Sale PSA: A soft knit tunic from Free People, now 40% off, a soft cropped cardigan from J.Crew, now $43 with code EPIC, simple leather espadrilles from Everlane, now $40 (!), and a selection of lovely simple sandals for spring/summer from Ancient Greek Sandals, now ~65% off
How are you all doing? I did not (or hoped not) to still be writing these when I first started early last year but well…here we are and we’ll make the best of it. A little update on what we’ve been up to as we start the new year:
Schools: The kids continue to both be in remote learning. We are feeling the fatigue. I know I say this every time I update but now it is really really really draining. I do think our kids need interaction soon. Maybe once all the adults are vaccinated? But when is that going to be? On that note…
Vaccine: Anyone vaccinating their parents? I just signed my mom up! We’ll see how it goes. You might have heard the rollout in California was…49th in the nation (I think by the time I am writing this it might be 46th)? It is…not good. But I hope things get better soon. It’s crazy to hear about other states and people my age randomly getting their shots at Target because they happen to be there at the right time. I think whatever works and gets more shots in arms.
Food: My last remaining joy. We are getting take out so so much. I am so SICK of cooking! I recently found a few new local restaurants so was happy about that. I do feel bad about having a $100+ takeout bill so often though. We are so lucky (and unlucky) that Din Tai Fung does not deliver to our area otherwise it would be a lot worse. Sometimes when we get lazy and it’s too late to order food I’ll make something for the kids and husband and I will just eat cereal. Just trying to be honest here!
Sanity: Is wearing super duper low. We go on hikes all the time and now the parks are crowded (because everyone is in the same position naturally). The only trick would be to leave the house earlier, to get to the parks/trails earlier, but as our energy declines me and my husband are finding it harder to get out of the house. I don’t want to sound like a downer. Most of the time I’m totally fine. But once in a while it does wear on me. And I feel a lot of guilt because of the kids, they don’t get to do very fun stuff, they don’t get to see other kids. I just want to portray an honest picture.
BUT besides family, I do have a few little joys to share:
I just received this octopus puzzle, from Liberty. I have been very into these majestic creatures ever since I watched My Octopus Teacher on Netflix (which I highly recommend). Can’t wait to share a picture when I am finished!
If Gucci X North Face isn’t for you, I happened upon this very cute collaboration, with Liberty of London, and the price points are better too. I think I might get the teal!
I bought myself a new journal this year. This is my new one and I love it. I highly recommend and Midori always has nice paper products.
How are you all doing?
15 Comments
Angela
January 18, 2021 at 5:53 pmThat puzzle looks fab! I recently completed the Ocean Life puzzle by Liberty and am still amazed at how they’ve managed to elevate the puzzling experience.
B
January 18, 2021 at 6:22 pmHow about sanitation? I just want someone to deep clean my house….l my husband and I have different views of clean and I just can’t. For reference we live in a two bedroom condo – not a big deal to clean, but I wish for someone else to do it! Aaargh
Nvie
January 23, 2021 at 5:57 amBest to clean it yourself, no matter how shoddy! My cousin engages a weekly cleaner and found out cleaner was infected a few days after cleaning her house. Her family of 4 (inc her 4 year old and 10 month old) had to be home quarantined and 3 of them went for the swab test (baby didn’t undergo it). Luckily all came out negative! She’s terrified and rather do her own cleaning from now on.
S in HK
January 18, 2021 at 7:10 pmI am helping my older friends here in FL to get vaccination appointments. Complete insanity to track availability – like a full time job! So far they’ve gotten the first dose of the Moderna vacc (all good thus far). My younger doctor friends have all been vaccinated with the Pfizer vacc, so far so good.
I am super glad random younger people find themselves at the right place at the right time to get their jabs. Jealous, but glad. I read a very upsetting article stating that NY had been throwing away unused doses because they didn’t have enough people that fit the stringent vaccination requirements. Seriously, people!
