Stay Home – Stay Healthy

March 27, 2020

It seems the universe shifted this week! Stay Home – Stay Healthy is the key.

“All people in Washington State shall immediately cease leaving their home or place of residence except: (1) to conduct or participate in essential activities, and (2) for employment in essential business services. This prohibition shall remain in effect until…April 6, 2020, unless extended…”

Proclamation from Governor Inslee, March 23rd, 2020

As we are all coming to terms with the “Stay Home – Stay Healthy” statewide order, it seems challenging to wrap our minds around how things can change so quickly. 

This week I thought I would put my mind to work on “what I have learned” in this pandemic response, some of it serious and some of it sort of comical.  I invite readers to take a pause from worries and isolation to join the “what I have learned” exercise.

1. I hadn’t realized how easily we go to the grocery store and get what we want.  We have so many options – until we don’t.  Finding shortages on household staples has been a real learning experience for me.
2. I have learned that I normally spend a lot of time in meetings and gatherings or just plain going out.  With no meetings, gatherings or going out I am catching up on my work and home to-do list. 
3. I am learning my way through ordering online food and grocery items.  In my early attempts at making sure I had enough staples I learned I need to double check my online orders very carefully.  I accidentally ordered two bags of chocolates from Costco – Oops!  (You notice I referred to this as a staple!)
4. I have learned how hard it is to let go of some of our independence and lean on others.  It is humbling to know that we are a community of helpers and we each can call on others to make it through this pandemic.
5. I have learned that I can get easily overloaded by too much news of the day. Often Mr. Blogger and I resort to favorite movies or TV show reruns instead.  This. Is. OK.
6. Another thing I learned is the odd things people hoard during pandemics.  Toilet Paper was a mystery hoard item but from my own surveying of local grocery stores it was the missing Skippy Peanut Butter that made me laugh out loud.  Yes, I did get funny looks from the other shoppers.
7. I have learned how generous people can be.  A lot is going on in Centralia and Chehalis to help others at this time.  The local transit company has coordinated with the Senior Center and United Way to deliver meals to persons 60 and older. A local distillery has switched to making hand sanitizer. The local Chamber partnered with Lewis County Public Works and Emergency Management to raise funds for First Responders. And I could keep going in listing people’s generosity. I should remember this but it is events like this that of the generosity and caring in our community.
8. Working from home this week I have learned I can be disciplined in setting a schedule and getting work accomplished.  I have brought things home so that I can do most work (but not all) here that I would have done at the office. 
9. And last but not least, technology is my friend.  I am able to write and post this blog from home because of technology.  I am able to order groceries, restaurant meals and frankly, just about anything online. In these times I am grateful for technology.  But I think my gratitude list is for another blog…

Your Stillwaters Estates Neighborhood Blogger – Cindy You can reach me by email at [email protected]

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