Yesterday at work, I completed a spread sheet on potential lost booking for our rental facility due to the coronavirus threat. At final count, $136,000 just for the months of March and April. Since I work in a city job and was the most recent hire this year, I'm also looking at a layoff.
The residual effects of this virus will be felt in far-reaching ripples. Our downtown Kent neighbor is host to one of the quarantine centers, which will mean a veritable ghost town for businesses north of Kent on Central Ave. Whether due to overcaution or fear or panic, I can see the Denny's and Mitzel's near by suffering.
Last week, when our for a round of errands, we started thinking about where to get a quick dinner. And a discussion started about the impact the virus may have on minimum wage food service workers who can't afford to stay home from work, may be providing care for children or elderly adults to supplement income and may not notice emerging symptoms or try to mask them to keep earning wages. We ended up going to Mod Pizza figuring the wood fired oven and gloves on all staff would eliminate most of the germs.
The biggest threat is to our homeless population. Just waiting for a short sighted political pundit to quip about this being the answer to the homeless problem - a good case of plague to wipe the slate clean. Homeless populations often already suffer from poor health, chronic coughs, lack of means to properly clean and fight germs. I had an awful dream where tainted hand sanitizer was distributed to homeless shelters, akin to the smallpox blankets that wiped out entire Indian tribes - a story often attributed to myth, but what do the Native American history books say?
My own feelings on the viral threat alternate between complacency and moments of panic. I carry Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer with me. Tend to overthink fast food choices based on past history of cleanliness and food borne illness issues. Order food that has been minimally handled by humans, etc.
If this is what's going to take us out, then so be it. We've survived SARS, Avian Flu, annual flu and other maladies.
The true test is how will we extend ourselves to care for others if faced with the challenge. People have needed better hand washing protocol for 50 years, so if that improves as a result of this viral threat, so much the better.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Wedding Anniversary Gifts
This year, Mr. M and I celebrate our 30th Anniversary. Or as we call it, 28 years with credit for time served since marriage is and institution and we were together for 2 years before committing it to law. As I was reading the list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts, for 30 the gift is pearl. Why is that ironic? It takes constant irritation of an oyster's mantle for 5 to 20 years to form a pearl of any value. Notice any correlations? Me neither.
At any rate, since I was researching I looked into the other traditional anniversary gifts. Only a few that I'll share. This is the link to the chart I'm using, if interested: https://www.eternityrose.com/anniversary-gifts-by-year
1 - paper, 2- cotton, 3-leather, 4-silk... The first 4 years' is a win/win. One spouse can get gifts covered in the lingerie department and both sides win.
5 - wood, 6 - iron... then we get into the heavy metals, which means kitchen wares for her and golf clubs for him. Otherwise known as stuff you could literally hurl at each other. Is there any wonder that most marriages tank in the first 7 years?
10 gets to diamonds - figuring after 10 years the original wedding band is worth an upgrade. Then we get into jewelry furs and watches. Value added investments, since you get one for being married to the job at retirement, why not at a decade of marital bliss.
16-20 revamps the table wear with silver and porcelain. 21-25 goes back into the heavy metals in case you need more battle implements. Pictures, sculpture and furniture round out to the end of the 2nd decade.
Then we get into the semiprecious stones and noticeably - this chart only goes to every 5 years because if you have survived marriage into the 35-60 range it's high time your kids start coughing up the goods and it better include tropical vacations and elaborate fetes.
At the end of our original wedding reception, we adjourned to our hotel and took a 2 hour nap, with no extra curricular activities. We awakened to discover we had no wallets, no money and our shoes and clothes were in another vehicle. So we drove to my grandmother's house, stopped to pick up our mail - found a wedding card with cash inside! Had quick drive through since neither of us ate at the reception. Arrived at my grandmother's famished, ate wedding cake and opened gifts. THEN we went back to the hotel to the previously interrupted extracurriculars...
We determined that if we had it to do over again, we'd keep it small and simple and catered by KFC. HENCE, for our 30th, we're only inviting 30 of our closest friends and family, keeping the BBQ theme and NO ONE is wearing hose or bow ties... period.
This time we're using any funds to replace our aging freezer. Where's that one the traditional gift list? Nowhere for good reason. That kind of gift is sure to get a spouse whacked and PUT in said freezer.
It promised to be a grand time... and here are the then and now photos...
At any rate, since I was researching I looked into the other traditional anniversary gifts. Only a few that I'll share. This is the link to the chart I'm using, if interested: https://www.eternityrose.com/anniversary-gifts-by-year
1 - paper, 2- cotton, 3-leather, 4-silk... The first 4 years' is a win/win. One spouse can get gifts covered in the lingerie department and both sides win.
