At Least my Jeans Still Fit

Recently we had a Zoom staff meeting, in which we met on the Zoom app in order to discuss the week’s school business remotely. My boss likes to start our meetings with some sort of ice-breaker so he asked us to each share one positive. While my co-workers shared things like “learned how to crochet” and “raising chicks in my basement,” my only share was “I can still fit in my jeans,” and I wasn’t kidding. I am actually shocked every time I,

1.     Actually put on a pair of jeans these days

2.     Realize that they still fit.

Rachel Brougham, (Petoskey News Review) wasn’t kidding when she asked in a recent column if anyone else is eating like a 14 year old boy during this stay-at-home order. I can honestly say, “Yes, Rachel. I too, am eating like a 14 year old boy.” You might be surprised to find out that this “good little cooker” as my husband used to call me, has developed an unusual craving for Pringles. During the days of a normal 8-4 work week, I’m a fairly healthy eater. My lunches used to consist of things like green beans, cashews, and an apple. I usually eat an uber-heathy Larabar for breakfast. Dinners are kind of a toss-up, but almost always void of processed foods. You would think that someone who has been spending a large amount of time in a basement office these days would be rarin’ to come upstairs and cook something healthy and delicious. Not so. There is no more weekly menu. After my virtual school day ends, I scroll through Pinterest, trying to find something to cook last-minute. After all, my college son is quarantined with us, so wouldn’t I want to cook for him? Nope. I’ve learned that if my timing is right, he will heat up a pastie from the freezer or make himself a flat bread pizza. If he and Tom feed themselves, I’m free to eat that can of Spaghetti O’s and you guessed it, Pringles. The first few weeks of stay-at-home, I was baking like crazy. I made homemade Naan bread, loaves of bread, chewy granola bars, and cookies. I was starting to feel like The Pioneer Woman. But since the stay-at-home order was extended, things have steadily gone downhill. Maybe it’s situational. I really do like going to work. I’m meant to be around people and have a schedule. Maybe my healthy habits will return when normalcy does.  I actually have had some spurts of inspiration. Yesterday we ventured out to the grocery store and I bought a bunch of vegetables, and have them roasting in the oven. Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf. As I wait for them to finish, I’ll just finish off this can of Pringles and hope I can still fit into my jeans.

Life at a Social Distance

In the midst of this global pandemic, I found myself sitting in my living room, looking ahead to the next three and a half (or more) weeks, wondering, “What I am going to do with myself?” (other than wash my hands compulsively). When the covid19 virus hysteria initially began I did not for the life of me, believe that I would be sitting here “socially distancing” myself from the rest of the community. I tried to put it into perspective, knowing that this isn’t just a mini-summer break. I still need to be working from home and doing my best to interact with school families. Even doing that, I still have significantly more time on my hands. Before the Stay-at-Home order, I had been out and about, minimally speaking. I went to Walmart, Family Fare, and Grain Train. But those errands have quickly run their courses, so I have had to get more creative with my non-working hours.

You might already know that I am a list-maker. So of course I have compiled a list of things that I need to do and things I can do in order to stay busy and keep my mind occupied. I kind of think of it as a practice run for retirement. I know that when we retire, we won’t be semi-quarantined, but you never know what kind of germophobe I might turn into after this. If you find yourself being told to stay home from work and are running out of ideas, here are a few of the things I plan on doing to ward off cabin fever.

·      Put together the chicken puzzle I got for my birthday a few years ago

·      Have a Bananagrams tournament against myself

·      Finish crocheting the duster-vest I started a year ago.

·      Read the 4 borrowed books that I have been saving and the 3 books I bought

·      Watch some classic movies that I have never seen, like Gone with the Wind

·      Make more soap with the supplies I bought last summer

There are some things that I have resolved to avoid as well. I have decided to watch as little network Corona-reporting as possible. I understand the situation. I am being cautious and heeding warnings. I am not, however bulk-buying toilet paper, peanut butter, or Clorox wipes.  The virus is spreading. That’s a given. So why not dust off the pile of books I’ve been saving, finish some of those unfinished crafts, and understand that this time to just hunker down and relax is a gift. I feel like I should end by saying that I am so very grateful for those who are continuing to work in hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, etc… Their selflessness has not gone unnoticed.