Social distancing is a new term for many of us. Working, learning and basically staying at home all the time, isn’t normal for most people. But it’s the new trend and I’m embracing it whole-heartedly. Yes, I want to keep my family safe from Covid-19, but there are so many positives to staying home. So, instead of complaining or thinking of everything I’m missing by being locked away, I’m choosing to look at the positives.
Grateful
Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge I’m aware my family’s situation is much better than many others.
I am very aware there are people who cannot afford to stay home for a variety of reasons. For these people, I am worried. Prayers will not be enough. This is a topic that deserves its own attention.
My husband has the ability to work from home when needed. He has utilized this when we have felt it is necessary for our family. His company not only halted domestic and international travel several weeks ago but globally has all employees working from if possible.
JuneBug is in her senior year of high school. Over the past 10 years, she has dealt with tons of unusual medical issues. Just a few weeks ago, at the beginning of February, she was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or POTS. Much of her classwork she has already been doing online because she hasn’t been healthy enough to be physically at the school.
Our school district worked hard to put together a remote learning plan. Devices and the internet are not a concern for our family. The kids are pretty self-sufficient and able to handle their schoolwork on their own.
Last week I did the first big grocery trip since the holidays! Yep, I had been running to Aldi every few days and only shopping for a few days at a time. Not only do I have plenty of perishables for this week, but plenty of frozen and pantry supplies for the following week or two.
My family is in a comfortable position, and for this I’m grateful. I’m choosing to pay more attention to what we are blessed with than what has been canceled and/or postponed while we social distance and hang out at home.
Embracing My Home
The majority of my home has been renovated in the four and a half years we have lived here. One bathroom remains and it might actually happen while we are staying home.
Utilizing site to store pick-up at Home Depot and Lowe’s will enable us to reduce exposure, and stay on track with purchasing what we actually need. Everything from our local tile shop and plumbing store has already been ordered, we will just need to arrange pick-up.
But my family’s needs are always evolving. Recently I identified a few places where I need to improve the functionality. I now have the time to tackle these hot spots. Plus, I have family members to help (I can’t wait until someone tells me they are bored!).
Embracing My Family
This summer IronFish and I will celebrate 19 years of marriage. But we’ve actually been together for over 25 years.
And we’re still going strong.
So, a few weeks in the house with only our family shouldn’t be much of a problem for us.
It helps that we happen to like our kids too!
This past Christmas we got a few new games. Since there are five of us, some of them we also purchased expansion packs for. Our current favorite is Pandemic… yes, that’s actually the name of a game!
Family game night is a thing in our house. Now we can have family game night every night if we want to.
Or family movie night.
Or family baking night.
There really are so many things we can do together.
And when we’ve had enough of each other… we can all retreat to our own spaces.
Embracing My Hobbies
Domestic Deadline is really about all of my hobbies. Home improvement, DIY, and decorating is only a portion of my hobbies.
My craft room is exploding with so many hobbies and project ideas.
I’ve often joked that I need to spend a whole year in my craft room in order to finish everything I want to do…
Looks like I’m going to have plenty of time to make a nice dent in that list!
Embracing Learning
One of the things I have said I wanted to do was start to share videos on Domestic Deadline. Since so many people tell me they want to learn to crochet, I’ve decided to start with that!
I’ve already recorded a few videos and am learning to edit them.
If you are interested in learning, all you need is a skein of yarn and a hook to get started. Here’s a few options (yep, affiliates. Since online is the best way to shop right now, might as well help each other out!):
From Amazon: I have this set of hooks and they are very comfortable to use. This set isn’t ergonomic, but less expensive with lots of stitch markers and knitting tools also. The Lion Brand Crochet for a Cause kit has a skein of pink yarn and a hook appropriately sized for the yarn, an easy way to get the basics to get started. Another all in one option is this set of mini skeins with hooks. Twenty-four colorful mini skeins of yarn could be crocheted into a fun little sampler blanket! This would be a great way to practice and complete a fun project.
Walmart has a brown scarf set which includes the hook and yarn. You can also select a yarn that’s available for pick-up along with a few basic hooks and then just pick them up along with anything else you might need from there when you’re order is ready.
Just don’t start with black yarn!
If you need any further advice on what to buy to get started, send me an email and I’ll gladly help you.
Embracing the Little Things
We are going to be home. Together.
No sports, meetings, extra-curricular activities, etc.
There is no better time than now to improve our daily routines.
Time to get better at daily routines, meal planning, cleaning/chore schedules, etc
Once you start thinking of all the things you can do while you’re stuck at home, I bet you can come up with a pretty long list too!
So, let’s embrace it.
Enjoy our families.
Enjoy our homes.
Enjoy the TIME we have without as much hustle and bustle of our regular daily lives.