5 - wood, 6 - iron... then we get into the heavy metals, which means kitchen wares for her and golf clubs for him. Otherwise known as stuff you could literally hurl at each other. Is there any wonder that most marriages tank in the first 7 years?
10 gets to diamonds - figuring after 10 years the original wedding band is worth an upgrade. Then we get into jewelry furs and watches. Value added investments, since you get one for being married to the job at retirement, why not at a decade of marital bliss.
16-20 revamps the table wear with silver and porcelain. 21-25 goes back into the heavy metals in case you need more battle implements. Pictures, sculpture and furniture round out to the end of the 2nd decade.
Then we get into the semiprecious stones and noticeably - this chart only goes to every 5 years because if you have survived marriage into the 35-60 range it's high time your kids start coughing up the goods and it better include tropical vacations and elaborate fetes.
At the end of our original wedding reception, we adjourned to our hotel and took a 2 hour nap, with no extra curricular activities. We awakened to discover we had no wallets, no money and our shoes and clothes were in another vehicle. So we drove to my grandmother's house, stopped to pick up our mail - found a wedding card with cash inside! Had quick drive through since neither of us ate at the reception. Arrived at my grandmother's famished, ate wedding cake and opened gifts. THEN we went back to the hotel to the previously interrupted extracurriculars...
We determined that if we had it to do over again, we'd keep it small and simple and catered by KFC. HENCE, for our 30th, we're only inviting 30 of our closest friends and family, keeping the BBQ theme and NO ONE is wearing hose or bow ties... period.
This time we're using any funds to replace our aging freezer. Where's that one the traditional gift list? Nowhere for good reason. That kind of gift is sure to get a spouse whacked and PUT in said freezer.
It promised to be a grand time... and here are the then and now photos...
Social media fasting
Lent started last week. I made the choice to give up social media access because I wanted to spend more time in positive activities rather than running down click bait rabbit holes, being goaded into online debate on political positions and free myself from judgement and being judgmental.
I spent more time walking outside, re-learned how to crochet and cranked out 3 lap quilts for a senior center to distribute to their clientele, cared for two ill friends, planned a party, read more, cooked healthy meals, went to the gym, worked out with friends, went out with friends, talked to my spouse more, snuggled my cat more, spent time with my parents, wrote more, and read far more than I had in the last year. It was a very enriching time to learn more about the things I find drive my passions. Caring for others, educating myself, creating something from nothing, enjoying simple times with those I treasure.
As two friends enter hospice for life ending illnesses, the focus of what is truly important becomes abundantly clear. It's not what you give or have that matters to people, it's what you give of yourself - effort, knowledge, time, tasks they can no longer do independently, taking care of the daily minutia that is now beyond someone with dementia, making a little extra of a simple meal to share.
What became readily apparent as Lent progressed is that though I intended to subtract something from my live to make room for more important endeavors, the result ended up enriching my life in more ways than what I relinquished. It was hard to avoid going to facebook to see what friends and family were up to, and I slipped a few times... to be honest. It was hard not to post a witty quip in Twitter and just share it with my husband. It was hard to write several blog posts and SAVE them, rather than posting right away...
But the long term benefits far out weigh the brief inconveniences, as is usually the case.
I spent more time walking outside, re-learned how to crochet and cranked out 3 lap quilts for a senior center to distribute to their clientele, cared for two ill friends, planned a party, read more, cooked healthy meals, went to the gym, worked out with friends, went out with friends, talked to my spouse more, snuggled my cat more, spent time with my parents, wrote more, and read far more than I had in the last year. It was a very enriching time to learn more about the things I find drive my passions. Caring for others, educating myself, creating something from nothing, enjoying simple times with those I treasure.
As two friends enter hospice for life ending illnesses, the focus of what is truly important becomes abundantly clear. It's not what you give or have that matters to people, it's what you give of yourself - effort, knowledge, time, tasks they can no longer do independently, taking care of the daily minutia that is now beyond someone with dementia, making a little extra of a simple meal to share.
What became readily apparent as Lent progressed is that though I intended to subtract something from my live to make room for more important endeavors, the result ended up enriching my life in more ways than what I relinquished. It was hard to avoid going to facebook to see what friends and family were up to, and I slipped a few times... to be honest. It was hard not to post a witty quip in Twitter and just share it with my husband. It was hard to write several blog posts and SAVE them, rather than posting right away...
But the long term benefits far out weigh the brief inconveniences, as is usually the case.
Presidential Race 2020
When all is said and done in November, we will truly be able to say hindsight is 20/20. We have many possible Democratic candidates vying for the nomination. So much so that the need to turn over the House and Senate has been overshadowed by he said/she said debate sound bites and who is raking in the most donations.
