There are lots of things we weren’t able to do during the shutdown period here in New York. I was home from work for just about two months, when nearly everything was shut down, and I returned to work in mid-May. That was the first time things started to feel somewhat normal again.
As far as COVID goes, we’ve been doing really well in NY after a very rough start. Our cases and hospitalizations are steadily declining now, and we’re already in phase four of re-opening. Nearly everything is open again, with a few exceptions like gyms and movie theaters. While there are definitely still restrictions in place, like masks required to enter just about anywhere, and certain capacity rules (I believe restaurants are at half capacity?), things are starting to look and feel “normal,” with the addition of masks everywhere.
Now that things are opening up again, there are a few things we need or want to do that were on pause because of the shut down.
Car Inspections
My car inspection expired in March, and Jerry’s expired in May. However, the good news is that car inspections are on temporary hiatus, meaning… the state has extended the expiration dates on them and we don’t need to get them done until they put it back into effect. I don’t know when that will be, but it’s a blessing in disguise, because we both need a little work done on our cars when we have the inspections done. I need brakes, new tires, a new brake light, and AC repair. I’m hoping to hold out a few more months for this, since I get a health insurance reimbursement check every November that would more than cover the cost!
Haircuts
We ALL needed hair cuts since the salons and barber shops were closed. Jerry went a few weeks back to get his hair cut, but I haven’t taken the boys or myself yet. In fact, my mother has cut my hair, Caleb’s hair, and Holden’s over the last couple of weeks! She did a good job, so we can continue to hold off on this for now too, but eventually, we will all have to go back to Hair Zoo at some point! Ha!
Dog Haircut and Grooming
Dakota is looking rather scraggly right now. He is WAY overdue for a haircut, nail cut, and grooming. I found out today that our dog groomer is open now, so I’m going to try and get him an appointment for August.
Movies
One thing I desperately miss is going to the movies. It’s one of my favorite activities to do, even though I only go a few times a year. There’s just something so relaxing and enjoyable about going out to the movies.
Craft Nights
I just got into crafting last year with my vintage arrangements, but I really enjoy doing it. I have a ton of supplies, but have been lacking the motivation lately to get anything done. This is where craft night comes in. Back in the winter, I had a craft night with my friend Margaret, mom, and sister in law, and I got so much done. It was also just fun! Craft nights need to come back soon.
Book Clubs
I currently run a virtual mystery book club through work, which I started during the shut down, but I am really, really missing the girls in both of my in-person book clubs: my Forever YA one through work, and then my small personal book club with a few girlfriends. My personal book club might be picking back up soon, but no word yet on my book club through work. We aren’t running any in-person programs yet.
Girl’s Nights
I am fairly anti-social, but I do enjoy a good girl’s night every once in awhile! Whether it’s the sometimes monthly mother-daughter dinner nights with my best friends and moms, or it’s just a girl’s dip night at my house… I miss seeing my friends and just hanging out and snacking!
Laser Appointments
My laser hair removal appointments were put on hold during the shutdown, but my salon has finally re-opened. I need to reschedule my next appointment because I only have a couple left! Wahoo!
Eat in a Restaurant
Like most people, I absolutely love going out to eat! Since the re-opening has started, I went out to eat one time at a BBQ restaurant, but we ate outside. I’ve enjoyed getting take out a lot, but I really miss going out to eat INSIDE a restaurant!
Go to the Mall
I really don’t do a lot of shopping at the mall, but I am happy that the malls finally re-opened last week. For the most part, we just take the kids to the mall to ride the carousel and eat in the food court. We don’t do it often, but we do it often enough that I started to miss it. I also enjoy going to Michaels and Bath and Body Works in the mall, so I’ll definitely need to hit those stores up soon! You know Mama needs some more Fall candles (just don’t look at the stash in my wax and candle closet).
Go to Hobby Lobby
I finally discovered Hobby Lobby at the end of 2019, and now I’m addicted. I’ve only been in the store a couple of times, but they’ve re-opened now and I can’t wait to go back!
Things I HAVE Done
As you can see, there are a lot of things I still have yet to do, but there are a few things I HAVE gotten to do since we started to open New York back up! Here are the things I’ve been happy to get back to doing:
- Return to work: there were some things I really enjoyed about working from home for two months, and to be honest, I kind of miss it. But I also really missed GOING to work, too. I love my coworkers and my library, and it was sometimes hard to be productive at home with the kids.
- Thrifting: going to thrift stores is my favorite way to shop, and I really missed it. Since stores have started to open back up again, my mom and I have probably gone about 6 times already!
- Doctor’s Appointments: I mean… I’m not really thrilled about going to the doctor, but it’s still good for its own reasons. Both of my kids have been back for check ups, I have my annual with the OB this week that was originally scheduled for March, and I was able to finally go for my sleep study last week, which was also supposed to be in March. This is all good news!
- Dollar store: Caleb loves the Dollar Tree, and who can blame him?! They actually stayed open during the shutdown, but I finally went back last week with my mom and Caleb. I love just browsing around and picking up random little treasures. Last week, I picked up a couple of books, some cactus decorations, and toothbrushes for the kids. It was nice to be back!
- Garage sales: my mom and I love going to garage sales, and so far we’ve hit up a couple of garage sales and an estate sale since things started to open back up. I just love finding a good deal.
- Seeing my besties: I got together a couple of weeks ago with my two best friends, our sons, and dogs. We sat outside and ate pizza. I missed them so much.
- Family time: for awhile there, we didn’t see anyone outside of our household, and while we haven’t seen all of our family yet, we are back to regularly seeing my parents, my brother’s family, and my Auntie K. It sure got lonely there for awhile without them.
How are things where you are? Are things opening back up? What do you miss?
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