CORONA VIRUS - PHASE 4 - IT GOT ME

 

Well...It got me.  We think we're invincible and then it happens.  Luckily, I'm quarantined at home and luckily....at this point I can still work from home.  This thang ain't no fun, folks.  

Started with a hacking cough.  Then fever set in followed by my whole body feeling like I was hit by a Mack truck.  I called into Seacoast and got an appointment for a drive by test.  They sent me immediately to get it done.  I've heard horror stories about the test but it was a piece of cake.  Just swabbed inside both nostrils.  Did NOT stick the swab into the back of my head.  Sent me home and told me to stay away from my family.  No problem. 

 I can't smell.  I can't taste.  I can hardly move about.  Fever in the morning and evening.  No appetite.  Aleve and guaifenesin syrup.  Not much else that can help.  

In the past 24 hours I've heard of about 10 other folks here in OD who have come down with Covid.  I'm assuming there are more.  Facebook is being flooded by folks who seem to be shaming the sick rather than wishing them well.  Gotta love it.  

Waking up this morning hearing my LouLou hacking and clearing her throat.  Head is full of "cold".  Has she caught the Covid from me?  Only time will tell.  I pray that this is not the case.  We've tried to stay away from each other but we're in pretty close quarters here at the house.  Looks like we'll be going out for another test. 
 

Did I mention chills and fever?  My body has been racked with chills and fever every morning and every night.  I wouldn't wish this on anyone...especially my LouLou.  I feel guilty that I have probably passed this evil virus on to her.  

Let's see...in addition to being sick as a dog our cubbard is getting bare.  Guess we're gonna have to check out the grocery pickup at Food Lion.  Although I can't taste or smell we've got to nourish our bodies...and coffee.  Used my last pod this morning.  Funny thing about smell with my version of Covid...I can't smell anything good.  But as I have eaten (very little) my nose catches only a burning odor like none I've every experienced.  Like vinegar shooting up my nose.  It's not pleasant.  

 Why am I going into detail about my symptoms?  To give a heads up to anyone out there who "thinks" they may have contracted Covid.  I didn't want to believe that it had happened to me...but it got me!

 Be careful out there folks.  If it happened to me....it can happen to YOU.  Please stop the shaming on Facebook.  You have no right to judge when you could be next.  The dinky little masks that are being worn are not gonna stop this terrible virus.  Please....just be kind.  There's no need to take names.

More to come.  This is the first blog I've not ended with me and the dogs dancin'.  We're just not up to it. 

 Thanks for dropping in...while you're here won't you leave a comment?

CORONA VIRUS - PHASE 3 - HELP! I'M SINKIN'!

 

 

 Does anybody need a dance as bad as I do?

Am I in the twilight zone?  I just realized that the summer is almost over....and still no dancing.  This girl lives to dance.  I dance to make the stress go away.  I dance to go to my happy place.  My happy place is on a dance floor, preferably at the OD Pavilion with the ocean breeze at my back.  As Marvin Gaye would say..."What's Goin' On?"  Depression is settin' in and I need to DANCE!

My closet is full of summer clothes that haven't been worn.  My standard outfit for these past months has been cut off jeans and a tee shirt.  My flip flops haven't been on a dance floor.  They're sad....very sad. 

I've been lucky...as I've worked with the general public throughout most of this virus and still find myself healthy. I've lost a couple of friends to the virus.  Yes, I know I've been blessed with good health.  But, I really need to dance.  It's my therapy.  Dance keeps life's negative realities at bay for me.  It's a time for me to slip into my own little world and find my happy place. 

 

I'm sure most of you, like me, thought this virus would run it's course and things would get back to normal soon enough.  Well, soon enough has turned into what seems like eternity.  I miss my friends and I miss my life as it used to be.  Will it never end?  Gawd....I need it to end.

I've been stuck in a rut of eat, sleep...go to work...repeat..over and over.  Have to admit that if it wasn't for work I'd  have gone over the edge by now.  At least I get to interact with people, away from the reality of being stuck at home with my thoughts....and family.  I love my family, but I've been living alone for a long, long time...and they're gettin' on my nerves.  The virus set in and I've had a house full of family for too long!

In the past many months I've been a school teacher, a chef, a maid and a daycare worker.  And don't forget the full time job (thank goodness).  I'm ready for some ME time.  I need to throw away the mask and get out to hug some folks...and DANCE!

Cabin fever?  You bet!  I need some socialization with friends...laughin', DANCIN'...Are 'ya with me?

And I don't want to talk politics!  Get my drift?  Let's have some good times .  I check in on Facebook and it takes me about 2 minutes to shut it down.  It's hard to "stay in touch" with your friends when all you see is politics.  I have about three friends on Facebook who have stayed away from it.  So....I check in on them and get the heck out of there.  My Facebook "memories" have run out and for the past few months that's all I've had to post because NOTHING has been going on in my life.  I've come to the realization that 2020 is down the drain...as I've made no new memories to share.  Seems like memories are all I have to cling to in order to keep my sanity...thinkin' about the things we used to do.

