Tales from the Pandemic 21

It's been 100 days since all this craziness has begun.  We are now in Phase 2 and more things have opened and/ or capacity of people allowed have increased.  Restaurants can now allow people to dine inside.  Pools can open as long as it is kept to less than 50 people and you are continuously moving in the water.

I am typically an upbeat and positive person.  I can usually find the silver lining in just about any situation.  I've long ago realized that there is no use in complaining and to take control of the situation.  But I am pretty sure I've reached my breaking point.  It's just too much time at home!   Plain and simple.  I am tired of feeling like every time I go to the store or a restaurant or anywhere outside, I am going to get Covid-19.  I am tired of running into people I know at the store and not being able to give them a hug hello.  I am tired of questioning everything I touch and I can't get to purell quick enough to undo whatever I might have inadvertently done.

I am most tired of not being able to plan a trip to Orlando and know that I can be within 6 feet of my parents.

We've started letting Ian hang out with friends.  At this point, it is more important to our mental health to be social than risk getting Covid-19.  I was able to do lunch with a few close friends on a screened in porch.  It was perfect.  I truly felt like I was set free from prison - if only for a few hours.  It felt so good to do something this normal and just be around friends.  It was so needed.

I know we need to continue to be vigilant and always wear a mask in public.  If only we could know when this would be over.  I am currently scared as to what will happen in the Fall with our return to school.  The rumors flying around is that it will be virtual.  Oh boy, the thought of this makes me depressed.  I am not sure Samantha is going to be able to thrive in this kind of environment.  She is transitioning to new school and all the teachers will be brand new to her.  It's already tough when you are able to see all of this in person, now imagine it just over a video in your computer.

Back in the day, when we were at our all-time high of activities and my time was consumed every afternoon running from point A to B to C to D getting the kids to where they needed to go, I always thought to myself, wouldn't it be nice to have a break?   Ha!  Now, I long for those days and would give anything to take Samantha to religious school or Ian to his dance classes.

I have come to despise Zoom.  When you have a big group of people trying to have a conversation or conduct a meeting, it is a painful experience.

I am so ready for this to all go away and have our lives back to they way we were before March 13th showed up on the calendar. 

Tales from the Pandemic 20

Trying to make the most of a birthday during a quarantine, the Oshry's came over and surprised Ian with a one-sided water balloon fight to wish him a Happy Birthday.  And boy, was Ian surprised!  What a fun and awesome family to come over and throw water balloons at Ian.  Just a little something to make his birthday special during our time at home.

Afterwards, Jeff, Ian, Lucy and I walked to Jersey's Subs and picked up lunch to take back home.  3.6 miles later, we were happy campers getting out on this beautiful day and taking in fresh air. 

I signed Ian up for a drop-in Improv class with 2nd City in Chicago later in the afternoon.  He was initially not happy about this, but I think the class was not that bad and he said he would do it again if he had a friend join him.  Yay!

And the day ended with our first dinner out in 13 weeks at Ozzies.  Ian is now 15! 

Tales from the Pandemic 19

Phase 1 went into effect on Friday, May 29th.  Restaurants are allowed to now offer a dining experience, as long as it is outside and the tables are spaced far enough apart to be socially safe.  The waitstaff all have to wear masks, and the menus were disposable, one-time use. Furthermore, the tables and chairs gets wiped down after each use. It feels like all the necessary precautions are taking place.

Our return to a restaurant was Ozzie's at Fairfax Corner.  It was a gorgeous night to be outdoors and the perfect place for our first outing. And it was May 31st, we were able to celebrate Ian's birthday. Win!

It was nice to see people enjoying being out, but doing it safely.  Although, I found it uncomfortable and awkward that the wait staff had masks on and we didn’t (obviously you can’t wear one when eating).  They were protecting us from them, but we were not doing anything to protect them from us.  It just felt unfair to the people who worked at the restaurant. 

We did something cool at the end of the meal.  We knew restaurants were hurting from not being able to be open for 13 weeks and seating outside was going to be limited compared to the amount of tables they have to offer indoors.   When the bill came, we gave a 100% tip.  $86 big ones!  It felt so good to be able to do this.  This could become an expensive habit to get into until the pandemic is over. 

Tales from The Pandemic 18

Finally the dentist office opened and both kids had their dentist appts for routine cleanings.  Only 1 kid could go in at a time, while me and the other kid had to wait in the car.  When it was Ian’s turn to hang with me, “Summer Nights” from Grease came on the radio.  Ian and I spontaneously sang a duet.  He was Danny and I was Sandy. 

I can’t think of any other circumstances except a pandemic that would put us in this situation and make it possible for this to occur.  It was a light-hearted and fun 5 minutes during all this bleakness.

Happy to report no cavities for either kid.

Tales from The Pandemic 17

Phase 1 for Northern Virginia allowed Hair Salons and Barber Shops to open with some modifications. Masks must be worn, maximum number of people need to be kept to a certain number (10, I think), and retail stores have to keep it to 50% capacity.  Restaurants can only do outside dinning and tables spaced far enough apart to be socially distanced.  It's a whole new world, but its nice to see businesses starting to open again.

It's been 11 weeks since Ian was able to get a haircut.  This kid needed a haircut just before the world shut down, so for someone who needs a haircut every 4 weeks, going 15 weeks is verging on enough hair to use as a mop on the floor.  Ian's hair finally made it past the cowlicks and started laying flat.  It wasn't so shaggy looking as much as it was a lot of volume!  Ina has a very thick head of hair.

We have a favorite hair stylist who Ian has been seeing for over 6 years.  We've even moved barber shops when Quang moved to a new one that went from across the street from where we live to a few miles down the road.  He knows how to work with Ian's many cowlicks and does a great job every time. 

Quang and I texted when we heard the barber shop would open again.  We got to be his first haircut!  And it was very necessary. 


BEFORE:

Everyone had to wear masks the whole time.

AFTER:  one happy boy!