Another lovely day in Oklahoma. . .

[Micca]

Just ordered a Haunted Mansion themed "Game Of Life." Looking forward to playing it with DGDs.

 

[Kitty 34]

Just ordered a Haunted Mansion themed "Game Of Life." Looking forward to playing it with DGDs.

I'm waiting for the "Living with Covid Game of Life".

 

[Micca]

I'm waiting for the "Living with Covid Game of Life".

I'm not sure that's a wheel I want to spin!

 

[Kitty 34]

.........or which choice to make when there's a fork in the road!!!

 

[NFLDERS]

I'm not sure that's a wheel I want to spin!

AGAIN, and AGAIN, and...

 

[NFLDERS]

.........or which choice to make when there's a fork in the road!!!

That's easy. One is to take the road well, traveled.

 

[leebee]

Well, I just learned tonight that DH and I have potentially been exposed to Covid-19. On the evening of Sunday, August 23, we went to a friend's home to sit around his fire pit and enjoy some wine and beer. It was the last evening before he and DH had to return to work (both work for the same small college and have been working remotely since March) and we were having a lovely evening reminiscing and wondering where this academic year will go. We even laughed about DH being on sabbatical this upcoming year, joking about how he will be the only one to not get Covid, hahaha. We didn't have masks on but our chairs were 6' apart, which are the public health guidelines here in Maine for being in restaurants, bars, etc. (We can be IN restaurants or outside, need to wear masks when walking around but it's OK to take them off when sitting at your table, and need to stay 6' away, and there are capacity limits). Anyhow, our friend called this evening. He was tested at work on Thursday afternoon (the 27th) and got his test results today. He's positive although asymptomatic. SO. DH and I are going to be tested in the morning, and my supervisor has said we shouldn't come in to work until we get our test results (although on sabbatical from his full-time position at his university, he is teaching a face-2-face course as an adjunct at my university this semester). I am teaching remotely but there is still a lot of on-campus work for me to be doing for the next few weeks to get the semester up and running, but for the next few days we are stuck here at home again.

It's weird. I felt much safer at this friend's home than I feel in the grocery store or restaurants. We know he's been "safe" and where he's been, who he's been with all summer, etc. You just never know, I guess. I have had what I thought was a realistic view on this virus, choosing to wear clean masks when outside of my home/car (even when walking on the streets), trying to stay 6' away from others (even with my mask on), and staying out of groups. I haven't stayed strictly at home; although I've worked remotely since March, once the limitations were lifted we have been going out to eat or enjoy a beer at the local pub a couple of times a week. I always thought if we followed the rules, we'd get a handle on this sooner. Now? I'm not sure. I guess I don't regret how we've approached this virus, as while I believe we should follow the guidelines I also think that we have to resume some sort of life outside our homes, but I guess I also thought that by taking all the precautions, we'd be safe. Not saying that we aren't safe, but we've been exposed to an asymptomatic friend who has been even more restrictive than we've been. I guess you just never know.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Keep us posted @leebee!

 

[Micca]

Sure hope it turns out ok for you leebee! It's not like you weren't trying to be careful, I've done a few risky things over the past few months and I certainly would have been comfortable doing what you and your DH did.

Here's a little anecdote that might make you feel better: My ex son-in-law hosted a sleepover for our DGDs and their friends, and 4 days later began exhibiting covid symptoms. He got tested and was positive so quarantined for 10 days. So all those little girls who had spent the night and their parents were at risk. The parents were all tested and were negative, they chose not to test the children based on doctors advice. Out of that circle of people only the ex sil got the virus and got sick. FWIW he is late 30s and in terrific shape, he was really sick for a couple of days but otherwise recovered fairly quickly.

This virus is so erratic it just adds frustration into the mix along with the fear and panic. Please do keep us posted and hang in there!

 

[Kitty 34]

Sure hope it turns out ok for you leebee! It's not like you weren't trying to be careful, I've done a few risky things over the past few months and I certainly would have been comfortable doing what you and your DH did.

Here's a little anecdote that might make you feel better: My ex son-in-law hosted a sleepover for our DGDs and their friends, and 4 days later began exhibiting covid symptoms. He got tested and was positive so quarantined for 10 days. So all those little girls who had spent the night and their parents were at risk. The parents were all tested and were negative, they chose not to test the children based on doctors advice. Out of that circle of people only the ex sil got the virus and got sick. FWIW he is late 30s and in terrific shape, he was really sick for a couple of days but otherwise recovered fairly quickly.

This virus is so erratic it just adds frustration into the mix along with the fear and panic. Please do keep us posted and hang in there!

