Where you wanna eat today? I dunno. Where do YOU wanna go? I can’t decide. Apparently I’m not up to making big decisions today. Well, you still need to decide. NO – you need to pick something! (Thirty minutes go by.) Have you decided where you wanna go eat yet? No…I thought we decided YOU had to decide! Can you believe that dialogue? Our pathetic back ‘n forth questions continued for at least a half hour. And we still weren’t able to choose a restaurant! You feeling it too? An overall lethargy…a weariness and sluggishness that settles over you like a soaking wet blanket draped over your shoulders? Makes a decision about where to eat feel as big as being asked to write a constitutional amendment! WE NEED RELIEF. WE NEED HELP. WE NEED LAUGHTER AND/OR COMFORT FOOD. Or CHOCOLATE. Yeah, that would definitely help too. Unfortunately, we can’t provide those last two, but we can help you make some decisions. You provide the motivation and grit to apply these three…. *No bun: Lack of touch/hugs/skin-on-skin contact Just…meh, right? Craig generally passes on the bun. But not me: I thinkit’s a significant contributor to the overall taste of the sandwich, and therefore, not optional. It hugs what’s inside! We need personal touch, and we grieve this critically important part of human interaction during social distancing. The Greater Good Science Magazine from Berkley, CA, says this: “Basic warm touch calms cardiovascular stress…and a simple touch can trigger release of oxytocin, aka ‘the love hormone.’” Those responses were designed by a God who created us to need and desire to touch and be touched. So is it any surprise that we’re now more stressed, less compassionate, and lacking in love for others? If you’re arguing with that conclusion, when’s the last time you were in traffic during rush hour?! It’s ugly out there! Condiment of Choice: Hug those you can—your spouse, your kids, your parents, if possible. Touch more, not less. And do this with pro-active intentionality. We need that as much as the air we breathe.  *Over-paying for a single patty: You’re in a “front line” position/role/job In some ways, you’re being cheated. You’re paying extra for the half-pounder, double patty with everything….and receiving a scroungy single patty, plain. Years ago there was a fast food ad that featured an elderly woman who could barely peek over the counter, demanding, “Where’s the beef?” You are on the front line. Your life is in danger. And you’re probably not collecting one more penny of pay. You have every right to ask, “Where’s the beef??” Problem is, pandemics are NOT about what’s fair. So focus on what you can do: Realize you’re not a victim unless you allow yourself to be one. Protect yourself to a level that suits you. Request that those around you abide by the standards required. Use your breaks/days off to pro-actively take care of yourself the best you can. Go for a walk, exercise, reward yourself now ‘n then. Maybe a sandwich like the one above? Or chocolate? For me: buttercream frosting, lots. Condiment of Choice: Get out of the house or the routine. Take a picnic (full of your favorites) to a park. Breathe deeply (with mask, if there are others around!). Eat an ice cream cone. Or…send everyone else out of the house while you stretch out on the couch and watch your favorite show, read a great book, or simply…snooze. Do what you need to do to restore your soul!  *Got kids? Add some bacon: I’m Failing Parenting 101! Two truths: *Bacon makes everything taste better. *Parenting is always a challenge, but in a pandemic? It can be brutal! Our advice: Give yourself a break. You’re stressed. Worn out. Attempting to do too much. Pushed into roles for which you never trained and never imagined you’d need to fill. You’re doing your best, but too often feeling defeated, inadequate, short-tempered and weary. So add some bacon. Years ago, we did some pretty crazy family activities (imperative then: CHEAP) to add fun to dreary days. We played a form of indoor croquet: Tape floral wire on hard floors for wickets; blow up and tie several balloons for balls (sized to easily fit through your wickets); offer kitchen tools as mallets (meat tenderizer, wooden spoon, spatula, etc.). Play ball! After dark, every family member puts 3 – 4 pairs of shoes in a pile (designate how many pairs with laces); thoroughly mix that pile. Position everyone around the shoes; turn out the lights; winner is the first to get one matched pair on correctly. Repeat! Want more ideas? Order Devotions for Families That Can’t Sit Still or More Devotions for Families That Can’t Sit Still at Amazon. Sorry they’re out of print, but you can find used copies out there. Just the two of you? Pop some popcorn and watch a favorite movie (romance, comedy or drama—but definitely a “no tears” choice!); share favorite memories (serious, hardest laugh, most embarrassing, etc.) while walking around the neighborhood; play a card or board game (Yahtzee’s a favorite no-brainer for us); work a puzzle on a card table; schedule FT with faraway friends; have a marshmallow fight (outdoors!); take a bike ride together. Condiment of Choice: Add an element of intentional fun.The sillier the better?!Celebrate your pet’s (dog, cat, hamster, goldfish, whatever) birthday with cupcakes, ice cream, wrapped presents for the guest of honor. Don’t forget the Frosty Paws desert (found in your grocer’s freezer) for your pup! Guaranteed to produce belly laughs and giggles. Readers: If you have more creative ideas, please share those with us all! |
Just for Laughs After years of wanting to thoroughly clean my house but lacking the time, I recently discovered that wasn’t the reason. If I keep stress-eating at this level, the buttons on my shirt will start socially distancing themselves from each other. In pursuit of scientific research, I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I’ll let you know. |
From the Grab Bag Bottle ball (invented by our sons) works great in small backyards and for those who may be “baseball challenged”: Aka, me. Use empty 2-liter plastic bottles as balls (you’ll most likely go through a few!), an old tennis racket as the bat. Add whatever works best for bases. Bottle Ball provides an additional emotional boost: There’s something refreshingly healthy about smacking that plastic bottle with a racket! |