2020 - E-Learning - Day 22

6:54 a.m. - So I've decided to add a new "new" to the Covid-19 period - a tiny garden.  (adds to Google Meets, nordic walking, and FedEx package handling.  At this point, I'm thinking a couple of cucumber pods, a zucchini pod, a green pepper plant, and 2-3 tomato plants, including a cherry tomato plant.  Amber wasn't really crazy about the plan, but hopefully I can make a believer out of her.

I worked my second day on the docs as a package handler at FedEx yesterday afternoon.  Apparently one day of on-the-job training was enough, because I was pretty much on my own yesterday.  I spent about an hour with another worker, and she was courteous and friendly.  I'm learning that like most other jobs, experience helps a lot.  My body HURTS, and I hope I get use to the physicality of the job.  Honestly, the worst part of last night was the constant up and down of getting in the trailers.

Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (5/4)

I'm getting paid from my "regular job".  I have a wonderful home that permits me to exercise and live comfortably while "stay-at-home" orders are in place.  I've now taken on a part-time job that is "essential", so I can make a little money that makes up for the umpiring and officiating contests that I'm missing.  So who the heck am I to judge folks that are protesting to have states open up, even though the percentage of cases are increasing?  So why am I confused?  Why am I worried?  As these states reopen, are we all just going to be better at not catching the virus?  Are we going to clean better?   Are masks going to make that much of a difference?  Or are we just going to accept contracting the virus as a way of life and if people get sick and die, then that's the way it goes?  Are we just okay with risking our lives and the lives of others?  So while I know I'm blessed, I fear for this push by many folks to just "take my chances."

One other thing....President Trump hosting a virtual press conference with Fox News hosts in front of the Lincoln Memorial makes me ill.

• Illinois Stats
• February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
• March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.

• PREVIOUS
• 299,896 tested (+15,208); 58,505 positive (+2,450); 2,559 deaths (+102)
• 19.5% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
• YESTERDAY
• 319,313 tested (+19,417); 61,499 positive (+2,994); 2,618 deaths (+59)
• 19.2% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.2% of all positive cases recorded have died
• TODAY
• 333,147 tested (+13,834); 63,840 positive (+2,341); 2,662 deaths (+44)
• 19.1% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.1% of all positive cases recorded have died
• Not as many tests results today, but percentages continue to decrease slowly.
• Rock Island County - YESTERDAY 439 positive; 9 deaths
• TODAY - 452 positive; 9 deaths

Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future

• Paint the shed.
• Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
• Fix the ditch.
• Figure out the truck spare tire.

Things At/For School

• Friday, May 10 - 10:30 a.m. - Staff Meeting
• Calculate assignments completed for Week 5. DONE
• Provide feedback on Week 5 assignments. DONE
• Continue scoring research papers  - 3 sections down; 2 to go
• Finish course syllabus

Things For E-Learning

• Still can update EnvisonMe sites

Prayer for My Heart

Holy Spirit...

Help me have... 

    a pure heart, that I may see thee;
    a humble heart, that I may hear you;
    a heart of love, that I may serve you;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.

• Amen

Sunday, May 3

8:05 a.m. - I didn't sleep well.  I had a what seemed to be a very long nightmare, and in the nightmare I was experiencing a TGA moment, and I couldn't find my way home back to Amber.  I knew she was worried about me, but I didn't have the ability to know who I was and how to get back home.  I ran into many people and everyone I ran into seem to either abuse me somehow or take advantage of me.  When I woke up around 3 a.m. I hadn't yet found home or Amber and was still wandering...I was crying and pleading with people to help me, but no "good people" would help me.  I then started to think and worry about Chase like I often do when I wake up, and I wonder if he's that way now.  I wonder if in his heart he really wants to find a way back home, but there isn't anyone decent available that is willing to help him, and his heart and emotions are hurting.

I think I'm going to stretch, get a nordic walk or bike ride in, and then work on the flower bed and garden outside if the weather is nice.  I may go ahead and water the front yard and work on the weed and feed granules too.  I have a FedEx workout starting at 4 p.m. - that should be interesting.  I won't be with Jared the trainer, and that means I'll be "on my own".  Yikes. 


Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (5/3)

Is is really that big of deal to wear a mask?  Yesterday I need to pick up a few things, and I saw employees not wearing masks, I saw customers not wearing masks, and finally I was in a business where employees and customers were wearing masks and a new customer attempted to enter without a mask.  Mind you, he was an older, heavier set man who would fall in the category of higher risk.  He grumbled at the store employee and walked out.  Really?  It's asking too much to just wear something over your face in the event that you may be a carrier of the Covid 19 virus.  Geez.

