Don't let the title fool you. My life has returned to a more normal, but life in the US is trying to get there. There are protests taking place, businesses breaking the restrictions laws that were set forth by the states' Governors, people being arrested for trying to work and feed their families, but yet criminals are being let out of jails and prisons because of the virus, and certain states are lifting some restrictions so that they can return to a more normal life. Included in the restrictions for businesses being allowed to open back up are maintaining 6' distance between tables at restaurants, less than 25% capacity in any local business, and other social distancing guidelines. While certain states are opening back up, they are still restricting highly populated cities, such as Miami Beach in Florida. As for NC, Gaston County is the only county that has lifted most of their restrictions. In Mecklenburg County, some restrictions have been lifted. People can now go to local parks, boat ramps are back open, and I believe hair salons, movie theaters, and some restaurants are opening. All of this comes as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths are still on the rise. The people of the United States are getting tired of being locked down. I think herd immunity is what it will take to get this virus through our country.
Also, below is a news briefing with our Governor of NC regarding the re-opening of NC.
Unfortunately, doctors offices are open for essential patients only, so it looks like even more weeks of tele-health for physical therapy. I am getting a little annoyed trying to do my exercises and show where the pain is over the computer screen, especially with my dog wanting to be by my side and barking whenever someone walks by, moving from room to room to do certain exercises for better light or just more space, and worrying about connection issues. Also, my therapist has very limited hours for when he does virtual visits, so I'm not able to get great appointment times. Thankfully, he has put up with a lot from me. I'm a tough patient as I am impatient when it comes to healing. Just as I seem to be doing better, I push myself back a few steps. I hope I can get into the actual clinic soon and start using their equipment to get stronger faster. I want to get out there and do things.
Speaking of getting out there and doing things, I'm back to working in the office a couple days a week, mostly because of a large project I am a part of. However, the President of our company thinks this is a great time for me to job shadow in production, but what he doesn't realize is that I have a ton of other projects that I'm able to concentrate on and work on during non-training time. I started shadowing in our Print department and plan on doing more in our Insert department next week. I had planned on going in today and working in Insert, but a major project deadline is approaching and there is a lot of work I need to do on it.
Yesterday was a pretty stressful day, so after work, Emily and I decided to go to the park in the rain and throw the frisbee. It was still pretty warm and it wasn't pouring; it was raining just hard enough to be annoying, so we figured, "Why not?" When we decided we were wet enough, we took the scenic route home and spent time out in our yard (the rain had stopped) while I used my rebound net for the first time to practice throwing the softball. I couldn't get the support pole to come out, so Emily was my support pole and she took some videos so I can evaluate my throwing form. I've been nursing a frozen shoulder due to calcific tendonitis since September. With physical therapy and cortisone shots, I'm able to throw much better, although the pain is still there; it's just not as bad. I've been given the clear to start throwing again. Hallelujah!
It looks like this will be a busy weekend of work. If it's nice, I might sit outside and get some things done. We hope to change out our shutters on the house to ones that are darker and include an inlay or a cutout of a Mickey Mouse head. People will definitely know which house is ours! Hopefully our Homeowners will approve it. Other than that, I hope to send Harry to the grocery store and get some essentials we are running low on. I'm still not comfortable going to the stores after being so sick. Since I tested negative, that scares me into thinking I can still get it; although, I do believe I had it before I was tested since I was tested 32 days after the onset of symptoms. I plan on staying active this weekend as well; maybe going to the park and throwing the softball, kicking the soccer ball, and taking long walks. My cough tried to return yesterday, but I quickly grabbed my inhalers and allergy meds. So far today, I haven't coughed.
Tonight after work, Emily and I headed to the park to do an impromptu photo shoot in honor of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Here are some photos from the photo shoot today.
After we snapped some incredible photos, we walked to a new place within Ballantyne Corporate Place and discovered another street that had lots of ponds, water fountains, and beautiful scenery. We then went to our "normal" place, kicked the soccer ball around (she's improved nicely in one day's time) and threw the frisbee until we were both spent. There were quite a few more people enjoying the lawn area tonight and we noticed a few families having picnics in the back of pick-up trucks in the parking lots nearby. Speaking of dinner, it was time to eat, so Pizza Hut was our decision for the night.
I ended up with another burst of energy so I headed to the driveway to throw the softball against my new rebound net until the pizza arrived, but I couldn't last that long. I don't want to overdo it and end up with a torn rotator cuff, so I threw for about 30 minutes and came inside to freshen up.
It's late and this was a long post, but it's been a while since I've written and apparently had a lot on my mind. It's time for a shower and maybe a late-night movie with Emily.
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