I don't even know where to start. When I woke up January 1st, I never expected March 24th to be like this.
I'm sure nobody did. Yet, here we are.
As I type this, New Jersey is #2 in Covid-19 infections. I feel like I'm walking a mine field every time I step out of my house. Like many places, we are restricted from many things. Most everything is closed, and places that aren't closed are open limited hours. I fear for many businesses and wonder how many will be able to come back. One of my closest friends opened up her own bubble tea store in January, and it was doing quite well. She had to close it up a week ago. She hopes to be able to reopen at some point, but who knows. She still has rent to pay.
All of the restaurants are doing "contactless" takeout or delivery. I think some are doing ok, but I'm sure there are others who are struggling.
Liquor store deliveries are doing well though. My father was right when he used to say that liquor stores can survive any crisis.
Both my kids are online schooling it now. My daughter is on her last paralegal course. She was going to start job hunting about now, but I think that will be postponed. My son's college is online, and the local juice cafe where he worked is closed for now.
I've been in the grocery store a couple of times, and honestly, it makes me nervous to go in. It's a production when groceries come home or when we get deliveries. We spritz most everything down with alcohol. I had one load of groceries delivered, and I picked up another online order at the store, but now it's hard to reserve a slot for either one since they all seem to be booked up for awhile.
On top of all this, we are still in the process of moving. Since I'm really hesitant to have movers in the house and touching everything, we have decided to try moving everything ourselves. It's not like I've never done this before. Sometimes I feel like I've been moving furniture all my life. But it sure would be nice to be about ten or fifteen years younger right now. The house we're moving to is 8.4 miles away. We've been back and forth about 1,273 times (give or take a few miles). I have an Apple watch, and it records my daily steps. They've pretty much doubled in the past two weeks. I think I now average about 14,000 steps a day.
On the upside, if you recall the photo of my attic from the last post, it looks like this now:
Of course the basement of the new house is starting to look like this:
Last week we had some really nice weather, and it sure did bring all the people out to walk. I've always been a walker, and I see the "regulars" out on my walks. There was a point on one of my walks last week when I was thinking, "who are these people??" I see a lot of families with very small children, and I think about how I'm glad I'm not cooped up with very small children. Being cooped up with a puppy is bad enough.
I'm not sure if her groomer is still working. If not, she is going to be a hot mess very soon.
I'm sure nobody did. Yet, here we are.
As I type this, New Jersey is #2 in Covid-19 infections. I feel like I'm walking a mine field every time I step out of my house. Like many places, we are restricted from many things. Most everything is closed, and places that aren't closed are open limited hours. I fear for many businesses and wonder how many will be able to come back. One of my closest friends opened up her own bubble tea store in January, and it was doing quite well. She had to close it up a week ago. She hopes to be able to reopen at some point, but who knows. She still has rent to pay.
All of the restaurants are doing "contactless" takeout or delivery. I think some are doing ok, but I'm sure there are others who are struggling.
Liquor store deliveries are doing well though. My father was right when he used to say that liquor stores can survive any crisis.
Both my kids are online schooling it now. My daughter is on her last paralegal course. She was going to start job hunting about now, but I think that will be postponed. My son's college is online, and the local juice cafe where he worked is closed for now.
I've been in the grocery store a couple of times, and honestly, it makes me nervous to go in. It's a production when groceries come home or when we get deliveries. We spritz most everything down with alcohol. I had one load of groceries delivered, and I picked up another online order at the store, but now it's hard to reserve a slot for either one since they all seem to be booked up for awhile.
On top of all this, we are still in the process of moving. Since I'm really hesitant to have movers in the house and touching everything, we have decided to try moving everything ourselves. It's not like I've never done this before. Sometimes I feel like I've been moving furniture all my life. But it sure would be nice to be about ten or fifteen years younger right now. The house we're moving to is 8.4 miles away. We've been back and forth about 1,273 times (give or take a few miles). I have an Apple watch, and it records my daily steps. They've pretty much doubled in the past two weeks. I think I now average about 14,000 steps a day.
On the upside, if you recall the photo of my attic from the last post, it looks like this now:
Of course the basement of the new house is starting to look like this:
Last week we had some really nice weather, and it sure did bring all the people out to walk. I've always been a walker, and I see the "regulars" out on my walks. There was a point on one of my walks last week when I was thinking, "who are these people??" I see a lot of families with very small children, and I think about how I'm glad I'm not cooped up with very small children. Being cooped up with a puppy is bad enough.
 |
| Two seconds after saying, "no paws." It's like having a two year old all over again. |
I'm not sure if her groomer is still working. If not, she is going to be a hot mess very soon.
My friends and I do goofy things on Facebook to keep spirits up. We've all been doing more cooking and baking and then sharing pictures of what we make. It's fun, but you can tell that everyone has this underlying feeling of tension and nervousness. We joke, but we are all scared.
I hope everyone out there is doing well and coping well.
I can't imagine trying to do such a big move in these times. You are doing such a good job with it all. We're all going to be so glad, relieved, and calm when this is finally over. I just wish I knew how long it's going to take to get there. I hope you and your family and neighbors and friends and everyone stays safe and healthy.
ReplyDeleteIt’s challenging to say the least. There are times it has been very hard to stay positive.
DeleteMoving in the time of COVID-19! Wow, what a challenge. A story to be passed along through the generations.
ReplyDeleteYeah, so far 2020 has been pretty sucky. My husband passed on Jan 11 -- a doc specializing infectious disease of all things. I often wonder what he would be saying these days! We will get through it and I love that you are having goofy fb time with your friends. Every little bit helps!
Continued good luck on your move. And your health.
I’m sorry about your husband. Yes, the goofiness does help a bit.
DeleteI've been thinking of you trying to move in all this mess. It must surely increase the stress that is already there. I like your description of "walking through mine fields". That is how I feel on the rare times I go into the grocery store. It makes it feel even worse when you see empty shelves. We had to have a repairman out yesterday as our washing machine quit working. I hate having to feel so unsure just to have a person come in your home. Please take care!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lousy feeling. I have to sign closing papers in front of a Notary, so that means I have to go to the lawyer's office. I'm already stressing out over that. I hate that I'm stressing out over it.
DeleteThinking of everyone in NY and NJ (and everywhere for that matter but you guys are closer to me and suffering the most right now) and hoping for the best. It's scary. Hang in there and good luck with the move.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete