Monday Musings: Maintenance and Mom
Happy Mondays ladies. I hope your weekend was calm and that you were able to get out for some fresh air. It’s so therapeutic to get out of the house, even if all you do is sit on your front step.
It’s more important than ever that we keep in contact with friends and loved ones now. Social isolation needn’t be lonely when we can use the phone, chat with Facetime, or sit across the street. You can also make free video calls with messenger from Facebook or What’s App. Here’s how some of my neighbors are visiting these days.
This weekend I did some pruning, knitting, walking and a whole lot of Facetime with my girl.
Here’s what’s on my mind this week-
Stock
I wish I owned stock in Amazon. I always order from them but now I’m ordering tons more. The vitamins I used to toss in the basket on my grocery store run are now getting ordered. I’ve always ordered my favorite organic Darjeeling Tea from them because my supermarkets stopped carrying any kind of Darjeeling. What’s up with that? I like a lot of different tea but in the morning, it’s Darjeeling or nothing. No morning tea for Jennifer is not a pretty sight:) The books I want to read are being ordered and I’m no longer ordering used ones. It’s kind of amazing how reliant I am on them right now. I’m also grateful for the UPS delivery people who are working their tails off to bring us what we need.
Massage
I’ve been giving myself a mini massage after my shower each morning, in an effort to chill out. I’ve always slathered on lotion but now that I’m using this 
Neroli is known for it’s calming properties, the aloe helps hydrate my skin, plus I love the smell! They have their sample kit on sale for $10 so you can try a few things and see how your skin reacts. I love sampling things that way so I don’t invest a bunch in case I don’t like it. I did try this face wash and loved it…but it was sold out. It’s finally back in stock so I’m waiting for it to arrive. Thank goodness for UPS:)
Maintenance
With social isolation in full swing, women are beginning to wonder what they will do to maintain their gel, shellac, acrylic or artificial nails. Haircut and color are also on their minds. I don’t do that nail stuff and have the uber short nails to prove it. Here’s one way to remove them. My hair is also rather low maintenance and if push comes to shove, I will trim it myself. Would you? People are joking that their favorite, glamorous influencers will be showing their true colors very soon:)
Mom
As you know, my daughter lives in Vancouver. I hate that she lives so far away, but that’s where her career and life are. We facetime often, but it’s never enough. She’s had a bad cold for the last 10 days and stayed in social isolation to heal. We thought she was on the road to recovery when she suddenly developed a fever on Saturday. I was terrified but the border is closed between our two countries so I couldn’t fly up. She wouldn’t have let me into her apartment anyway…but I would have tried. 
Frustration and fear made for a scary night for all of us. Thank goodness the fever was gone in the morning but my heart hurts that I can’t put my arms around her. Distance doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. For me, it feels like a stake through my heart.
Blogging
Bloggers everywhere are scrambling to create content their readers will love. During these stressful times, bloggers who only rely on fashion and shopping posts seem the most unnerved. But the truth is, we do need to get dressed. We will come out on the other side of this crisis and be stronger women for it. I’ve never focused solely on fashion because A Well Styled Life is not just about what you wear. It’s how you live your life. I do have a few sponsored posts for brands in the works and they will go out because I love and believe in the brand plus it helps pay the bills.
How are you filling your time?
Please be kind and remember to phone people that you know to live alone. No one should feel lonely and your call could make all the difference for someone.
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I’m glad you daughter’s fever broke. What a worry and then relief. I’m reading blogs more than ever. I want to see style right now! The blogging community is such a comfort. I don’t colour my hair anymore and have been known to give myself the occasional trim. So I think I’ll come out of all of this looking much the same. I’ve been relying on Amazon too. The delivery people are saints. I try to come to the door to yell my thank you through the glass. I’m sure the job must feel isolating. I love that photo of the neighbours across the street. What a strange time this is, but it seems to be bringing out the best in many people. Stay healthy. Xx
I love reading about style now too Jen, so I’m going to get back to writing about it.XX
My brother is in Canada (we were born there) so I get reports on how that country is doing things. I’m lucky that I now live in a big house with my daughter and her family, so I get to see (most) of my grandchildren every day (all day!) I have been doing Facetime with the grandchild who lives across town. I would be a wreck if I couldn’t see my grandchildren. The house is big, with a big yard, and there is so much to do since we moved in a month ago. Even though my former house (of 35 years) burned down last fall, I feel remarkably blessed. This family time is a silver lining in an otherwise frightening black cloud. My heart goes out to people who don’t have family close to them.
You are blessed. I was born in Canada too and miss my brother’s who live there very much.
Jennifer, my daughter lives in Canada too! I hate it that the border is closed. Luckily my daughter and her family (4 children and a husband) are healthy, and I hope they stay that way.
I am trying to keep my spirits up with lots of cooking, walking outside & on the treadmill, and dressing well every day. (We all probably have so many clothes in our closets that we could create hundreds of outfits without going shopping, right?)
I look forward to your posts. Stay well.
My son & his wife also live in Vancouver. Theyāre expecting their first child in a couple weeks. She also has some serious underlying health issues. I hate that they didnāt close the border far sooner, especially when Seattle first became a hotspot. Neither her mother, nor I can travel to be with her, which is very hard for all of us, but travelling by plane is too risky right nowāeven between provinces to. My faith in Jesus gives me peace & calmness in difficult times.
I will keep her in my prayers! That is so very stressful.
I am so touched by your very kind response & your prayers! Reading your comment brought me to tears. Many, many thanks. Bless you, Jennifer! ā¤ļø Thank you for all your hard work. Your blog is such a welcome diversion (which Iāve just recently discovered), a place of sharing & community during these trying times.
Iām so glad youāre part of our community, Jane. Sending hugs
I’m staying in touch with family and friends through phone calls, face time, marco polo app…and spending a little more time than usual on social media sites and zoom. The blogs I currently read are focusing on comfort clothes and what to wear when you’re at home. I’m cleaning out closets and drawers and hope some will do some series on ways to wear XXX (common things we might already have) Thanks for your posts!
Thanks for all you do to keep us in style. You are also keeping it real for us. Iām reading, knitting,painting and studying my OLLI French. My youngest came up from Lincoln to stay for the duration. She is working from home and lives alone with her beloved dog. He loves having her there but doesnāt understand when she canāt give him the attention he thinks he deserves. With them here, I can give the attention and she can work from the seclusion of my office/studio. A win win.
That is a win/win. Stay safe