What i did on my coronavirus break

My 'COVID-19 pandemic break' comes to an end today. I have been laid off since March 19th and start back to work tomorrow, May 26th.

I have to say, I almost feel guilty. While many people have been sick, many have died or lost loved ones, and others have had to continue working - many with added stress due to changes and the uncertainty of the situation or on reduced hours - I feel like I've been on summer break. I've basically done nothing but hang around the house and make one trip to the grocery store a week. While not exactly a "vacation"... this life's been good to me... so far.

So, as I wrestle my nerves over the thought of having to start getting up at 4 am again, I thought I would run down a list of things I've done these past two months.

What I Did On My Coronavirus Break:

• For starters... I made money! Not only did we receive the $2400 stimulus check from the government, but I made more than double on unemployment benefits than I make when I work (thanks to the extra $600/wk from the feds). Roughly $750/week vs. $350/week. In fact, since there is a holiday this week, I will literally make $504 less the first week back to work than I have been making on unemployment! Sure, I know it can't last forever, but please cut me a break for not being overjoyed to return to work and having my pay cut in half!!
• I stayed up late and slept in late. Instead of my usual weekday ritual of 8 pm bedtime and 4 am rising (3:50, actually), I have been staying up past midnight and don't get up until my body wakes me up. I think I only used an alarm clock once or twice.
• In staying up late, I watched late-night talk shows. I haven't seen these since the early Leno/Letterman days. I was surprised that Jimmy Kimmel was my favorite. He seemed to handle the home studio better than Colbert and Fallon (I found them both extremely dry). I would even put Seth Meyers as my second favorite.
• One of the first things we did was create a home office and a new bedroom for the grandkids. Jane worked from home for several weeks, so we converted the middle/smaller bedroom into an office (and a place to hang the guitars). We bunked the boys' beds and put Anna's bed in with them. They're young enough, and I think they still like sleeping in the same room - at least at grandma and grandpa's house.
• I started out with a lot of energy, so I did the usual 'cleaned the garage and organized storage.' I suppose I filled the garbage bin for a couple weeks with nothing but junk. I could probably stand to do it once a week for a while longer...
• Yardwork is another chore I did in spurts. I cleaned up the dead winter remains, and we planted the garden as well as put down some mulch and whatnot. Also, I did some minimal tree trimming (with much more needed). I finally started up my dad's old chainsaw! I've probably had it for 5-10 years and it hadn't been used years before that. I was actually surprised I could get it going! It's not very big, so I can't use it for much more than trimming small limbs, but there are plenty of them, so...
• I didn't think of it until almost a month in, but I did start a 'Covid-19 Journal.' I missed a day here and there, but I wanted to do a simple one-page daily jottage of what I did and how I was feeling. I didn't consider it blog-worthy, but it will be another handwritten journal to add to the posterity pile of others from over the years.
• On the productive side, I also did my part by making face masks! No, I didn't make enough to donate to a hospital or anything, but I probably made 7 or 8. Some are better than others because... sewing is hard! There are a few that are sufficient for Jane and me. The grandkids also liked them. I will likely make another couple, since I will have to wear one to work every day.
• I also participated in my first bootcamp exercise class! I have checked in many a person for the classes we offer at the Y, but had never attended any myself. I finally got around to watching some of the Y free offerings online, and kind of liked it! I now do a modified 'Countdown Bootcamp' to my own music... maybe once a week.
• One of my favorite things about this break was having the time to regularly read books again. I finished one I was already reading (Falling Upward), as well as three others (Turn My Mourning Into Dancing, A Farewell to Mars, and The Story). I felt they were all good reads, and I can say I actually read the entire Bible (although it was more of a summary). 
• We also watched a lot of movies and TV shows. I listed some of the movies we watched early on HERE. Also the entire James Bond collection (in order). Lately we've watched The Matrix Trilogy in order, as well as finished The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Ozark. There have been a few others in there somewhere too...
• One thing I did NOT want to do over this break was eat too much and drink too much! Unfortunately, while I started out pretty good, I faltered down the stretch. I gained about 10 pounds overall, but most of it these last few weeks. I can't imagine how bad it would have been if I hadn't also exercised in some way nearly every day. I started out running more and added the exercise videos and bike riding, but eventually I found myself doing more daily walks than anything. I would try to make it at least an hour a day, but even that didn't make up for the extra time sitting while reading or on the internet.

I suppose there are several things I forgot. I have to say, though, aside from the uncertainty of the virus situation, I actually enjoyed this break from work. I haven't checked it, but I'd guess my blood pressure is down, I feel rested and peaceful (for the most part), and I am not at all looking forward to going back to "normal."

Certainly, I have been fortunate to not get sick or be negatively affected (so far). This has been a tragic time for a great number of people the world over... and it's not over. But at this point, I am feeling pretty thankful and blessed. I hope I can survive real life again...