When this quarantine started six weeks ago, Mike and I started showing the kids a bunch of our favorite old movies. We watched the Back to the Future series, Goonies, Gremlins, Karate Kid, all moves we loved growing up. We also showed them Groundhog Day, which seemed like a good idea at the time. For those who haven’t seen it, the main character re-lives the same day over and over and over (and if you haven’t seen it, you need to, it’s so funny). We definitely feel like we’re living that movie. Like the main character, Mike and the kids have started trying to better themselves. Mike has been playing his guitar like crazy, Annie is writing a screenplay, and James is learning to play the ukulele. And me? I’m getting better at Animal Crossing. Yes, it is a Nintendo game. You know why playing a video game counts as bettering myself? Because it’s chill and relaxed and gets my mind off of everything going on outside of my house. The game lets me turn my brain off of “high alert” mode. I’m done feeling guilty about not using this time to learn how to knit or something. I’m not mentally in a place where I can learn anything and retain it. I highly encourage everyone to use their spare time during this to do something that makes you happy!
Around The ‘Net
~Why Some People Get Sicker Than Others
~It’s Not Too Late to Go on Offense Against the Coronavirus
~NASA engineers at JPL design, build and ship new ventilator in 37 days
~What Going To The Movies Post-Covid Might Look Like
~A Closed Border Can’t Stop This Elderly Couple: ‘Love Is the Best Thing in the World’
~You’ll Probably Forget What It Was Like to Live Through a Pandemic
~John Krasinski hosted a virtual senior prom and it was epic
~Facebook group lets volunteers lend RVs to health care workers who need to quarantine
~My Restaurant Was My Life for 20 Years. Does the World Need It Anymore?
~The Devastating Decline of a Brilliant Young Coder
~Lost dog in Wisconsin is ‘booked’ by police for ‘felony cuteness’
Wild Hairs
Mike and James have decided to grow their hair out. Not that they have much of a choice, because I only know how to give boys buzz cuts. Mike hasn’t shaved since March 11. The picture below is a week old but you get the idea. The beard is driving him a little crazy, but Annie is obsessed with him growing it out for the entire length of our quarantine. We’ll see if he can do it, LOL.
Fun Finds
I’ve been doing a lot of “window shopping” during all of this. You know, opening up a bunch of windows in my internet browser to different online shops. I have no occasions to shop for and we’re saving every penny anyway, but that’s the fun of window shopping!
~I can tell you that one thing I DID buy was a Roku Streaming Stick. We plug it into the movie projector my brother gave me for Christmas and that’s how we’re showing the kids all of our favorite movies! (You can also plug a video game console into it, we’ve been playing a lot of Just Dance 2020).
~Kids Against Maturity looks like a fun game – has anyone played it?
~These “bond bracelets” are a cute idea, but I think I will just put my phone in my pocket on the vibrate setting.
Happy Sunday, everyone! Stay safe out there!
Nicole says:
Animal Crossings is what’s keeping me sane, too!!!!! We have a 6 and 8 year old daughters and live in a 1075 sf 2 bedroom condo, 2nd floor, no outdoor space. We’ve all been home since March 10th. Honestly, it’s the covid-schooling from home that’s doing us in cant wait for or this school year to end.
twingles says:
You’re right – whatever gets us through the days is good, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. I’ve limited myself to one hour of news a day in the evening and then a half hour before bed. And I’m sure there is a skill in Animal Crossing somewhere!
Ann says:
Heather, I’ve been reading your blog for YEARS (not sure I’ve ever commented) from the East Coast. I’ve been thinking of you lately because my youngest son just committed to USC. You’ve always written so glowingly about your experience there as a student, it’s been in the back of my mind. How my child from the East Coast is ending up in LA for college is beyond me, but he is incredibly excited (now that the actual decision and deposit have been made and paid). #FIGHTON (how can you not LOVE that motto?!) Be well!
Heather says:
Oh, yay! Congratulations to both of you!! He is going to have an amazing experience. I’m jealous, to be honest! LOL