of 1 M and so far we have just short of 300 cases. We spend our days in the house, both my husband and I are working, while I am also trying to keep up with the kids school work. It sounds like your granddaughters school is taking it pretty intensely, where we are mostly focusing here on literacy and math. It’s not equatable for all children in our city of course as many do not have technology to actually access the school work. That breaks my heart. There is a lot of life learning that my children are getting from this experience so even as an educator, I feel the supplementary plan is good enough. It’s difficult for parents to support school work when they themselves have various barriers (such a working full time, finical difficulties, education levels, lack of technology, multiple children, etc.). Your granddaughter is soooooo lucky to have you.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Awww, sweet friend, thank you for the kind words. I am glad to help my granddaughter and may wind up having her come stay for a bit once we know if she will return to school this year or not. It is hard to work from home, and home school, and parent, and do all the other things a mommy/wife has to do. We are up to almost 400 cases today. And they just announced the restrictions will continue in place until 05.17.