Welcome to February, friends! (HOW, I ask you, HOW are we already done with one whole month of 2021?)
And welcome to “what’s saving my life right now!” This post is inspired by my favorite book blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy.
I’ve done this post twice now, once in 2018 and once in 2020. (Wonder what happened in 2019?) It’s interesting to look back and see that, while the world is a wholly different place, some things have stayed the same. So, her question is simple but powerful in these depths of winter: What’s saving your life right now?
Here, in no particular order are 5 things saving MY life. And I’d love to know from you in the comments: What’s saving YOUR life right now?
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Dog boots (so I can keep running)
I’m so thankful Kurgo sent Cooper this set of Blaze boots. I do a little writing for their website, and I have an upcoming post about running with your dog in winter. Boots are SO important. I can’t overstate this: If you live in a wintry climate, you NEED dog boots so you can keep running. Salted roads and sidewalks, patches of ice, frozen snow banks, it all takes a terrible toll on the pads of your dog’s feet if he doesn’t wear boots.
I do not love running, generally, and I really do not love running in winter, specifically. However, during these pandemic times, getting out for runs two or three times a week is keeping my head clear(er). A total necessity. So, then, are Cooper’s boots! (You might be thinking: Well, couldn’t you just run without Cooper? Hard no. He’s the only reason I run! Read more here and again here.)
Curbside pickup at the library
Seriously, we could not live without the library in this house. During “normal” times, we checked out about 40 picture or board books each week, plus some movies, plus whatever book or two I had on my list. With the library closed, I am grateful to an extent I can’t even articulate that they’re offering curbside pickups of online holds. It’s usually about five to 10 books each week that they pull for us, and I am so thankful. January was cold and miserable and long and dark, and I ended up reading six books and the girls got dozens. (Quickie January reading roundup: If you’re looking for something light and fluffy and darling, I recommend this. If you’re looking for poetry, this is everything. If you want something more serious, you can’t go wrong with Olive.)
Subscriptions
It’s funny. I listed this last year, too, and that was pre-pandemic! I’m grateful, then, that I had so many set up prior to the world shutting down. This is such a big topic that I’m writing an entire post on how I use subscriptions to manage pet supplies and save a TON of money (it’s seriously crazy how much you can save if you’re strategic about it). But, suffice it to say, without subscriptions, I don’t know what I’d do.
Which leads me to…
Instacart
I had ordered Instacart a couple times last year because I had gotten a coupon for free delivery. I wasn’t impressed. In hindsight, I think it was either flukey (got a bad delivery driver maybe) or they hadn’t really honed their services yet because demand wasn’t high enough. Now, though? Oh, my goodness. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to regular grocery shopping.
Once a week, usually on Sunday morning, I sit down and plot dinners for the week, including a frozen pizza night every Friday, which we eat on the couch with a movie. I place the order through Instacart for our local Aldi. Then, two hours later, all the groceries are on my front step. Since I started this at the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve only had one totally screwed-up order (they delivered the wrong one entirely), but Instacart’s customer service went above and beyond to make it right.
It saves me time, obviously, but a ton of money, too, because it completely eliminates impulse purchases. And we eat healthier since everything’s planned out, and we avoid last-minute take-out orders. It’s seriously been a huge win for me. If you haven’t tried it, Intacart offers a “Give $10, get $10 program,” so if you want to give it a whirl, here’s my link to get you the $10 off or you can use code: MMARTON18A162.
Podcasts
I’m spending a lot of empty time in my car: waiting for the animals during the veterinary appointment, waiting in the parking lot until I’m called in for my dentist appointment, waiting for my Target click-and-collect order, waiting outside the school for Violet’s class to get dismissed, etc. No one gets to go in anywhere anymore it seems, and most of the waiting is done in my car! I’m devouring podcasts. I love Brene Brown’s, anything from NPR, The Well-Storied podcast and Manuscript Academy (writing tips), The Sensory Project (sensory development stuff), What Should I Read Next? (the podcast from Modern Mrs. Darcy, and a few more. I’m not into, like, murder mysteries or modern forensics. I’m more into learning what I can in a short, interesting burst.
In that vein: Anyone know of good dog podcasts?? Training, behavior, wellness, anything pup?
Also: there’s yoga, fires in the fireplace, Violet and Astrid, hikes, journaling, and so much more. It’s a tough time, that’s for sure, but there are so many wonderful things to see me through.
lak
Believe it or not…my daily walk with the dog. Snow, Ice, Cold, whatever, unless it is less than 5 degrees F, we are out there walking in the fields. My dog loves it and has appropriate weather gear. I get to see the beautiful side of winter including hawks, cardinals, blue jays, rabbits, and the subtle changes that alert us to spring, this does wonder for my mood and waist line. Good boots and socks save my life, as well as candles, pajamas, quilts, and books! I love the downtime of hibernation during winter!
dcryor
Always good advice in your blog and so well written!! Thank you. It’s funny — I actually can’t give up going to the grocery store. I tried Instacart, but perhaps walking the store and filling my list is something that is saving my life right now. Sunday morning walking the aisles! I do love planning my meals too! But i plan on take out pizza. Frozen pizza just doesn’t cut it. And I have just started running with my 2-year old puppy. We go to a park–I’m not quite ready for him to run the neighborhood street yet … not sure he quite gets what we are doing!! Going to read your posts about running with Cooper to get some inspiration. Have a great day!
Sofia
We’ve been in a Stay at home order since Boxing Day, it’s our second one in less than a year, our ski hills have been forced to shut down, again, so I’m unemployed, again, but what’s worse than being unemployed is that skiing really makes a long winter more enjoyable. Despite all that, I had a hard time picking just 5 things that are saving my life right now.
1) The sun shinning & the days getting longer. Spring is coming, planting my garden, opening the pool, outdoor fires and hopefully outdoor visits with family and friends (currently prohibited)
2) My 3pm walks with Cash, we always seem to run into and chat with the neighbourhood kids. No matter the weather, we go out for a 30-45 min walk. He loves it and so do I. And those kids, always out sledding, skating or walking in the woods
3) Treadmill runs, because winter running has never been my thing
4) My weekly trip to costco and visit with my father in law. The costco just north of us is great, midweek, first thing in morning, fewer people than the grocery store. I stock up on supplies for us, my f.I.l and occasionally a friend that can’t get to one. The next day I deliver the supplies and have a Greek coffee and visit with the old guy. And because of his neuropathic pain, he can’t wear a shirt so his apartment is warmer than 26C (78f) so it’s like a trip to someplace tropical
5) And the obvious one, knowing my family and friends are safe and healthy. Many people have not been as fortunate, losing jobs, their homes family members or friends. We have been very fortunate
Thanks for the post, not only are these things saving me right now, but I’m so thankful and grateful for so many other things, big things and little things
Basil
My aunt used to have two really sweet dogs, but one died of a brain tumourthe other had diabetes and dies of a wasp sting. I can’t wait to get my own dog, hopefully soon, and I think everyone who has one is soooo lucky. I have recently been interested in dog blogs, so maybe include a bit more about dogs?