Day 1 - California Reopening Plan - Phase 2

Phase 1 of the California 4-phase plan is “everyone is either staying at home or a member of the essential workforce.” Phase 1 ended today.

Phase 2 consists of reopening lower risk workplaces, including a) non-essential manufacturing (toys, furniture, clothing, etc.); b) schools; c) childcare facilities; d) retail businesses for curbside pick-up; and e) offices where working remotely isn't possible, but can be modified to make the environment safer for employees.

According to Governor Newsom, the “curve is flattened” and we have now entered Phase 2. Virtually nothing has changed for L. and I and our days remain largely the same, although I’m happy for the businesses that are allowed to open. Schools, though? All schools in California were shut down for the rest of the school year months ago and they remain closed. L. still won’t go to prom or attend graduation - I’m still teaching virtually.

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L. and I booked a spa retreat at the Enchantment Resort, in Sedona, AZ, last year, and we are scheduled to go soon. I find out today that the spa is closed, along with their cafe and juice bar. I will have to look into my refund options. This is devastating news for both of us and I’m sure my depression is coming through in today’s blog…

8:30-9:30 - the dog is calling me. We go outside and I give her cheese. I go back to bed, drink my Hydroflask of water and listen to The Daily.

10:00 - 11:00 - downstairs and I get my coffee and head to my home office for personal administrative paperwork. I have clothes and books to donate, but Goodwill and my favorite indie-bookstore are closed until further notice. I call a women’s shelter in my community and they will take both items. I’ll drop them off on Monday, since they close at 1:00 and on weekends.

I have old cans of paint that my ex left when he moved away. Since there are no haz-mat drop offs scheduled anytime soon, I call Waste Management and they tell me they will cart them away as long as I put sand in the paint cans.

I apply for summer session at my local community college so I can audit a French II course in the summer and receive my date/time to register (5/14/20)

I check my accounts and make sure all paychecks went in - then I make a credit card payment.

I follow up on a refund all Liberty Mutual insurance customers are supposed to receive as a result of Covid-19 - still not there.

My engine light came on and I need an oil change so I print out coupons I found online for Jiffy Lube.

I place an order through Walmart.com for Simple Green so I can clean the astroturf where my dog does her business; zip ties for a few of my vines; a paint brush roller to finish L.’s bathroom; AND a state-of-the-art “forehead” thermometer. Yes, it may sound hard to believe, but we have no thermometer in our home. According to the Walmart website, there were only two left, so I bought it.

11:00-11:30 - I get dressed and leave for my therapy session.

12:00-12:30 - As always, it is great talking to my therapist and we discuss how I’m dealing with the pandemic.

1:00-4:00 - Home and L. and her friend, N., leave to go pick up their cap-and-gowns for the graduation that they will never attend. None of the students were able to get a refund for the cap-and-gowns they purchased several months ago. L., a straight-A student, was going to graduate in gold. It is heartbreaking to see these things knowing she will never wear them, but she actually doesn’t care. I listen to Vox - The Weeds and the New York Times Book Review and Start Here.

Yesterday, L. and I learned that our favorite Tea restaurant was open for take-out and we excitedly planned to place an order today; however, when L. called, the owner had changed her mind and said she would NOT be doing take-out because it was not financially conducive. We have been going there for 15 years…

I read the news then go to work (telecommuting), checking email from my state job and responding to questions about my cases. I make sure my high school students were able to watch last night’s video and complete the video quiz. No crises from my college students on the other side.

L. returns with a small can of paint for her bathroom ceiling.

4:00-5:00 - I make a garlic-basil couscous with stir-fry vegetables for dinner.

5:00-6:00 - L.’s bike tire is flat and her friend, M.’s, dad said that he could fix it if we pull the tire off the bike and bring it to his house. We try everything, but can not “break” the second bolt’s seal. I can tell she’s disappointed and she retires to her room. I join her and suggest we call the bike shop in our area. They are actually open and we make an appointment to fix the flat tomorrow - it will allegedly take 15 minutes. I pray that I can fit the bike in the back seat of my Toyota Corolla.

6:45-7:30 - I go for a bike ride. I listen to Market Place and PBS News Hour Segments.

7:30-8:00 - I take the dog for a walk. I listen to Today Explained.

8:00-10:00 - My succulents are doing poorly and I can’t figure out why. Upon closer inspection, it appears that I’m not watering them enough, although two plants are not getting enough sun. I move two plants into better sunlit areas, then water some of my other plants, followed by yard work, raking and sweeping. I listen to NPR Politics - Weekly Roundup.

11:00-12:30 - I take a shower, wash and condition my hair, then braid it. I do my night time routine and have a glass of champagne. I paint my nails because, why not?

12:45-1:45 - L. and I watch the last episode of McMillions. We finally find out how Uncle Jerry stole the winning game pieces.

2:00 a.m. - Bed