Yesterday, Governor Walz announced that he is extending the Stay Home Executive Order until May 4.

I'm very hopeful we can get back to normalcy by then but I decided I can make some goals during this time.

• Every drawer in my house will be decluttered, lined and reorganized
• Every closet will be decluttered and reorganized
• I will get my camera out everyday for a photo fun challenge
• My SheShed will be ready for some indoor paint and flooring
• My seedlings will be transferred to their forever spot
• I will get a good start on that summer quilt
  
  Wow, this will be an amazing period of time - one to remember Spring 2020

eLearning Cuts Middle School Drama

e-learning and the grandgirls....Oscar is one lucky puppy these days

Updates from the Governor....

Governor Walz today extended the Stay Home Order until May 4 in order to continue Minnesota’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 across the state. 

“What we are doing is working, Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “We are taking this seriously, and we are staying home. While Minnesota is showing lower rates of infections than our peers across the country, now is not the time to let up or allow that trajectory to change."

The Governor’s order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19, pushing out the peak of the disease and allowing the state to continue key preparations for the pandemic. These preparations include building new hospital capacity and buying ventilators and masks, planning for how to protect those most at risk, expanding testing, and freeing up time for health care giants like the Mayo Clinic to develop critical treatments for the virus. The Stay Home Order is now extended to 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020.

Under the extended order, Minnesotans may leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities, and while doing so, they should practice social distancing:

• Relocation to ensure safety, such as relocating to a different location if your home is unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or reasons related to essential operations.
• Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies.
• Outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing.
• Necessary supplies and services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out.
• Essential intrastate and interstate travel, such as returning to a home from outside this state.
• Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household.
• Displacement, such as moving between emergency shelters if you are without a home.
• Moving or relocation, such as moving to a new home or place of residence.
• Voting, including all local and state elections.
• Funerals, providing that no more than ten attendees are gathered and strict social distancing is enforced.
• Tribal activities and land
  

Working from Home...and underground Hair

                                          A very good April Fools joke on Minnesota students!



A pandemic can bring all sorts of emotions to your life.  I do best if I turn off the T.V. and stick with streaming the radio from Park Rapids Minnesota KDKK.    I tend to stay positive and lets face it I hardly notice there's a problem because I'm a homebody anyway.  I'm working from home out of our spare bedroom.  It was a spare bedroom and a craft room, but the office has cried louder and now it's a place to work.  I'm lucky.  I am a technology geek and I have some pretty fine technology tools at my disposal.  I'm not going to lie, on our daily video meetings I'm the only one who is not looking down into a laptop camera, showing nostril hairs.  No big nose for me because my beautiful iMac's camera displays my image beautifully.  And I have a kick ass printer which makes my day go just as smooth as when I'm at work.  I don't even have to get up! I have a great desk chair here at home which I've spent many hours editing photos, and now I sit answering help desk tickets and buy more technology for the school district.  I could not survive without that chair.
I'm finding less interruptions make me happier and don't feel as stressed.  It's a good deal to be able to take a break and rake.  No even kidding. 

My prohibition haircut
Since salons are closed (an order by the Governor) there is no hope of a haircut anytime soon.  But then again my neighbor had a lead to someone that is making house calls.  What an experience that was!  Underground Gavin came with sissors, balayage and all sorts of personality.  A blast and a new look!  

It's actually cuter that this but it's the only pic I got on Sunday.

Remembering it all

I've been meaning to post about the Covid19 Pandemic and how it has changed my life.
I keep putting it off because the topic is so big.  Tonight I saw this on Facebook and I felt is worthy of a copy and paste as I write from my computer in my temporary office.

Gas prices ⛽️ $1.74
School canceled - yes canceled. Schools use e-learning.
Self-distancing measures are on the rise.
Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.
Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.
Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.
Parks, trails, beaches, entire cities on shelter in place orders.
Entire professional and college sports seasons canceled.
Summer Olympics canceled.
Broadway goes dark.
Movie theaters, breweries, restaurants, stores close.
Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - canceled.
Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - canceled.
No masses, churches are closed.
No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now 10 or more.
Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.
Children's outdoor play parks are closed.
We are to distance from each other.
Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves (PPE) for our front-line medical workers.
Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
Shortage of hospital beds and hospitals.
Not enough tests for the COVID 19 virus, so many not tested.
Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towels, no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.
Shelves are bare.
Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.
Government closes the border to all non-essential travel.
Cruise Lines shut down.
Airlines are barely flying, and if they are, there are hardly any travelers.
People dying alone as their family members are not allowed in the hospital with them. Medical personnel having to relay messages from the dying to their family members via phone.
Millions lose jobs, businesses shut down, Economy is in a tailspin.
Fines are established for breaking the rules.
Stadiums and recreation facilities open up as a place to put hospital beds for the overflow of COVID-19 patients.
Convention Centers used as hospitals.
Press conferences daily from the President and the governors. Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.
Government incentives to stay home.
Live television programs are done from home/Skype.
Truck drivers are the cavalry for the country, delivering food and supplies to keep grocery stores stocked.
Barely anyone is driving on the roads, but gas is at an all time low, so no one can really enjoy it.
People wearing masks and gloves outside.
People start socializing (Zoom) on internet just to talk to others.
Major movies delay opening or offer movies on demand.
Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families, many living in garages and RVs outside of their home.
This is affecting the entire world, no one is spared.

This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.