Welp. It’s safe to say this is not how I anticipated the first few months of this new year and new decade unfolding. These times are uncertain and scary, and I feel a heavy emotional load right now. On top of the current world events, we lost our precious Willow Rose beagle to cancer on March 6. I have a blog post started in her honor, but honestly, it’s too painful to think about right now. Our house still hasn’t sold, so we’re still trying to sell (or rent) that, and we’re moving into what I’ve called our “forever home” in a few weeks. The logistics of this during a pandemic are not something I can deal with immediately, either.

So for now, for today, my focus is on keeping things as normal as possible in these decidedly not normal times. But at the same time, I’m also trying to cut myself a break. My immediate instinct is to kick into high gear and do all the things and try to accomplish as much as possible, but that’s just crazy. And probably not healthy. We’re in unprecedented times.

That said, I’m still running because being outdoors is therapy (and apparently UV light kills the virus). Running and family bike rides are the only times I’ve left my house since Saturday, March 14. My yoga studio is starting live stream classes next week, so I’ll be able to keep up with that as well. Thank goodness for technology.

But in a lighthearted (and very relevant) Frozen 2 reference, “We’re calling this [running/biking] controlling what you can while things seem out of control.” Wisdom from a talking snowman. Who would have thought?

Like most kids, my son is home from school for at least the next few weeks, maybe longer. Everything is canceled. We made it through week one of homeschooling and I’ve experienced all the reasons why I knew being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t for me (also: pay all the teachers a billion dollars). But here we are. I’m working full-time from home while also being a stay-at-home mom/teacher. Yay?

Speaking of work, though, I’m grateful for a job that is staying relatively the same since I already work from home and am completely used to that. I also work in an industry (cybersecurity) that can actually flourish during a downturn, so I’m also grateful for that.

As for this blog, I’ll probably try to keep it updated, maybe post some of our activities, a few DIYs, some more light-hearted posts when possible. I don’t have a ton of extra time right now (see: full-time job + full-time SAHM), but sometimes I still need a creative outlet and a break from all of the craziness. Hang in there, friends, and stay safe!