Today I’m linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her annual mid-winter post on the things that are “saving us” (hyperbolically) this winter. Before I get into it, though, I wanted to give all of you an update on my family’s COVID situation.
- My husband and two kids have completely recovered.
- My second concert with the other school on Thursday night was FANTASTIC. I was so proud of my students!
- I started feeling sick on Friday evening.
- I took at-home tests every day over the weekend and all of them were negative.
- I finally tested positive with a lab antigen test Monday morning.
- I am under quarantine for most of this week.
So far, it hasn’t been horrible. I’ve had all the symptoms, but not all at once, and most have been mild. The hardest part is taking care of myself while taking care of my daughter, who, while recovered from COVID, picked up a cold at daycare last week. I hope she feels better soon so I can get some actual rest. Still, I feel lucky. Lucky enough that I feel the need to divide this post into two parts: what’s ACTUALLY saving my life, and the privileges that allow me to make a hyperbolic version.
What’s ACTUALLY Saving My Life in Winter 2022
Vaccines and boosters, for me and my family, including my two kids. Great pediatric care for the kids. Having a lab nearby with available tests for which I did not have to wait for 2-3 hours (as their first communication warned) and a health insurance company that sent us home tests. A warm house with plenty of food and a stocked medicine cabinet. A husband who finished his quarantine before I got sick, and therefore can get us what we need. Parents who can drive my son to school and pick him up from the bus. A job that gives me plenty of sick leave. Understanding principals who care about my well-being. Students who miss me and are eager for my return. Friends who check in on me. Humidifiers, tissues, and a good digital thermometer.
I am grateful for all that I have. I want everyone else to have everything they need, too. I know that is not the case, and I will keep advocating, donating and voting toward that goal.
What’s Saving My Life in Winter 2022
(The Hyperbolic, More Fun, Version)
Everyone who’s had COVID has a show they started watching during their quarantine, and The Gilded Age on HBO Max is mine. Unfortunately, there have only been two episodes so far, but I can’t wait for more! It’s the American version of Downton Abbey, set 25 years prior during the height of Astor/Vanderbilt extravagance, and I adore losing myself in that world. Every detail is visually breathtaking, and the stories have the appropriate level of drama without being overly cloying.
Since I’ll have to wait for the next episode, I’m also re-watching Parks and Recreation on Peacock. Ron Swanson gives me all my laughter-is-the-best-medicine moments.
This is the second winter that I’m appreciating my Amish-made rocking chair set up with my foot massager and Naipo shoulder massager. There’s nothing better to help my muscles recover from a workout or a day of conducting band… or COVID aches.
It’s winter, so I’m thinking a lot about food, and my family is loving bread and croissants from Breadfolks in Hudson, NY and chocolates from Krause’s in Rhinebeck. Both are a bit of a drive, but so worth it! We keep our freezer and our chocolate drawer stocked. Weirdly, I’m still able to keep the weight off, partly due to Mossa workouts, but also due to eating less of a higher-quality product.
We all need a way to keep ourselves informed, and I will choose Pantsuit Politics again and again. I became a Patreon supporter this summer, and I love getting the morning news brief and the evening “More to Say” every day on top of their regular episodes. It’s a nuanced approach to the news that includes deep thought, conversation, and processing with empathy.
Baking with Dorie by Dorie Greenspan is my new favorite baking cookbook. Her writing is beautifully descriptive, each step is explained clearly, and her “tips” make the recipe even better. I’ve already made Maple-Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies, brioche loaf, and brioche cinnamon buns. Each one was out-of-this-world incredible! Next on my list: apricot-pistachio olive oil cake, and chocolate eclairs.
In case you’re curious, here’s last winter’s “What’s Saving My Life” post. I definitely follow a theme in winter: self-care, baking, coziness! I wonder how different these posts would be in summer?
What’s saving YOUR life this winter– literally or metaphorically?
I hope you and your daughter are feeling better. Colds are no fun, either. I’m always surprised at how bad they make me feel for such a minor illness!
I haven’t started watching The Gilded Age yet, but I’m definitely going to. I love Christine Baransky in just about everything I’ve seen her in, and “an American Downton Abbey”? Yes, please! With fewer deaths, I hope 🙂
Since I love winter in Florida, I’ll have to revisit this topic in summer, LOL (note to self: that would be a good blog topic for July). I am currently loving our cool and dry weather, fires in the fireplace, Costco (just had my tires rotated and a puncture fixed for free since we bought my tires there), and a portable back massaging cushion that is helping to ease the muscle aches in my mid back from what I think is just poor posture. I also use the neck massager you recommended from time to time.
The things that really matter: I am grateful that we have enough money to pay our bills, we’ve been able to find food for ourselves and our pets without scrambling, and we have a safe, warm, comfortable place to live. We are all healthy.
Oh, and I just put that baking book on hold at my library. I think you’ve given me the baking “bug”!
Hi Kathy! I think you’re going to love The Gilded Age. Christine Baranski is so good in it, as is Cynthia Nixon, and the younger (unknown-to-me) actors are very likable.
I have definitely caught my daughter’s cold, on the tail end of my Covid recovery, and I can safely say that the cold was worse than Covid for me. Thank goodness for vaccines.
I’ve been reading the comments and posts on Modern Mrs. Darcy all morning, and it seems like everyone is focused on “what really matters” this year, as you say. It’s grounding and heartwarming.
Let me know how you like the baking book and if you make any recipes! I’m such a huge fan. I think this weekend I’m going to make one of the cakes.
You’re the second person to recommend The Gilded Age to me. I’m going to check it out this weekend! And I’ve also added Pantsuit Politics to my list of things to try. Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions.
Hi Debbie, thanks so much for visiting! I hope you enjoy both those recommendations. Pantsuit Politics in particular has been a game-changer for me. I’m better informed and more capable of having open-minded, nuanced conversations around politics.
You should definitely read THE SOCIAL GRACES by Renee Rosen if you love The Guided Age. Our house recently had Covid too. Glad we are beyond that. It was basically a cold for me, just tiredness for our teen daughter and more body aches/headaches for my husband. Thankfully it hit at a time when it wasn’t busy for us. I substitute teach and so I know how busy schools have been filling requests for sick teachers or teachers’ kids. Subbing today in fact! Get well soon!
Hi Stacie, thanks! I love a book recommendation so I will definitely check out The Social Graces.
Our school system has been hit hard, too. I work a split position in two elementary schools, and it’s not unusual for the school principals to do lunch duty because we don’t have enough teaching assistants to cover teachers and TA duties. It’s crazy. Thank you for subbing– it’s such an important job right now!