 Should I mention "fat"?  After working so hard last year to lose my baby fat this virus has given me the excuse to eat anything and everything.  I don't even look in the mirror any more.  In the beginning I was cooking at home and making sure it was healthy and yummy.  But the boredom of this crazy Corona has sent me spiraling on a fast food binge.  Taco Bell and Krispy Kreme have become my best friends...and my worst enemy.   Does anybody else feel the pain?

 Help me, Lord...to overcome my weaknesses.  I know I'm doin' wrong but the temptations are just too strong.  When I look in my closet of unworn clothes I break out in a sweat knowing not to try anything on as it will definitely no longer fit.  

Please, please, PLEASE...Make this thing called Corona go away.  I can't take it any more!  My dogs won't even dance with me any more.  We are doomed!

 

Where I used to dance off all of the bad things in life I now can only dream.  I'm impatiently waiting for the day when Miss BayBay can put the music back on and we can dance.  You know...like the old days?

 

 

Thanks for droppin' in...how about your take on the mess we're in?  Feel free to leave a comment.

CORONA VIRUS - PHASE 2 - SICK AND TIRED

What day is it?  I'm confused.  I'm fat.  I'm sick and tired of this Corona Virus!  Seems like the powers that be are gettin' ready to open a few things up.  Do we go or do we stay?  That's the million dollar question.

Today I'm hankerin' to get out in the fresh air and get some relief.  Things have gone downhill since day 1.  I think I need a little break from house arrest to clear my head. 

The government got all the small businesses excited about the Payment Protection Plan that was gonna save our jobs. Seems we're still in the time warp where the good 'ol boy system is still the King.  My bossman jumped in immediately to apply so as to save the jobs of our employees.  He's a good man and did everything right.  Was immediately met with the banks not knowing how the applications were to be handled.  Was this on purpose?  I wonder...since the BIG companies bled all of the money out of the program and the smaller businesses were mostly denied due to no funds left.

 Yep...I've now been laid off.  Now the government has a special unemployment provision for "laid off due to Covid 19".  Supposed to mean that we can be laid off due to CV19 circumstances and collect unemployment until things pass and we can get back to work...at the same job.  Gives the company a break in payroll without having to go under.  

Yay! I won't lose my job and won't lose my house while waiting out this thing.  So....benefit application filled out...time consuming but pretty easy.  There is a box for "laid off due to Coronavirus"....check!  Finish the whole thing and submit.  Paperwork is held up due to Coronavirus not being recognized as a valid reason for applying.  Finding out other employees are getting the same hold up.  WTF?

I guess they'll work this out...just waiting to hear something from somebody.  It's like waiting on the Zombies.

 Anyhoo...not gonna get any more stressed out.  Gonna make the best of what I have.  Gonna get out and about on the golf cart for fresh air and soul restoration.  It's my soul...and I'm gonna do it my way.

Gonna figure out what 3000 calorie dinner I'm cookin' for my crew tonight and hit the road.  The road to Main Street OD.  Gonna pick up the Pugster and head out.  If you see us out and about PLEASE wave.  We need to feel a connection to our people!

You should be able to recognize us...Pug will have a scarf tied around his face and a Mich Ultra in his hand.

If the rain comes before we get out I guess I'll just hang around the house and dance with the kids.  

Turn the music up Miss BayBay!

THANKS FOR DROPPIN' IN!  STAY SAFE AND OBEY THE RULES...WHILE  YOU'RE HERE WON'T YOU LEAVE A COMMENT?

 

CORONA LOCKDOWN AND ME...NOT DOING SO WELL

Well...How y'all doin'?  Me?  Not so good.  North Myrtle Beach is on lockdown and I'm about to go crazy.    I've been by myself for almost 20 years and here I am...stuck in a 2 bedroom house with my disabled son, my granddaughter...and two needy dogs.  Not to say I don't love them all but dayam....this is too much togetherness for my sanity.  Keeping stocked up on toilet paper, meat and dog food is takin' it's toll.  I feel like the next person who screams at me from the bathroom to bring them TP will not live to tell the story.

Also...I can live on peanut butter alone  However my "kids" start asking "what's for dinner" by the time I get up in the morning.  I haven't cooked this much in many years.  Seems the only physical activity I'm getting is cooking and cleaning the kitchen.  Oh...and washing clothes.  How can you dirty up so many clothes when you're home all day....every day?

To save our sanity we've played about 197 games of rummy and the good part about that is the loser usually doesn't speak to the other two for the rest of the evenin'.  Works for me!

 I've done really well so far.  The only time I seem to lose it is when they're breathing down my neck while I'm cookin'.    So far...so good...I haven't hit one of 'em yet.....yet....

What's gettin' on your nerves during the lock down?

