Same. Going first thing in the morning helps only minimally.

Until the end of next week.

I didn’t go into that, but when I said let the states determine how to increase benefits, I meant increases in amounts and eligibility. Because I understand people are going to need benefits who wouldn’t normally fit within the rules of eligibility. Virginia has already relaxed several requirements, dropping the one week waiting period and the weekly job-search check-in with VEC. I assume there will be other requirements dropped within days or weeks that allow the underemployed to receive some benefits. This is just a clarification of my position. These are the kinds of things I would like to see happen with a big dose of federal funds into state unemployment coffers, so states can offer these enhanced benefits. Not some single $1k stimulus check.

I guess I won’t get it based on what you ladies are saying. That’s good that I won’t have a personal moral dilemma over it. We had $0 tax liability in 2018. Worst income year in well over a decade for us.

I am not happy about the stimulus checks. I think all of that money needs to be funneled into state unemployment commissions, and the states can determine if and how to increase benefits. They are better tasked for it. With deferrals on mortgages, evictions, utilities, and student loans, free school lunches, those things should buy people enough time to get benefits flowing into the household.

Not really, I mean I wouldn’t use them in an omelet, but a stew or bean recipe, or pot roast, they’re fine.

Cut up and cook them in a pan with butter or olive oil, then freeze. Add to a recipe later, one where the mushrooms are pretty well braised anyway. I’ve done this a bunch.

Yep!

I think people’s gardens are going to be fabulous this year. As far as lasting changes go though, I’m not entirely convinced. I think the medical industry will change. But everything else, meh. I think it will be like unto an internet fast, where I leave it a few weeks to detox myself, and then find myself hooked again a month or so after I ended my fast.

Folks, Arcadia posted STATE tax guidance. California is postponed until July 15.

Oh! Let us know what they do!

Oh my. This brought tears to my eyes. 🥺

They seem to be begging people to take the lunches from the busses around here. The bus comes and stops on our street, but sadly, none of my kids are interested. They tried the free summer lunches handed out at the library and thought the free school lunches were the grossest thing ever. As an example, weird cheese and cheap ham on a hamburger bun, with oversweetened applesauce and milk. I apparently have kids with discriminating tastes. Boo. I’d like if I could rely on these! I hope it’s not being wasted.

Yes. Huge difference. Most people don’t go on regular annual vacations, let alone two. Most people are hoping to make enough money to get through the next month relatively unscathed by unforeseeable financial hits (doctor bill, car trouble or plumbing issue).

New, improved masks!!!

I’m somewhat rural, so there were no shoppers in my zip code. It might work well for some of you more urban/suburban folks.

Just a heads up, there are a lot of personal shoppers out there independent of Instacart that use the Dumpling app. So if you are having trouble with getting Instacart or a Walmart or Kroger pick up slot, check out Dumpling and help out a local personal shopper. shop.dumpling.us This is a somewhat selfish plug because my sister in SC has a pet care business that is suffering from all her clients being home! She also does personal shopping, which is currently going to be keeping her afloat. She started out with Instacart, but found it too inflexible and the fees too high. Please help these people out. Their businesses depend on you, and they are being super careful about contagion!

Reminds me of the wealthy fleeing the cities during the Plague.

Salem 🤗

Today: mopping floors, starting tomatoes and some other vegetable plants, re-organizing schoolwork plans for the next couple of weeks as if there will be no co-op for a month or more. They really have dropped the ball on assignments and communication.

VA seems a day or two ahead of a lot of you in terms of restrictions. I had the dentist call yesterday morning to reschedule two appointments into April on the Governors direction. Governor had restricted quite a lot by Sunday afternoon. Lack of testing is as bad in VA as anywhere else though. I’m a little bit peevish though that all of Virginia is being locked down in the same manner. We are in the Southwest, and as far as we know, untouched so far (closer geographically and culturally to WV.). I think these tight restrictions that were more meant for DC area and Norfolk/Va Beach/Hampton areas are going to wear people out down here before it’s truly needed. And then we will have problems.

I reserved a grocery pick up slot for Thursday. Making chocolate chip cookies today.

I love this idea! Thank you!

Legit quarantine going on directly across the street from me. College student, removed from campus to a college-owned house. Dining services is dropping off food at the door. I don’t know the girl. Is there anything I could do to help her out?

I’m home, but Ds is legit sick and has to be better by tomorrow afternoon. Dh and the girls are at church.