Hello, friends.
How are you? You hanging in there?
I don’t think I need to waste words or time talking about how different the world is today from even one week ago. You know. I know. It is what it is.
But, I wanted to check in because I’m thinking of you. I wake up in the middle of the night (is anyone else having trouble sleeping?) and think about how it feels like we live in a strange movie now, how 24 hours extend for three days, how you and your families are faring.
We know this will get worse–probably much worse–before it gets better.
So, give yourself grace. Give your pets grace.
Aside: Holy moly. Quarantine sure brings out my neighbors! Everyone is walking, bike riding, running, and so on with their dogs. Not so awesome for reactive dogs like Coop, who goes bananas all day long.
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Unless it feels right to you, ignore all the internet advice to use this time to write a book, learn a language, declutter your entire home, homeschool your children at least a grade level ahead. Why add pressure on top of the real-life dread of living through a pandemic?
Here’s what I’m doing:
- Playing with Cooper in the backyard a lot! We’re also dipping in and out of this book for some fun ideas and activities.
- Waking up early. I’m writing this at 6 am with Cooper snuggled on one side of my legs and Ripley on the other. I’m an introvert. I need time to myself each day. That time does not exist at home with John, Violet, and Astrid. From about 7 am to 8 pm, someone needs me. I’m getting up early to drink coffee in peace, to write, to putter around the internet without having to make someone a snack or clean something up or figure out a next activity. This morning time is mine.
- Flossing my teeth. It sounds small. It is small. But it’s one tiny, achievable daily promise to myself that creates a sense of normalcy and routine. Flossing my teeth grounds me in the reality that this strange time will eventually pass.
One other thing I started that, you guys, I regret but I also know it had to happen and no time better than when we literally can’t leave the house:
Potty training Violet.
In hindsight, during a toilet paper and bleach shortage, it may not have been the world’s smartest idea, but here we are.
All that said, I’m thinking of you. We are all–everyone across the globe–we are all in this together. We will get through it together. In tense, frustrating, exhausting moments, I keep repeating to myself: choose love, choose patience, choose kindness.
A lot of hard lessons will be learned, I think, but we’ll come out the other side hopefully with more compassion and kindness for fellow people and pets.
Take care of yourself.
Take care of your family.
Hang in there, friends.
It definitely is weird.
I was required to go into work because I wouldn’t get paid unless I went in. We have a rotating schedule of who is allowed to be in the office and who isn’t on certain days or there would be too many people there. Technically I can work remotely all days but they have a rule that you have to adhere to the schedule… oh well.
I have a slight cough, still went in, closed my office door. Normally people wouldn’t care if someone was coughing in the office. My boss called me directly, since he was working remotely, and said, “I’ve had several complaints about you coughing. You have to go home.”
Oh well… they are the ones that wanted me there even though I told HR I was sick. Didn’t argue and just packed up and went home. Strange times…
Wow. That sounds stressful. It seems many organizations are scrambling to figure out how to safely manage people and workloads. More importantly, I hope you’re feeling well and have fully recovered!!
I am hanging in there, and very glad you are too. I’ve also noticed a massive increase in the number of dog walkers outside these days. Often it’s an entire family of parents and kids with one over-excited doggo not used to such adventures. I am very happy for the dogs of the world right now getting to spend so much quality time with their people. My own reactive doggo is less thrilled but we have the tools to manage it and are getting used to crossing the street. A lot. Who knew my neighbourhood had so many dogs and children? Where have they been all this time?
It’s so true!! I’ve seen whole families I’ve never seen before! Sending you and your crew lots of love.
I’m glad to hear from you, Maggie! It seems like with most people at home, things would be far more active online, but I’ve been finding things strangely quiet (other than endless memes, jokes, and advice and news on FB. I’m trying to avoid that now!). I guess everyone is busy trying to find their new (temporary) normal.
We are doing well here so far. Luke is experiencing the same as Cooper, there are many more people walking past our house. I guess it keeps him busy, and gets him exercise running through the house barking! 🙂
We are lucky that we have our own land to walk on, we definitely need that outdoors time, and with spring breaking I’ll have plenty to do around the farm. But I like your idea of not pushing ourselves to take on too much, we have to be good to ourselves as well.
My hubby works in the grocery industry, so he is working even more than ever now trying to keep up with the demand. I hope that, and everything else, settles down soon.
Good luck with the potty training!!
Take care. ?
Strangely quiet–yes! I definitely needed time to wrap my mind around all that’s going on. I’m still not fully there, but as you said, I’m starting to find a new (temporary) normal.
Please thank your husband for all his hard work. I can’t imagine how stressful it must be to send him off each day, but we are so grateful for him and for his colleagues keeping this country afloat!!! Lots of healthy wishes and virtual hugs!
Hi Maggie! We don’t have the dog walkers because we live on a busy main road; but we have just as much traffic as ever. Luckily, we have a big back yard so we can walk around it and still do a half mile a few times a day. And Ducky can play to her heart’s content with us or by herself while we watch. We’re not on lockdown around here, but most people would ignore it anyway. They ignore social distancing. It’s amazing. I stay home except for necessary trips to the grocery store, and have given up on buying t-paper. Luckily we still have some. Good luck with the toilet training!
I’m not putting pressure on myself to do anything. But I do have to do the census today or tomorrow.
We have a mix of people around here… most seem to be doing their best to follow the quarantine, but a handful just don’t seem to care. I’ll never understand people! Thank goodness for dogs!! 🙂
Sending you big, virtual hugs. Take very good care and stay well!!
We are still here and taking ti day by day. Am fortunate to be able to work at home and stay employed. Stumpy and Rocket have really been enjoying the extra time and attention but even for them it has to be obvious that the world has changed at least in the short term.
Be safe
Glad to hear things are safe in your space!! I know Cooper, Newt, and Ripley can feel something’s up… schedules and routines are off, we’re all here all the time, and so on. I’m sure they appreciate the extra time to some degree, but I know they thrive on a predictable schedule and nothing about this is predictable!!
Stay well!
I have been sleeping great! I am getting so many projects around the house done, I love it!
I walk B early enough that we don’t see too many nitwits.
For an introvert like myself not much has changed (other than now I work from home). I kinda miss people at work but we have so many video meetings that by Friday I can’t wait to turn off my computer and cut off contact with them.
I’m so glad to hear how you’re thriving through all this!!! I’m also an introvert and don’t mind extra time at home, though I do miss getting out to the library and taking the girls to the playground.
Stay well!!