• Illinois Stats
• February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
• March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.

• PREVIOUS
• 284,688 tested (+14,791); 56,055 positive (+3,137); 2,457 deaths (+102)
• 19.6% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
• YESTERDAY
• 299,896 tested (+15,208); 58,505 positive (+2,450); 2,559 deaths (+102)
• 19.5% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
• TODAY
• 319,313 tested (+19,417); 61,499 positive (+2,994); 2,618 deaths (+59)
• 19.2% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.2% of all positive cases recorded have died
• More tests are being completed each day., and the percentage of positive cases among all tests continues to decrease...good news.
• Rock Island County - YESTERDAY 412 positive; 9 deaths
• TODAY - 436 positive; 9 deaths

Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future

• Hoe the flower bed. DONE
• Clean and prep the garden. DONE
• Paint the shed.
• Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
• Fix the ditch.
• Figure out the truck spare tire.

Things At/For School

• Get lessons listed on Daily Lessons Sheet. DONE
• Get lessons for Week 6 scheduled into Classroom. DONE
• Calculate assignments completed for Week 5.
• Provide feedback on Week 5 assignments.
• Continue scoring research papers  - 3 sections down; 2 to go
• Finish course syllabus

Things For E-Learning

• Still can update EnvisonMe sites

Prayer for My Heart

Holy Spirit...

Help me have... 

    a pure heart, that I may see thee;
    a humble heart, that I may hear you;
    a heart of love, that I may serve you;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.

• Amen

Saturday, May 2

6:09 a.m. - Whew!  I had anticipated that package handling would kick my butt, and it did.  Last night was my first shift on the dock stacking packages in a typical truck.  We were assigned a "trainer", which was very helpful, and having Josh as my co-worker in the truck was also helpful.  We started at 4:30, and we didn't leave until around 10:00.  The whole three-day process hasn't been as effective as I think could be, but I think this facility is understaffed and lacks experience.  For example the "shift manager" informed me that he's been with the company seven years, and as I looked around last night there were many orange bands indicating new hires.  The work can be overwhelming, and it is physical, and it is fast-paced.  It's doable, but I think the learning cure is also challenging.  I can definitely see what there is a lot of turnover in employees because of the nature of the work and the pay.  $13.00 per hour may sound like a good salary, but it's a salary that is earned.  I've only been on the dock last night, but I was asked to work again on Sunday.  The incentive is an additional $2 per hour, but working four hours is an extra $8?  So the business model for shipping businesses must include a realization that employee turnover is just going to be a reality.  One thing about the new job...it's definitely going to help me jump start my weight loss efforts again!  Oh, and we were required to wear masks, and our temperatures will soon start to be taken when we enter the plant.

Today, the weather is suppose to be great, so I'll be working on the yard and working on the pool.  Amber turned the heater on yesterday, and I'm hearing that we will be having kids over.  I may not be in the pool very much today, but hopefully I can take advantage of the weather.

6:10 p.m. - Today was an accomplishment day.  I mowed the yard, sprayed weeds, vacuumed the pool, purchased chlorine, shocked the pool, cleaned up some drainage gravel, and fixed the downspout behind the kitchen.  The Harrison girls were here, so I played with them awhile too.  I started weed wacking the back 40 of the backyard, but there is still a lot of surface water, so I didn't get much accomplished.


Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (5/2)

• Illinois Stats
• February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
• March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.

• PREVIOUS
• 269,867 tested (+13,200); 52,918 positive (+2,563); 2,355 deaths (+140)
• 19.6% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.4% of all positive cases recorded have died
• YESTERDAY
• 284,688 tested (+14,791); 56,055 positive (+3,137); 2,457 deaths (+102)
• 19.6% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
• TODAY
• 299,896 tested (+15,208); 58,505 positive (+2,450); 2,559 deaths (+102)
• 19.5% of all tests recorded have tested positive
• 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
• More tests are being completed each day., and the percentage of positive cases among all tests has gone again under 20%...good news.
• Rock Island County - YESTERDAY 389 positive; 9 deaths
• TODAY - 412 positive; 9 deaths

Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future

• Paint the shed.
• Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
• Fix the ditch.
• Figure out the truck spare tire.

Things At/For School

• Continue scoring research papers  - 3 sections down; 2 to go
• Finish course syllabus

Things For E-Learning

• Still can update EnvisonMe sites

Prayer for My Heart

Holy Spirit...

Help me have... 

    a pure heart, that I may see thee;
    a humble heart, that I may hear you;
    a heart of love, that I may serve you;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.

• Amen