d- thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to look into the neck ac since that looks like it would be the best work option.

I wore my mask most of the day yesterday. It wasn't as hot although it was humid. This week will be unseasonably cool with highs in the mid 80s most of the week but very humid. I'm wondering if the mask mandate will come back for work. I'm looking around to find some options for cloth masks and I need to get some filters. The disposable masks we have at work can be ok but sometimes they seem to shed easily. I was wearing them almost exclusively but the quality varied on them .

N95 masks aren't a good choice since they can make breathing harder and I don't need that on top of everything else.

More co workers are wearing masks but not as many. I'm wondering if they will reinstate the mask mandates.

The rehab center my cousin is at reported 2 cases of Covid. Don't know who spread it there and so they are quarantined for 2 weeks. I guess 1 week now. His girlfriend was going to go and check on him and make extensive notes since she was worried about his care before this. Being 2 hours away she can only see him once a week or so.

Mom is going back down to FL. This will be her third time. She doesn't want to but my aunt really really doesn't need to be caring for anyone or anything st this point. But there is no other option except foster care for my cousin's son. I'm going to call him the Kid. (He , his parents, and my cousin's GF all have the same first initial otherwise I'd use those).cousin's girlfriend would take the Kid but that means dealing with his mom and she doesn't want to do that or subject her kids to that woman.

The Kid's mom's sentencing hearing is this week. I hate that I am asking this but prayers that she gets a long sentence would be appreciated. I don't really want her in jail (she needs therapy and rehab to get sober) but it would be the best for all her children.

Mom's birthday is Friday and E will be at the end of his summer trip to NC for camp and relative visiting. I had asked for Sat off and couldn't get it and by the time I realized it was too late to ask for Thursday off so I wi only get to see E on Friday. (Tomorrow is my other day off but he is with his other grandma). Part of one day . I feel like a crappy aunt. But I'm planning to go to VA to visit for a long weekend in the spring when he has a teacher planning day or something. Covid allowing.

I feel weird about seeing him and my parents and worry maybe I should skip It in case I expose them to something but I can't miss this. We are all vaccinated and I know we could still get sick but ...I need this.

I'm still planning to go to FL in October. Unless it gets really bad. Even then I might figure out how to go and not see anyone. I mean I don't plan on going anywhere really once I'm there. To see my aunt and Grandma...even if I have to stay 10 feet away just to see them in person.

I need to go home and St Tesrea beach is my home more than any other place I've lived. I'll feel better once I can sink my feet in the sand and gave the waves lapping around my feet.

Ever tempted to just wrap him in duct tape for a while, Laura?

OMG, that is the best idea. Also, his brother would love it.

Thanks, man! You're a mensch.

Right! She is indeed.

I hate that I am asking this but prayers that she gets a long sentence would be appreciated

Yes, I get that. Also, I know my brother uses the 'cooling' t-shirts and says they help. He has medical issues with the heat. Cool packs on the wrists and neck from time to time are good too.

The pool and patio work is rapidly coming to a conclusion. They are putting gutters up now too. They did the gutter in like 2 hours! DH thinks we can head to NY Friday, but I think that timeline is madness.

Driveby: Came in after a 3-day weekend to find we have been sold...again. Got a meeting in a few minutes so they can reassure us that we'll all be fine (until they start deciding who's "redundant". Lucky me, I'm the only person in my dept these days, so I should be safe from RIF).

Oh dear, Epic. I'm sorry for the disruption.

Thanks, Laura. I think I may be one of the least nervous people about the whole thing. When you've been irritated by the company this long, a little change starts to sound like a swell idea.

Yikes, Epic. Change is stupid.

You may remember a year and a half ago, my chorus was supposed to have a concert in March 2020, which they only canceled because the venues shut down. Now, they plan to restart rehearsals August 16, and I thought up to a week ago that I was going to rejoin. But now cases are surging again, and they haven't said anything specific about safety measures. It's Texas, so. Guess I'm emailing and telling them I'm not rejoining yet.

2 of my dance groups are re-starting this week. I've really been looking forward to going back, but I'm just not sure about unmasked dancing (for the vaccinated), but I don't think I would do well dancing with a mask. It's a bit of a quandary.

PBS is using old newsreel segments as filler between shows and one shows people dancing in gas masks during WWII. So it CAN be done, but probably not as enjoyable (although I imagine there's a chance of dancing with someone other than the person you started off with).

askye, I've been really happy with the cloth masks from Vistaprint, of all places. They dry fast and the nose wires actually work (my daughter and I both wear them under glasses). They also sell filters that fit their masks exactly.

My regular yoga class is possibly going back into the studio on the 8th - masked, no more than 12 in the main studio, windows and doors open. I know that the owner doesn't want to shut down again, but I can't see this working after the weather turns.