Tag Archives: quarantine

Searching For The Sun In Quarantine

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Searching For The Sun In Quarantine

Hello! As the crazy times dealing with coronavirus continue, I have encouraged all of my readers to have a go at creating guest content for lifewithlilred. It gives you an afternoon of entertainment, publicity for your page, and it helps me keep daily content coming. Believe you me, it’s very hard under these stay at home circumstances!

Luckily, some very kind and talented guest bloggers have answered my call to action, including the lovely Sheryl Rose of Sheryl’s Light. She is literally the sweetest ever and her blog is filled with great content to get lost in for the evening. So, do be sure to check it out and give it some love. Now, find out how Sheryl keeps things on the sunny side during these trying times:

Searching For The Sun In Quarantine:

The last few days here in Vermont have been quite warm being in the ’60s. Growing up in California as a young girl and later on a young woman I loved to sunbath. Having a nationality of Black Irish and Cherokee Indian all the hours spent in the sun would result in a deep brown tan which I loved. As I grew older, I spent less and less time in the sun becoming more aware of skin cancer and harmful UVB rays. Plus, since moving and living on the East Coast, there is way less sun.

Since this COVID-19 started I had started counseling. I was feeling depressed because of how badly I missed my family and old friends. This was before the outbreak. I went to one session instantly bonding with my new counselor. He has a very kind face. I trusted him immediately. Shortly after, this nasty little virus came to light prompting stay at home orders. I was bummed that we couldn’t continue our meetings so he suggested video chat, instead. I was so happy. Trust me I’m getting to the point of this post.

Sure enough on Thursday at noon, I get the awaited phone call from John to let me know he sent me the link for our video chat. I click on it, put my name in the on-screen box, and presto, we were at my session. As we are chatting away I notice my little screen of myself in the corner and my face is what I think a deadly white skin tone. Yesterday, I went over to where the apartment complex storage area is and retrieved my lounge chair, bringing it upstairs. Then the clouds came suffocating that idea.

I spent some time on Amazon researching sun tanning equipment and aside from the cost, they weren’t quite what I was looking for. I looked at the spray tan kits that came with a six foot tall tent. Where would I put that?! I even looked at the tanning creams which, from experience, don’t work all that well with the streaking and darkened elbows and knees.

I decided that tanning for free with only the cost of baby oil (which I already have) was the way to go. Today looks pretty good so I’m going to give it another try outside. I took a big plastic bin out to the trash this morning so I know it’s already really warm and it’s only nine AM. I need color. REAL color and, if nothing else, getting outside will definitely be a big plus!

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This is not me, but reminds me of how I looked when I used to sunbath complete with painted toenails and anklet. Plus I dreadfully miss the beach.

About The Author:

Hello, my name is Sheryl Rose. I have three grown children, a husband of fifteen years all together who I met online, two grandsons ages three and four, and a baby hamster named Zoey. My husband and I live in Vermont. We have lived here for six years moving from Maine. I miss Maine, the seafood, and ocean. My children live out of state. One daughter in California, middle daughter lives in Florida with her life partner, and my son who is married to his wife and two sons live in Texas. My deal is, despite the trials and tribulations you can still come up smelling like a rose. Get it!? My vision is to share my journey helping others like me. Life is love. Life can smack you around but you still can rise above it all and be kind. Life is a lark, as I’m fond of saying. Let’s have some fun.

Thank you so much again to Sheryl for her charming guest post! How do you keep a positive attitude amidst uncertainty? Who always helps to cheer you up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What Have I Been Watching? Pt. 2

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What Have I Been Watching? Pt. 2

Hello!!! Although the stay at home order in Ohio is gradually being lifted, Johnny and I are still not comfortable yet diving into normal society. So, until we feel safe to enjoy the community again, we are okay with continuing our constant state of vegging out at home. On a previous post, I broke down all of the television and movies that are keeping my boyfriend and I sane…

Can you believe that a few weeks after posting that article, we’re already done with all of the shows that I mentioned?! Now, we’re onto the following:

SuperStore:

Johnny began watching this comedy based in a Walmart style store a couple of weeks ago and, originally, I didn’t care for it. Season one was weak and it took me a while for all of the different characters to rub off on me. When I finally started enjoying the show about halfway through season two, I did a complete 180 and now I am obsessed.

