The cats woke me early, then allowed me to go back to sleep after feeding them. Have you ever had a hair-headache? It's nowhere near as heinous as a migraine, but it is directly under the scalp and behind the sinuses. I've been battling one of those for a while today.
I have started a scrapbook project, which I worked on late yesterday evening. I also baked a sweet/rich chocolate cake and a loaf of bread this afternoon. I still have two books in the Koji Suzuki "Ring" series to finish, and I have a Delores Redondo book waiting in the wings. I also set up a retro-gaming station in the dining room, which I took advantage of this evening.
We're in the midst of dinner and Star Trek (an episode of DS9, then an episode of VOY). I wish that I enjoyed cooking (and eating) just a little bit less than I do.
That's all for now. I'll post again tomorrow.
Be well, fellow Introverts.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Indoor Cat: Day Five
It was easy to chalk today up to moving and moving activities. I relocated my craft area from our front/laundry room to the master bedroom. I have a large blue desk that Romeyn gave to me years ago. It readily accommodated my main crafting materials, while two separate storage furnishings added the rest of the space that I needed.
The front/laundry room will now be a work area ready for use by my younger stepson. He has been shifted to 100% online learning for the remainder of his senior year (Spring 2020 semester). We were going to start planning his graduation party, but with the current concerns about the pandemic, I can't in good faith plan any such gathering (at least, not yet).
In the course of my cleaning/moving activities, I unearthed a huge amount of yarn that I haven't used, much less planned to use anytime soon. The timing just hasn't been right. I have what is known as "Wear and Tear" Arthritis (bilateral hands). I've been encouraged to limit the use of my hands in such detailed/repetitive motions outside of my regular work.
I did wind up driving Romeyn to Tire & Auto today, to pick up our second car. I haven't enjoyed driving that much in almost fifteen years. I learned how to drive when I was around 26-27 years old. Remember that first drive by yourself? Regardless of any other considerations in your life, the first solo drive is the most liberating drive.
Other than this brief foray into society (and yes, the attitude of the traffic in town was "GET OUT OF MY WAY I AM GOING HOME"), I have still played the role of Indoor Cat in our household.
Be well, fellow Introverts.
The front/laundry room will now be a work area ready for use by my younger stepson. He has been shifted to 100% online learning for the remainder of his senior year (Spring 2020 semester). We were going to start planning his graduation party, but with the current concerns about the pandemic, I can't in good faith plan any such gathering (at least, not yet).
In the course of my cleaning/moving activities, I unearthed a huge amount of yarn that I haven't used, much less planned to use anytime soon. The timing just hasn't been right. I have what is known as "Wear and Tear" Arthritis (bilateral hands). I've been encouraged to limit the use of my hands in such detailed/repetitive motions outside of my regular work.
I did wind up driving Romeyn to Tire & Auto today, to pick up our second car. I haven't enjoyed driving that much in almost fifteen years. I learned how to drive when I was around 26-27 years old. Remember that first drive by yourself? Regardless of any other considerations in your life, the first solo drive is the most liberating drive.
Other than this brief foray into society (and yes, the attitude of the traffic in town was "GET OUT OF MY WAY I AM GOING HOME"), I have still played the role of Indoor Cat in our household.
Be well, fellow Introverts.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Indoor Cat: Day Four
 |
| Ahhh! Middle Aged Lady Dancing!!! |
You haven't truly had an Indoor Cat experience until you've scared the pantaloons off of the neighborhood squirrels.
I suppose that the sight of a middle-aged lady bouncing around to Zumba DVDs is somewhat frightening, especially to a little rodent attempting to forage on the back deck (with a clear view of the Zumba through the sliding door into the dining room).
I have to say, however, that it provides me with great entertainment when I accidentally surprise a squirrel. Their reactions are soooo funny and cute. The reactions I love go like this: "*Surprise* !!!! *JAZZ PAWS!!!* *SCATTER, SQUIRRELS, SCATTER!*"
This series of reactions brings to mind the Noh-reminiscent acting of my cats when a vacuum cleaner is in the vicinity. They run right up to it, then get super scared (think E. Munch, or Macaulay Caulkin's emotive expressions), then run away as quickly as they can.
I am still greatly reassured by the presence of my younger stepson. Given my druthers, I'd also have Brady here with us, but he left the nest quite a while ago. Romeyn is quite braver than I am...he's been the designated Traveler for a few days (stores, meetings on site, etc.). I'm having to content myself with indoor activities, including the sipping of fine tea.
Be well, fellow Introverts...
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Indoor Cat: Day 3
The cats are supremely unhappy that I am home but mostly unavailable for cat-cuddling during the day. Luckily, I've taken the afternoon off today. I did quite a lot in the morning hours, and I felt it was time to rest a bit.
My in laws called to make sure we're doing okay here. I explained that we are fine, but I'm certain that my younger stepson is disappointed that he had to move home to complete the semester online. Personally, I am very glad for the company. Who knew that I would miss the in-person interactions of work so acutely? Certainly not me. I also shared with them my personal philosophy re: worrying about a situation--most of the time, if Romeyn is not worried, I feel safe relaxing my guard. Not to say that we're not worried about the pandemic (everyone is worried about the pandemic), but I'm not letting it dominate my thoughts 24/7.
