A lot has changed since I last wrote a blog post. 

 I've gone from being able to work in the office three days a week to working from home completely. I can't say I'm happy about it, because I'm not. I'm REALLY not. There are aspects of my job that just can't be done remotely and every day, we hope that they don't come up. So far it's been a little bumpy and I've gotten frustrated, but I survived. Barely. Older clients who don't trust secure documents or e-signature items don't want to hear that we do not have access to that fax machine they just sent something to.

 My work space prior to being 100% at home wasn't really workable. The kitchen table was too high and the wooden chairs too uncomfortable. I got myself a new desk (robins egg blue!) and a simple table/desk that I could use as a return unit. I normally work with two monitors, so I went out and got a couple of inexpensive 24-inch tv's and the necessary adaptors and cables (thanks for helping me find them Manny-Man!) to get them to work properly, a new rolling desk chair, lamp, fan, desk pad.... ugh, I've spent way too much money and I'm not going to be reimbursed for it. It's not perfect, but it works. I chose an area of my living room that gives me a great view, should I have the time to look out the windows. 

I know I'm very fortunate I was able to do this and not be stuck on a couch hunched over a laptop. 

 The biggest problem I keep experiencing is this dumb earpiece I was given. It's supposed to log-in to my work phone via my remote hook-up and allow me to use that instead of my mobile to talk to the back-office, co-workers and clients. It works fine for the first two calls I have during the day, but then it craps out and sounds like the worst cell phone you have ever used. Drops in and out, is full of static..... grrr! I've talked with our IT dept. and they have escalated the issue. I'm waiting to hear back from them. Two days now... I wonder when they'll get to me? 

As of now, we don't have a return to office date. Most firms in my industry aren't returning until 2021, but I don't think that will be the case with us. They know we are all like family and enjoy going in to the office (as long as it's safe). They are reconfiguring things at most offices, but we don't really need to do much, other than all the new hand sanitizer, thermometers, etc. 

 Working at home is also bad for my waistline. At work, I can severely limit the snacks. Not so easy at home. The extra pounds don't bother me too much right now. I'll get back to where I need to be, but I'm not going to stress it. There is enough out there for me to worry about without adding this old stand-by. I'm also going through a ton of diet soda and sun tea now. I can't believe how many I'm drinking in the course of a day! I cut out booze, except for one or two over the weekend (if I feel like it). I don't generally drink a lot anyway, but I didn't want to fall into bad habits, so I thought it would be best to keep the liquor cabinet closed during the work week. 

 So far, all of my friends and family are healthy (to my knowledge), thank goodness. I hope it stays that way. Everyone wears their masks and stays home (for the most part). We're a lazy lot, so unless someone else plans it, there are no hikes or walks or anything. 

 The weekend ahead is going to be hot (starting tomorrow, it's going to be 98F+. I've started rearranging everything in the apartment to accommodate the new work area, so little-by-little I've been tackling the sun room (the horribly hot room I've been using to store stuff). I need to move some furniture in there that no longer fits in the living room. Already put one of the loveseats in there. I'm thinking about making it an office for the cooler months, but that's a long way off. 

 I've also been looking into dumpster rentals too. I have a lot of stuff that will take months to throw away if I use our regular trash cans. I wish we had a dumpster like most apartments. Then again, you don't usually have to pay for your own trash at most apartments. We pay for our own sanitation services. Ah well, nothing is perfect.  I think I may move after things calm down.  I have a lot to think about.  One thing I DO know, if I decide to move, it won't be with most of the crap I have.  I swore the last time I moved that I wasn't going to haul it all to the next place.  Especially my books.  I love them so much, but I'm too old to carry all the boxes (we're talking dozens and dozens of boxes).  Even getting them ready for movers is too much.

 That's about it for now. I might have more later. Take care of yourselves, stay healthy and be kind and patient with each other.