Saturday - The New Normal

[IrishIroamed]

Mornin' ladies~~~

First post went poof, so typing this in Notepad first.

The new normal for me is still camping but without any sightseeing unless it's drive-by stuff. Currently in a VA KOA until April 1st, then will head to TN, KY, IN and finally IL. All in KOAs. Although some hate parking lot CGs, right now KOAs are God send for people like me that do not have homes, property or leased lots (i.e. SKP parks).

I've booked two months at the IL KOA instead of staying at Dad's, so I can have full access to cooking, my shower, etc. If private CGs are forced to close, then I'll go to Dad's. The IL KOA opened early so people heading north, to Canada, etc have someplace to stop and rest. They are working on getting all water running everywhere, but when I called, the only thing without water was the laundry.

BJ I watched Pritzker's press conference. He is doing the same thing as many other states. If you're safe at home and have little need to interact with others, I think you'll be OK. Deep breaths! You know how to destress well.

Escapees has parterned with Truck Camper in an online petition to get CGs to open. I have little faith in online petitions, but hopefully something will be done since people in RVs are already self-contained. Personally, which I understand, everything has been shut down so rapidly, I think they may need to backtrack a bit on somethings like campgrounds. For instance, Pennsylvania reopened their rest areas once they realized truckers need to stop/rest by law. I just hope a nationwide travel ban does not happen. If it does, hopefully we would get a few days notice so I can get to IL. I sure don't feel like driving for 15+ hours to get to IL/Dad's driveway if needed.

Hoping everyone is settling into their new normal without many problems. Take care ladies.

[Colliemom]

Good afternoon from northern MI. Just sitting here relaxing. Dogs bugging me for a walk, but not gonna happen. Right leg and inee a bit sore yet. Otherwise am coming around. Another round of chiropractic appt. this coming week, so things are looking up. Doing some things in the house once in awhile, cause need to move around.

Been very quiet around here. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one left on earth here. We are all Staying in Place on our own up here. Haven’t seen or personally talked with anybody around here for almost two weeks other than 2 friends who helped me with getting a neighbor of our heat turned up and some paper products I bought them in the house yesterdsy. I am leery of walking over a little snow till I get back in shape, , so they took care of the heat and took the stuff in for me. Neighbors were arriving home yesterday. Rarely does a car go out of here either. Couple neighbors (hubby and wife) continue to do their daily fitness walk after work though.

it didn’t surprise me that CA and some other states cracked down. It’s people who are not following the CDC recommendations who are causing this to happen. Everybody is supposed to be staying at least 6 feet away. Not congregating in large groups over 50 and now it's recommended no more than 10. You don’t know who might be a carrier. They don’t show symptoms. I saw where Miami/Dade counties have ordered the beaches and hotels closed since spring breakers won’t abide by the requirements. Unfortunately this isn’t life like usual. We can’t go in partying, playing, running around and meeting up with people like nothing is happening. . Sooner everybody realizes this, the quicker we can get the curve to start coming down. Our Governor said she is not planning to order a Shelter in place at this time. She put a lot of CDC recommendations as executive orders from the day the first case popped up here. She implemented closures and other precautions long before other states started taking actions. You can still go out during stay in place orders, walk the dog, sit in the yard, run necessary errands like groceries, appts etc. but you must maintain at least 6 feet away from each other.

Our State park campgrounds will remain open. But park headquarters and contact stations are closed to the public as are park visitor centers , museums etc. campgrounds will operate as semi modern, meaning no toilet/shower facilities, just vault toilets. Lower camping rates are charged for semi modern than for when facilities are open. Recreation Passport entry fees to the parks are waived for now. Reservations are recommended as many parks already have reservations for the upcoming season in place already. The DNR recognizes the need for people to be outdoors, getting exercise and relaxing with nature During this crisis, hence the decision to leave the parks open for public enjoyment, but following the self distance guidelines.

