Life Update – July 2020

Sale PSA: A leopard print cardigan from Theory, now 70% off, draped joggers from Uniqlo, now under $15, a pretty pink dress from Ulla Johnson, now 40% off, and simple slides from Madewell, now $30 with code GIANT.

Bloomingdales currently has 20%-30% off of a lot on their site, sorry if this is TMI but I used it to buy these sticky bra things so I can go braless all day.

Also – just a quick note that the Etsy masks I love (mentioned here) are back in stock. I know quite a few of you like these and they are going fast! Enjoy!

Four months into the lockdown (why does it feel like at least six?) and I’m updating again. This weekend was nice, good weather, relaxing activities with the kids. It’s interesting as each day seems the same but as each month passes the situation seems to change so much – so sharing some of my current thoughts/situation, here:

Schools: Aka, the obsession of every parent I know. If you are in California, you know that Newsom said that most schools cannot open at all this fall. Virtual for all! My daughter is supposed to be in preschool right now and as of August, my son is supposed to be starting Kindergarten. Right now they are still doing their virtual Zoom class which they sit in together (somewhat reluctantly) – these have become very important half hour blocks for me as it’s when I make lunch, do dishes, etc. Because it involves high parental input I always feel a ping of dread when I hear the teacher announce…”AND NOW…time for the CRAFT!”

Me and my husband have been taking turns doing childcare, cleaning, cooking – which we’ve been able to manage, just barely, and both of us working late into the night, after bedtime. But I don’t know what happens after school starts, at which point we will got two kids on two separate programs to manage. We’ve both accepted that we’re each going to have to dedicate likely an additional hour each to manage their care/education….where we are going to find this time is currently….AHHHHHHHHHH.

We’ve also been asked to join a few micro schools – while I admire the tenacity and organization of these parents and cannot fault anyone for wanting to educate their own children, I just feel that it highlights how the government and the actions of society have failed the people who need it the most. At the moment, we’re just going to manage the kid’s care ourselves, but we’ll see how things go.

Shopping: A lot of my shopping/buying is school related stuff. That and various bins to put things into. A BIN for everything, please! I seem to have an endless need for transparent storage containers and bookshelves. Every time my husband goes to Target I ask him to buy me a new one and he recently asked me how much of our household budget is going to Sterlite. A lot?

For fun purchasing – I’ve been doing less of this. Maybe depression? Not really anything major but definitely that ongoing possible impending doom/low grade freakout I think most of us are experiencing. So yah, not finding a lot of joy in cocktail dresses. And plus I’ve already built a stock goodies to wear in the “post-Covid” world – not sure how much more I need. I have made some fun purchases from the Etsy makers I mentioned here, and many puzzles. Oh and I’m very obsessed with Soondubu soup. I think I’ve eaten it for lunch and dinner almost the entire week.

OH and I’ve also been torturing myself with looking at real estate listings in various far flung places. Most destinations my US passport do not allow me into right now.

Social Distancing: We have a few recurring playdates in various “pods” where the families have similar social distance philosophies. These are great and basically the only social interaction the kids have. I see a few friends, also social distanced and outside for walks, etc, and a silver lining has been catching up with so many friends over the phone. I am normally a totally misanthrope and not a partier and amongst others have so far committed to three Vegas trips in the post-Covid world, that is how much I miss it.

Sanity/Headspace: I know I keep talking about them but puzzles are also helping me a lot. I’ve done ten so far! When I’m tired and frustrated (and I’ll be honest, it’s often when I’m feeling so taxed for time and then the kids are yelling for their special toy and then the kitchen is a mess and there’s laundry to be done so on and so on) I’ll either hide in a secret corner of the kitchen and eat an ice cream sandwich or just puzzle for a few minutes. It helps blank out my mind and return me to a place of sanity. I write this to a) share that some days are a struggle, and b) to remind you to please take care of your head! It’s so important. Prioritize yourself! We have to take care of each other and work together.

How are you all coping?