I just mapped out a whole blog post while taking a shower. Does anyone else do this? Let’s see if I can get it down in digital form without leaving out the important stuff.
SUBTITLE: Positive Effects of Social Distancing
I know everyone has to be as tired as I am of social distancing. Really, what’s to love about it besides the fact you can work from home – in your pajamas – with no makeup? Believe me, that gets old pretty fast. I also saved a ton of money on gas. Who knew my car could travel for two months on one tank of fuel?
My kids have taken it all in stride:
Kerri has worked from home until last week. Her girls resumed a few dance lessons on Zoom and the youngest finished out fourth grade via distance learning online. The oldest was already attending school through online schooling.
She painted four rooms in her house and started daily walks and a few hikes which they never had time for before. Dance had been the center of their universe.
Terri had a house full while trying to social distance. At least she had runners to grocery shop and run errands. She pushed Will through his junior year of high school, but said there was no way in H E double L she was going to home school a senior in high school. One of them would end up dead!
On a positive note, she learned how to crochet and the needles have been working overtime. I just ordered her some yarn to crochet me a throw.
Jessie has had quite the experience in teaching from home. She has now decided that she enjoyed it to the extent she will be homeschooling the three oldest – grades 1, 3, and 5, in the fall. Pierson is only 2.5, but I bet when he does start school he will be way ahead of his peers.
These four children had cousins who lived a few minutes away so they got a lot of bonding time together in the last few months.
Amie is a teacher and so is her husband, but she learned that teaching her own children through online schooling while trying to also keep her classes going is quite the experience. She also had two college age children home at the same time. I believe she is more than ready for school to start up again and life to return to normal.
She did enjoy that reprieve on her gas budget, and…together with her family, they built a deck!
Andrew had to finish out his second semester of his doctorate through zoom meetings. There is nothing quite like giving a music recital through Zoom! 😂 He was not a fan of that.
He did enjoy the break from all his duties as a graduate assistant to work on his composing, and actually had two pieces finalized and published last month. You can listen to “A Castle In The Air” here. This is someone else performing it.
He is more than ready to resume normal activity, but wonders how normal a marching band will be in the fall.
Andrew and Xochi came to visit for a few days last week. They brought Mia with them so we did a little dog sitting.
H is still teaching his music lessons through Zoom, but will start teaching back at Playground Music next month. Between you and me, that will be a good thing! 🤫 I know more about Zoom than I need to.
I have not written much in the past few months. I’ve spent a lot of time stocking up pillows in my Etsy shop. Here’s what I worked on yesterday.
Plus – I was still working my regular job making pillows for decorators in the area. I do that from home anyway. I’m thankful my business didn’t go into a slump.
What I want to happen soon is for the restaurants to open back up safely. I’m tired of eating groceries! And cooking them!
Overall, this experience has been a positive one. Kitchens and rooms and tables have been painted. I even found the time to chalk paint this small chest.
We’ve all learned how to get along together in close spaces. The grandchildren have learned to help one another and the parents have learned to practice more patience. Kids have learned to cook and do laundry. Numerous houses have been decluttered and outdoor projects have been started and finished. A lot of reading has been going on with jigsaw puzzles taking up the slack. And Zoom has been at the top of everyone’s learning curve!
Learning, helping, and having fun together!
How is your social distancing going? Life as we once knew it may not resume. I believe it’s time for a change. Stay safe and enjoy your families!
~Elle
Finding Myself Through Writing 
I loved it. I loved how quiet it was in the beginning of lockdown where all I heard were the birds every morning and no cars. I loved that I could hear my thoughts even though it was eerie for a large population like NYC to be so still. I loved that it forced me to be still and not run around doing what I think is nonsense most of the time. I will miss it except the lack of non dairy options in my neighborhood, and lack of things to photograph that I usually travel to do, and blog post material. I’m glad that you are well. And those pillows are pretty.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! My pillows have kept me sane. I’ve been wondering how you were during all this. Hope you are well.
LikeLike
It’s great to meet your family! Your pillows are beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate! I’ve already been informed I spelled someone’s name wrong and put another in the wrong grade! 😂 Too many to keep up with. Hope you are doing ok.
LikeLiked by 1 person