Well...things are weird now, aren't they?

The whole world is just strange and scary right now.

Last Monday afternoon, my company sent everyone home to "practice" working from home.  Most of us actually have this ability thanks to our recent upgrade which gave almost all the employees at corporate laptops.  Prior to this, we were all tethered to our desks with clunky desktops.

Despite the fact that the "practice" afternoon went well, I was gobsmacked when we were informed on Tuesday that the majority of us would begin working from home on Wednesday.  I say gobsmacked because historically this company has never closed.  Also, historically, this company kind of lived in the Dark Ages.  But we are a new company, obviously.

But of course there were some hiccups on that first day.  First up, everyone started logging on to the VPN and it crashed.  For some this really isn't an issue, as they don't need the VPN - I do, of course.  It also became quite obvious that I have a real need to print.  This is something that I take for granted when in the office.  What's so frustrating about that is that I have a printer at home but IT has us so locked up that I can't access that printer.

So my choices are these:

1) Go to the office - which kind of defeats the whole purpose of working from home.  And, I've already had to this twice and have another trip planned for Monday to notarize some documents.  This is when I regret being a Notary - in order to notarize, I have to personally witness them signing the documents.  We are being careful to stay far apart and since the majority of personnel aren't in the office, I'm thinking it's fine.

2) Email the material to my personal email, go to the home computer and print - too many extra steps.  Not to mention, that I'm sure sending the material to my personal email is most likely against company policy.  But at this point, needs must, I suppose.

But, these are first world problems and we'll figure them out eventually.

On Day Two of working from home, The Husband had taken a vacation day.  We had planned to have a contractor come to give us some ideas and quotes.  They cancelled - which we totally understood given the state of things.  I have learned that having The Husband home while I'm trying to work is, generally, not a good idea.  That previous statement?  Understatement of the year.

Laundry has become an everyday activity of late.  Towels are being washed constantly and we are in need of some detergent soon.  

My friend two doors down texted me yesterday that she has had one kid after another taking turns throwing up every other day begging me to go out to see if I could find toilet paper.  As paper products are something I regularly keep stocked up; I was able to offer her a couple of rolls, as well as a box of tissues as all of our allergies are kicking up here in North Carolina.  And, of course, when I went in search of toilet paper there was none to be found.  

Which reminds me; have you seen this article?  Infuriating.  Quit hoarding people (not you, I know you aren't).  It's selfish. 

In other, random news, I discovered that working from home means that I can paint my nails at my desk table, with no one here to disapprove.  So I decided to try my hand at The Daily Connoisseur's DIY Freestyle French Manicure.  I am pretty pleased with the results.  Is it perfect?  No, but that's okay.  I have a decent manicure that didn't cost me a dime, as I already had the polish.  I was able to get the manicure while being socially isolated.  And I'm happy with it.

We are also *this* much closer to having the great door knob replacement project complete (we have slowly been replacing all the door knobs to keep from having to absorb the cost all at once).  The only hardware left to install is the front door.  I had hoped to have a new door to put the hardware on but since that *simple* project seems to be forever doomed, I will have The Husband install that hardware on the old ugly door tomorrow.  I am very pleased to have all the round, gold knobs gone.  We went with oil rubbed brass oval knobs, which I love!

Next up?  Replacing all the hinges!  The Husband can't wait!
(Yes, he can - although, he did admit that they really stand out against the white)

And in another random pivot, I received a text from my dear friend in Houston, checking up on us.  She is an office manager at MD Anderson.  As her job is very similar to mine, I sometimes forget that she actually works for a hospital...until today.  As our text conversation wandered on, she mentioned that she may be assigned as a screener at the hospital next week.  After asking her about it, they are planning to use office personnel as screener's to keep the nurses available for the front lines of this virus.  She is hoping that she won't be assigned because she is her parent's main caregiver and her spouse has asthma, not to mention she has high blood pressure - none of which is good if she were to become a carrier.

Other than all that above, today has been very quiet.  The Husband and I went for a drive this morning just to get out.  He cleaned up the back patio and prepped it for Spring usage and then we dined al fresco for lunch.  Now we are hunkered down for the evening, waiting to see what tomorrow will bring.

Well, this was a random post, wasn't it?  That's where we all are right now, at loose ends and random.  So I'll just hit publish and be done with this post.

Stay home.  Wash your hands.  Stay safe.  Sending virtual hugs to you all.