We are in the middle of a pandemic right now, and things are crazy. So, about a month ago, a new virus called Covid-19, surfaced in China. It started in animals, then mutated to humans, and now it is spreading around the world.
This virus is kind of like the flu, but it attacks the lungs and is really hard on the elderly, the immunocompromised, and people who are not very healthy. For most healthy, young people, it presents like a flu with a temperature, a dry cough, and possibly shortness of breath. The scary thing, is that people can be carriers of this virus and have no symptoms for up to 2 weeks, and the virus can live on surfaces for 48 hours. So, it is spreading very rapidly. Everyone is trying to follow social distancing (which means you don't go to places with more than 50 people, and stay 6 feet away from people), stay home if you are sick, hand washing, and no touching your face, eyes, or mouth.
The major problem with this virus, is that it attacks people's lungs and many of the severe cases need to be on a ventilator. In some countries there have been so many of these patients that they run out of ventilators, and then have to decide who they are going to treat, and the ones who can't be helped end up dying. They are trying to prevent that from happening here. So, things are shutting down, and people are isolating themselves, and hoarding groceries, and panicking.
We are trying to adjust to a new normal around here. Everything is pretty much shut down. There are no sports going on right now. The NBA and NHL are suspended, the MLB is delayed, the NCAA Tournament was cancelled, all the activities, concerts, gathering, have been cancelled. All the public schools in many states (including here) are cancelled. Basically going to work, getting groceries, and going back home are all that are allowed right now. It's so crazy.
Emma has been out of school all week, and she has no school this next week. For this current week, Emma and Elliott are out at Jim and Barb's house all week. It's been hard to be away from them, but there is really no other choice since John and I are still working. John has been working from home all week, which will continue for the foreseeable future. For this next week, Emma's teachers are making packets for her to complete at home since we are missing so much school. So, between the working and the craziness, we have full days of school work to get through.
Another thing that has been different is church. Basically all church activities have been cancelled, except for actual church. So, no bible class, Sunday school, meetings, or any of our usual church activities, which is a big part of our social lives.
As far as my job goes, we have still been having surgeries at the ASC. But, starting tomorrow, all elective surgeries are cancelled, and we are only doing necessary surgeries. So, this is really going to cut down our surgeries and we are going to start being mandated more often. I am going to start working in other areas and departments where there is a need for nurses. For example, they are screening people that come into the hospital for symptoms of the virus, and there are call centers to call patients with their results. These are places that I will be working when the ASC is too slow to support all the staff. These are crazy times. We are basically just taking things one day at a time at this point.
I am looking forward to seeing the kids this weekend. I miss them a lot. They are having a great time, and have been helping Grandma in the greenhouse. We are excited to take them back home for a few days this weekend, and then assess how we will handle things next week. We may also help work in the greenhouse this weekend, which would be a nice way to stop thinking about this virus.
It's a scary time right now. There are a lot of uncertainties. Many people are being asked to stay home from work. There are financial worries, and health concerns, and just overall stress. The news and social media are full of updates, some that are true and many that are false and cause more panic. I really miss normal. I miss having boring, everyday complaints. I miss our normal weekday busyness and hustle and bustle with the kids. I miss going out and doing things. I want to be able to watch sports and stress over this certification exam I am prepping for. But right now, the only thing anyone can think about or talk about is the Coronavirus. It's stressful and tiring.
At this point, all we can do is be cautious, listen to what we are supposed to do, and live our lives the best way we can. Also, putting Jesus at the center and praying is helping as well. I am hoping that in a month, or two, we are over the hump and getting back to normal. Until then, we will keep taking things one day at a at time, and put it all in God's Hands.
Stay safe and healthy everyone.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Spring Break 2020
We officially are on spring break. We had some nice spring-like weather this past weekend, but today is windy and chilly, and really not very nice. But anyway, time to catch you up on what has been going on around here.
We are still keeping really busy here at the Nelson household. Like crazy busy. Last week, John spent a night in the Twin Cities for work, so I was single momming it for a couple of days. Elliott had Kindergarten Roundup last Thursday, and he was so super excited about it. He told us all about his day, and he is so excited to be a Kindergartener. Mrs. Knuth confirmed that he is ready for school, which was great to hear. Although, I wasn't worried, he has seemed like he is ready for school for a while now. Elliott was disappointed to hear that he couldn't actually start Kindergarten until the fall.
On Friday, Emma started Spring Break and I took Friday off and all of this week for my own little spring break. On Friday, Elliott had his 5 year old check-up complete with shots and everything. He did a really good job, and he got a book at the end. After hanging out at home for a while and having lunch, I took them to the gym with me to play while I worked out and then we went to Midco to do some swimming. The kids had a really great day.
Saturday was a beautiful 60 degree day, and John and I got sucked into cleaning out the garage. Like we totally cleaned out the garage. We went though every single tote, threw away a lot of things, and I am trying to sell some things online. I am selling all my maternity clothes, some of the crib items, and some other odds and ends. It was a great feeling to get through everything, but it literally took all day. The kids did a good job of entertaining themselves, and we did take them to Sertoma park in the evening to burn off some energy. And then we ate supper at Fizolis to reward everyone for a great day.