Superstore is the first thing I recommend when Johnny asks me what I want to watch. There are a few bigger names in the cast but I have not heard of a majority of the actors in it, which is kind of fun. From coworker relationships to goofy antics throughout the store, this show has kept me in stitches ever since I realized I liked it!

LEGO Masters:

I have definitely posted about LEGO Masters before but I wanted to mention it again, because it is that fun. Hosted by Will Arnett and judged by two master builders from LEGO, this is a fast paced competition show where teams of two create masterpieces out of the beloved children’s toy.

LEGO Masters follows your standard competition style protocol with eliminations and different challenges, each episode more exciting and difficult than the next. The artistic ability of every single contestant on the show was just amazing and I am crossing my fingers for a season two.

The Pacific:

My boyfriend is a huge history buff and you can often catch him at home watching different documentaries and TV shows about the subject. Earlier in quarantine, we watched Band Of Brothers, which depicted the soldiers fighting in the Easy Company division in WWII.

Now, we are watching The Pacific. Still WWII, but the soldiers being depicted are now fighting the Japanese soldiers in famous battles like Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Believe me, the show is intense. But, omg is it interesting. I can’t say that I am as big of a war genre lover as my boyfriend. However, an episode or two of a series per day is something that I can handle and I have been enjoying dipping my toes in the water with that.

America’s Next Top Model:

Lol, this is certainly not one of Johnny’s shows but it is one of mine! I have been dedicated to rewatching ANTM since all of the seasons got put on Hulu and revel in when Johnny ends up taking a nap so I can put on a few episodes without him complaining! Cheesy, corny, guilty pleasure TV? Absolutely. But I couldn’t stop watching Tyra Banks and that big beautiful forehead if I tried! ❤

These are just a few of the shows that have been keeping my boyfriend and I entertained in quarantine. How about yours? What are you currently or have recently been binging on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Having A Great Day, The Safe Way

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Having A Great Day, The Safe Way

Hi! While in quarantine, there have been many special occasions that have came and passed, including several birthdays in my family and Mother’s Day. Although it would have been nice to have big birthday blow outs and celebrations, that just isn’t possible right now. However, my family always seemed to manage to have a good time, despite the obvious set backs.

For example, for my sister and dad’s back to back birthdays, Johnny and I ordered pizza and we made an evening of it at my parents’ house. And, for my brother’s birthday, we hit up a local ice cream stand and brought that deliciousness home to enjoy. We also took the dogs (and ourselves) for a walk around the neighborhood, too!

While these are, admittedly, tame ways to celebrate someone’s big day, it worked perfectly for the current circumstances. Good food and company was shared between all of the people I love and it doesn’t get much better than that. Also, Pizza Hut… Need I say more?

Although your get togethers might not be picture perfect right now, you can still make a great day with the options that are safely available. My boyfriend’s birthday is a week before mine and, while I have gifts at the ready compliments of Amazon, I am also making him something special for dinner. AKA I’m getting him Outback Steakhouse so he can have that for his birthday dinner and watch WWII documentaries a la Parks & Rec. Like I said, work with what you’ve got given the circumstances!

Enjoy your low key celebrations for now and plan for an even bigger and better bash next year. Stay safe and have fun. ❤

How are you celebrating special occasions social distance style? What is your favorite takeout treat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Just Something Nice :)

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Just Something Nice :)

HELLO! So, this quarantine has been lots of fun… I mean not the quarantine itself, everything kind of sucks. But, hanging out with my boyfriend at home when I’m done at work has been a hoot. Johnny and I have binge watched series after series and played countless hours of Animal Crossing to help us pass the time and, although it’s boring, I wouldn’t want to be quarantined with anyone else. :*)

One of my favorite nice Johnny stories that I never shared was from after I attended a wine and paint night with my best friend and some of the bridal party for her upcoming wedding. I came home with my tail between my legs because I thought my painting turned out like BOO BOO:

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But, the first thing Johnny said when he saw my painting was that he liked it and it looked like a Christmas card. Now, I have the painting proudly displayed in the living room. He always knows how to turn something I see negatively into a positive which I suck at doing and I always feel happy when I look at my masterpiece now.

