Can I Speak to The Manager?

This is not the 2020 I ordered. I would like to return it and get a new virus-free version.

How are you doing?  I'm hanging in there. I'm at home this week and frankly, I'd really rather be at work, how about you?  While I currently have all the time in the day to read books, write and listen to podcasts, I'm having trouble focusing to do any of that.

I don't know if I am feeling more general anxiety because I spent the last nine months or so undergoing cancer treatments and now I'm feeling some PTSD or if I would have this same level of anxiety either way. I feel like my stress is higher than it would be if not for my cancer season.  Just a few weeks ago I was enjoying a comfort that had come from making peace with my 'new post-cancer normal'  and now here we are.

 Now suddenly we are living in a time for everyone everywhere to struggle with uncertainty everywhere. Will we have jobs? Will the kids go back to school?  and most importantly, Will I get sick? Will they get sick? How sick? And this one for me personally, is it possible when we were all sick in February that we already had COVID-19?  Will we ever know? How long does this go on?

A bunch of questions and no solid answers. This is why I've been busying myself with cleaning out cabinets and drawers as well as cooking. These are things I can control.  I am actually running out of nooks and crannies to clean. I'm on the brink of ordering paint to paint our bedroom. I should not do this. I'm not good at painting and it makes me cranky.   Today I am pledging to myself to stay away from any press conferences on my TV and to use my time to escape into an urban fantasy book.  If you can, I suggest doing the same.  If you are working please wash your hands as much as you can!

Yesterday, I wanted to use up leftover noodles and it was definitely time for comfort food so I tried to recreate a breakfast my Oma would make.   1. Cut up some thick-cut bacon and fry it in a pan. 2. Take out the bacon and fry a chopped onion in the pan for a couple minutes. 3. Add in leftover baked potatoes that you have cut up.  4. Stir for a couple minutes adding salt, pepper, and some thyme to taste. 5. Take your leftover noodles and toss those with breadcrumbs you have from stale bread. 6. put the noodles in the pan along with the bacon and cook it all together for about 4 minutes.  Then serve.

I used turkey bacon and added in some chopped yellow bell pepper I had leftover from the day before.  I made an egg over easy to top my noodle dish. I used a little oil in my skillet because I didn't have delicious bacon grease.

My Oma's was obviously better than my re-creation. But I will say this dish is a hearty breakfast and a good way to use leftovers!

Stay Healthy. Stay at home!

Let's Talk About Not Being in the Mood

I'm not in the mood to write; but, I figure the act of writing works like eight out of ten times when I run.  If I just start doing it, and stop thinking about doing it, then I'll be in the swing of it in no time.

So here I am! Today I've been listening to Harriet the Spy as my selection as a classic children's book for the 20 in 20 book challenge. Come to find out, Harriet the Spy was an oft banned book. Why?  Apparently a book about a child spying on adults and taking notes about grown ups set a bad example for kids.  The book is slightly older than The Hubs, so pretty, pretty old. (1964)

I have to admit they might have been on to something. When I was a kid and read the books, I wanted to *be* Harriet. These days if I had to pick a career related to spying, I'd go with private investigator.  That being said all my experience watching PI shows on TV leads me to conclude private investigating looks like a lot of sitting in cars and almost getting yourself killed. I guess I will stick to my day job. Lots of sitting at a desk, but none of that almost getting myself killed.

Speaking of  mortality, Coronavirus is closing down events and canceling trips.  Being selfish I think the following thoughts:

1. It's really BS that I finish like 9 months of cancer treatments and then now that I am ready to go out and do stuff, it's not a good idea to go out and do stuff!

2. I hope this is all sorted so Anna can go on her Band Trip and BMO gets to do all the end of the year senior stuff.

3. Back to me, it's 2020- it's  a big birthday year for me, what the heck with a pandemic! I did not ask for a pandemic this is supposed to be *my* year!   *me shaking my fist at the sky* 

Oh well what can you do? 

Don't forget to wash your hands! 

Speaking of viruses, if you'd like to expand your knowledge of all things bacterial and virus check out This Podcast Will Kill You ! 

Happy March 10th!

Is Winter Winding Down?

Gosh I hope so!  One of my goals for this year was to not get too bogged down in my dislike of winter. If I can rate myself here, I give myself a 3.5 out of 5 on not spending too much time being annoyed by all things winter.

This year I did spend all of January doing weekday radiation so that definitely proved to be a distraction from dwelling on the cold. Plus radiation gives you hot flushes, so well timed on my part--better to have one's internal temp rise in January than in July!

Once February arrived, our house spend the entire month with at least one person sick with some virus.  Was it Coronavirus? I don't think so, but who knows! To round out the month, surgery for me.  Medical interventions not winter blues were the order of the day! Now here is March coming in like a warmer than usual lion; so far, our temps have been decent and the sun has been shining.

The nice weather has lead to a certain BFF of The Man tracking mud into the house several times a day.  Keep your fingers crossed for us as we are crunching numbers and hoping to get wood flooring on our main floor ASAP. If  all goes well, 2020 will be the year of home renovations and me having many more celebrations and fest to attend than doctor appointments!

*Accountability* - How did I do with my February Goals?

Not great!  The cold I had really knocked me out for most of the month!
I did reach my blog post goals and I did achieve the most important goal: Lastly, have a very uneventful laparoscopic preventative surgery and celebrate being done with medical interventions for hopefully ever. (not including routine tests)

Actually as I re-read it.  I have not celebrated having a routine surgery w/clear pathology. So I'm due a celebration. Note to self plan some celebrating!