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Here We Are!

May Day 2020! I didnā€™t know if I would still be here now. It seems like the last two months have aged me ten years! I am grateful that all of my family and I did not fall victim to COVID 19. It is still around, so we still need to be super careful.

Life has changed in many ways I never could have imagined. My grandchildrenā€™s schools were closed. Our churches are closed. Many of my favorite stores are closed. I havenā€™t been able to hug my grandchildren since the lockdown. We visit each other by driving by in our car. We donā€™t visit with friends or relatives without being six feet apart. As if the lockdown was not enough of a trauma, we had several earthquakes, one of which woke me up and rolled beneath me. It seems I felt every aftershock. It is focused in Magna, Utah.

Corona virus is no respecter of persons. Some of the well-known people including Pink, Tom and Rita Hanks, Daniel Dae Kim, Prince Charles, Rand Paul, Prince Albert II, Ben McAdams, and several others contracted the virus and luckily survived.Ā https://www.vulture.com/article/famous-people-celebrities-with-coronavirus.html

Others were not so lucky. Here is a list of some of the celebrities that were not so lucky and died from the virus.

https://www.thewrap.com/celebrities-deaths-coronavirus-star-hollywood-notable/

Thankfully, I do not personally know anyone that has been sick or died from Corona.

Being an introvert, staying at home did not affect me too much. Whenever I did go out I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone with everyone donning masks. You can not tell what they are thinking but most of them hurried about and only got what they needed. I missed sauntering up and down the aisles as a form of exercise.

Without other demands, I noticed many of us put more attention on comfort food. Here I am 5-10 pounds or more heavier. At least I can blame that on corona, right??

I had time to pursue my artistic endeavors. I enjoyed watercoloring, oil painting, alcohol ink painting, and acrylic pouring (porn). I used some apps to alter pictures. I continued my writing for smarterparenting.com as well as attempted to keep my Poshmark closet active.

Beautiful Bella on a drive by

https://poshmark.com/closet/elayne001

I am also an Avon Representative. Unfortunately, noone wears makeup during a pandemic on lockdown, so business is not booming.

https://www.youravon.com/rkongaika

Dr. Faucci seems to be the expert, but in my opinion, there are really no experts regarding the Corona virus. I have seen way to much of our president, gotten acquainted with Cuomo, and other world leaders.

No more nights out at the movies, dates at our favorite restaurants, or dinner with friends. Some days I cry when I hear the word ā€œcoronaā€ which is often. Fortunately, I have still been able to read my scriptures every day which helped my focus on people who had it even worse than I did. Our prophet had prepared us for home isolation way before it was even though of. He spoke to us in Conference along with apostles and other church leaders. We have church every Sunday in our home. We still hold Family Home Evening with our family online.

As a way to cope with the pandemic, several creative people have made up memes, jokes, and art. Comedians broadcast their shows at homes including their kids, dogs, etc. I enjoyed that and saw several people in a new light.

One of my favorite new comedians is Leanne Morgan. https://www.facebook.com/leannemorgancomedy/

as well as Shelayne Shelton from Hawaii

https://www.facebook.com/jshelton19/

My husband has turned into Santa Claus since he cannot work at the temple and he got laid off from his job after he fell asleep driving. He has been putting together a book which includes stories from our missionaries. I edit out all of the wrong tenses, spelling errors, and punctuation blunders. It should be ready soon, but here is one in case you havenā€™t seen it yet. There are more stories to come before it is finalized.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J5aNe4FihPnNrnRNlX54koaaACFqSUG2OkqK9ebrULU/edit?usp=sharing

Santa ā€˜Isi

Until we meet again, I will pray for all of you that this virus will go away and that we will enjoy the rest of Spring and Summer. Should we die, all is well, all is well!

