Tag Archives: COVID-19

Post-Pandemic Rules for Houseguests

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Here in the US where the threat of COVID-19 has slightly waned, people are just starting to travel again. It’s so good to see those you love and have missed. There’s nothing better than a face-to-face chat. But now is the time to re-evaluate the rules for houseguests. Here are a few suggestions.

Rules for Houseguests

Know the Rules for Houseguests

Ask the (COVID) questions. Everyone will feel safer if you lay all the cards on the table before you arrive. Is everyone vaccinated? Does everyone feel okay about not wearing masks indoors? Is hugging allowed or should everyone keep a distance? Will we be eating out at restaurants or dining in? Will we be going out to any public places or staying at home? Everyone will have a better time if they’re honest about their Covid comfort level.

Lend a hand. Everyone is tired of “doing it all” for themselves over these long months of isolation. However, that doesn’t mean guests should allow their hosts to wait on them, hand and foot. Just like your Mama taught you, it’s polite to pitch in. Help where you can. For instance, offer to buy a takeout meal (or take hosts out to eat, if everyone is comfortable with that). Clean up after yourself. Offer to wash the dishes. Hosts should leave soap, hand towels, and sanitizing wipes where everyone can have access to them.

Make plans for yourself. No matter how excited you are to get together, give your host a little space. We are all out of the habit of sharing our living space with others. You can give your host some breathing room by planning some time on your own. Take a walk. Read a book. Take a nap. Your host will be relieved that you don’t need to be entertained 100% of the time.

More Rules? Yes!

Know how long to stay. My aunt would only spend 3 days with me at a time. I never understood it. But then she explained, “Fish and houseguests. Both begin to stink after 3 days.” She made me chuckle, but she also made a great point. Some people are so excited to visit that they want to move in. Don’t let yourself become a stinker of a houseguest. Know when it’s time to leave. It’s better to be missed than to become an irritation.

Say thanks! When it’s time to go, don’t forget to say thank you. That can take a few different forms. For example, I once had a guest who stripped the sheets off her bed so I wouldn’t have to. I appreciated the gesture very much. You could leave your host a small gift—a bottle of wine, a bottle of gourmet hot sauce, a book, a box of chocolates. Put a little thought into giving something your host will love. Lastly, always, always write a thank you note. Be mindful and considerate of your host. That’s the best way to be invited back again.

Is there a rule you would add? Leave it in the comments.

Before you go… check out our 99 cent Boxed Sets!

Who Needs A Shot In The Arm? by @TaylorLeeWrites

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Shot In The ArmWe all do. That shot in the arm I’m referring to is the Covid 19 vaccine. We now have passed the one-year anniversary of living amid a devastating pandemic. The statistics are horrific. Thirty million people in the United States alone have been infected by Covid 19 and more than five hundred and fifty thousand Americans have died from the virus.  Untold millions of people—men, women, and children—have suffered economically, socially, personally, and medically from this once in a century catastrophe.

My guy and I are social beings. We love music, art, the theater, and hanging out in sports bars. We are super connected to our families and can’t imagine not celebrating every holiday and special occasion without them. And, yet, that is what we have had to do this last challenging year.

Along Comes a Shot in the Arm

But then the miracle of scientific miracles came along in the form of a shot in the arm. We now have not one but three—with more on the way—life saving vaccines.

I got my second shot in the arm in a huge sports area along with thousands of other excited and grateful people. I was far from the only one who jumped out of my car and insisted that I get my picture taken with the first responders giving the shots. It felt like we all were part of a determined army insisting that we truly could turn the corner.

Now to my dismay I’m hearing about a scary new issue. Vaccine hesitancy. For some, it’s fear from past discriminatory practices associated with vaccines. For others, it’s a fear of what they see as medical conspiracies. And now there is a new group who say they won’t get the vaccine for political reasons. Ouch!

Let’s Live Life! Get That Shot!

I’m spoiled; I don’t mind admitting it. I want to eat in restaurants. Going to a movie theater is a favorite pastime of mine. I want to watch my sports teams in person. And most of all I want to hug my grandsons. I’ll also admit I’m a caring person and would never forgive myself if I caused someone to get sick or die because I refused to take precautions.

So please, guys, whatever your fears or reasons, let’s join together and defeat this Covid 19 monster. Roll up your sleeve and get that shot in the arm.

And while you’re waiting for your shot, treat yourself to my latest book in The Olive or Twist Saga.

Challenging Year

He’s a hard as nails police chief.  She’s a feisty ADA. The one thing they have in common is arrogance.  Sparks flare when the challenging duo face off.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want is the third standalone book in The Olive or Twist Saga, a steamy romantic suspense series. If you like smart characters, cops, courts, and scorching passion, then you’ll love this sizzling thrill-ride. Grab You Can’t Always Get What You Want to get hot under the collar today!

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Topaz

 

My book in the collection is Topaz, part of the provocative Ladies of the Night series. The Ladies are covert agents in a secretive, off the grid security organization. Highly trained fighters, they’re as gorgeous as they are dangerous. The only thing these formidable women are NOT is “ladies.”

Weddings in the Time of Coronavirus by @Donna_Fasano

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Last year, I received a Save The Date card for a huge destination wedding of a family member that was to take place this month. But then COVID-19 hit our country hard and large gatherings were prohibited. The bride and groom have decided to postpone their wedding until 2021. This young couple are going to wait a whole year to tie the knot! I feel so bad for them, but what else could they do?

The question got me thinking about weddings during the pandemic. People have to go on with their lives, right? Or is everyone postponing their nuptials? THOSE questions had me going to Google to do some research.

It seems that lots of couples have put off their weddings. But others have decided to elope… just the two of them. Hey, when LOVE calls, ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Others are settling for what are called “mini-monies,” which are miniature ceremonies that include guests of only 10 family members and friends. The important thing to these people is the “getting hitched” part and they’re not too hung up on the size of the guest list. Even though they must settle for a minimalist approach now, they can always plan a bigger celebration later.

Do you know a couple who was planning a wedding? Did they cancel? Or did they decide to go for it?

This month, I’m offering my book, THE WEDDING PLANNER’S SON, for just 99¢ for Kindle readers. Click the cover below and you’ll be taken to the Kindle Store.