I ran the breadmaker this morning, and the resulting loaf is somewhat dense, yet very tasty. I sliced the bread and bagged it for use this week (or for freezing - and using another time). I may run the machine again tomorrow. Running it twice in one day seems excessive.
Although I do plan to work out at some point today, relaxation seems advisable at the moment.
Be well, fellow Introverts...
My in laws called to make sure we're doing okay here. I explained that we are fine, but I'm certain that my younger stepson is disappointed that he had to move home to complete the semester online. Personally, I am very glad for the company. Who knew that I would miss the in-person interactions of work so acutely? Certainly not me. I also shared with them my personal philosophy re: worrying about a situation--most of the time, if Romeyn is not worried, I feel safe relaxing my guard. Not to say that we're not worried about the pandemic (everyone is worried about the pandemic), but I'm not letting it dominate my thoughts 24/7.
I ran the breadmaker this morning, and the resulting loaf is somewhat dense, yet very tasty. I sliced the bread and bagged it for use this week (or for freezing - and using another time). I may run the machine again tomorrow. Running it twice in one day seems excessive.
Although I do plan to work out at some point today, relaxation seems advisable at the moment.
Be well, fellow Introverts...
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Indoor Cat: 2nd Full Day
 |
| Um, Excuse Me... |
I made a lot of progress on a long-term project today. I also have drafts of several reports/lists that are in review for final submission. I do believe that I am more productive at home than I am able to be when I'm in my office on Campus.
I'm a little stir-crazy now, at the end of the day. This is clearly due to skipping lunchtime Zumba. I will work out later today.
Be well, fellow Introverts...
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Day 1.25 of Being an "Indoor Cat"
Governor Cuomo ordered those in State service who can work at home to work at home starting today. I actually received medical release to work from home at 2PM on Monday.
My goal (as difficult as it will be) is to stay completely indoors as much as possible during this time. That means no visiting stores, no picking up food, no outdoor time of any kind.
I'm finding it challenging to work ten feet away from my kitchen. I have been known to stress-eat, and it's taking a lot of willpower to avoid eating All The Things.
Work itself is relatively unchanged from when I was in the office in person. I do a lot with data comparisons and reporting--most if not all of this is available online (some things I have to Virtual Private Network in to get access to, but otherwise...no change).
I have started to do Zumba during lunch. I still have a bunch of Zumba DVDs from my brief stint as an instructor a few years ago.
It is excellent to be Type-A in this situation. My reliance on routines has kept me a bit saner with all of the strangeness and unpredictability of the current situation.
Be well, fellow Introverts.
My goal (as difficult as it will be) is to stay completely indoors as much as possible during this time. That means no visiting stores, no picking up food, no outdoor time of any kind.
I'm finding it challenging to work ten feet away from my kitchen. I have been known to stress-eat, and it's taking a lot of willpower to avoid eating All The Things.
Work itself is relatively unchanged from when I was in the office in person. I do a lot with data comparisons and reporting--most if not all of this is available online (some things I have to Virtual Private Network in to get access to, but otherwise...no change).
I have started to do Zumba during lunch. I still have a bunch of Zumba DVDs from my brief stint as an instructor a few years ago.
It is excellent to be Type-A in this situation. My reliance on routines has kept me a bit saner with all of the strangeness and unpredictability of the current situation.
Be well, fellow Introverts.
Monday, March 16, 2020
Vira, Viruses, or Viri?
I've been negatively affected by the hype surrounding the very real issues of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is to say that I fully realize that me freaking out is not a big problem in the grand scheme of things. I am relatively healthy (damn these colds, but otherwise I'm good), my family members are (by and large) in safe-ish places, and we were able to find a nice bit of antibacterial soap over the last few days. As long as I wash hands and follow general hygiene guidelines, I should be okay.
The issue here (for me, anyway...) is that I have been OCD for a long long long time. So...my hands are chapped/bleeding from all the hand washing, and I haven't had hands this chapped since I was nine years old (the vintage of my OCD diagnosis). This bothers me for a number of reasons. It's uncomfortable, I'm going through a ton of band-aids and moisturizers, and the compulsive hand-washing behavior dredges up some of the less-than-savory parts of my mental health history.
I'm freaked out, but if a little trip down bad-memory lane is the worst thing I endure as a part of this pandemic, I should count my blessings. So many people can say that they had interesting issues as children. It is not the end of the world for me to feel awkward.
Perspective, perspective, perspective...
Be well, fellow Introverts.
The issue here (for me, anyway...) is that I have been OCD for a long long long time. So...my hands are chapped/bleeding from all the hand washing, and I haven't had hands this chapped since I was nine years old (the vintage of my OCD diagnosis). This bothers me for a number of reasons. It's uncomfortable, I'm going through a ton of band-aids and moisturizers, and the compulsive hand-washing behavior dredges up some of the less-than-savory parts of my mental health history.
I'm freaked out, but if a little trip down bad-memory lane is the worst thing I endure as a part of this pandemic, I should count my blessings. So many people can say that they had interesting issues as children. It is not the end of the world for me to feel awkward.
Perspective, perspective, perspective...
Be well, fellow Introverts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)