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Introverts Unite

Iadmit it ā€“ I am an introvert. So this social isolation thing actually feels quite comfortable to me. I suffer from social anxiety and avoid big crowds because the noise is deafening. When I was a young girl, I preferred to play alone in my bedroom with my paper dolls and write stories rather than being abused by family members and so-called friends. Mind you, I donā€™t like having to stay in the house all of the time, especially being isolated with an extrovert!

My husband is having a difficult time. He has to call several people every day between his jogs around the house to stay sane. Some of my grandchildren are having a really tough go of it also. They are used to having their friends around them at school constantly. Yesterday one of my granddaughters went to a ā€œtake outā€ with some friends (each in their separate cars). Then they met up in a parking lot, parked their cars in a circle, and sat on their cars while they visited from a distance. Quite creative, Iā€™d say.

I appreciate those who have taken this pandemic seriously and are staying away from others as much as possible. I was not surprised when I heard on the news that here in Utah about half of the persons who have contracted the coronavirus were younger (between 20 and 40). They seem to think they are invincible. Younger people are vulnerable too. It is so sad to hear of even small babies that have been stricken with corona.

Since we lived in Hawaii for over 20 years, I got used to being hugged by everyone I met. That was difficult for me since I value my personal space. Right now I donā€™t have to worry about that contact

and it is somewhat of a relief for me. However, two of my grandchildren are graduating this year and I feel bad that they wonā€™t have all of the leis and festivities that go with Polynesian graduations.

Some younger people think this is the right time to become popular on social media:

https://www.drphil.com/videos/i-was-really-annoyed-that-coronavirus-was-getting-more-publicity-than-me-says-woman-who/

Honestly, how idiotic can you be. I also had a friend who thought it was cool to

announce on facebook that she took her grandchildren to Costco to get a few things. What? Does she not realize how ignorant that sounded? Please leave the grandkids at home! She got reprimanded in the comments.

I like how many of the regular TV celebrities have taken corona seriously and now broadcast from inside of their homes. It is fun to see another side of them and I have a healthier respect for them. Hopefully, if everyone does their part, this virus will die off soon. Warmer weather will make it more difficult for it to thrive and spread. I am excited to get out and work in my yard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKDd38-EVCs

As for my own family relations, my father who is 93 hasnā€™t changed his schedule much from what it was before corona. He spends much of his time reading and watching TV. The only way he could get the virus is if someone brings in into his home. I am trying to keep away. Thankfully, my brother and sister live closer and take good care of him. My other sister is on oxygen and I pray she will be alright.

The thing I miss the most during this time is shopping. Every Tuesday before this happened, I would shop at the local thrift shops because it was discount day for seniors. Now they are all closed. I realize that I went a bit overboard with my thrifting because my closets are stuffed and I have nowhere to go! Now the popular thing to wear when we go out is a mask!

I have set up a little gym in my bedroom.

It includes a stationary bike, thigh master, weights and bands. I hope this will result in me being stronger and more fit. I also take vitamins every day and go to bed at a reasonable hour. When I wake up, I do specific stretches before I even get out of bed. It helps with my joint pain.

As far as corona memes and jokes are concerned, I have seen most, but found some new ones today: https://hubpages.com/technology/Facebook-Status-Updates-About-Being-in-Isolation-Social-Isolating-and-Having-to-Staying-at-Home

Yesterday I ordered groceries for the first time. They couldnā€™t deliver them until today. Of course I had to pay extra

for the service, but feel for now it is worth it.

Iā€™m grateful that my children are isolating and are still able to work to provide for their families. Our patience is being tested bigtime right now. Can you imagine how much harder this would be without technology? It certainly is a blessing to be able to talk and see loved ones at this time. One thing to remember with all of this time spent online, there is a greater danger of hacking and predators. Please be safe online!

Tomorrow I will be listening to leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our prophet forsaw this time and has been preparing our members for it for a while now. I value my membership in the church and it brings a lot of comfort to my llife. It has been very inspiring to see many turn to God and praying more often during this pandemic. If you want to hear some inspired messages for this time, join us at:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng

Quarantine! Introverts Unite! Peace!