SO!  How’s everyone holding up during our self imposed imprisonment?   Who could have predicted a month ago that we would all be at home ( hopefully working) and wearing face masks whenever we went out?   Who knew that the last last time we may have seen each other, gone to the gym, out to dinner or to a show would be the last for who knows how long??  Well, here we are….at home….alone.   Now I know what my dog feels like daily.

Don’t get me wrong, I think we needed to be careful and socially distance…and staying at home for me at my age is low key- heavenly!   I’ve learned to bake a great gluten, and wheat free bread (I’ve found I have sensitivity),  cooked more meals than I have in a long time, cleaned out the basement of all of our (so called important) stuff that for almost seven years we haven’t laid eyes on and did the same in our large closet up stairs.   These are all good sides to the month of time out in which we find ourselves.

Another good side….Real Estate both residential and Commercial is considered an essential business by the Dept. of Homeland Security!   So while we are not working in the office, or holding OPEN HOUSES, we are in business.  I actually closed on a house end of March.  Luckily, it was vacant so having inspections and repairs done was easier for all involved.  I also have another home coming onto the market this week…also a vacant home which we just completed some upgrades on.  There is also another listing that has been on the market and has had some decent activity given the climate we are currently in.  One things for sure, people looking right now are serious buyers, so it’s not necessarily a bad time to list!  And once things start to open up one would have a jump on competition.

Down sides….not getting to the gym.  And now I’ve heard my gym is closing permanently!   So many wonderful friends from my years with Vic Tanny/Bally and Gold’s.  I hope to land somewhere else with some of these same folks soon!   I don’t mind walking outside but when the weather’s bad, it’s just not ideal.   And really it’s about the people I see there- fellow fitness fanatics who like to work their jaw muscles as much as their biceps or quads.  I have some lasting friendships from my gym days that mean so much to me.  You know who you are!

Another negative:  Spending too much time on TV/social media.  On one hand technology has allowed us to stay in touch (Zoom meetings, Microsoft office, YouTube church services) but we also stay glued to the computer for information and all you see from the media is Panic.  The sky is falling every day.   I am reminded of the Monty Python and the Holy Grail Skit where folks in a medieval town are told to “Bring out your Dead” and one guy brings out his grandfather who is actually still alive.  The skit was funny.  What we are seeing now is just macabre – the daily death tolls.  How many actually survive this virus?  A lot more than than the media would like you to consider I daresay.  It’s enough to make a person need therapy.  I think the media needs a 30-60 day time out. We would all be better for it.

Downside number three:  On line shopping.  Since we cannot get to the store for clothes, shoes or other non essential household goods, we are clicking to buy on Amazon or some other online outfit.  Perhaps this is a patriotic thing to do, keeping the economy from tanking completely…but it’s dangerous when the packages arrive at the door and you have to explain “what did you order now?” to your husband/wife.   I’m the culprit in our house.  So much so that when an Amazon package came addressed to Mike, we were both confused.   It was a small gift from his niece for his birthday – a bottle of specialty hot sauce.  He was so excited it was for him and not me.  He should embrace the joy of online shopping!

The worst downside of all of this has been no hair salons or nail appointments.  Why these cannot remain open with some rules in place for safety is beyond me.   Mike is looking like Tom Hanks in Castaway and I am more and more like Lily Munster with her gray streak.  Don’t even start on my nails.  I have gel dip nails as my nails are soft and never grow.  I have ordered a gel nail solvent to get them off – my luck it’ll be from China and be toxic.  In the meantime, my hands are looking like “french talons” and not a manicure at all.

In the end, my mom has given me the most perspective on this situation.   She was a child in Europe during WWII.   The German’s took over their home in the village as a headquarters and her family – 9 people- had to flee to the farm house on their land where they all lived for the duration.   I saw this farm house when I visited Greece…it was two rooms and less than 1000 sq ft.  No electricity or plumbing.   They lived in fear of their lives from invasion.   There were days they had no food.   This went on for years.  There are places in the world right now that are dealing with these things even as I write.

While we fear this virus, we have the best of the best in the world working round the clock to figure out therapies and even perhaps a vaccine.  Public and Private Sectors are being brought together to solve problems fast.  We have electricity, running water, television and the ability to interact through computers and phones.  We are not cut off from the world, we are not going hungry and most of us live in pretty nice homes with all the creature comforts.  We can survive bad hair and nails as well as adjusting our workout routine and shopping habits.   And perhaps appreciate one another a little more once we come together once again.

I hope you are all well and healthy.  Should anyone need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me.  I’m happy to help in any way possible.  And if you find your home is not quarantine ready….I’m here to help you find one that is!