My COVID Story (Aug 2021)

 I contemplated over whether to post this or not, and obviously decided to do so to document my story.

As I was sitting at my desk on Wednesday, 8/4, I started feeling a tad nauseous and had a few chills.   While in the bathroom, I started feeling dizzy.  I immediately called my daughter to come scoop me up from work.  As soon as I got home, the nausea intensified and I had to spit up.  I rested for a bit, then headed out to CVS in Randleman for a COVID test.  Unfortunately, the rapid test wasn't available, so I didn't get my results until Friday morning.    Although I didn't truly feel like myself, I was still able to work from home on Thursday and Friday with a slight fever and a few chills.  Saturday through Tuesday, I pretty much slept most of the time.  Tuesday or Wednesday, I had a cough and phlegm episode.  By Thursday, I could feel myself gaining energy.  And by Saturday, I was back to normal.

During the midst of this, my paternal grandmother passed away.  Since I was still under quarantine on Saturday, I was unable to attend the services.  Being trapped in the house and not being able to attend the funeral were honestly the worst parts of me having COVID.  

I'm thankful to my oldest daughter who attempted to be my nurse, and I'm sure I wasn't the best patient.  She kept trying to force me to drink Pedialyte for electrolytes, but that texture just wasn't pleasing.  :)  I lost my sense of smell and taste, which is slowly coming back as I write this on 8/19.  I did lose a little back fat (yay).

My other nurse on 8/10 sleeping on the job

                                                    Bentley helping me take selfies on 8/11

After sobbing over missing my Grandma Evelyn's funeral and reflecting on her 92 years of life, I remembered how she reinvented her life numerous times and how she truly LIVED.   At 80+ years of age, she was keeping the streets hot with her artwork and art shows and raising my younger cousin.  At 91, she fought off COVID.   I have other pics, but not actually saved.  Thanks Grandma for all the Dupont movie outings, introducing me to the wonderful world of thrifting, and the many other times you were there for me.  You were truly an inspiration.

 I decided to celebrate her life and my healing with a 2.5+ hour long dance and roller skate party in my house.  It was awesome!!!  I haven't whipped these jokers out in years, but I still got the moves!

Kerr Lake & Seven Springs Farm/Vineyard (7.30-8.1.21)

 It took over 1.5 years, but I finally made it to Kerr Lake State Park.  I also had the opportunity to visit Seven Springs Farm & Vineyard-beautiful spot.

Edyn in her nighttime glow

Sis's tent

Campground bathhouse

Saturday, I was able to take a short hike on one of the lake trails.  The deer and lizards wouldn't cooperate with me to get a photo of them though.

  

On to Seven Springs Farm & Vineyard for karaoke hosted by the band Niito.

A bee landed in Sis's wine glass.  We did an experiment to see if he/she would get tipsy from the wine.  No conclusion, but the bee was set free in the end.

McDowell Nature Preserve & Crowders Mountain (7.24-7.25.21)

 I was finally able to accomplish three things this weekend:  camp at McDowell's Nature Preserve in Charlotte, camp with at least one of my seedlings, and attend an OA-Charlotte event.

Outdoor Afro Charlotte hosted a solidarity hike at Crowder's Mountain for those members that were climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.