Another thing that never fails to put a smile on my face is when I notice that Johnny has put my little artist’s wooden body model into a different position:

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^^^ It’s the little things, right?! 😅

Although things are far from awesome right now, I get to spend my excess free time safely tucked away in our goofy apartment world and I am so thankful for that. Especially when such fun surprises are scattered about if you know where to look! 🙂

Who has helped make this time in quarantine more tolerable for you? What is a silly tradition between you and someone your close with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Positive Changes In Quarantine

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Positive Changes In Quarantine

Hello! Although different businesses are beginning to open in Ohio, my boyfriend and I plan on staying in until we are comfortable going back out. At least once per day, whether I’m at home or at work, being bored is acknowledged. And, yes, it’s a boring time. But, I’ve made some positive changes that I’m proud of during this time indoors so it can’t be all bad, right?

… It’s still pretty bad. But I am happy about the following:

Preparing Food At Home:

My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have been eating at home like nobody’s business. Which is a vast improvement health wise and financially to when we were eating out once or twice a week. Of course, we still treat ourselves to Taco Bell every now and then but we have been doing much better about going grocery shopping, preparing meals, and eating leftovers. I could get used to this!

Worthwhile Hobbies:

At the beginning of the quarantine, you couldn’t visit any webpage without being encouraged to take up a new hobby. And, as redundant as that was, it’s true. During my time at home, I have been practicing all of my languages (French, Czech, German, Spanish, and Italian) and I have also began learning American Sign Language. Not only that, but I have read a few books and wrote a ton.

I have enjoyed being able to practice all of my favorite hobbies as well as picking up a new one and it has made my time in quarantine much more pleasant. Although I am normally pretty good at practicing at least a few times a week, I would like to continue moving with the huge amount of momentum I have gained within the past month.

More Regular Sleep:

During the quarantine, I have gotten myself on a pretty solid sleeping schedule that I am very happy with. My new “bed time” of about ten thirty and then waking up for work at seven has made my body feel so much more… regular. Lol, seriously. I feel well rested, I can wake up for work without hitting the snooze, and I have been falling asleep more quickly. I definitely think that I can keep up with that!

More Financially Responsible:

Although I have succumbed to a few online shopping purchases, I have to say, I have been so much more financially responsible since this quarantine. Of course, there’s nowhere to go to spend money BUT I think all of this time off from impulse buys and drinks at the bar is going to make me think twice about how easily I spend money sometimes. Is it the most fun change? No. But, learning how to say no to things isn’t such a bad thing, either!

Yes, the quarantine is boring. However, there are silver linings to the situation everywhere if you know how to look!

Have you made any positive changes in quarantine? How do you feel about stay at home orders being lifted? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Have Some More Writing Prompts!

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Have Some More Writing Prompts!

Hey! Has the coronavirus quarantine put a cramp in your blog’s style? Ugh, I get it because SAME. The coronavirus has put a cramp in my literal style because my life revolves around comfort clothes right now and I thought I would never live to see the day for that to happen. Lol, it also makes creating daily content for my page exceedingly difficult.

More so than I imagined, actually, and I felt like I was really in a slump. It was a hard adjustment to find inspiration in the walls of my apartment but I think that I am just about there and I want all of you to be too. I recently offered some writing prompts on lifewithlilred and I’m here today to help the writer’s block even further with the following:

  • Have you taken any interesting online classes while quarantined?
  • Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong decade? Which era do you most relate to?
  • Do you know anyone local making face masks? It’s always nice to drop their info!
  • Speaking of, supporting all of your favorite local businesses and artists with online nods is a great way to help your community!
  • Are there any foods that you absolutely refuse to try?
  • Have you been managing to have any fun while quarantined? How?
  • Did you have any blog posts that got put on hold until it’s safe to achieve? What were they like?
  • How about any other exciting events or trips that got cancelled? It’s okay to be upset about it. (I still have yet to meet my six month old nephew, which sucks!)
  • How have you been staying in touch with your friends? Scheduled happy hours or trivia nights, perhaps?

