yogaprincess

[yogaprincess]

3/20/20

 It’s Friday – almost forgot it was the weekend – all the days seem the same when you work at home. Today was an AthleanX walk day.  I posted a picture of Griffey on our walk in Carkeek Park today – sunny and warm ~60 in Seattle. Lots of trees in bloom and several families out and about walking.  I also posted a picture of a Madonna tree trunk.  It reminded me of Groot – I smile whenever I walk by him.  I love trees.  I always say hi to them when I go to the forest and I have my favorites – they know me too.  

My final picture is of my current favorite perfumes.  I have a thing about perfumes and pocketbooks – that’s what I collect.  I tend to like earthy floral scents – oude, patchouli, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, lavender, and violet.  I am not a citrus or cloyingly sweet perfume fan.  I think I like scents because they remind me of places I have been to before or bring me to other places.  I have always thought it would be a great occupation to distill, or whatever you call it, perfume.

COVID volumes continue to grow in Seattle.  I finally saw some recovery statistics on our department of health website today – that was nice to see.  Our governor is supposed to appoint a COVID Czar on Monday – it will be interesting who he picks.  Our health care organizations are working together but it will be good to have one person to make final decisions.

Little real work tomorrow – only a one hour command center call.

More tomorrow

#SeattleCOVID #Wegotthis #YogaPrincessTwin

[yogaprincess]

3/20/20 - I thought more on yesterday’s post last night and having a story is not only a tragedy story it can be an amazing story or a happy story like excelling at something - music, arts, sports, business, helping people, traveling, doing something beyond the everyday normal. I also thought that perhaps I really do have a story and I like my story right now. :)  More to come later today - its early.

#storytelling

[yogaprincess]

3/19/20

Another day in Seattle. It was a yoga walk day (back to Carkeek Park).  Sunny and warm. Griffey is loving this weather. He’s loving having his family home too.

Today I posted one of my most important deliveries – a case of Starbucks espresso roast – it is very important – I need my morning latte every day and we cannot find it in our grocery anymore.  I also posted a picture of daffodils blooming in the neighborhood – spring has sprung everywhere in Seattle – tree pollen is off the charts – fun for allergies. The final picture is today’s COVID cases and death graphs for WA.

I don’t understand why everyone is complaining about testing.  It is not the answer – you just know if you have it or not.  I believe it’s more important to practice social distancing and seek help when you need it.  Maybe I am wrong.  

My son got a new baseball Tee and new net for hitting – his had several holes and we were not planning on getting a new one because the season was about to start and then he would be off to school.  Hitting in the front yard is his only practice now – other than weight training, running and his throwing program he is doing himself.  

My husband went to the grocery today and got a lot of dry goods – some of it is yucky.  Store brand light tuna? I’m a white albacore in water girl. He wants to stock up.  He just went to Costco and called me and said there is a huge line because they want to keep people 6 feet away.  He said most people are coming out with empty carts.  He is on his way home J

So here are my thoughts while I was on my walk today.  I have often reflected that I don’t have a story.  My life has been relatively easy and I have been thankful and lucky to be born into a wonderful family living in the U.S. in a prosperous time.  I have not experienced wartime, natural disasters, horrible accidents, sickness, extreme loss, poverty and I can go on.  I hope my story, and that of the ones I love, after this pandemic is still somewhat boring.  It’s okay that we give up going out and buying things or playing baseball or movies or restaurants, etc.  The main thing I wish for is that my family remains healthy and survives.

I do wonder what will happen to my high school senior.  Who knows if he will even be able to start college next fall? Life like it is now may be this way for a while.  Hopefully, but I’m not betting on it, there will be some advancement in medicine to help with COVID.

Until tomorrow

#Starbucks #Espresso #COVIDSeattle #Family

[yogaprincess]

3/18/20

Daily COVID Update

3rd Day of my blog.  My two pictures today include our clean and green barrels – proof that we did a lot of yard work this weekend and a picture of Jeff from AthleanX – he created the at home work outs that we are doing.

