Day 16

Hey y'all.

Still here. Still home.

My brain is all over the place, so I'm hoping that writing will be sort of meditative and help me sort some thoughts out.

1. Bar Mitzvah.
We had a family meeting last night (all family members age 12 and over attended) to discuss our plans to postpone officially, the age 12 child's Bar Mitzvah. We decided, as Team Family, to postpone it to 2021, as that plan was the "least sucky" option. I have been up and down about this, seeing as how I'd been planning it for the better part of a year, spent countless hours working on details for the entire weekend celebration (hosting family and friends for no fewer than 4 large meals). The child has been studying to read Torah for the past 3 years, and has worked for the past year on a daily-weekly basis practicing and preparing for this particular reading on this particular date. So it's not easy to just switch the date. Big bummer. But of course we want our friends and family to be able to safely attend. We are going to be SO ready to celebrate together next May. Sigh. We were so close and now it feels so far away. Oh, and also our original venue is no longer renting due to lack of staffing, so there's that.

2. Food.
I read this article earlier about how when there is so much uncertainty, we must stay present and control the things within our control. Well anyone who knows me (or who has read even a few of these blog posts) knows my not so secret love affair with control. We are mad for each other. So I had been quarantine shopping for a few weeks before this all got serious here. We are not hoarders or couponers, but we've got toilet paper, and as we had been preparing to get rid of an extra freezer (we have an extra fridge/freezer in the basement, plus the former homeowner left a small freezer when she moved), we had space to fill up with frozen veggies and meat and fish. We can do all the hunkering when I feel like we've got enough food to eat without needing the grocery store. Still anxious though, bc there is so much uncertainty about getting food and not being able to feel safe and secure. It gives me a glimpse into the lives of people who are truly food insecure. And we have plenty! This is just one way my anxiety is manifested.

Quarantine Creative Work

3. Kids.
The kids are okay. The big one is definitely bummed about not being able to see his friends at school, and occasionally frustrated at being stuck with us, but for the most part, he's been dealing okay, as long as his phone shuts off after 2 hours of usage. He has "enrichment" work offered by his teachers, but nothing truly concrete. We try to keep to a routine that is framed around mealtime. Between breakfast and lunch, he is supposed to do something academic, something creative, and some movement. Between lunch and dinner, it's the same. He seems to like the flexibility in that, and I'm just happy if he's busy and seems okay.
The little one seems weirded out by all of this, but managing. He's quicker to cry than usual, and needs extra hugs and snuggles. He is having a very hard time with his response to the word "no" and averaging a few extra tantrums a day. Today he had his first virtual circle time with his preschool class and teacher, and that was definitely comforting. He'll have one every day at 9:30, so that's fabulous, and something to look forward to. I wish every kid could have access to some level of familiarity like this. They and we need it badly, this connection to normalcy.

4. Movement.
I had been on a great streak. I re-joined the gym in January and I'd been going 6-7 times a week since then. Trying to improve my heart health, trying to extend my lifespan. Now I feel like crawling under the bed. Which is not even possible because our bed is a built-in.

5. Dog.
He's the best, you guys. But even he is weirded out. My dad came by to pick up some groceries we added to our delivery order and the dog was basically crying at the window that my dad couldn't come in. I think he also doesn't know why we are here all day long. I'm guessing he needs his alone time too.

6. House.

Rage walking at dusk.

Well, I'll be honest, Dan has painted a purple wall, and we had time a few nights ago to put up artwork we hadn't had a chance to put up since we moved in. And since the bar mitzvah is now moved to next year, I'm wondering if we will be able to remodel the kitchen before then...? Is that out of the realm of possibility? My concern would be if we do the demo but can't finish it bc of another global pandemic. I never ever would've been saying those words 3 weeks ago.

I hope all of you out there are hanging in and that you have food to eat and someone to make you laugh not too far away.

xxoo