Sunday was another absolutely gorgeous day. After our usually church activities we headed out to Jim and Barb's to help work in the greenhouse. It was a great day to be outside doing some work. We stayed and worked until around 5pm, then the kids stayed for a sleepover while John and I went home. We took advantage of no kids and went out to eat for some Indian food. It was delicious. We topped it off with a little grocery shopping and then we called it a night. In-between all the activity, I fit in a little studying for my certification exam coming up in May. I can't wait until that test is over (and passed!).
Yesterday, I had my annual exam (which is the reason the kids spent the night at Jim and Barb's house). After the appointment, I went to the gym, and then to Walmart to grab a few things, and then the kids were dropped off at our house. Elliott lost his first tooth at Grandma and Grandpa's house! He was super excited to tell me all about it and for the tooth fairy to come and give him some money. It was a big day. I couldn't convince the kids to leave the house again, so we stayed home and played, lounged, and enjoyed the day. In the evening we headed to Bethel for Financial Peace University class, and then got the kids to bed.
Today, I dropped Elliott off at daycare (his first day there in 5 days), had a conference with his teacher about how he is doing, and then brought Emma to the dentist to pull out her other 2 teeth. She did really well again. We are just hanging out at home right now letting her rest and watch TV while her numbness wears off. She was a trooper.
Tomorrow we leave for the cities to go to Great Wolf Lodge and enjoy the waterparks. The kids are super excited. It should be a really fun time. On Friday we are going to MOA to do Nickelodeon Universe and Crayola Experience. The weather looks good, and we should have a great rest of the week. So, for the rest of today, packing and cleaning are on the agenda.
We are still keeping really busy here at the Nelson household. Like crazy busy. Last week, John spent a night in the Twin Cities for work, so I was single momming it for a couple of days. Elliott had Kindergarten Roundup last Thursday, and he was so super excited about it. He told us all about his day, and he is so excited to be a Kindergartener. Mrs. Knuth confirmed that he is ready for school, which was great to hear. Although, I wasn't worried, he has seemed like he is ready for school for a while now. Elliott was disappointed to hear that he couldn't actually start Kindergarten until the fall.
On Friday, Emma started Spring Break and I took Friday off and all of this week for my own little spring break. On Friday, Elliott had his 5 year old check-up complete with shots and everything. He did a really good job, and he got a book at the end. After hanging out at home for a while and having lunch, I took them to the gym with me to play while I worked out and then we went to Midco to do some swimming. The kids had a really great day.
Saturday was a beautiful 60 degree day, and John and I got sucked into cleaning out the garage. Like we totally cleaned out the garage. We went though every single tote, threw away a lot of things, and I am trying to sell some things online. I am selling all my maternity clothes, some of the crib items, and some other odds and ends. It was a great feeling to get through everything, but it literally took all day. The kids did a good job of entertaining themselves, and we did take them to Sertoma park in the evening to burn off some energy. And then we ate supper at Fizolis to reward everyone for a great day.
Sunday was another absolutely gorgeous day. After our usually church activities we headed out to Jim and Barb's to help work in the greenhouse. It was a great day to be outside doing some work. We stayed and worked until around 5pm, then the kids stayed for a sleepover while John and I went home. We took advantage of no kids and went out to eat for some Indian food. It was delicious. We topped it off with a little grocery shopping and then we called it a night. In-between all the activity, I fit in a little studying for my certification exam coming up in May. I can't wait until that test is over (and passed!).
Yesterday, I had my annual exam (which is the reason the kids spent the night at Jim and Barb's house). After the appointment, I went to the gym, and then to Walmart to grab a few things, and then the kids were dropped off at our house. Elliott lost his first tooth at Grandma and Grandpa's house! He was super excited to tell me all about it and for the tooth fairy to come and give him some money. It was a big day. I couldn't convince the kids to leave the house again, so we stayed home and played, lounged, and enjoyed the day. In the evening we headed to Bethel for Financial Peace University class, and then got the kids to bed.
Today, I dropped Elliott off at daycare (his first day there in 5 days), had a conference with his teacher about how he is doing, and then brought Emma to the dentist to pull out her other 2 teeth. She did really well again. We are just hanging out at home right now letting her rest and watch TV while her numbness wears off. She was a trooper.
Tomorrow we leave for the cities to go to Great Wolf Lodge and enjoy the waterparks. The kids are super excited. It should be a really fun time. On Friday we are going to MOA to do Nickelodeon Universe and Crayola Experience. The weather looks good, and we should have a great rest of the week. So, for the rest of today, packing and cleaning are on the agenda.
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| Emma and Elliott playing Vet Clinic |
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| Kindergarten Round-up ready |
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| Sertoma Park |
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| Greenhouse work |
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