Social Distancing Days 6-9: Canceled events, slowing down and virtual happy hours
Hooray for weekends!
On Saturday I was supposed to wake up very early and head to the rink to continue teaching my ice skating students their group program for our upcoming April ice show. But earlier this week, our club's ice show, like many events, was cancelled. And the rink officially had closed. So, instead, I slept in with my family and after breakfast we all decided to venture out on a walk to breathe in the country fresh air.
It was one of the best things we had done for our souls. Man, did we need that. Things are usually pretty peaceful in the country, however today it was unusually quiet across the acreage and beyond. We walked all the way to the half mile line and back. Our dog Dasha lead the way and showed us all her usual routes she escapes to during her day when we're not watching. The air had a little bite, but it was beautiful. Going to need to add "walks" to the list on a daily basis from here on out.
Pre-coronovirus weekends would typically send Kyle and I in different directions. Often the four of us were off to a sports game or practice for one of the kids, or I'm at the rink while Kyle's home working on a project. I've been known to make a few Target runs in my week, but that was out. Or Kyle would jet off to Tractor Supply or Menards to pick up some wood pellets, dog food or a tool he needed. We are busy bodies, unstoppable until Sunday night. But not this weekend. We had nowhere to be and no one to see. Eery, but kind of nice too. We soaked up the fresh air and sun for most of the day, played outside with the kids while they showed us all the cool open spots under trees they could deem their next fort or hide-out, and we sat on our rocking chairs while sipping a spiked beverage (Kyle and I, not the kids) and talked about what lied ahead for the week. Oh, Kyle did make one last ditch effort to swing by the grocery store (he wore gloves and washed his hands afterward) to pick up some items we needed. Oddly, I believe Kyle was shopping for the Zombie Apocalypse because he arrived back home with tons of canned goods, multiple bags of frozen veggies, at least 10 boxes of mac and cheese and 2 gallons of milk...and toilet paper. We. Are. Set.
Saturday night I hopped online for a virtual happy hour with my girlfriends, Lacey, Kara and Joshlyn. We all met while working at our previous company, Talent Plus, and have remained very close ever since. For a little over two hours with our wine glasses in hand, we toasted to one another and talked about how our lives have been turned upside down - it was therapeutic and wonderful. I highly recommend doing one of these with your friends, family or coworkers if you haven't yet. We used Zoom Meetings, which is very easy to use and share with others.
I realized by Sunday how difficult it has been for me to sit idle on weekends before all of this. I like to be productive and have a plan for what lies ahead for the weekend. I like to get up early and get going. But often times having a lot to do requires getting in your car and going somewhere - which isn't really an option right now during our #socialdistancing and #stayhome trending requirements. So, Sunday was pretty...simple. In the morning, we cooked up a yummy breakfast for the kids (eggs, bacon and pancakes) and watched a little livestream church. Later, Kyle read a book for several hours while I did some cleaning and laundry. That night he cooked dinner (chicken, risotto and green beans!) and I kickstarted a virtual family dinner night with my family (Barrs/Bardsley's) for the first time ever, which served as a replacement dinner for our usual monthly gathering. It was great to see everyone's faces and say hello to those we love.
By Monday and Tuesday, we were back to work and the kids were back to school (at home). The kids designed their own lists for what they'd like to accomplish each day. We confirmed that "class work" and "go outside" were included. The kids are also participating in The Great Lincoln Egg Hunt where kids in the Lincoln/Bennet area can color an egg on poster board, put in their window or on their door, and then they can get in their car with their families and drive around town to hunt down all of the eggs. A "social distancing" activity. (Ours may be a bit hidden since no one can see our house from the street, but it's the thought, right?) We also instituted a daily dress theme, much like they do at school. Here's what's happening in the Bruss household this week:
So we're having some fun with this. Oh, and you might also find this to be fun. This parody video was the medicine I (and all moms/parents across America) needed last week. Laughed the whole way through it.
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
you can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
the sky is no longer thick with fumes
but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
people are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
is offering free meals and delivery to the household.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighborhood,
so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synongues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
so we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness
But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
On Saturday I was supposed to wake up very early and head to the rink to continue teaching my ice skating students their group program for our upcoming April ice show. But earlier this week, our club's ice show, like many events, was cancelled. And the rink officially had closed. So, instead, I slept in with my family and after breakfast we all decided to venture out on a walk to breathe in the country fresh air.
It was one of the best things we had done for our souls. Man, did we need that. Things are usually pretty peaceful in the country, however today it was unusually quiet across the acreage and beyond. We walked all the way to the half mile line and back. Our dog Dasha lead the way and showed us all her usual routes she escapes to during her day when we're not watching. The air had a little bite, but it was beautiful. Going to need to add "walks" to the list on a daily basis from here on out.
