OJ the PA

I, like many people I talk to, am frustrated and confused. Government regulations are constantly changing , we're hearing stories of nurses going out to crowded bars the minute they re-open, and I have spent more time than I'd like pondering whether cloth masks are worth a crap. So here I am, writing about my frustrations, because I really don't know what else to do. I care deeply about my family and friends. I want my aging grandparents with heart failure to stay well. I want my immunocompromised friend who is going through chemotherapy during a dang pandemic to be safe. I want my friends and family who are nurses to work safely in hospitals that aren't overrun with sick patients. I've "snoozed" more people than I care to count on Facebook, because it pains me to see what they're posting. In one of the latest, an old co-worker shared a post that essentially said, "if you don't feel safe, then you can stay home. I shouldn't have to

"I haven't blogged about April's spending yet," I thought, as I lounged on the couch after a long day at work. Wondering how things netted out, I opened my credit card app and navigated to the page that showed my monthly spending totals. WHAT IN THE WORLD. I shot straight up, apparently thinking this would give me a better look at the total. I spent just 33% of my 2019 monthly average.  I think a few things played a major role in my spending dropping so significantly. The Safer At Home order has been in effect since the end of March, meaning I was trying to limit my trips out as much as possible all month long.  To reduce the number of shopping trips, I was definitely more cognizant about using food items I already had on hand.   No dinners and drinks with friends. No coffee or happy hour dates. And since that was a major loophole in my No Buy (being able to spend money when I was being social), I'm sure this was a big factor.  With the end of the semest

At approximately 9:00am this morning, I shut my laptop. My last final exam, complete. And perhaps the most anticlimactic end to a school year. No celebration with classmates and friends to mark the end of an important year. I know a lot of students who are at an even more pivotal point in their journey -- graduation, or the completion of didactic -- are feeling this even more. I'm sorry that there won't be white coat ceremonies or traditional graduations or clinking glasses or hugs. And while I'm sad I can't celebrate this accomplishment how I would like, I think it's worth a peek back at the last 353 days of this journey! Here's some of the things I've learned. Minimalist living is surprisingly comforting. At least until the cockroaches come... Bonds are built over the "tanks" -- bonds you can't break! You know you're busy when grocery shopping counts as your time to relax.  Good friends and family will be there for you, even a