By: Revanche

Good Things Friday (58)

March 27, 2020

If you’d like to join me in helping Lakota families and/or rural libraries this year, please read this post. Over 6 weeks in 2019, we raised $2669.94 for the Lakota families, touching 27 lives. What can we do in 2020?

Current total: Lakota, $640.74; Rural libraries, $321.62.


1. I watched the news on COVID-19 pretty carefully leading into March. While I didn’t anticipate exactly what we’re seeing now, my disaster antennae were up and catching all kinds of vibrations so when PiC noted we were down to our last two small packages of toilet paper, which is when we usually buy a new megapack, I said casually, get one extra pack just in case. In case of what? At the time I would have said, well, the supply lines may get borked. China’s having a rough go of it and I’m not sure what that’ll do to our ability to refill things we need on demand over the next few months. Better to have an extra than not buy it and be stuck when the time comes around again in a month.

I would not in decade have guessed that people would clear the shelves, the inventory, and the freaking warehouses. What. On. Earth.

I’m only looking now because I’m responsible for a friend’s household supplies. They’re having a particularly tough time and I designated myself their needs supplier. I shipped them a pack before the virus burst forth but I should have sent two. Holy hickory, I’ve scoured the internet and found nary a sheet. Everyone is out of stock. I’d just give them our extra pack but it’s not cost effective to ship.

I’m glad we’re fine but what is everyone doing? Are they buying ten times their usual amount? This is such a mystery. Wish me luck as I try try again.

Challenges this week: PiC hurt his hands, my fibro has flared up, we’re constantly on edge about the state of supplies and when we should next attempt to venture forth. My routines are all off. I feel the urge to stress shop a lot. Mainly for basics but I saw a $150 Chromebook and had an irrational urge to buy it. I do not need a Chromebook.

2. We helped out an educator friend with distance learning lesson planning and that went so well that we worked out some times they can give JB lessons to give us a brief window of uninterrupted work time. It’s been really hard to get a schedule in place as we ourselves have been adapting to the ever changing news but I have high hopes for this week.

3. PiC got to work on his garage project and is satisfied with his weekend’s work.

4. We took the dogs outside on two sunny afternoons and they sunned themselves until they couldn’t take it any longer. That’s a luxury here.

5. My brain therapy session helped me work through my feeling frustrated and thinking that feeling Not Good about a pandemic is somehow the equivalent of me being a mess. I feel like a mess because I am unsettled. But it doesn’t mean that I am a mess.

6. JB was poorly on the weekend so we spent hours snuggling and resting on the sofa. That didn’t help so I distracted them with Christmas shopping for the cousins. It worked a treat AND we’ve knocked out one Christmas chore before April. Plus we supported a smallish business. *Buffs nails*

:: How are things developing where you are? How are you spending this time if you’re quarantined?

10 Responses to “Good Things Friday (58)”

  1. Bethany D says:

    My family is adapting to this strange new normal and I’m starting to feel a little less completely overwhelmed with anxiety & stress. I’ve decided to try doing regular homeschool M-W-F and either no school or just fun projects on Tu-Th. Hopefully it will balance the security of business as usual with giving me less work in this crazy stressful time.
    But this coming week is when we start to find out whether the s*** hits the fan or whether our state government locked things down quickly enough. So far we only have a few confirmed cases, which might just reflect lousy testing. But our local hospitals haven’t been slammed with patients yet so it is possible that we distanced far enough & fast enough to make a difference. I hope so. I’m sewing fabric facemasks; not as quickly as I would like, but it still feels like something to DO to help!

    • Revanche says:

      I hope the every other day schedule helps! I think this second week was smoother than last week.

      My fingers are crossed that all of you have distanced early enough to keep the curve way down!

  2. SP says:

    We also replenished our supply of TP in early march (due to normal depletion, perhaps made a bit urgent by COVID fear), and have “just” one costco sized pack. This usually lasts us many many months, so I’m not worried.

    There is a LOT I can’t order online these days, and I’m hoping this will ease up. I do think people are just buying way more than usual. We bought many diapers when they were on sale, but they are unavailable for online order. Baby wipes too. Obviously hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Many costco dry goods snacks can’t be ordered online.

    Someone in my neighborhood encouraged everyone to buy at least 3 months worth of food, which clearly the supply chain can’t support at a mass level. Plus, when you see things disappearing, it triggers a desire to buy them when you see them even if you don’t really need them. I have been fighting that myself. Like, flour is sold out, so I want an extra bag in case it never is back… but that is not really reasonable.

    Stay healthy, guys!

    • Revanche says:

      Agreed! I am hoping that we all slow down worry-related ordering to free up the supply chains enough to reduce the scarcity mentality that empty shelves creates. Also I worry for the people who have to work to fill those orders! If we can relieve the stress on those workers, it would be good.

      I’m also trying to reduce the frequency with which we go to stores as well, to reduce our / their exposure and to avoid adding stress to an already stressful situation.

  3. We are trying to find the small enjoyment of things. I’m such a routine & schedule person, and I really find myself panicking over the lack of both. But, it’s okay. This is a season, and we are doing the right thing for ourselves & others, and that trumps my other feelings about the lack of schedule & freak outs.

    I’ve been doing a LOT of self care. I do believe it’s working, but it’s hard to tell, because.. there’s still a lot of stress.

    Sending you “stay healthy & well” vibes!
    Hawaii Planner recently posted…Frugal FridayMy Profile

    • Revanche says:

      W’re trying to do that as well! We’re also trying to make weekends a lot more fun and less stressy to make up for how impacted the week days feel.

      Sending (fresh) good health and wellness vibes right back to you!

  4. Family cloth?
    nicoleandmaggie recently posted…Link LoveMy Profile

  5. I’ve been working from home for about 2 weeks. I’m already exhausted with work and both kids at home. Plus we no longer have any part-time helpers…

    I saw a meme that sums up my feelings 100%. Forget exact wording but here goes:
    Gifts for teachers in 2019 – mugs,apple,small gift card.
    Gifts for teachers in 2020 and ever after -rolex, Lamborghini, alcohol, spa day
    Middle class revolution recently posted…Hard Choices, Home editionMy Profile

    • Revanche says:

      I do hope this brings up a firm appreciation for teachers across the board. As a society, we are terrible at appreciating them. Not that we / you / I individually are.

      I’m sorry you’re exhausted too. It’s been a rough road so far and we’re going into another month here.

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