Severine Wasn't Going to Make a Challenge But Then Did

[Severine]

Hey, it's me again! I'm making this (late) challenge a bit on a whim, so it's not necessarily the most intricately planned (unlike all my other challenges...hah) but I came here to check up on @fleaball's updates and saw a bunch of familiar faces and then the nostalgia hit, along with the memory of how good this place was for me once upon a time, and I couldn't resist. 

 

So let's start with the obvious:

 

Yes, that's right, we still can't find any fucking toilet paper. We have about five days' worth left, so I have time to solve this problem but JESUS BOSTON why can't people just buy sane amounts so there is enough for everyone? Anyway, I am extremely lucky that, other than our bathroom supply line problems, quarantine has not been too hard on us. We're all working from home and still getting paid (at least for now) and I live in a safe environment with people I get along with really well. So obviously I am aware of how fortunate I am, and am appropriately grateful.

 

Big family medical scare: my grandmother was in the hospital for the past week and a half with what started as difficulty breathing. Thankfully, she does not have COVID, but it turns out she does have congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation and apparently she has been having "low-level" difficulty breathing for months but didn't want to say anything because she figured it was just that she was old and out of shape and she didn't want people fussing over her. This is completely in character and I can't even fault her, really, but that's another story. Anyway. It was very tense for a while, but now she's home and they've gotten her heart back on rhythm and her new meds seem to be helping. There's going to be another tense couple of weeks as we wait to make sure she didn't catch COVID while *in* the hospital, so fingers crossed. The border is still closed, so I can't even go up and see her no matter what happens, which is hard.

 

Anyway, my grandmother's situation has made me even more hyper-aware of both my desire and my need to improve my health and and get into better shape and lose a bit of weight. If I do develop heart problems one day, I want it to be when I'm 85 like she is, rather than anytime soon. Also, quarantine is a bit of a mindfuck when it comes to trying to keep a routine, meet goals, etc. and a little structure would definitely help me. On the bright side, my eating habits have actually improved with lockdown (all home cooking and no takeout/restaurants because we're too nervous) so at least I have some momentum to build on.

 

DAILY GOALS! Now with 80% less forethought but 100% more urgency

 

1. Go to bed by 1:00AM

I know, I know...reach for the sky, eh? But right now I am often going to bed at 2 or 3, so this would be an improvement. Baby steps. 

 

2. Do exercises for my stupid planar fascitis

UGH. This is a new problem and wow, I had no idea it was so painful and hard to get rid of. It is only in my left foot, for reasons that make no sense to me. I have some cream to put on and some exercises to do every day and that seems like a really good goal because it's obviously making physical activity more complicated.

 

3. Stop eating at 10:00pm

Like the bedtime goal, I would eventually like to move this earlier, but this is a good start. I'm doing too much late-night idle snacking. Even if it's not-terrible stuff like dried apricots or whatever, I don't need the extra calories since I'm not super active right now.

 

4. Do a language learning thing

Part of my coping mechanism during this messed up time has been to lean hard into my language learning hobby. I'm mostly working on French and Chinese at the moment. This made the list mostly because it makes me happy and helps me feel good about myself, so it seems like a good positive daily goal.

 

SOMETIME DURING THE CHALLENGE GOALS:

• Get the elliptical fixed (since it's low impact, it'll make it easier to get a cardio challenge while my foot heals)
• Finish planting my veggie garden
• Finish planting my flower garden
• Get the car serviced
• Find toilet paper
• Go pick up the rest of the stuff at my office that would make WFH easier
• Set up a yoga space in the basement
• Do my MIL's taxes
• Stretch goal: organize garage

[fleaball]

I might have something more relevant to add later but for now, refresh toilet paper on target.com every couple of hours. I was constantly striking out for weeks, until I got lucky and managed to get some shipped after checking at like 4pm

[Severine]

1 hour ago, fleaball said:

I might have something more relevant to add later but for now, refresh toilet paper on target.com every couple of hours. I was constantly striking out for weeks, until I got lucky and managed to get some shipped after checking at like 4pm

 

Thanks! Hot tip.

[Bean Sidhe]

@Severine

It is so good to see you. Totally here to cheer you on. I am sorry about your grandmother, but I hope she is doing better now. Looking forward to hearing more about the garden and well you in general.

[Tobbe]

Hello there Severine 👋 Happy to see you checking in again  

[Tamesis]

Yay! Welcome back! I too, recently started back up on the forums with this challenge. I enjoy your goals. Also you made me think about toilet paper since I think we are about to be running low. It looks like Amazon has some brands in stock again.

[Athaclena]

A friend was scoring TP on Amazon by buying the COMMERCIAL stuff. It won't fit on the roll - but you know - it still works as TP. Also try some "non-traditional" stores that happen to carry TP (Dollar Store, Office Stores, etc) if you're able to. It's definitely harder in the "city".

[Countess D'If]

I hope you found toilet paper, but if not, I understand that if you check Amazon.com or Costco.com in the wee hours of the morning that's when they re-post the supplies.

[Rookie]

Good luck in your toilet paper resupply mission. Could you maybe ask someone from your office if you can take a roll or 2 while you are picking up supplies for WFH? 

 

I am glad your grandmother got checked out and all is well for now. Hopefully she didn't catch it while there.

 

[Sylvaa]

Two things regarding toilet paper:

• We are slowly trying to rid our lives of Amazon, but one thing we've done that we haven't given up is our monthly delivery of toilet paper. If you set up a monthly delivery, they are more likely to have it (and if they run out, more likely to send it once they restock). We initially thought we weren't getting a supply for May, but it was auto-shipped once they got a new shipment in.
• Go to the grocery store first thing in the morning or right before they close. Around here, the grocery stores aren't stocking toilet paper through the day, but are waiting until right before closing so that some will be available for the older shopper hours in the morning. You can also make friends with someone working in the store, but that's more of a long-term commitment. One of our high school friends is a manager at a local store and we got to trivia with another manager, so they've said they can set aside some for us if needed. 

[Tamesis]

Just checking in on your challenge. I hope all is well. 😁