Amid COVID And Chaos, There Is Beauty

Lisa ran a quick errand this morning. She came home to drop off a few things before heading off to work. One of those items was a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. She wanted to surprise me. And, she did. I put them in one of my favorite vases. On our dining room table. In the center. 

I think Lisa knew I needed these. She knows I've been feeling a little stressed and worried because of COVID-19.

At one point over the Summer, Connecticut was one of the top three states with the lowest numbers of COVID-19 cases. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths decreased considerably. Our governor moved from phase 2 to phase 3 of reopening our state.

Then, about a month ago, that all changed. 

The numbers have shot right back up all the way around.

A week or so ago, our governor announced that our state would be shifting back to phase 2 and there would be a curfew. In addition, he signed another executive order that limited indoor gatherings to 10 or less.

New Hampshire and Maine were added to the "red states." Most of the states are "red states." What that means for us is if we travel to any of the "red states," we have to fill out a health form and quarantine for 14 days once we get back. 

Our family lives in New Hampshire so that tugged at my heartstrings a bit. 

Amid all of this was the recent presidential election. One thing I refuse to discuss is politics. That's my business. Our business. The only thing I will mention is the amount of hatred on social media right now is at an all-time high. 

I would like to be one of those people who could walk away from social media for a while, but I can't. Most of my Work at Home Dog Mom stuff requires social media.

It's all been getting to me as of late, especially the COVID-19 stuff. 

Since the very beginning of this shit, Lisa has been an essential employee. We've taken every precaution since March. 

I can count on one hand how many times I've gone out in public since March. The last time I ventured out was for our Home Depot shopping spree. 

Since the numbers began rising significantly last month, Lisa and I are back to only running essential errands. 

We haven't eaten at a restaurant since February. 

It's all been getting to me even though I try to keep busy and distracted.

But, it's right there. 

Every. Single. Day.

However, on the flip side, I am taking this time to prepare myself for a long and secluded Winter. 

I have a lot of projects lined up to work on in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Workshop.

I have over 40 wood slices for our Bodacious 2020 Holiday Ornaments.

We have 2 rooms left to paint. 

The bathroom. We plan on tackling that at the end of the week because Lisa took a long weekend.

The kitchen. Lisa took my birthday week off and I told Lisa that getting the kitchen painted will be the best birthday gift ever.

I also need to paint the trim, closet door, and back porch door in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Workshop.

The list keeps getting longer and longer and longer. 

That's okay.

I need that.

Getting back to today...

That bouquet of flowers is a simple reminder that amid COVID and chaos, there is beauty. 

With almost everything I do in my daily Work at Home Dog Mom Life, I will catch a glimpse of those flowers. 

It's my reminder to just stop. 

Be in the moment. 

To breathe.