staying in, week 6

End of week 6 of staying at home, but I'm not sure it is a good idea to be counting them up - because I really think this is going to be normal for a while. Even if shelter-in-place orders are lifted, there really hasn't been any change in handling covid-19 that would keep lots people from getting sick, as there aren't antibody tests or containment or tracing plans (and actually, even if my area isn't overrun with cases, there are way more of them here now than when the orders started, so it's not like things are better in any way). Which means my family isn't going to be going back to the old normal of gym, wandering Target, etc. at this point, even if things open, because that just doesn't seem safe for anyone.

photo (I totally covet these tile mats!)

Good things

So. It's stinky and hard and feels never-ending. And that's just for someone who has a job that I can do from home and all the resources I need (acknowledging my privilege!) - so I can hardly imagine how awful it is for those who have lost jobs, have sick family members, and things like that. Writing down some bright spots is still a good coping practice for me. Hopefully you have had some bright spots this week too.


Best book: oh man, it was a good week for escaping into books. Though Most Likely is my highest rated book in a while, since I already put up a review of it earlier this week, I'll mention my latest BOTM club pick, Beach Read. Read it in 2 days, just the perfect rom-com escape. And even better that it's set on the shores of my beloved Lake Michigan!

Favorite new project: the listmaker challenge. I've always been interested in this lists book but never ended up ordering it. But then I was inspired by Rachel via Instagram to join this using my bullet journal. Basically just start with a list of 31 lists you want to make, whether that's favorite childhood books, things that make you feel calm, books you want to read, things you miss or are learning in the time of corona, etc. And then spend time each day for the next month writing out one of your lists! It's fun to explore your interests or capture memories this way. Hendrik is making his own (including favorite birds, wishlist of Lego sets, and more), which is also super fun.

Yummiest dinner: and also the easiest: BLTs! Always a crowd pleaser, and I loved a super easy cooking night (always do my bacon in the oven, which makes it even easier).

Best workout: my mom got me onto her Peloton account, and in a week where I was really missing classes at the gym, this was so great! I can do the cycling ones with my road bike hooked up to a trainer, but I also loved the cardio dance class and the yoga/stretching options too. Worth checking out their app if you're craving a class workout, as they've got lots of stuff that can be done with no equipment too, and apparently you can use it free for 90 days.

Comfiest leggings: I'm mostly not making any online purchases...but, okay, Athleta with a rare site-wide 30% off got me. Decided to try out this new powervita fabric with these leggings. And they are the softest, stretchiest, most amazing light-as-air legging I've put on my legs. Not taking them off now - good thing I have so many leggings outfit ideas.

Best library substitute: Hendrik said to me, "I can't wait until we can go to the library again!" but then we got the next best thing - a book swap with some neighbors! They left a whole bunch of Who Would Win books and Magic Treehouse books on our step, and we set out some favorites from our shelves for them to pick up. Hendrik already is good about doing a lot of reading, but he's just devouring things now that he has all-new materials!

Source of constant giggles: Peter and his mustache. In his weeks working from home doing virtual patient visits, he basically stopped shaving (weird already because in the 14 years we've been married he's never gone more than a week without shaving); then on Monday when his week to actually see patients in the office started, he decided to shave and just leave a mustache, because "none of them will ever see it because my mask hides it." I cannot have a serious conversation with the man - I just dissolve into giggles every time I look at him. He's trying to tell me he's pulling off a Princess Bride type look, but I just find the result so jarring in a silly way. So I guess in the end he is doing us a service with lightening the mood.

Bummers

As always, mine are minor in the grand scheme of things, but I like to give myself a little time to validate that sometimes this whole situation just gets me down. And then hopefully move on from that.

What I miss the most: buying my own groceries. I feel so grateful that there are Instacart shoppers out there, but when you have to pick your items online, sometimes you just don't get quite what you expect. I miss going up and down the aisles at the store and picking things on a whim...

Saddest feels: seeing Hendrik pretend to hug my mom through a glass door, seeing my sister on FaceTime rocking her baby to calm him and not being able to reach out and hold him or help, having my parents and brothers come to wish Hendrik a happy 1/2 birthday wearing face masks and standing 10 feet away. These little distance things - kind of a so close, yet so far away feel - are just feeling really hard this week.

Biggest frustrations: all things homeschooling. Ah, how I miss when Hendrik did his learning guided by someone else (and I had the house to myself for HOURS a day). Because lately guided by me doesn't seem to be going super well - he was really gung-ho about the work, and even doing extra work that he came up with on his own, before the "spring break" week. But in the 2 weeks since then, he's been kind of whiney about getting it done, the school isn't giving us all that much work (and when they do, it doesn't seem like it's accomplishing that much learning). And don't even get me started on having to deal with/sit through online class meetings with a bunch of 1st-3rd graders. You'd think this would give me a free hour, but so much troubleshooting. Oh, and 6-year-olds aren't exactly Zoom-type call pros. So I've actually gotten a bit lax about school in general because it's so frustrating to deal with - figure as long as he's reading a bunch and doing a few math worksheets we should be fine. Whatever.

What's doing me in: not sleeping well. I feel like I'm coping fairly well in the day-to-day, but I think I've got some pent-up anxieties that are coming out at night and keeping me awake for long stretches. And operating on not enough sleep is not good even in the best of times... when I'm tired is when I feel the most despair about things never changing, about people getting sick, about people going hungry.



How are things going for you? Maybe you can get in a little at home pampering this weekend - I shared some ideas earlier this week. And definitely you should enter my giveaway for some customized shampoo + conditioner - the only thing better than a pampering treat is a free one!