Wow I bet that was scary for your family, Ron! Thank goodness it all went well!

Leebee, I send you many positive thoughts and prayers your way for a good outcome as well.

 

[NFLDERS]

Well, I just learned tonight that DH and I have potentially been exposed to Covid-19. On the evening of Sunday, August 23, we went to a friend's home to sit around his fire pit and enjoy some wine and beer. It was the last evening before he and DH had to return to work (both work for the same small college and have been working remotely since March) and we were having a lovely evening reminiscing and wondering where this academic year will go. We even laughed about DH being on sabbatical this upcoming year, joking about how he will be the only one to not get Covid, hahaha. We didn't have masks on but our chairs were 6' apart, which are the public health guidelines here in Maine for being in restaurants, bars, etc. (We can be IN restaurants or outside, need to wear masks when walking around but it's OK to take them off when sitting at your table, and need to stay 6' away, and there are capacity limits). Anyhow, our friend called this evening. He was tested at work on Thursday afternoon (the 27th) and got his test results today. He's positive although asymptomatic. SO. DH and I are going to be tested in the morning, and my supervisor has said we shouldn't come in to work until we get our test results (although on sabbatical from his full-time position at his university, he is teaching a face-2-face course as an adjunct at my university this semester). I am teaching remotely but there is still a lot of on-campus work for me to be doing for the next few weeks to get the semester up and running, but for the next few days we are stuck here at home again.

It's weird. I felt much safer at this friend's home than I feel in the grocery store or restaurants. We know he's been "safe" and where he's been, who he's been with all summer, etc. You just never know, I guess. I have had what I thought was a realistic view on this virus, choosing to wear clean masks when outside of my home/car (even when walking on the streets), trying to stay 6' away from others (even with my mask on), and staying out of groups. I haven't stayed strictly at home; although I've worked remotely since March, once the limitations were lifted we have been going out to eat or enjoy a beer at the local pub a couple of times a week. I always thought if we followed the rules, we'd get a handle on this sooner. Now? I'm not sure. I guess I don't regret how we've approached this virus, as while I believe we should follow the guidelines I also think that we have to resume some sort of life outside our homes, but I guess I also thought that by taking all the precautions, we'd be safe. Not saying that we aren't safe, but we've been exposed to an asymptomatic friend who has been even more restrictive than we've been. I guess you just never know.

I'm going to take your post as advice, because we thought maybe this Fall/Winter we'd relax our precautions.

Stay Safe all...

 

[leebee]

Thanks for the support everyone. We've been following the rules but also doing things as they've been allowed within the guidelines. I have noticed, though, that everyone's guard drops as familiarity grows. I can't believe I went in his home without my mask on, but I am pretty sure I did. We're comfortable with each other, we'd just spent several hours together, and caution relaxes. I've seen it at work this week, too. Granted, there are very very very few of us back on campus or in the building, but I've noticed that when people are in other's offices talking, they seem to be relaxed about wearing their masks, sitting clearly less than 6' apart. Same thing at restaurants. Nobody at tables are wearing their masks, even those who are sitting with friends, not immediate family members. I don't mean to be dramatic about it- and we haven't tested positive (yet... no results in), when you are deciding what to do and where to go, don't forget there are people out there who are positive, contagious, and asymptomatic.. so there's no way to tell they are "sick."

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks for the support everyone. We've been following the rules but also doing things as they've been allowed within the guidelines. I have noticed, though, that everyone's guard drops as familiarity grows. I can't believe I went in his home without my mask on, but I am pretty sure I did. We're comfortable with each other, we'd just spent several hours together, and caution relaxes. I've seen it at work this week, too. Granted, there are very very very few of us back on campus or in the building, but I've noticed that when people are in other's offices talking, they seem to be relaxed about wearing their masks, sitting clearly less than 6' apart. Same thing at restaurants. Nobody at tables are wearing their masks, even those who are sitting with friends, not immediate family members. I don't mean to be dramatic about it- and we haven't tested positive (yet... no results in), when you are deciding what to do and where to go, don't forget there are people out there who are positive, contagious, and asymptomatic.. so there's no way to tell they are "sick."

Hopefully, the precautions you took means that you didn't catch it. Good luck!

I've gone out twice since March. A few weeks ago I got together with some DIS friends (well, we all met on the DIS) and we ate at a restaurant patio in Huntington Beach. Afterwards, my friends decided to walk, but with all the people there not wearing masks, I didn't feel comfortable, so I just came home. This past Saturday, I went to Solvang with some girlfriends. We rented a little mini-electric car for an hour and took off our masks as we drove around. We put our masks on when we returned and walked around a little bit. We didn't go into the stores, but we did eat at a restaurant that had an open patio. I would say that 98% of the people were wearing their masks. I'm pretty isolated here at home, so live a basically quarantined life right now. It's Wed, and none of us have any symptoms and all feel good, so I'm taking it that we are in the safe zone.