I am looking forward to going out and doing the things that I enjoy safely. Unfortunately, I don’t know when that will be. But, in the meantime, it’s so nice to have lifewithlilred to keep me occupied and I love being able to interact with all of you so keep those comments coming. Happy writing! Much love. -Sarah

Get To Know Me In Quarantine

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Get To Know Me In Quarantine

Hello! It has been a good long while since lifewithlilred began. Therefore, it has been a good long while since I laid down some fun facts on you about yours truly. I figured, there’s no better time than the present… Especially when coming up with daily content amidst a stay at home order is way harder than I thought it would be! Read on to find out more about your favorite lil red haired, pierced, tattooed blogger:

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^^^ Normal me VS stay at home order me, lol!

All about me:

  1. My name is Sarah Mushenheim and, come September, lifewithlilred will be six years old!
  2. I love to figure skate, shop, read, go to concerts, and hang out with my boyfriend, friends, and family.
  3. I am an aunt to an adorable little girl named Valerie and a handsome little boy named Patrick.
  4. I am self employed as an independent provider for people with special needs. August will be my three year anniversary and I love my job!
  5. I have lost count of how many tattoos I have but I can’t wait to get more!
  6. My first post quarantine treats will definitely be getting my hair, nails, and some tattoos done. Oh you fancy, huh?!
  7. Learning new languages is one of my favorite hobbies. I speak English and French and am currently practicing American Sign Language, Czech, German, Spanish, and Italian. I plan on giving Portuguese a shot next.
  8. I write every morning. Literally every morning. And, on a random day where I can’t squeeze a post in before work makes me feel very off!
  9. My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have been playing hella Animal Crossing so if you play, come check out our island. 😀
  10. My family has two dogs, both of which are extremely precious and rescued. We have a little Terrier mix named Ollie and a goofy Golden Retriever puppy named Archie. ❤

Now you know a little more about me and I would love to hear from you! What are some fun facts about yourself? Or some of your favorite things? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

5 Tips For Preparing For Your Next Dinner Party (While Quarantined!)

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5 Tips For Preparing For Your Next Dinner Party (While Quarantined!)

As we move into warmer months ahead, you may be nostalgic for the days of sunshiny afternoons and barbecues with friends. While many of us are still in quarantine, we’re all hopeful that life can go back to resembling some form of normalcy in the coming months.

What are some of the things you could do now to prepare your home for friend get-togethers later when the world starts reopening? Let’s go over five easy tips to help you prepare for your next dinner party… all while you are quarantined:

Get your yard under control:

There’s no time like the present when it comes to doing yard work. Trim hedges and bushes. Power washing any exposed concrete, deck boards, or sidewalks is a great way to make your home really seem well taken care of. If weeds are starting to crowd out plants now, get on top of them since they will only get worse as the weather gets better.

Get those windows washed:

Better yet, consider hiring a monthly window cleaner to make sure your house windows shine like the top of the Chrysler building. Smudges from dirty fingers, dog and cat noses, and bugs make a home look messier than it is.

Speaking of bugs…

Call a local pest control to make sure you don’t have any potential critters coming. Yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps are best taken care of in late spring or early summer months, and nobody wants those bugging them at our friendly get-togethers. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other yard bugs can be controlled with a semi-annual pest control visit.

Do that deep cleaning you’ve been putting off:

You can check out an older blog that mentions the cleaning musts that many of us forget when doing deep or spring cleaning. If you’re not a fan of scrubbing floors and the weird crevices in your bathroom, do all the basic cleaning, then hire a company to do the deep cleaning for you. If the weather has turned beautiful in your neck of the woods, open up those doors after you’ve cleaned to get any of the cleaning product scents out of the home while bringing in some fresh air.

Planning makes perfect:

Plan the perfect dinner party ahead of time. When you throw a get-together, it always seems to take more time to organize than what you expect. Run down a list of things that you need to do before you would want people eating and chatting over a delicious dinner at your house. If you need extra utensils, cloth napkins, citronella candles, or tablescape items like tablecloths and vases, research affordable ones and order them online or place a curbside order for them.