Pre-coronovirus weekends would typically send Kyle and I in different directions. Often the four of us were off to a sports game or practice for one of the kids, or I'm at the rink while Kyle's home working on a project. I've been known to make a few Target runs in my week, but that was out. Or Kyle would jet off to Tractor Supply or Menards to pick up some wood pellets, dog food or a tool he needed. We are busy bodies, unstoppable until Sunday night. But not this weekend. We had nowhere to be and no one to see. Eery, but kind of nice too. We soaked up the fresh air and sun for most of the day, played outside with the kids while they showed us all the cool open spots under trees they could deem their next fort or hide-out, and we sat on our rocking chairs while sipping a spiked beverage (Kyle and I, not the kids) and talked about what lied ahead for the week. Oh, Kyle did make one last ditch effort to swing by the grocery store (he wore gloves and washed his hands afterward) to pick up some items we needed. Oddly, I believe Kyle was shopping for the Zombie Apocalypse because he arrived back home with tons of canned goods, multiple bags of frozen veggies, at least 10 boxes of mac and cheese and 2 gallons of milk...and toilet paper. We. Are. Set.
Saturday night I hopped online for a virtual happy hour with my girlfriends, Lacey, Kara and Joshlyn. We all met while working at our previous company, Talent Plus, and have remained very close ever since. For a little over two hours with our wine glasses in hand, we toasted to one another and talked about how our lives have been turned upside down - it was therapeutic and wonderful. I highly recommend doing one of these with your friends, family or coworkers if you haven't yet. We used Zoom Meetings, which is very easy to use and share with others.
I realized by Sunday how difficult it has been for me to sit idle on weekends before all of this. I like to be productive and have a plan for what lies ahead for the weekend. I like to get up early and get going. But often times having a lot to do requires getting in your car and going somewhere - which isn't really an option right now during our #socialdistancing and #stayhome trending requirements. So, Sunday was pretty...simple. In the morning, we cooked up a yummy breakfast for the kids (eggs, bacon and pancakes) and watched a little livestream church. Later, Kyle read a book for several hours while I did some cleaning and laundry. That night he cooked dinner (chicken, risotto and green beans!) and I kickstarted a virtual family dinner night with my family (Barrs/Bardsley's) for the first time ever, which served as a replacement dinner for our usual monthly gathering. It was great to see everyone's faces and say hello to those we love.
By Monday and Tuesday, we were back to work and the kids were back to school (at home). The kids designed their own lists for what they'd like to accomplish each day. We confirmed that "class work" and "go outside" were included. The kids are also participating in The Great Lincoln Egg Hunt where kids in the Lincoln/Bennet area can color an egg on poster board, put in their window or on their door, and then they can get in their car with their families and drive around town to hunt down all of the eggs. A "social distancing" activity. (Ours may be a bit hidden since no one can see our house from the street, but it's the thought, right?) We also instituted a daily dress theme, much like they do at school. Here's what's happening in the Bruss household this week:
- Monday - Spirit Day/Jersy Day (in honor of the schools, teachers and friends we miss, or favorite sports team who can't play right now)
- Tuesday - Super Hero Day (in honor of all the first responders, hospital workers, pharmacists grocery store employees and other essential personnel)
- Wednesday - Crazy Hair Day (in honor of all our hair stylists)
- Thursday - Dress like an old person (in honor of the generation most at risk)
- Friday - Pajama day (Because let's face it, pajamas are the best part of homeschooling)
If you have ideas for what you're doing with your family I'd love to hear them too.
It's still unknown how long we'll all be doing this. A report I saw today said to plan through at least Easter (April 13), which is 3 weeks away. I guess what we can do is embrace today and look at tomorrow as a new day to try something different. For me, I know I rarely have time to write in this blog - maybe once or twice a year - and yet here I am doing it twice in a week. If I had to pluck a few more items out of my never ending list of to-dos, I'd hope I could make some progress on my kids' scrapbooks during this time. Maybe send some kind notes to people or give back in new ways. I'd like to learn more about investing and current investment opportunities. I recently saw a recipe from a friend on cooking homemade pretzels (gluten free of course) so I might try that out with my helpful baker assistant, Norah. Finish some books I've been meaning to read. Expand my podcasts. Maybe a home project or two we've been putting off. And who knows what else.
Makes you wonder, with everything that's happened lately, if God is helping us all to re-learn how to slow down.
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
you can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
the sky is no longer thick with fumes
but blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
people are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
is offering free meals and delivery to the household.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighborhood,
so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synongues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
so we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness
But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Beth
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| First virtual happy hour in the books with these ladies! |
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| Best picture I could get, but it was so great to see family after so many weeks of not. |
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| FORTS! After a long day at work (at home), I came upstairs to find my kids had been very busy making this magnificent fort out of our family room area. Haha. |
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