Sending good wishes to you and everyone!
revanche @ a gai shan life
January 18, 2021 at 9:28 pmWe’re finally getting to the point where we both feel like it’s wearing us DOWN. It’s been, of course, a gradual descent but I think we’d finally hit a wall this month. Our kiddo really needs social interaction with kids their age but it simply hasn’t been possible because we don’t know anyone at the same age locally who is both being as cautious as we are and don’t already have a pod going with their own family members. Our families are too far away to pod with and our friends are either podding with their own families or are strictly isolated. So it’s been 9.5 months without age appropriate playdates and while JB has been a trooper, we parents are really starting to lose it. We’ll have to find a way to make it work since we still don’t know how it’s all going to work this year but we’re nowhere near the front of the line for vaccinating and our kids are too young to be vaccinated.
The trials for kids start in the fall and cover ages 12-17 so even there it’s hard to tell what the safety horizon is for our kids.
Mod
January 19, 2021 at 5:44 amI’m losing my mind (are we all clinically depressed at this point?) but the silver lining of staying at home is I am indulging my homebody tendencies and actually tapping into knitting and sewing, which I did when i was much younger but haven’t done in the last 10 years or so. Crafting helps makes me feel productive even if I’ve been sitting at home all day. It may be harder for you to manage with kids and curious little hands, but I highly recommend if that seems interesting to you!
BigTenProf
January 19, 2021 at 11:14 amI hear you on feeling worn down. We are in the exact same boat having exhausted outdoor activities to the point where runs and hikes seem boring – diminishing marginal returns are bound to kick in at some point. We pulled our kids out of in-person schools in November when the rates shot up (private, so they reopened in the fall) but we have decided to send them back again in Feb, despite all of the talk about the super-spreading covid strain. Because frankly, we are all going a bit crazy and also because we are hoping that by Feb the doctor-parents will have all been vaccinated and hence the schools will also be a tad safer. I always thought that more family time is always better but I think I’ve reached the conclusion that to enjoy your family you need space. Everyone needs to venture out on their own so that when they come back there’s something new to share. We are bored of everything now.. runs, hikes, movies, board games, impromptu music recitals, family cooking – we have done it all and then some.. Vaccines can’t come soon enough.
Mila
January 19, 2021 at 2:49 pmI think most of us feel worn down by now. I have a toddler who attends daycare but I absolutely cannot imagine if I had a child in school doing most of the work on zoom. We try to spend a lot of time outside on weekends but now that its getting colder, it become difficult since restaurants are closed. WE ventured out to the museum a few times but of course in the back of my mind I was thinking how crowded it was despite all the precautions. I just hope this all ends soon.
Love your kids hats. Can you please link them.
Linda
January 19, 2021 at 2:54 pmYou aren’t alone! I can’t imagine how difficult it is with small children. I hit an all time low last week myself. We can only hang in there and support each other.
Linda C.
January 19, 2021 at 7:04 pmI get you on the kids, food, and sanity. Hang in there!
Anonymous
January 19, 2021 at 9:38 pmI appreciate your honesty and sharing your struggles. Because the struggle is REAL! As an educator and a mother of 3 young kids this COVID shut down is kicking my butt! I was in a mental and emotional slump a while back due to the physical and emotional exhaustion of having to manage so much. But we are still here! Healthy and safe! I am so grateful for all that is good in our lives. And I often find myself thinking that one day I will look back to these bittersweet days with nostalgia. Counting the blessings…
Also Kat
January 21, 2021 at 12:44 pmUber Eats gift card $79.99 for 2x$50 cards from Costco. Saving covers delivery cost for me. DinTaiFung is on the list. Bonus savings of $15 or $25 off with codes for first timers.
Try Zoom play dates, 30mins call are free. Have one adult lead an art or craft. If your child is old enough they can lead one. Or you can watch and try and follow a how draw video on YouTube.
Kat
January 21, 2021 at 3:48 pmWhat! That Ubereats gift card tip is GOLD!Thank you!
Tracy
January 22, 2021 at 5:45 pmAw, I feel bad for you Kat. I can’t help, but I’m sending you positive thoughts. xo
Nvie
January 23, 2021 at 6:01 amLove your Midori selection. Just started Hobonichi craze, a little too late, but couldn’t get myself to journal daily, so I bought the plain notebook that I could do a monthly, weekly or even daily depending on mood. The pandemic is driving me nuts especially when we’re back to lockdown and kids undergoing online school with my work from home full time job. I just need to vent…on paper.