Good things about the shut down..

I went to work on Monday and a co worker was there... this co worker (who I think is a little nuts as he is 65) came in and talked to me for two hours. TWO.

OMG, I thought to myself how much time co worker chatting wastes.

I didn't have to do an emissions test to renew my registration.

it is an intriverts paradise. that's what I like about it

I also like I get to spend more time online with people I don't really talk to much otherwise

I've just found it really nice having more time to just be me and do what I want

Specific movies are coming to streaming services I already have instead of the theaters. Like Hamlet.

Also this one show I wanted to watch was going to be on Showtime. Which I do not have. I was trying to figure out how to watch it. If I should get the channel and then cancel it, or buy the episodes off iTunes. Then last week I found out because of the virus it’s going to remain on the channel it’s currently on.

So that worked out.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my med provider and it's all done over the phone. I'm so glad!

I really have enjoyed that, at least for now, therapist and pdoc appointments have been phone calls/video chats. That way I could take some time for myself without missing appointments.

More time than ever before... I've been reading a ton, etc. Just working on myself I guess.

I've had more time to take care of my chickens and start a garden. I also learned how to sew!

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this but I appreciate a lot more people now.
You know people who do service work, per deum and gig work. I took all that help for granted.

For the longest time, I couldn't even bother to reply to this post because I thought to myself, "NOTHING has been good about this virus!" There's a large part of me that still makes me think,"This is all BS" but I have found out a few things...

1) It taught me the fundamental basics of budgeting. I'm a shopaholic. I'm big on retail therapy and I'm sure if there was a 12 step program for it I'd acknowledge it and politely decline it, but I'd still be left with a burning desire to buy things that make me feel good. It just so happens that within the initial closing of businesses, I received my tax return, my FAFSA refund, and then shortly after my stimulus check. I learned without any of those things, I'd be so screwed up the rear. I got laid off, and I wasn't paid for those two months, so without those just-so-happens, I'd be up the creek without a paddle. Now I run a tight ship with my money. I now have bills covered for 8 months in case of emergency whereas normally, I'd be begging for money by the end of the weekend. I have the money I need for my new tires and the oil change as well as money for a new hairdo and tonight I created a budget to see my brother get married and a couple weekenders away to relax.

2) I spent a long time self-reflecting. I won't bore y'all with some sappy enlightenment story, but during the time spent trapped in the house I spent time talking with my God and creating goals for myself to become a better person.

3) I got a new puppy. Well, my parents did but it's a family dog and I've been cherishing every moment I can with him and doing my fair share of puppy raising. He can be a stinker, but only because he's so incredibly smart and needs the challenge and mental stimulation that comes with the intelligent breed.

4) I got to experiment with a new way of learning/schooling--online classes. There's many pros and cons about online classes, and although I don't enjoy it, I would never have attempted an online class if it weren't for the coronavirus.

More time for creative projects for me. One example is working on a portrait of a woman in a bright green dress,

I can work from home.

I also feel *happy* that I now know I can do this. Meaning I can stay in my home for 3 months without talking to too many people and not lose my mind. In 2003 I got laid off and even though I had unemployment I just about lost my mind. There was no one to talk to (everyone else was at work). But I think now I see it wasn't so much not talking to people but I think it was the insecurity of not having a job. Though this time I talked to people via working from home.... it wasn't "interacting" and I managed to make it through just fine. I think this bodes well for retirement.

We can’t take anything to the thrift store since they aren’t open. I found a couple things I decided not to donate. If they had been open I would have given them away weeks ago.

DNice's Club Quarantine.