Today was a walk and AthleanX work out day.  Beautiful, sunny, warm day in Seattle today.  Went for a walk with my dog, son and husband in Carkeek Park. There are so many families out walking or doing yard work – more than you see in the summer time. That’s what happens when everything is closed up – it reminds me when I was younger and we spent a lot of time outside.

Finally my husband started working from home.  Thank goodness.  Washington now has about 1200 COVID cases, with about 45% in King County, where Seattle resides. There have been 68 total deaths – with over 50% from the Life Care Center.  King County started building a temporary hospital in a play field in the next town. Healthcare providers are being asked to re-use some of their PPE.  We are not experiencing the surge just yet but we can see the wave coming – lots of planning going on.

My son and I also started watching The League again from the beginning - I forgot how funny that show is. The later seasons got somewhat inappropriate.

They say that copying is the most sincere form of flattery – my twin sister started a blog on Tumblr today too – I am the Yogaprincess – she is the YogaPrincesstwin – she likely has interesting things to say too.  I miss her greatly as she lives across the country in MA – Love you Sarah.

Hopefully I will have something more interesting to say tomorrow.

#Seattle #COVIDinSeattle #Yoga

[yogaprincess]

3/17/20

 Day 2 of my blog.  It was a yoga, walk, work day.  Lots of real work to do today.  Nothing to share there though.  COVID cases are growing in Seattle.  The surge is expected in 2 to 4 weeks.  I’m getting nervous with all of the projections from various models – up to 1/3 of us could be infected.  There are not enough ICU beds, hospital beds, vents, etc.  It’s scary.  My husband finally gets to work from home tomorrow. One less thing to worry about.

 I sent my son to the grocery store since I was busy – I also don’t want to venture out of the house much where there are a lot of people.  I gave him a list and he did very well and I am thankful he went.  I asked him to get Boars Head London Broil roast beef. Since they were out – he got nothing – he takes things very literal and did not know to look for substitutes.  I also put bread on the list and told him to pick out what he likes.  He picked rolls for his roast beef sandwiches.  Now we have no bread for toast or other things and but we have sandwich rolls and no RB – oh well.

 On my walk today I saw a couple things to share. First is a plant (see picture).  I’m not sure what it is – all I know is that it has a very pungent smell.  I hate walking by them.  I always hold my breath when I walk by them.  Do any of you know what they are? The other picture is of a little neighborhood library – we have these sprinkled throughout the area.  They are the only ones that are open now.  The selection is somewhat limited.

 I saw a couple interesting things on Facebook these last couple days. First was a nurse from Swedish hospital (where my husband works) asking people to donate N95 masks because they are running low.  I also saw Pence ask the construction industry to do the same.  Hopefully someone is manufacturing more.  I did order a box a couple months ago which I am keeping in a safe place. Everyone thought I was silly for ordering them.

The other ironic thing I saw on Facebook was a mention on how beautiful the weather was in Seattle now compared to most baseball seasons.  Its sunny and in the 50s and its expected to be that way for a while.  Usually  high school baseball in Seattle is the coldest season of all sports including fall football and soccer.  I invested in a long down coat, portable down blanky and a portable chair with a cover – all for baseball.

 One good thing about the sun is that it kills viruses like COVID.  I read an article that during the Spanish Flu and before antibiotics for TB, some care givers put patients out in the sun to help patients heal.  They believed that fresh air and sun were natural ways to heal.  There is some science to this per many sources.

 Not sure if any of you have ever had a Chinese foot massage.  They are amazing.  Basically it is a full massage in a room with 4 other low beds in the same room – you keep your clothes on – I wear a tank top and yoga pants).  It is an hour long and a ½ hour is focused on your feet but they also massage your entire body.  I found this amazing woman – she says her name is Lisa but I’m sure she just picked it out.  She is probably in her mid 60s and does not speak any English.  She is the best massage therapist I have ever had.  I have had 100s of massages in very nice salons.  The foot massage is $28 per hour.  The first time I went to her ~ 9 mo ago I was so amazed I gave her a $30 tip. It was literally the best massage I have ever had.  From then on I’ve been 1 to 3 times per month and I always ask for Lisa.  I usually tip her $15 to $20 dollars.  I have not been for a couple months due to Coronavirus.  I was thinking about her last weekend so I decided to go and give her a payment for a massage and a tip.  I am still being paid and she is likely suffering – probably not even legal???  Anyways, I called up and asked if Lisa was available and they said yes.  I went over and asked for her and handed her $60  -she wanted to hug me and I said no.  She was very very grateful.

