DAY 43

As a long time member of a 12 step program I rely heavily on regular contact with others in recovery. I paid for a Zoom host account a few weeks ago so that my friends and I could have virtual meet ups during our isolation. You can get a free account but you are limited to 40 minute meetings. For $15 a month we have unlimited time. It has been well worth it. Seeing each others faces and talking about all of the issues we are dealing with is saving my sanity, and I believe that of my friends as well. Zoom has also made it possible for me to attend meetings in other cities that I usually only get to when I am visiting. I worry about people who are new to recovery and unable to attend meetings, or those who might seek a meeting at these incredibly stressful days

What an amazing time we live in. I had never heard of Zoom until mid March when Miss Nines teacher set up a meeting with her class. It seems that nearly everyone I know already knew about it or was actively using it for meetings at work or elsewhere. I have been accessing my work computer via LogMeIn for years. This saves me from having to go into the office for days at a time. Now I am ordering groceries and anything else I want online and having it delivered right to my door. I don't have to leave the house to visit with friends and family. Miss Nine is using FaceTime to talk to her dad and her friends. Goddess knows that I need to touch base with my therapist occasionally so I meet with her using doxy.me. I know folks who have had virtual appointments with their doctors. My husband is not very tech savvy. He is still learning how to use email, but he is making progress. We could live like this indefinitely if we weren't in danger of losing our shit and hurting each other.

Miss Nine decided this morning that she needed a bassinet for her baby doll. She was looking on Amazon for one. She insisted that we buy one for $50. The thing would not be delivered for weeks. I convinced her to look on some Facebook sale pages and she found one 10 miles away for $20. I sent a message and arranged for porch pickup. Within an hour she had her baby bed and spent the next couple of hours cleaning and rearranging her room to accomodate it. Then of course we had to play family again.

My husband reported that the boat launch has reopened, so I suspect that he and Miss Nine will be out on the water tomorrow. That makes me unbelievable happy. I really need a day without Barbies or Potato Heads, or playing family. Or my real family.