Quarantine Quips

I’m now into my Pittsburgh visit – two weeks yesterday!  We’re all alive and surviving!  Thankfully!  I’m not sure what comes next, but there have definitely been some bright spots, some laughs and some entertainment while I’ve been here.  I'm trying to keep it positive this week...had teletherapy this morning and that got my day started off right!!

1.     Waking up with Gabriel every morning…his smile, his recognizing me, and Katie singing his wake-up song, "Good Morning, Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain.  I’ve tried hard to adhere to their parenting style…but every now and then, I do get him while he is fussing…when normally they would let him go a bit!  So…maybe Gabriel is looking at me like someone who can easily spoil him!  I sure hope so!

2.     Dinners by Anthony!  Each night, Anthony has been our chef!  He loves to cook and he’s damn good at it!  So, we have had tasty dinners each night…Pork roast and sweet potatoes, Salmon, Butternut squash soup with sausage, French onion soup and salad, just to name a few of our selections. We also ordered out a couple of times…gobble-ritas from the local Mexican restaurant…think Thanksgiving dinner rolled into a burrito and we’ve had pizza from one of my favorite places. I could get used to this...I wonder how much it would cost to hire a personal chef when this is over???

3.    Cocktails by Anthony!  If we wanted to, we could have cocktails each night, but I have tried to pace myself.  However, I can’t resist the pineapple juice and whipped cream vodka!  I brought my Fresca and have tried it with citron vodka and iced tea vodka.  It’s been the best way for me to “relax” at the end of the day!  Fun fact:  We had several airplane bottles when this started…lining them up on the top of the stove.  Slowly, we have been knocking them off!  Anthony has the big bottles ready to pop out, but we have determined that experimenting with these flavored vodkas is educational and we’re having fun too! 

4.    Lisa & Luna!  I think you know, I have a grand-dog.  I also think you know that I am not a dog lover but I do my best with Luna…she’s part of their family.  As you know, dogs gravitate to the one least likely to love on them.  That person is me!  Luna finds me, wherever I am and brings her her chew toys, and all of her other soggy toys!   I have my safe spot on the couch that Luna is not allowed on.  My biggest battle is keeping that big soggy tongue off of Gabriel’s face!  He is in awe of Luna…loves when she crunches her food, loves when she licks his feet and loves when she makes her toys squeak!  I think Luna is getting used to me…but that doesn’t keep her from trying to become my friend.  Katie said, “You have to love her optimism!”  So, I do!

5.    CeCe’s Chateau!  I have a great area on the third floor of their home, which is literally a suite for me…nice bedroom and a full bathroom.  There’s another room up there so there is lots of room!  I’ve gotten used to the steps, but I do plan my trips!  Between the three flights up and the one flight down to the basement, I’m getting my exercise.  I’m also sneaking a little ibuprofen to keep my knees and hips working!!

6.    Safety first!  Now please don’t think we are taking this quarantine thing lightly because my Katie is as serious as a heart attack about keeping this house germ free…and that’s one reason why I’m still here.  However, while cleaning out her drawers, we found items that we will keep just in case we need to provide our own masks.  (see picture!)  It’s amazing what you can find in your underwear/bra drawer! 

7.    Surprise guest in my room…Last week, after walking up the steps to my suite, I tossed my phone on the bed.  Almost immediately, I heard a buzzing noise.  I thought something was on my phone, but then, I heard the buzzing noise stop, and a “landing” occurred.  I looked up and on the overhead light fixture, there was a stink bug!  Oh my Lord!  How would I handle this?  I couldn’t scream like I normally would have in my apartment.  My bedroom is above Katie & Anthony’s room so I didn’t want to jump around trying to combat this bug.  But what were my options?

I got a roll of paper towels, I emptied my water glass and I grabbed my notebook that could be used to swat if needed. 
But first I had to subdue or kill this thing.  Then, I found one of the most amazing things…my can of hairspray!  I sprayed the light fixture with all of my might, and the bug seemed un-phased as it continued to “walk away” from the spray.  I realized that I was going to have to get closer to the bug, so I grabbed the desk chair and quietly pulled it over, closer to my target.  I stood on the chair and sprayed that hairspray like I was defending my family from intruders!

The bug was not moving…was it dead or just stuck?  I’m not sure, but I knew that my next move was to use the notebook to knock him down to the ground, put the glass over him, slide a piece of paper underneath and deliver him to the toilet! 

So, I knocked the bug…he didn’t move.  I then realized, he was stuck…the hairspray paralyzed him and he was not coming off of the linen shade without a little more force.  I knocked him again and he fell lifeless to MY BED!!!

I quickly grabbed a paper towel and scooped him up and then ran to the bathroom, where I could drop him off into the toilet!  Before he was actually thrown in, I had flushed and down he went!

Now, there are a couple of great observations from this experience…number one, I was very brave and although I know I could have yelled for help, I was not about to wake them up for a stupid bug.  Number two, I did ALL of this without a sound coming out of my mouth…no yikes, no scream, no f-bomb, nothing!  Total silence…except for a little whisper saying to the bug…”damn you!” 

8. It's hard to call Greg, my ex.  During the past two weeks, Greg has called or texted me just about every day.  He gives us updates about Ohio and the latest infor from the Governor.  He has asked how we are doing, knowing that I had no intention of staying this long.  He has asked if I'm okay financially and did I need any money.  (not many exes do that!) He has thanked me for being there to help our daughter.  He is a good "ex" and I am grateful that I can say that.

9.  Finally, my Katie.  We are enjoying our time together and without words, we are able to tell each other that we are glad we are safe and under one roof.  Katie and I have worked together around the house...she's let me manage Gabriel as much as I want.  We've been able to have our tears, share our fears, and comfort one another when needed.  I've been able to watch her in action as a mom...loving every minute and flashing back to her childhood when she played "house" with her dolls.  I knew she would be amazing!  She certainly is so much calmer as a mom than I ever was.
We've been watching fun shows (The Great British Bake-Off is a blast! and Encore takes me back) and I even watched a preview of a show that her theater company hopes to produce next fall.  I'm certainly being entertained on many levels!
As crazy and scary as all of this has been, she is my light...even when she is having a bad day, she let's me be her momma and that is my greatest joy.  (besides being Gabriel's CeCe!!) I keep tossing around going home, but she keeps me feeling okay with staying here.  When we are hugging one another, wiping our tears of laughter or fear, I know I am where I need and want to be.

Now, I hope you all have a good day!  These are just some of my Pittsburgh Quarantine Adventures!  I’d love to hear some of yours!!  In the meantime, stay home and stay healthy!   xoxoxo


My Buddy!!!  

Safety first!  These prototypes are not quite ready for production, but getting close!

               

           Last bottle standing...we've worked throught the rest!  Shout out to Abby for giving
      Katie & Anthony the variety pack of airplane bottles for Christmas!!