 

[ronandannette]

Hi @NFLDERS - quick question: I'm making hotel reservations for our Anniversary trip in a couple of weeks. What do you recommend for a hotel in Niagara Falls with a full fallsview and easy parking? I'm looking at the Oakes and the Embassy Suites but I'm open to others. I'd also still love to know if hotel hot tubs are permitted to be open in Ontario. TIA

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm going to take your post as advice, because we thought maybe this Fall/Winter we'd relax our precautions.

Stay Safe all...

Ironically, last night, my two sisters both stopped over to visit. We actually sat in my house together (for the first time) but my living room could allow for social distancing of the 3 of us. But we did talk for a long time on what we all were going to do with the winter months coming and windows and doors are once again shut.
My one sister is heading back to school to teach so sadly we decided this would be her last visit in my house until we all figure out what the Virus is going to do.

 

[ronandannette]

Thanks for the support everyone. We've been following the rules but also doing things as they've been allowed within the guidelines. I have noticed, though, that everyone's guard drops as familiarity grows. I can't believe I went in his home without my mask on, but I am pretty sure I did. We're comfortable with each other, we'd just spent several hours together, and caution relaxes. I've seen it at work this week, too. Granted, there are very very very few of us back on campus or in the building, but I've noticed that when people are in other's offices talking, they seem to be relaxed about wearing their masks, sitting clearly less than 6' apart. Same thing at restaurants. Nobody at tables are wearing their masks, even those who are sitting with friends, not immediate family members. I don't mean to be dramatic about it- and we haven't tested positive (yet... no results in), when you are deciding what to do and where to go, don't forget there are people out there who are positive, contagious, and asymptomatic.. so there's no way to tell they are "sick."

Any word on your tests yet, leebee? We're all thinking of you.

 

[NFLDERS]

Hi @NFLDERS - quick question: I'm making hotel reservations for our Anniversary trip in a couple of weeks. What do you recommend for a hotel in Niagara Falls with a full fallsview and easy parking? I'm looking at the Oakes and the Embassy Suites but I'm open to others. I'd also still love to know if hotel hot tubs are permitted to be open in Ontario. TIA

The Sheraton on the Falls has an awesome view and is a great location. The Hotel is dated. Hot tubs are not open, pools are but put your name on the hotel's list ahead of time.

The Oaks is dated too. It's location is next door to the newer Fallsview Casino. There is an incline railway just outside the door that takes you down to the Falls.

The Embassy is across the street from The Oaks and more expensive than the Sheraton or Oaks, we've never stayed there, but the Aussie on this forum (sorry, I'm not remembering her name) enjoyed it.

Make sure you book the right location because for instance there are I believe two Sheratons. The one in the older 'Niagara Casino Resort' would be the one you want.

FOUR POINTS SHERATON (Across the street from the newer 'Fallsview Casino Resort' IMHO is the one you DO NOT want! Also, make sure you book Canada some people end up booking a USA hotel because they read .ca, it turned out they were booking with a California site, and end up booking Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Enjoy our Niagara Falls!

 

[Micca]

My one sister is heading back to school to teach so sadly we decided this would be her last visit in my house until we all figure out what the Virus is going to do.

Well that's a bummer about your sister, I really empathize with teachers and school staff (DD is a middle school counselor) Our 2 DGDs will be in class 2 days per week, remote learning (i.e. our house) the other three days. Lots of controversy from factions who want kids in school full-time, and the others who don't want their kids in school at all. This is the plan for the first 9 weeks, after that it's anybody's guess. I'm thinking if there's an outbreak they'll just shut schools down completely again.

I'll echo ronandannette @leebee Hang in there, hoping for the best.

 

[NFLDERS]

We played Clue today with dgs, ddil, and son. After an interesting game dgs decided he would guess again. The rest of us did not hold any cards to prevent his win, but it turned out there was one card missing all the time we played!!

We gave dgs the win! Our son was able to purchase cards on line, they are from the era that we played as a family when he was young...

Btw, we played Monopoly last Saturday, and ddil won that game too!

 

[ronandannette]

Oh good gravy...would you even believe me if I told you it was snowing here?!? Cold, drizzly rain started late last evening and just now it's big, wet glops of sleet. Geeze. Good thing nobody was planning a big Labour Day picnic anyway...