1001 S Duck Street, Stillwater, OK 74074
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Laughlin 1
Allen is a Plumber at a local company. Caitlin is an Adjunct Professor in NREM and just started as an Academic Advisor in biology (OSU).
 
How are you coping? Caitlin is totally overwhelmed with her classes moved online and trying to train for her new job at the same time. Gardening and walks with the dog help. Allen's job is remarkably unchanged. He's described it as "I'm an essential worker going a lot of unessential work."
 
What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
2pm is treat time for the dog. If she doesn't get some kind of engaging food-related enrichment, she becomes a huge pest in conference calls for the rest of the afternoon. We're normally news junkies but right now we find ourselves avoiding it.
 
The worst thing about quarantine. Caitlin's mental health is suffering from the social isolation and increased work load. 
 
The best thing about quarantine. Reconnecting with friends from across the country via web conferencing. 
 
What are you most thankful for? Each other and our hilarious dog.

Jones 61
Phot By Missy Kaiser
 
Angela Jones 38, Office Manager at Stillwater Tag Agency
Kaitlynn Walters 19, OSU Student & Retail Associate at Goodwill
 
We are coping as well as the next household in quarantine, i guess. We have good days and bad days. Especially me, i worry more than most; worried but hopeful.  I worry mostly about the people living alone and my older, compromised family members. I too lived alone before the pandemic, but moved my niece into my house so we could keep each other company while the safe at home guidelines are in affect. We will continue to room together through the different opening phases of the town. Which i'm weary about so we'll both be staying home as much as possible. So I'd say her and I are coping fairly well. One day at a time.
 
I have had a plethora of new rituals emerge. Paranoia and ocd...lol I have my "Covid Corner" to the right of my sink. It never gets put under the sink with the rest of the cleaning supplies because they're my new, daily besties. They make me feel a little safer. I wash my hands as soon as I wake-up. Before i even use the restroom and again afterwards. I have my morning coffee and if my nose itches after a sip or two i use a tissue to itch it. at least this was my new norm up until about a week ago. I've gotten a little more lax but still ocd about cleaning counter tops, my hands, light switches, ect. My skin is legit are peeling between my fingers.I have a routine at work also. I'm very cautious as to not bring it home to my niece, Kaitie. I use a clorox wipe on all my personal items i take home including my purse and phone. I then take that wipe to my car (you can't waste the juice) and clean my door knob, steering wheel, radio knobs, and gear shifter. So ya, i'm officially a nut now! The next Howie Mandel germaphobe. lol
 
The worst thing about quarantine for both Kaitie and I is the missing of human connection. We talk about that fairly often, missing our friends and family. We even miss sharing a smile between strangers. We've noticed that smiling at a random passer-by is sorta rare. Everyone is scared and reserved about giving away their smiles for some reason. The once extremely smile sharing town has become an ever so often shared smile. Of course we both understand; everyone is just scared. Even though the only thing covid-19 and smiles have in common are that they're both highly contagious. :) So smile more and be grateful, give hope and strength to others. Or a roll of toilet paper, that helps too. 
 
The best thing about quarantine has been the realization of how much the world values human connection. Myself included. The first thing I'm going to do once i feel safe is hug EVERYONE! I can't wait for someones arms to be wrapped around me. I think that is what i miss most. Just a good ole bear hug. Also, spending time and getting to know my niece on a completely different level has been pretty cool too. I've really enjoyed her company and when this all passes and she packs her bags to get on with her life, i'm sure going to miss her and her quarks. Some of them.. :) lol
 
I'd say I'm most thankful for my niece, friends, family, and booze. I wouldn't have made it through this quarantine without them. Equal shares in helping me keep my sanity. That and gardening. 

There’s something very satisfying about painting rocks. It’s always a hit with children and we know some amazing adult artists that like it too. So, paint some rocks and then turn them into something! With a little wire and some patience, they make great displays for your favorite photos or postcards. Another way to make use of your painted rocks is to adorn your plants with them. Place them in your garden. Use them to differentiate between the peas, the peppers, and the potatoes:) As always, have fun and enjoy one another and the process of making. For more art activities and prompts, visit our Creative Classroom.

Light and shadow1

T Tully 3
Photo By Missy Kaiser
 
Steve Tully - 68 yrs old, Retired 
Teresa Tully - 64 yrs old, Retired 
Shay Goodwin-Tully - 12 yrs old, 6th grade SMS student
 
We are coping well most of the time. The first couple of weeks were probably the hardest for all three of us. We have each dealt with the quarantine in different ways and had many different feelings. 
 
Steve felt very confined for the first two weeks. He went for a drive several times just to get out of the house. He has settled into staying home more now but is always the one who goes to pick up groceries, etc.
 
Teresa had actually been out of town for a few days right before the stay-at-home orders were issued so she was fine with being home in the beginning. She caught up on sleep and did some binge watching on the TV. However, she was a little too obsessed with the news media at first. Once distance learning began for public schools on April 6th she has been helping to keep three of the grandkids on track with school and turning in assignments.
 
Shay was very disappointed when she realized she couldn’t go to school, church, dance, Girl Scouts and all of her extra curricular activities. After about three weeks she settled into her new normal but still misses seeing friends her own age in person. Luckily she is involved in several types of Zoom classes/meetings so hasn’t had to be completely cutoff from friends and activities.
 
All three family members have been more sedentary and home bound than necessary. Without a strict schedule none of us has been very motivated. While getting lots of fresh air and exercise would have been the best way to spend time, the periodic rainy, cold weather kept everyone inside enjoying the fireplace quite a bit. We rarely feel rushed which has been a welcome change to our previous lifestyle.
 
We are most thankful that all of our loved ones have continued to stay healthy. Living in Stillwater has been a blessing because we have not had to endure the crisis situations so many big cities have experienced. We feel extremely blessed because of this!

Use this easy photo transfer method to decorate and personalize treasure boxes, ornaments, or wooden plaques. All you need is a porous, untreated wood surface, an image you like that has been copied on a laser printer, scissors, a jar of mod podge, a paintbrush, and a rag. Pro tips: when you rub off the paper with your rag and water, go slow and be gentle. Err on the side of less water. You can take some of the image off if you use too much force or water. To protect and seal the final image, add another layer of the mod podge. This project makes for great gifting...perhaps for Mother’s Day?

DorisMikolajczykBW
Photo By Jen Johnson
 
Doris Mikolajczyk, 66 11/12-year-old Grandma
 
How am I coping?
I continue to read & pray.  I work remotely 22+ hours a week. I am intentionally keeping in touch with people to encourage and lift their spirits. I am reading more and watching more TV. 
 
What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
Daily exercise, communion, making a conscious effort of using things in my pantry and refrigerator/freezer and puzzle building! 
 
What is the worst part of the quarantine?
I miss in-person contact, going to Church, Boomer Lake and hugs! I haven’t been beyond my mailbox since 3/6/20. 
 
What is the best part of the quarantine?
Connecting with “old friends” on Social Media 
 
What am I most thankful for?
God’s love, good health; family; safety at home; FaceTimes, Zooms, calls, text messages, cards & letters between loved ones; helpers that have: retrieved mail, taken garbage out, brought me supplies I couldn’t get, assembled an incumbent bike, brought me treats, made home deliveries so I didn’t have to go to the market; the ability to continue to work remotely and hobbies! I enjoy bird- watching, gardening and rubber stamping greeting cards. 
 
 
 
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