We have not had anymore cases here since the one . And he’s now symptom free. He thinks he might have contracted it from Somebody on the flight home from the mission trip to Ethiopia. There were 9 of them, so he was probably sitting next to somebody with it. Rest of group has showed no signs and it’s over two weeks. .One case popped up in a county about 75 miles SW Of here. Has been bno more from another county west of here, so we are holding our own in northern MI, probably cause we are trying to Shelter in Place as much as possible. There are no reported cases in the U.P. as of now. so we stay home, watch and wait.

Gotta go get the mail and a bit of fresh air. Take care everyone, stay safe.

[chalet05]

Good Morning!

So good to see Carolb! Lots of catching up to do. Arizona hasn't reached all the closures yet especially out here in the middle of nowhere, but most are restricting on their own. So far no cases in this county. With the wide open desert, we can visit outside without risk. So many snowbirds leaving, but others, including me, are staying. This park has very few people still here and we are either permanent or seasonal. Local bingo, karaoke, etc. have been halted. KOA just down the road has closed their pool and hot tub. I am one hour away from any real population and a grocery store. There are dollar stores nearby. When Phoenix ran out of TP, they came out here and cleaned off the shelves! If there were grocery delivery, I'd use it!

My Kansas daughter and her 2 girls are self-isolated due to my older granddaughter's poor immune system. Daughter had to finally run some errands including delivering fresh eggs to the local food bank. She also was selling them on FB to be picked up at the end of the driveway. I am assuming son-in-law and grandson are working, but being very careful when they come home. With two nurses in the family, they have it covered I'm sure. My Washington daughter got a job with the school district. She's going in to prepare meals that are delivered to 6 drop off/pick up locations.

Cheryl, sorry your travels have been interrupted again. Sue, sorry you are still dealing with soreness. Everyone continue to be safe and healthy!

[BarbaraRose]

Still lazing around in bed with Lola. Part of me says I need to get up because there is a lot to do around here, and part of me says I have a whole month to get things done, so relax!

Brenda, I hope you didn't drive all the way up to Joshua Tree this morning. They closed all roads in the park today so it is totally shut down.

Lola has been really sweet and affectionate the past few days. I wonder if she senses my uneasiness? She normally self-distances on her own and is pretty much "hands-off", but has been sleeping right up next to me and wanting to lay in my lap in the recliner now and wanting a lot of petting.

Need to do some housecleaning around here today, take out the trash and do some laundry. Also pay my property taxes.

Another beautiful sunny day here. Low 70's, no wind. Gotta get out and enjoy that too! Maybe go practice putting. The golf courses are still open but they have removed the pins (flags on the greens).

I also heard that the rest areas had been closed and the truckers were complaining they had no place to stop, so many of them were reopened just for them. Gotta keep those truckers rollin'! They are our lifeline right now for toilet paper! (and the other stuff we need! ).

I will be doing haircuts out in my driveway and using lots of anti-bacterial products for my hands, cape, equipment, etc. I did find a large, full spray bottle of a cleaning solution with bleach, in my cupboard last night so I can use that too. My patio area is right next to my neighbors deck and she has health issues so I decided to do the haircuts either in my driveway or where I park my golf cart on the other side so we will be at least 30 feet away from her deck.

Hope you all find a safe way to enjoy your day!

[BarbaraRose]

Oh, and Carolb, we would love to hear from you on here again! We miss you!

[Bethers]

Just learned there is now a case in my county in Arizona. They haven't said where in the county. But the person had been traveling within the country.

I'd also like to hear from Carolb. I hope she comes on here.

BJ, I agree with Cheryl.

Watching the 6 foot rule here is funny when walking dogs. We people stay 6 plus feet apart while the dogs sniff and play a bit. But most of our walks are outside the park on the desert. Good for both of us. Today I've done laundry, the last of it's hanging outside.

Take care everyone!

[Irmi]

There is also a case in the county we stay in here in FL as of yesterday. Lots of things, especially now, are shutting down. Lots of folks are planning on leaving the campground as there's nothing to do. Not sure what they plan on doing when they get home.

[BarbaraRose]

I slept good last night and hopefully again tonight. Been much less anxious today. Didn't do a whole lot other than take out trash and recycle stuff. Been hanging out on my loveseat that I got moved out on the porch. I think this might be my new hang-out spot! Lola likes being out here too!