 I then left and got in my car.  As I was driving away I saw her come out looking for me and waving and using prayer hands and bowing and thanking me.  I was planning on doing the same thing in a couple weeks but now these services are closed and there is no way I could find her.  I hope she is okay.  I will go back when things are okay.  Their salon is Happy Feet on Holman Road in Seattle – you have to ask for Lisa – the others are okay – she is amazing.

Until tomorrow

[yogaprincess]

3/16/20 COVID in Seattle Daily Pictures to Go with Blog

#Carkeekpark #COVIDSeattle #quarantineSeattle #Athleanx1

[yogaprincess]

3/16/20 COVID in Seattle

3/16/20 - I decided to start a blog today. I am not much of a writer but I thought I document what was going on during the COVID-19 pandemic in the epicenter of the U.S.- Seattle, WA.  It’s more to share with my family and friends.  I also thought I’d share a few pictures each day.  

I have 2 boys - one a junior in college who is likely to come home soon and finish the year virtually and the other is a senior in HS.  His senior year will be much different than most seniors -  the main thing is is sad about missing is his baseball season - he could care less about prom, graduation, yearbook, etc.  Baseball is his life.  Right now he is going to Fordham to play baseball next year and will be playing on a collegiate team this summer.

I work in healthcare as does my husband - we both are on the admin side so we can work at home.  We are very fortunate.  The real heroes are the front line care givers in our community - bless them.  Infection rates are rising- people are dying; we are needing more PPE... Hospitals and healthcare organizations are cancelling elective surgeries/procedures and evaluating what services to provide.  There is even talk about bringing a naval ship to serve as a hospital.  Social distancing is what we all need to practice now.

Everything is closed in Seattle now.  Schools could be closed until May or June.  The governor closed bars, restaurants, gyms, hair/nail salons, most services, sporting venues, etc. - only thing open is grocery stores and pharmacies (I think gas stations too).  I am going to need a foil when I emerge and I don’t know what to do about my nails since I have acrylic and gel.

Like many places in the U.S. there is no toilet paper here - none on Amazon, Walmart or Target on line, or my grocery store.  My sister who lives in MA is mailing me some tomorrow.  I just ordered 6 pounds of espresso roast - I need a latte every morning.

The pictures above are from Carkeek Park in Seattle.  I hike/walk there about 4 - 5 per week - link: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/carkeek-park.  It is my park.  I can walk there from home and hike 3 to 5 miles and walk through the forest and see the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.  I always bring my Labradoodle - Griffey - he’s my buddy.

Today it was 50 degrees and sunny and a very low tide.  I love low tides - always have.  I like to look for crabs and starfish and other sea creatures.  I make a point of putting the low tides on my calendars.  I used to take my kids to Carkeek for low tides and I ended up liking it more than them. I could not go down there today because dogs are not allowed on this beach :(.  It was also windy on my walk today.  I hate the wind - I always worry that the trees will come down on me - we have a lot of wind storms here.  Today I thought to myself - am I more likely to have a tree fall down on me or get COVID.  Not a good thought.

The other thing I started today was working out with my 17 yo son.  We started the AthleanX workouts - made to do at home while we are all in quarantine.  My goal during this period (which has been a couple weeks already) is to exercise 2 - 3 hours per day (yoga, lifting, hiking, whatever) and eat healthy.  Who knows, maybe a new me will emerge after the quarantine.

Until tomorrow - good night.

#Carkeekpark #COVIDSeattle #quarantineSeattle #Athleanx1