We woke up to a dead fish in our aquarium this morning. The kids were very sad to find it belly up, after having for so many years now. I think having any fish for a few years is actually pretty notable.
The aquarium received a thorough cleaning. We discovered that the water heater was broken and that probably contributed to things. A replacement is ordered.
I want to try and focus on specific tasks each day. Now is a great time to catch the kids up on life skills they're currently lacking and hopefully, that will help the house run smoother.
I think today's focus will be on laundry. Even if I don't get everything washed today, I want everything to get organized. Being organized will help make the process of endless laundry run more efficiently. The way I see it is that any laundry in their drawers or dirty laundry basket, is less laundry on the floor. Clothes being on the floor is something we can easily do less of.
With any luck, I can use this lockdown time to build a more productive routine and get the kids to help carry a bit more weight around the house.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who I did not vote for, is doing an amazing job managing this health crisis. I'm grateful we have him. He said today on CNN that school may be shut down for the rest of the year. As much as I know how disruptive that will be for many families, I truly believe it's the very best approach. We have to make drastic, deliberate moves in order to contain the spread of COVID19. An incomplete school year doesn't even register on my radar right now. My concern is physically keeping my kids safe.
I spoke with Lizze yesterday and she's really struggling with this. She misses the kids but we've agreed that hands down, suspending visits is the right thing to do for the boys.
There are people at high risk in her home and in mine. Chances cannot be taken and that means sacrifice. I think this is really the first time that she facing the consequences of the choices made. It's not easy and it can't be undone but finding a way through this needs to be the focus. We're making video calls available for the kids and that helps but it's not the same thing.
Thankfully, this is much harder for her right now than it is for the kids. I don't mean that as a dig at all. I'd rather the adults carry the weight of this and not the kids. That's what I mean. At this point, the kids are in a pretty good place, all things considered and I'm grateful for that. My heart breaks for Lizze though and I get why people might not understand that but I want nothing but the best for her. There is not a single cell in my body that relishes the idea of her hurting, in any way.
At this point though, it's better that it's her and not the kids. I know she would agree with that. I'd rather me be hurting but I'm not and I have a very important job to do right now.
Anyway, this is pretty overwhelming but so far, we're holding our own.
Please stay safe.
