Well, we made it through until Friday– was this the longest week ever?
This is going to be a true ‘Free For All’ post. I have no project to share as this week has been rather unproductive as we figured out how to navigate life at home–together! I thought we’d just have a conversation (one-sided as it may be), about life this last week.
I wake up each day and get hit with a strange feeling of dread, does anyone else? Though I do what I can to quickly talk myself out of it and remind myself that God is the same today as he was last week, and things are always in His control.
Post on organizing medical and first aid supplies is HERE.
Things have changed so very quickly this week but I am trying to remain optimistic and focused on hope. I am grateful that I don’t really have to suddenly ‘homeschool’ (school work is optional in our county so as not to penalize kids who don’t have distance learning technology at home). My boys are old enough to handle their high school work, much of it is online anyway, themselves.
What has been really hard (can my other teenage parents relate?) is keeping them home and away from their friends. At some level they understand, but thanks to social media they see kids who are still getting together, people treating this like an early spring break and traveling (with friends in many cases) or just kids hanging out as they normally would because their parents aren’t enforcing the same social distancing measures we are here. It’s hard for them to feel like they are missing things all. day. long. I don’t have an answer for this, except that parenting is hard.
My heart also goes out to business owners, the self-employed, the service providers who have literally lost businesses overnight. We’re doing what we can to support small businesses around us, I can’t even imagine what they are feeling right now. Even though I have been cooking more and trying new recipes tonight we will be ordering out to support our favorite local restaurant.
There have been good things—while Facebook can bring doom and gloom, I have enjoyed the chatter in my neighborhood mom’s group. Our neighbors have come together and are swapping books (leaving piles on porches, free to anyone who wants them), sharing where they found toilet paper in stock and swapping ideas to keep kids from going stir crazy. Of course, my dogs are loving have everyone at home—even if I don’t feel like it I have made sure to get out and walk every day because the fresh air really helps.
Aside from the anxiety of the virus itself, some of my sadness comes from the fact that I have a graduating senior and he’s facing the cancellation of pretty much every tradition that comes in this season. It’s unlikely they will have prom (or the after party, which I have been helping plan for the last 6 months), or their senior picnic, at this point we don’t know if they will attend school with their classmates again. I can’t think about graduation, I am still holding out hope that even if they have to postpone it we will be able to celebrate that if nothing else.
(This picture is of my parents garden, what mine wants to be when it grows up!)
I am looking forward to starting working in our gardens, and I have much to do! Our house was built two years ago and we have almost no landscaping. I love whiteflowerfarm.com for inspiration and high-quality plants, I’d love other garden site recommendations if you have them.
As to what is to come, I have been finishing up a project with our long-time partner Wagner/HomeRight and I’ll have that hopefully next week (fingers crossed the last piece I need comes in). Christy is in the hard situation of preparing for an overseas move that is now currently on hold (I can’t even imagine living that type of limbo), so we’re all just taking it day by day. I have been spending time in recipe and cooking sites trying to make the most of the extra time in the kitchen this week, so expect some food posts coming soon.
Today, I mostly just wanted to say that we’re all in this together, I am sure Christy would agree that we’re grateful for all our readers and we’re hoping that you all are doing OK. That you are staying well and keeping your eyes fixed on the big picture. We’re here so please stay in touch! This is a lonely time for many people so drop us a line if you feel inclined, let us know how you are holding up and share what tricks you are using to stay sane!
A few other things I have found that help is focusing on the good-there is so much of it along with so much bad news. Our local food bank has had an outpouring of donations (you can just go online to donate to one in your area if you choose). Our neighborhood mom’s group just pulled together donations and is sending meals to the healthcare workers at the local ICU with the sickest patients. They are picking up milk for neighbors when they find it, and our church reached more people online than they do on a regular Sunday (because who doesn’t need church right now?)
Here are some other ideas~
My Kindle Unlimited Subscription–unlimited reading material!
This devotion by Lysa Terkhurst was comforting.
All the pretty decor from the Spring Home Tours over at Marty’s!
A few posts that might be helpful right now:
A Two-Week Menu Plan with Shopping Lists
Social Distancing , StayCations + Blizzard Projects
What We’re Reading in February
XO,
Cindy says
Thank you for this post. My thoughts are very similar. Hugs and good health!
Mary Sorrels says
Dear Amy,
I am a longtime subscriber and an AP Literature teacher in Clarence, NY. Try to enjoy the weeks ahead as a gift of time with your son before college. Your gifted in the art of celebrations and will find paths to creatively do so for the graduates!
I recommend Claus Dalby and an English Wife accounts on Instagram for your gardening inspiration — I am trying to complete our HAMLET unit online w/my dear students & Ophelia’s understanding of the meaning of flowers & herbs always inspires me.
God Bless You and Your Loved Ones —
Many thanks,
Mary Sorrels
Mary Sorrels says
*YOU ARE
Forgot to edit;-)
Amy says
Thank you for the tips! I do follow Claus but had not heard of the English Wife and couldn’t find it. Please send more info if you have it! Be safe, Amy
Stephanie says
Thank you for sharing your feelings. It was helpful as we are all going through the same thing and feel the same way. We have kids in high school and college also. Take care and stay healthy! I always appreciate your posts.
Amy says
Thank you Stephanie–I appreciate it. Please take care and be well. XO, Amy
Heidi Colton says
I know it’s hard but you and your family will fall into a routine. My heart goes out for your son. …for all your children really. Please know that you all are in my prayers.
Heidi Colton
Amy says
So kind of you Heidi, I truly appreciate that. They did close schools for the rest of the year so it was a bit of a blow but we’re getting through it. Please take care of yourself during this difficult time. XO, Amy
Deborah says
Thank you – I, too, wake up to dread every morning. We are in different phases of life, yet our feelings mirror each other. My husband is retired, I work in healthcare at a respected institution. Everything in life has changed and I have to keep reminding myself that God is in control … breathe!
Amy says
You are so right, HE is in control. I remind myself over and over and over… and it helps! Take care, Amy
Betty Lynn Golub says
I ad to turn off the news and put on a Hallmark movie. It is somewhat comforting to know that we are all in this together.
Amy says
Good advice Betty–the news was really bringing me down too! XO, Amy
Nita Christian says
MAYBE SOME WILL THINK I’M NAIVE’ BUT I DON’T WAKE UP EVERY MORNING WITH A FEELING OF DREAD. I READ MY BIBLE AND PRAY AND TRUST THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF US. I’VE SAID TO MANY, IF I SHOULD DIE OF COVID-19 THEN IT’S IN GOD’S PLAN FOR ME TO DO SO. NOTHING IS BY CHANCE. I THINK THE MEDIA AND TRUMP HATERS ARE PUTTING THINGS OUT THERE TO SCARE EVERYONE!! BUT ALSO, LET ME TELL YOU, IN OUR COUNTY PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY’RE NOT QUARANTINING THEMSELVES AND IT’S SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE. PEOPLE JUST NEED TO TAKE HEED AND BE SENSIBLE AND CAUTIOUS.
P.S. I’M NOT YELLING OR ANGRY, I FIND IT EASIER TO TYPE IN CAPS WITH THIS AWFUL ARTHRITIS IN BOTH HANDS.
Amy says
Thank you for sharing, I agree with you on all counts! You have the right perspective. Stay well! XO, Amy