What are the crucial issues that will need to be addressed? Social? Economic? Political?
Should we eliminate the electoral college? Won't happen before this election...
The deplorable state of homelessness and homeless veterans and homeless elderly in this country? What is the solution?
What about Medicare for all? What about Social Security? Will there BE any social sec for the future?
What can we do about the economy to help new graduates afford all the things they need to survive besides paying student loans?
What is to become of the out of control housing market?
My level of frustration is that while several candidates want to address the state of student loan poverty driving owers into bankruptcy, homelessness and under employment to make ends meet, those of us who are severely sacrificing to save and pay as we go for education to minimize the economic effect on recent grads will get nothing for our dedication and foresight. Our first son emerged from college with a BA in cinematic arts, currently works a contract job doing AV for hotels and owed $10K at the end of college, we ran short of funds his last year. Sallie Mae kept telling him he didn't make enough to start paying back loans but neglected to tell him that they were continuing to compound his interest. When we sold our family home, we paid off his now $12.000 in student loans thereby increasing his credit rating as well. A win/win most would say, except that he is now plagued by constant marketing calls and has to regularly check his credit report against identity theft. If we had it to do over, we'd pay off 1/2.
Our second son is a year away from graduation. We are trying to pay month to month to avoid the same ed loan trap with him. This arrangement has necessitated him to reduce credit hours, take a 20 hour a week campus job, have mom come out of temporary retirement due to job burnout to take a 30 hour a week job, and takes a good portion of our disposable income to make come to fruition, including an occasional loan from grandparents when pay days hit too far from tuition due dates. For the first time in years, we are living paycheck to paycheck as our home mortgage and tuition payments are nearly equal. BUT we make too much to qualify for tuition grants. So we're stuck between proverbial hard place and wall. Kid could take more credit hours, but then couldn't work (campus rules) so he could graduate earlier. There is no way to win. Will we get any tax credits for paying as we go? Remains to be seen.
But others who rack up debt and want it erased will have a plan for that? Life isn't fair and our kids' education is a worthwhile investment, but it would be nice to see a break even point on the horizon. Have them pay off our mortgage? Assisted living expenses? Funeral home expenses? At what point do we get a break for doing 'the right thing' and foregoing vacations and new vehicles and updating appliances and making what we have last just a few years longer? Where's the Warren plan for that?
My overall hope is that the Dem candidates will pool their resources and assemble a kick ass cabinet once Trump is defeated with Warren revamping college ed costs like she did consumer spending advocacy. With Pete Buttigeig in charge of foreign policy, we could mend so many strained relationships that our wall building, insult hurling POTUS has committed against us. With Bloomberg guarding US funds with the same diligence that he guards and invests his own, we could be a contender again. Each taking personal responsibility for an area of their own expertise and coming up with a collaborative plan that reaches across the aisles to formulate a policy that will cure more than it cuts. With Bernie at the helm with the support of the best and brightest the Dems have to offer, America could be great again, not because of red hats, but because of the minds and creative genius NOT found below the hats. Make America care again. Make America united again. Make America matter again. Take America back from hate, rage and indifference.
What are the crucial issues that will need to be addressed? Social? Economic? Political?
Should we eliminate the electoral college? Won't happen before this election...
The deplorable state of homelessness and homeless veterans and homeless elderly in this country? What is the solution?
What about Medicare for all? What about Social Security? Will there BE any social sec for the future?
What can we do about the economy to help new graduates afford all the things they need to survive besides paying student loans?
What is to become of the out of control housing market?
My level of frustration is that while several candidates want to address the state of student loan poverty driving owers into bankruptcy, homelessness and under employment to make ends meet, those of us who are severely sacrificing to save and pay as we go for education to minimize the economic effect on recent grads will get nothing for our dedication and foresight. Our first son emerged from college with a BA in cinematic arts, currently works a contract job doing AV for hotels and owed $10K at the end of college, we ran short of funds his last year. Sallie Mae kept telling him he didn't make enough to start paying back loans but neglected to tell him that they were continuing to compound his interest. When we sold our family home, we paid off his now $12.000 in student loans thereby increasing his credit rating as well. A win/win most would say, except that he is now plagued by constant marketing calls and has to regularly check his credit report against identity theft. If we had it to do over, we'd pay off 1/2.