Thank goodness for Ajax Golf Carts I'm able to work from home.  However, the only work comin' my way is to field cart reservation cancellation calls all day.  It's not very uplifting and doesn't look good for the future.  I know the other businesses are all suffering along with us but I also know that we'll survive.  It just doesn't look so good right now.  I DO love my job and the great folks who own it.   GO AJAX!

Now to discuss my main problem with this here lockdown...I'm getting FAT(ter)!  Six meals a day is really gettin' to me.  I can't help myself.  If I'm cookin'...I'm eatin'...and tastin' along the way.  I never used to have "temptation foods" in my house.  With these two kids in the house if we run out of oreos and/or ice cream you'd think the world has come to an end.  They live here, too...so the cabinets are stocked with fat food.  And I DO love fat food.  

I always thought that I was an introvert.  Seems I'm the opposite as I'm about to go crazy not being able to leave the house.  I promise that I'll appreciate all of the folks I get to see when this thing is over more than ever before.  I really miss you...even the ones I don't like.  I seem to be starving for outside the home human interaction.  

Starving?  Sheesh...now I want some cookies and ice cream!  Can't wait for this to be over and see my girlfriends on the beach!

It doesn't look like this thing is going to be over any time soon.  I hope that you're all stayin' safe and findin' ways to survive the corony-virus.  Me?  I think I'll just get back to dancin'.  Turn up the music Miss BayBay!

THANKS FOR DROPPIN' IN!  WHILE YOU'RE HERE WONT YOU LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU'RE SURVIVING THE LOCKDOWN?

I'LL GO WHERE THE MUSIC TAKES ME

Do you love music?  I mean REALLY love music?  Music has been a part of my life forEVER.  I think having a brother 9 years older than me set the tone when I was little and heard the sweet sounds of Ray Charles and Gene Pitney drifting through his bedroom door.  I was hooked.

By the time I was 14 I was sneaking off to Williams Lake to hear the sounds of Billy Stewart, Jackie Wilson, the Drifters...and the list goes on.  This is where I really cut my teeth and learned to fas' dance.  

Later on it was off to the Embers Club, Elliot's Nest, Red's...and any other club that gave me the music and got me on a dance floor.  

Got married in high school and as soon as we were on our feet we loaded up our clothes and a Kennedy rocker and moved to Southern Pines.  Da Flic was there and we had beaten a path back and forth from Lillington to what was now our favorite club.  Now we just had to clean up after school or work and head down to Broad Street for the music and dance we loved.  Even heard Chicago there before they got too big to play the smaller clubs.

The list goes on and on...but the sweet spot was always OD...Ocean Drive Beach.  I eventually chose OD as my permanent home and here I still "be".  

I've been lucky enough to be involved with the music and dance here at the OD Pavilion, Fat Harold's Beach Club and now Duck's.

I never regret following the music and longed for the lifestyle here.   It proved to be everything I thought it would be.  A beach full of happy people who pulled you into the fold if you loved the music and the dance.  There were folks from all walks of life and social standing accepted and who enjoyed the lifestyle and looked after one another.  I don't recall anybody asking anyone what they dd for a living.  It didn't make any difference if you wore brand new weejuns or ones with holes in the sole.  We laughed...we danced...we became family.  

Those were the days my friends!  Have you ever really paid attention to the words of this song?  Check 'em out.  Yes, we CAN get back into the way it was.

 All it takes is remembering the love we had, and still have, for the music and the dance...and friends who meet with nothing in mind but camaraderie and good times.  Let's bring that back.  Lets bring the younger ones into our fold and not forget those that are no longer with us who started it all.  Let's put aside all of the petty cliquishness that has separated us into smaller groups that can't on their own support what we love.  

 We're down to two REAL beach clubs in OD.  Fat Harold's and Duck's.  The OD Pavilion is only open 4 hours a week in the season.  Let's bring back the lifestyle we all came here for and band together to save the Main Street clubs that continue to provide us with old and new memories.  We don't have to choose one over the other.  Follow the music, my friends....and it will lead you home.  Let's relax and go where the music takes us.   Let's work together!

Keepin' things fresh I've moved over to Duck's Bar & Grill to help welcome shaggers back and provide a new "old" venue for Main Street.  We're workin' hard to give you what many have asked for.  We'll be consistent and have the music that we've followed for years.  Hope you'll pop in and check us out if  you haven't already.  Tweaking as we go...please give me your feedback.  I truly feel that a BIG mistake was made when one of the former owners threw out on Facebook that Duck's didn't need the shaggers.  We not only need you, we welcome you with open arms.  The new owners, Robin and Dwayne Porter are great folks with a vision to bring back the lifestyle we so loved with a great remake of Little Ducks.  Let's do this!  Let's pick and choose and follow the music.  Let's dig out the path back across Main Street from one club to the other and support what Fat Harold's and Ducks is offering.

We welcome ALL...not just a small group...It takes a village to survive.  

I'm always open to questions and suggestions.  In the meantime me and Mr. Brady are gonna dance.  

Put the music on Miss BayBay!

Thanks for droppin' in....While you're here, won't you leave a comment?