Lemonade!

The situation we are in is unusual, unlikely, and out of our control. However, there are far more people in a tougher position than we are and I continue to feel more and more gratitude about that fact each and every day. It’s also something to see the good that some members in the community are doing and the innovation of many.

While our lives have not continued as normal; events have been canceled, friends go unseen, and everyday life has been turned upside down, we are trying to make the most it…

• That means that Bryan and I are getting to spend some quality time sitting side by side each other EVERY day. 17″ to be exact.
• That means that I’ve been able to spend a little more time cooking and playing around in the kitchen (only so much as Reese allows, that is). So far I have made a double batch of chicken enchiladas, white chicken chili, copy cat Panera Bread broccoli cheddar soup (twice because Reese liked it so much the first time to my surprise) and some healthyish blondies. Also a birthday cake for my dear friend Polly.
• That means that we have been able to get carryout from some of our favorite restaurants for cheaper or places we have never gotten to try.
• That means we have purchased gift cards to favorite restaurants to support them now and enjoy later.
• That means we have scheduled wine nights for every Friday night with our nanny share family to socialize and kickstart what might not typically feel like the weekend. I guess these are the only people we really feel “safe” around since we see each other everyday and all of us are limiting contact with everyone else.
• That means we’ve gone on many family walks outside, especially since last week we had such nice weather. We also HAVE to because we literally have ZERO steps by the end of our work day when that work space is feet away from your bedroom, kitchen, etc.
• That means we have introduced Reese to several animated movies that she now has the attention span and focus to sit through. I’m still amazed by this.
• That means we are upgrading our background since all parks and playgrounds are now closed. We have a Little Tikes slide on the way and I’m currently shopping for a playhouse for the girls. Cha-Ching.
• That means I now have time to do some serious spring cleaning and tick off some of the tasks that have been on my To-Do list for who knows how long (not any of which I have done yet, but I will), including:
  • Sell the Jeep
  • Finish Reese’s cross stitch project
  • Read a book
  • Literally walk around the house collecting anything I haven’t used in a year to get rid of…which now means pitch because Goodwills are closed
  • Bryan’s making a dual soda water and beer keg-erator
  • Prep the backyard for the summer
• That also means that I have a schedule of self care for the week. I have something on the calendar each day to look forward to. These are obviously all done within the comfort (confines) of my own home (that I now wish was five times bigger than it is). This schedule is:
  • Monday: Pedicure
  • Tuesday: Manicure
  • Wednesday: Family Happy Hour
  • Thursday: Face Mask
  • Friday: Wine Night
  • Saturday: Massage (thanks Bryan!)
  • Sunday: Sermon and Cook/Bake for the Week

It’s all still very surreal and a work in progress. I feel like I went from one extreme; that being no time for anything with work, church, FareStart and studying for the exam to one extreme; that being seemingly so much spare time. However, I haven’t felt like that time has been very well spent or productive up until now. I feel like I am starting to get into a groove with this new routine, whether I’m happy to play it out for the next several weeks or not is a different story. I’m trying to live day-by-day because here in the present it’s not so bad, forecasting this whole debacle out though…only time and patience will tell. Trying to turn lemons into lemonade over here!

Chelsea