Lockdown

If I had known my last restaurant meal was going to be at a diner, I would have had the eggs benedict instead of scrambled eggs and dry toast.  Then again, once the state of emergency was declared I put on five pounds the first week, so maybe my choice was a good one.

I had just finished a crazy busy job where I was getting up at 5:30 am, working from 7:30 - 3:30 and often staying late when the administrative team went from three people to just me.  When my contract ended I did a mini three-night get-away.  A few days later, the walls closed in.

So here I am at home.  My contract is on hold.  My daughters and I are off work.  One finished her university degree online, the other just started a new course.  My husband is the family workhorse toiling away in his upstairs office. 

I try to stay busy by planning daily projects, walks, and parking lot lunches with one of my friends. We park side by side at the local Wendys for take out salad.  Sometimes we splurge and go to the Greek place.  These meetings are my lifeline-as an extrovert I am climbing the walls.

The pets - two dogs and a cat - are getting LOTS of attention.  Corners of my home long neglected are now clean.  My blouses are lined up by sleeve length.  The baby diaries might finally get updated.

Weight gain, online shopping, shower sobbing and finally acceptance has been my COVID-19 journey.  Despite all the free time it took me a while to get motivated to do the things that I need to get done: write, read and, most important: get my roots touched up.  Thankfully my older daughter is good with hair since we can't see the hairdresser we all share.

Yesterday's entertainment was taking months of empties back to The Beer Store.  The atmosphere in the lineup was strangely festive.  Noticing my limp (no new knee until the lockdown is over) three people from the line up helped me with my boxes and getting me a cart.  I am grateful for any social interaction.

The thing that is helping me stay mentally active (and sane!!!!) are the podcasts I listen to.  I can put on my earphones and listen to a variety of stories and voices while I perform the most mind-numbing house cleaning tasks.  These friends in my help will hold me over - until the day I can see my real ones again.

-30-.