Our second son is a year away from graduation. We are trying to pay month to month to avoid the same ed loan trap with him. This arrangement has necessitated him to reduce credit hours, take a 20 hour a week campus job, have mom come out of temporary retirement due to job burnout to take a 30 hour a week job, and takes a good portion of our disposable income to make come to fruition, including an occasional loan from grandparents when pay days hit too far from tuition due dates. For the first time in years, we are living paycheck to paycheck as our home mortgage and tuition payments are nearly equal. BUT we make too much to qualify for tuition grants. So we're stuck between proverbial hard place and wall. Kid could take more credit hours, but then couldn't work (campus rules) so he could graduate earlier. There is no way to win. Will we get any tax credits for paying as we go? Remains to be seen.
But others who rack up debt and want it erased will have a plan for that? Life isn't fair and our kids' education is a worthwhile investment, but it would be nice to see a break even point on the horizon. Have them pay off our mortgage? Assisted living expenses? Funeral home expenses? At what point do we get a break for doing 'the right thing' and foregoing vacations and new vehicles and updating appliances and making what we have last just a few years longer? Where's the Warren plan for that?
My overall hope is that the Dem candidates will pool their resources and assemble a kick ass cabinet once Trump is defeated with Warren revamping college ed costs like she did consumer spending advocacy. With Pete Buttigeig in charge of foreign policy, we could mend so many strained relationships that our wall building, insult hurling POTUS has committed against us. With Bloomberg guarding US funds with the same diligence that he guards and invests his own, we could be a contender again. Each taking personal responsibility for an area of their own expertise and coming up with a collaborative plan that reaches across the aisles to formulate a policy that will cure more than it cuts. With Bernie at the helm with the support of the best and brightest the Dems have to offer, America could be great again, not because of red hats, but because of the minds and creative genius NOT found below the hats. Make America care again. Make America united again. Make America matter again. Take America back from hate, rage and indifference.
Viral Frenzy
The corona virus has claimed its first victim in WA and the ensuing fear and hysteria is sad and at times comical if it weren't so off base. Viruses mutate at every transmission. People are noting that human coronavirus is found as one of the 99% of germs eliminated by Lysol products. In general, are you planning to ingest Lysol to protect yourself? People think Corona beer is related to corona virus and are refusing to buy it based on that bias. Drug stores are running out of face masks and hand sanitizer.
The true travesty will be when the virus hits the most vulnerable. I don't mean the young, the old and the immune system compromised. The homeless and those who cannot afford to stay home from work to tend to their illness or who will be caring for ill family members as the only employed person in a family. The family leave system in WA is already being taxed and taking longer to reimburse those who are eligible to utilize the benefit.
Our out of control homeless community is often plagued by frequent illness. If the corona virus takes hold of a homeless encampment, it could be devastating. For volunteers, for health care workers, for first responders, for those who go in to clean up the aftermath of the crisis. The effects are far-reaching and unable to be fathomed how far it will reach into those who feel insulated. Fast food workers caring for ill and vulnerable family members at home. Those who don't recognize early symptoms due to mental debilitation or dependencies that leave them ill often. The many without access to medical care, preventative factors or who can't read cautionary signage in public places to comply with safety measures. We are as vulnerable as our weakest links.
At our home church, where we serve the homeless a free meal several times a week, all of our bottles of hand sanitizer were stolen this week. Fear driving desperation. Someone who can't afford the protective measures, resorted to stealing. What will others resort to for protection? Medical insurance fraud? Jeopardizing the health of others to get ahead? The world is a crazy place full of folks who feel the rules and mores don't apply to them. I'm fearful of the hype and fear overtaking reasonable reactions.
The true travesty will be when the virus hits the most vulnerable. I don't mean the young, the old and the immune system compromised. The homeless and those who cannot afford to stay home from work to tend to their illness or who will be caring for ill family members as the only employed person in a family. The family leave system in WA is already being taxed and taking longer to reimburse those who are eligible to utilize the benefit.
Our out of control homeless community is often plagued by frequent illness. If the corona virus takes hold of a homeless encampment, it could be devastating. For volunteers, for health care workers, for first responders, for those who go in to clean up the aftermath of the crisis. The effects are far-reaching and unable to be fathomed how far it will reach into those who feel insulated. Fast food workers caring for ill and vulnerable family members at home. Those who don't recognize early symptoms due to mental debilitation or dependencies that leave them ill often. The many without access to medical care, preventative factors or who can't read cautionary signage in public places to comply with safety measures. We are as vulnerable as our weakest links.
At our home church, where we serve the homeless a free meal several times a week, all of our bottles of hand sanitizer were stolen this week. Fear driving desperation. Someone who can't afford the protective measures, resorted to stealing. What will others resort to for protection? Medical insurance fraud? Jeopardizing the health of others to get ahead? The world is a crazy place full of folks who feel the rules and mores don't apply to them. I'm fearful of the hype and fear overtaking reasonable reactions.
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