A Time of Togetherness. And Not.

Just like everyone else who has been following the stay-at-home orders, the Think Beyond the Nest household has been a bit cozy these days. Togetherness has been a blessing and we’ve found many ways to enjoy this time together. We’ve reinforced those things that we enjoy doing together. Thanks to input from friends via the many Zoom calls, we’ve also discovered some great TV programming. The good news is we are on the same page on most stay-at-home-living activities.

But, hey, let’s be honest. With this much together time, we’ve also found some things where we aren’t totally seeing eye-to-eye. It’s OK. We all need our space, but the stars are definitely not in alignment on everything.

So, here’s a short recap of some of the things we’ve been doing, where we are in sync, and…where we aren’t! 

• Total agreement on Schitt’s Creek (aka “the best show ever”). I even found a Rose Apothecary shirt online and immediately ordered one for Lailan. Just a little thank you for being my quarantine, Schitt’s Creek buddy! Thanks, Lailan.

• Total agreement on The Kaminsky Method and The Voice (please vote for Thunderstorm – great vocalist, cool guitarist from Hawaii. He actually performed with Lailan’s best friend’s son in their Honolulu back yard.

• Not in agreement. Ozark. Nope. Not even close. I love this series. Lailan can’t even walk by the TV when Marty and Wendy Byrde are yelling about another money-laundering crisis. Lailan’s dislike of this show is a real problem. I have two episodes left and I still have to sneak around in my own home to wrap up this latest season.

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• Not in agreement. The latest movie version of Emma. And Downton Abbey – the movie. Anything related to Victorian, obscure love stories. Not grooving. Hey, if I watch a few of these do I earn the right to watch Ozark? Well, I found out it doesn’t quite work that way. Haha.

• Total agreement, sort of. We spent some quality time together on bike rides, walks and golf. We were on a roll. But, then the indoor sport of card playing happened. While Lailan was full of much happiness, I, on the other hand, apparently have a real phobia for cards. Just not my thing. Guess we’ll stick with outdoor sports and Lailan can get her card-playing fix with her weekly ladies’ bridge group!

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And, just for fun, let’s throw in a few other COVID-19 Lockdown 2020 activities that we’ve checked off our list:

• Getting Cozy or “hygge” in Danish – This is a Danish/Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. Coincidentally, Lailan and I both just read a thought-provoking book authored by Helen Russell titled “The Year of Living Danishly – uncovering the secrets of the world’s happiest country.” During the long, dark days of winter, the Danes embrace staying inside and focusing on family time together. Pretty ironic given our current stay-at-home situation. Anyway, this is a very interesting read and maybe there is something to how their lifestyle supports happiness.

• Closet Declutter 2020 – Goodwill and the Salvation Army must be overwhelmed (but hopefully in a good way) as America cleans out their closets. Lailan has been very busy getting rid of old clothes, organizing high school and college yearbooks, musty music books and boxes full of family memorabilia. It feels so good and our closets look great. Visitors who will someday return and stay in our guest bedroom will be happy to know you will actually be able to hang up your clothes now. There is room in the inn AND in our closets!

• Mystery Paint Can Project – Quick contest – how many paint cans do you think we had piled up in the basement? Too low. Guess again. Actual count = 42. What the heck? We organized which ones can go to recycling and which ones we need to keep. We inspected the date on the cans to see if the paint was still from this century. The problem now? The local paint recycling centers are still closed so actually disposing of the old paint will have to wait.

• You Know You Have Quarantined Too Long – When you decide to paint the interior of your garage. Of course, the 42 existing cans of paint did not include “suburban garage white.” And as you might predict, the painting project led to more decluttering (yipee), blowing out dust bunnies the size of  West Texas tumbleweeds, and even installing a snazzy new wall organization system. 

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• The Perfect Margarita – Perhaps most importantly, Lailan has officially perfected her unique concoction to create an amazing low-calorie Margarita. The truth is it’s never made exactly the same way twice, so this recipe is simply meant to be a foundation. If we continue to sequester, you’ll have time to give this recipe a try and add your own embellishments.

Lailan’s Hydrating and “Good for You, Haha” Margarita

1. Fill glass completely with ice.
2. Splash (or more) of Dulce Vida Lime Tequila.
3. Splash (or more) of Tres Agaves Margarita Mix (organic of course)
4. Add big splash of Vita CoCo Coconut water
5. Squeeze a lime wedge and add lime wedge to drink
6. Enjoy
7. No judgement on what time of day happy hour begins

IN CLOSING: Sipping a margarita from an actual bar/restaurant, gathering with family and friends, returning to in-person church, and developing a vaccine are all things we long for. Until then, we are thinking about all of you, we thank our health care workers and other first responders, and we pray for those who have or are suffering from the coronavirus.

This too shall pass. Be well and stay safe.