Mexico bound
        My 8-year-old daughter and I were on our way to Mexico to visit my parents. When we left, the chatter of COVID-19 was just in the beginning stages. We were headed to Guadalajara and there were no known cases through the cities we were travelling and no travel restrictions other than China.
        We decided we were going to go ahead with our long-awaited trip.
        While we were there, is when the news really started amplifying how serious everything was getting. As a precaution, we limited some of our adventures, hung out more at the house than anything and watched as my dad bought more toilet paper than most people need in a year. Though the panic there was non-existent, the shelves were all still full of hand sanitizer and cleaner.
        Our flights home remained the same, so we boarded the first of three red eye flights home. Guadalajara airport was packed, you would never guess that we were in the middle of a pandemic. Very few face masks.
        Mexico city was another story, while still bustling, the sights were different. 90% of the travelers had facemasks, but we had no time to take in the sights as we were mid run to catch our flight to Toronto.
        It was in Toronto that we were asked by customs if we were experiencing symptoms to which we answered no. And then we were told we were now under a mandatory 14-day quarantine. We are not allowed to go anywhere, home and stay home. Toronto airport was quiet, but still travelers, some with masks, most without. We boarded our last flight to Regina, exhausted but excited to see the rest of the family and slightly panicked about life over the next two weeks. Regina airport was dead, I mean it’s never usually super busy, but there were about 10 travelers throughout the gates to fly elsewhere.
        Hugs and some squealing (on my daughter’s part) as we met up with my husband and son. And then the bad news . . . well, now we are all in quarantine.
        At first, it started out with some excitement, after all I haven’t seen them in almost two weeks and now I get to spend two weeks with them. We had found out school was out, so perfect. Guess I will harness some inner teacher, clean the spots I’ve been meaning to clean for a while and catch up on laundry.
        Day 1: I’ve unpacked from our trip, there’s a first! I’m optimistic! I’ve got load after load of laundry going. Everything washable is being washed. I feel good about this. Look what we can get done!
Days 2 and 3: Still slightly optimistic. I am no teacher, never wanted to be and I have more love for teachers than I ever have. I’m also really appreciative to the local businesses for delivering groceries. And friends for doorstop drop-off of medications and even flowers.
        Days 4 and 5: The realization has set in deeply that we are mid-fundraiser for Moms on a Community Mission spring cash giveaway, as we are not having the sales we were hoping since the kiddos cannot go door to door. Feeling somewhat bummed.
        Days 6 to 9: My Snapchat stories are becoming more and more unhinged. Parody songs of what I will do when I’m free to leave the house again. Doorstop drop-offs have begun including alcohol . . . because I am NOT a teacher. Turns out all the projects I’ve put off for when I finally have time, is actually because I don’t want to do them. Those projects remain unfinished.
        Day 10: We are in the final stretch. With the exception of putting the garbage to the curb we have remained in our house/backyard. We have spent so much quality time with the kids, some good, some frustrating. We are looking forward to being able to do things we enjoy doing again soon, which is what keeps us positive. And we are cooking and crafting more together. And hoping that others are following the same rules so we can get back to a sense of normalcy.
                 Thankful to have our health.
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