Stay at home started in March for us here in Southern California and we’re still in it. Sorta. Some things have opened, some things are partially open.

As numbers continue to climb, I feel like this pandemic will have lasting effects on all of us by the time it’s over (if it’s ever over?) Will I ever be able to go to the mall again? Will I always look over my shoulder in alarm if someone sneezes behind me?

What have I been doing with all these time at home? Besides slowly driving my husband and daughter crazy? Well, I’m glad you asked…

Earl @myskeletonsnameisEarl

Earl came to me in September, a solid two months before Halloween. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for Earl but I will tell you that he has made this pandemic a lot more fun.

You can follow Earl on Instagram @myskeletonsnameisEarl

He might show up at your party…

Taylor Swift

I’m sorry but isn’t it time you admitted you like Taylor Swift’s music? She’s gotten out of her sugary pop (Lover) feel and gone back to a more singer-songwriter vibe. It reminds me of Red (one of my favorite albums of hers) and it’s totally worth a listen. Um, hello? Can we say Exile (track 4) with Bon Iver? Or the Betty, Cardigan, August love triangle songs?

This has saved me during pandemic. Even if my husband and daughter are super tired of hearing it! I don’t care!!!

Big Bear Lake

We were lucky enough to go up to Big Bear Lake for a long weekend in August and it was lovely. Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake are beautiful and allowed us to get out of Los Angeles for a while. Some areas we avoided because they looked too crowded, but it was nice to get some fresh air and stay somewhere not over 105 degrees.

Reading: The NetGalley ReadALong Challenge

My friend Thuy over at Nite Lite Book Reviews and I did a September read a long to get our NetGalley numbers down. I’ll admit I did better than I thought I would yet less than I hoped. 😉

I am looking forward to refocusing on physical books again!

Knitting

Well, this section should be titled more Buying than Knitting. I have made some headway on my Veronica cardigan but mostly I’ve been online shopping for pretty yarn that makes me happy. Last year, I missed the pre-order for Less Traveled Yarn but this year OMG I got it!

Cannot wait to cast on! DK Colorway: Slutty Pumpkin. Need I say more?

I’ve also bought some beautiful Hue Loco recently but it hasn’t arrived yet…

Health – aka Why I am happy I got a Peloton (see Earl pic)

Seriously, I don’t like to exercise but at least having that damn bike stare at me makes me go on it five times a week. I mean, I am not losing weight but at least it’s helping me not die. So…. yeah, worth it.

I love classes and miss classes. But I don’t know when I’ll go back to them and even my favorites open up, I’m not sure if I’ll feel comfortable enough to go back.

Therapy

I’ve been in therapy for a couple of years now due to anxiety and let me tell you, a pandemic doesn’t help! Well, it’s actually not as bad as you think. I am generally interested in Infectious Diseases (This Podcast Will Kill You anyone?) so the pandemic, while adding some nervous energy, didn’t completely take over and force me to build a bunker in my backyard. That said, I am incredibly grateful that I was already in therapy before pandemic hit and continue to thank the powers that be that my therapist is awesome and I love her.

I used to have another therapist and we did not get along (omg). So I want to say that if you are thinking of therapy, do it. If you don’t click with your therapist, find a new one. There is nothing more amazing that finding that very caring and objective voice through the static.

Overall, we’re okay and grateful and trying to stay positive. I know it’s been a long seven months, and there’s no end in sight so we can only try our best.

I hope you are also being safe and for god’s sakes WEAR A DAMN MASK.