Like a lot of you, our lives changed dramatically since we started quarantine three months ago. When this all started, I thought we’d likely celebrate my birthday (mid-April) in quarantine. Then I thought we’d likely celebrate Sir’s birthday in quarantine (Memorial Day weekend). Then I thought I likely wouldn’t go back into the office until after Labor Day. Now I’m starting to think I won’t see my office until early 2021. And that’s about all the emotional energy I have for these kinds of predictions anymore.
Hanging In
The first two weeks were absolute chaos. We had so much information – that was constantly changing – that we had to get out to our military families about how to protect themselves against coronavirus. Of course, none of our regular work stopped coming at us either. I’d say it was work, sleep, repeat, but sleep was really hard to come by.
And then…
The second two weeks were really rough. I lost a colleague to COVID, and it really shook our team up. I updated the beneficiaries on my accounts to make sure Sir and Little Llama would be taken care of if something happened to me. I sent my dad and Llama’s dad my account numbers and balances so they could finalize my affairs without putting that burden on Llama. I was so scared and couldn’t see a way out of this that ended well for me and my loved ones.
And now…
Getting ready to take a drive to get out of the house on Hat Saturday.
I don’t know what the turning point was, but Sir and I started to get into a better rhythm after the first month. Then I was, “Yes! I could do quarantine forever.” We were experimenting with recipes. We (me) were obsessively cleaning out refrigerators, pantries, and cabinets. We “had” dinner with our neighbors by leaving food on each other’s front porches and sitting on our own decks.
It’s not all peachy though. We’ve had a few nights here and there where we grieve for the way our lives used to be. We miss our friends, and it’s killing me that I won’t get to travel to California this year to visit the Llama.
Last week Sir asked me if I needed anything while he was up. I’m a pretty sweary person, so my response was, “Nothing in this f’ing house.” He put me in the car and drove me to the furthest Baskin Robbins and got me a sundae. I ate all of it on the sidewalk and immediately started feeling better.
So now I’m back to where I’m really hanging in there. I can do this. We have to do this. It will be OK.
Making Do
In the Before Times, we were always on the go. So that means any time I had at the house, I really wanted to make the most of it… especially in the studio. I was super productive in the Before Times. Now that we spend so much time here, I feel no sense of urgency because I know I have all the time in the world. I mean, what else am I going to do?!
So that meant a lot of Law & Order, and Sir and I competitively watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! I finally couldn’t just sit around and do nothing, so I started looking for stuff I could do from my golden throne in the living room.
Quilling
I discovered quilling, the art of wrapping strips of paper into coils, smooshing (technical term) them into shapes, and then gluing them into designs. It’s so much fun! I’ve finished three projects so far, and I’m working on a fourth.
My dad is a huge Yankees fan, so I made him this logo for Father’s Day.
Cross Stitch
Cross stitch has to be the most perfect mindless activity that leads to something beautiful! I did the Feels Like Home stitch along with the Fat Quarter Shop and just recently started a sunrise/sunset yin-yang pattern. Now I don’t feel so guilty just siting there watching TV.
Reclaiming My Sewjo
I went back and re-read my post on reclaiming your sewjo. Boy, I was sure smart with some of those ideas! This Wednesday I have two quilt alongs starting, and I’m pretty excited. I’ll be working on the Thrive quilt from Suzy Quilts and the 100Days100Blocks project from Angie at Gnome Angel. I’m so excited to go down to the studio tonight to pick out the fabrics for both of these new projects.
I’m also going to take a hard look at my WIP list. I’ve decided I’m not going to keep going on projects that don’t inspire me anymore. Once I figure out which projects those are, I’ll be re-stashing the fabric so it can go onto greatness in another project later on. I’ve done this before, and it’s so freeing!
Bonus William Content
This little jerk is still giving us joy every single day. He’s a horrible hider, an ankle biter (but getting better!), and a food thief. I like to say, “He’s a jerk, but he’s our jerk and we love him.” Just look at that face!