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Lovely!

Quarantine life has been difficult, but making the most of it doesn’t have to be. As we transition into some form of new normal, many of us are craving social interaction that we took for granted before. Now is the time to get your home in a great place to host the get-together we’ve all been dreaming of for the past several months once it’s safe to do so!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Have Some Writing Prompts!

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Have Some Writing Prompts!

Hello! Coming up with daily content during a global pandemic has been proving to be pretty difficult on my end. And, although I know all of my blogging friends around the world are rock stars, you all might be struggling too. There is no shame in that! I swear, writing articles some days feels like pulling teeth. So, I decided to provide some prompts for all of you to help keep up with blog maintenance. Here we go:

 

  • How has the coronavirus impacted your life?
  • Favorite quarantine activities?
  • What are you most looking forward to once things go back to normal?
  • Most binge worthy shows or movies on different streaming services?
  • Your quarantine play list.
  • A lock down OOTD or MOTD for all of my fashionistas and makeup divas.
  • If you could be an animal, what would you like to be and why?
  • Favorite recipes to cook at home?
  • DIY crafting guide.
  • A virtual tour of the favorite room of your house or your garden.

This is arguably the most boring yet unnerving time of everyone’s life. And, if not everyone… Then at least mine, lol. I have found writing to be an even bigger stress reliever than usual and I hope these prompts will help do the same for all of you! ❤

What should I write about next? How has the coronavirus impacted your blogging habits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What Have I Been Watching?

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What Have I Been Watching?

Hi! Although there are plenty of ideas to help keep you occupied during this quarantine, sometimes there is nothing better than turning on the ol’ BOOB TUBE. Lol, we’re talking TV! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have been finishing shows left and right and are always ready to start something new. This past month or so, we have been watching the following:

Community:

Hilarious six season comedy based around a study group formed at a community college. All star cast, witty dialogue, and so freaking funny that it wasn’t hard to finish a half a season in a day! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a laugh.

Game Of Thrones:

Before dating Johnny, I had never seen one episode of Game Of Thrones until he suggested it and, believe you me, I was perfectly fine with this. But, that was until I saw one episode and realized what I had been missing! Johnny and I took a nice long break from the show after the intense Red Wedding, promising we’d come back to it in a little while.

A little while ended up being months on end but, thanks to the quarantine, we finally finished it and it was amazing! Intricate story line, twists and turns every episode, amazing action, and oh yeah… Dragons! Not a show for the faint of heart but definitely worth the watch if you can turn a blind eye to the more disturbing scenes.

Stand Up Comedy:

Before I go to bed, sometimes Johnny and I will watch a stand up comedy special. We have watched a lot of Peter Holmes and Jason Mulaney and it has been so much fun! I was never too “in” to stand up before and I’m still not but it’s a nice change of pace every once in a while. I have laughed till I cried so I guess you could say those comedians are pretty good!

Parks & Recreation:

After finishing Community, we needed a new comedy show to watch so we decided to both rewatch Parks & Rec. This show revolves around a Parks & Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana and it is a delight. Fabulous cast of Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Rob Lowe, and more! No matter how many times I’ve seen each episode, I laugh. It is the perfect show to put on as background noise or a binge worthy way to spend an afternoon.

Saturday Night Live:

Johnny and I have been enjoying watching Saturday Night Live From Home. Granted, the first episode was a huge disappointment. However, the second one knocked it out of the park once the cast got the hang of it. It’s so fun to see how these comedians can get creative in their own homes to make these new skits.

Johnny and I believe that the producers are literally approving anything suggested from the cast solely based on if “it sounds funny”. And, I promise you, it’s all funny. Especially the music video from the past episode with a cameo from Adam Sandler! Love it.

Coming Up Next: Ozark

The next show that Johnny and I plan on watching is Ozark, starring Jason Bateman. Netflix recently released the new third season, which I have yet to see. I have seen season one and two and loved it. So, I’m looking forward to watching it again with my BOO and seeing all of the craziness that I see being discussed about season three. No spoilers, please!

What have you been watching in quarantine? What is your favorite TV series? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah