Hello

Well, now we all know what it's like to be on house arrest.

The ankle bracelet is more of a heart bracelet and it's heavy.

I've canceled 10 nights in Hawaii, a sisters and cousins trip to Palm Springs,  a Sisters on the Fly camping trip with some of my camping besties and a trip to see Max and Kassie. I have more airline credit than I know what to do with this year.  April was going to be amazing! And now it's not.

I love to be home, but I love to look forward to and plan trips.  I've unpacked my suitcase and for the most part I have gotten past the bitter disappointment.  I have found that I cannot listen to Somewhere Over the Rainbow sung by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole without getting teary. Because Hawaii.

toesinthesand, poolside, vacation

Meanwhile at home, I'm growing out my bangs and turning gray. My nails! I miss all y'all but I may be missing Glenda and Brandi the most.  But it doesn't matter cuz I'm grounded.  

That's enough sharing my pity party for one.  That said I am giving myself grace. There are so many disappointments in the world right now and mine are minor.  I know that. But I still get to mourn.

And you do too.  Lost jobs, uncertainty, fear, stress, disappointments and loss. It's all here and now.

My prayer for each one of you is that some good comes from the bad and that we can be patient with each other and stay home. It's for our own good and for others.

At home we can spend time with family. Work on projects, clean our houses, and slow down.  Spend some time praying and reading. Good things!

Motivation is a small problem for me but I'm working through it. Without the pressure of having to be somewhere or go to work and crippled with uncertainty I can freeze. I actually got the ironing caught up after days of walking past it.  Because I'm not wearing any of those things now it seemd like a silly thing to catch up.  There was no reason to iron. It's yoga pants and p.j.'s for me, occasionally I wear jeans, just to make sure they still fit.  Remember the freshman fifteen? Now we have to worry about the Corona fifteen. #thestruggleisreal

Because when you realize you are not going to Hawaii, peanut M & M's and chips fly into your grocery cart.  True story.  

The weather has been lovely until today. Things are getting done in the yard.  Everyone's hands are clean. Surfaces are clean.  Laundry is caught up. Books are getting read. Our taxes are finished.  Annie is clean, bed is made and she is ready to go camping.

I'm talking to friends or family on the phone and having some good visits. I try to call someone every day and be encouraging.  It turns out I am blessed more than I intend to bless.

We will get through this virus. Hubby and I have always maintained we can do just about anything, if it's temporary.  When he was gone to training for 3+months and left me home alone with those three boys, it was temporary and we got through it. When I'm subbing in a classroom and it's going badly, think out of control and bodily fluids, it's only one day.  Power through.

Let's give grace to each other.  We aren't all mourning the same things. We aren't here to judge whether someone should take their kids to the grocery store or  for a walk. Our government has never dealt with a pandemic, give them grace. The last thing anyone needs is to be harshly judged.  I like to think that everyone is doing their best.  And I'm praying that our best is enough.

My Mom had a small blue vase, she always picked the first daffodils, and made a bouquet for her window sill. I did the same last week. I'm finding joy in the little things and I am praying that you can too.  Take care my friends, give grace, do some self care, read your Bible and love your people and others and please stay home. I love you and your heavenly Father does too.
Take care~