This NEW normal is a bit of a shock...

to the system.  I must admit I had braced myself, having been given lots of tips and information as to how my city had changed in the last six weeks, but ... it still shook me up a bit.

On one hand, some things seemed the same, like the amount of traffic on the old road.  I was surprised, seeing as I thought everyone was supposed to be HOME, except for essential workers. Well, on my FIRST day I had to go out to get supplies.  That was my excuse. My first stop was NBLC, to buy wine of course. I hadn't run out, but I wanted to make sure I kept my wine cellar well stocked, just in case.  Well, the big black arrows everywhere, the interrogation by the employee the minute I walked in, as to how long I had been back in NB, to the day, respecting the 14 day confinement, put me a little on the defensive, as I rattled off the date of my first day of self-isolation. Whew! They are serious, and they SHOULD be!! Once I got over my surprise, seeing as I was asked more questions HERE than when I landed at Pearson in Toronto on March 22nd, from Tokyo... I did my shopping, turning around in every aisle if I saw someone was already there. 

I knew I was going to wear a mask, to protect OTHERS, so OUT came all my BUFFS... one for every day of the work week. Never mind I look like a bandit, I don't give a tinker's toot!  I couldn't sew my way out of a paperbag, but I can wear a buff MANY ways. They work better though, when you wear them like a balaclava, since they don't slip.  For now buffs will do until I watch that video on how to make a homemade mask with a bandana.  I am SO NOT a DIY, I will probably have to watch the video ten times.  

I used to be a volunteer driver for the CTC, taking people to doctor's appointments, the hospital for tests, etc. Picking up passengers is no longer possible, because of the threat of spreading the virus, but I CAN pick-up and deliver groceries and prescriptions, so I start doing that tomorrow. I can't wait to pay-it-forward and to feel useful - our entire world is in crisis and we will get through this if we all take care of ourselves, and others, in the best and safest way we know how.

THIS IS MY NEW TO-DO LIST!

Try to laugh every day!

 Don't be hard on yourself or others.

Take it one day at a time.
Try to limit your practical to-do list to five things.

Eat well.  That's why I had veggies with dip for lunch, and a Pop Tart.  Get some exercise outside. That's why I walked thirteen kilometres yesterday and could barely roll out of bed this morning, I ached all over. Get enough sleep even if you have to nibble on a cannibis cookie.
MOST importanty, nourish your heart and soul in ways that comfort you and

reach out to others, via phone, messaging, texts, video, social media, Facetime, Skype,... you name it. 
Social distancing only means PHYSICALLY! 

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So far... so good. I am still sane. 
You?