I stopped to see how Lily is doing. She and her new owner seem very happy together! So glad. Lily deserves to have a good home. I haven't seen any stray cats around for awhile and my neighbors cat never came back. He has been gone for a couple months now.

I think I need to spend part of each day doing some housework and part of each day doing a project. That way I get things done that need to be done but not necessarily fun to do, and then spend time doing something more enjoyable. Might be more motivated to do the crappy stuff done that way.

I guess I should go in and see what is on TV tonight. And make something for dinner.

Irmi, for me, camping is all about being out in nature relaxing. I would rather be in a campground doing that than being stuck at home (altho where I am at, it is almost as relaxing as camping!)

[snowball]

I had three things on my list to do today and did them all!!! dishes except for the one pan I over looked.. shower and visited with Carolb and Anita a good visit... Carolb is going to stay in this area for awhile.. so will get to see her another day... hope to see Anita as well...
was sad to hear about Kenny Rogers dying I enjoyed his music my husband didn't he didn't like his nasal sound I did... so right now have Kenny Rogers station on...
I did talk with my daughter tonight and although there is still snow in the place where I park at it can be moved which I think is what my sil will do so it will have a chance to melt and dry out. closer to time to leaving I will re access what to do ... options are to move into town and veg out for a few weeks or to head north and hope I will be able to stop in campgrounds on the way yes I know I can use flying J's ect but I like to put the slides out and think that is frowned upon when in parking areas so much prefer being plugged in... also don't know if the truck is set up to charge the 5th wheels batteries I've been told it wasn't but had a fuse replaced so don't know if that was why it wasn't charging or if it was never set up to do so... the first owner towed stock trailers no batteries to them so it could be that it's not charging. and don't know how to find out.
you all be safe
sheila

[Redetotry]

Cheryl & Beth, Thanks for the reminder words.
I think yesterday was my bottom and today I feel I have regrouped! I keep reminding myself that stress and fear weaken the immune system !!!. This happened so fast the new reality is difficult and challenging to grasp! But there is so much innovation and people coming up with ways to cope with the changes it is inspiring. I have also been concerned as a man came to my last yoga class on the 11th who had just returned 5 days earlier from an overseas vacation to Portugal and was shocked when I asked why he wasn't self isolating. He said Portugal had no cases and the planes had few passengers.He made no association that he had been through three airports!! I drove through town yesterday and the mall must have already closed as there were no cars. I haven't been out for a week and was surprised to see all the beautiful blossoms on the Bradford Pear trees that line several streets as ours are just starting to open. There was also a bit of sun which we have seen little of this spring.

[BarbaraRose]

BJ. I went thru a bit of shock and fear that rocked me the other day when the reality of all this hit close to home, as well. I have talked to many others who have felt the same thing. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. I've been grinding my teeth a lot more over the past couple weeks as well. I think we need to just take one day at a time instead of trying to grasp the whole situation and future ramifications. Getting our minds off of it all for a bit and focusing on nature, flowers, fresh air, family, friends, pets, etc, to tune out of all this for a bit, is a stress reliever and realigns what is really important to us. We are all in this together and need to help each other get thru it.

[Redetotry]

BJ. I went thru a bit of shock and fear that rocked me the other day when the reality of all this hit close to home, as well. I have talked to many others who have felt the same thing. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. I've been grinding my teeth a lot more over the past couple weeks as well. I think we need to just take one day at a time instead of trying to grasp the whole situation and future ramifications. Getting our minds off of it all for a bit and focusing on nature, flowers, fresh air, family, friends, pets, etc, to tune out of all this for a bit, is a stress reliever and realigns what is really important to us. We are all in this together and need to help each other get thru it.

Thanks Barbie, Made me think of an old gospel song called 'One Day At a TIme'. I was glad I was better today as my neighbor needed words of encouragement this morning. She is the one who brought me brownies yesterday. Emma is home today so I am feeling a bit like those frustrated mothers whose children are not going to school! All three of them have barked all day ACK ACK My 'paddle', a long piece of cardboard from a roll a wrapping paper, broke this morning as I was banging it on the table to get their attention. If they press me too hard I give them a tap on the bottom.