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A Girl Should Be Two Things: Classy & Fabulous. - Coco Chanel

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Friday, May 22, 2020

New Normal

Well... we are now in month 3 of COVID Craziness. The world is still divided on how to handle things, but right now I am super thankful to be living in Utah because we are one of the few states that are opening up and starting to get back to normal.

I thought I would share some of the new normal now... you know, just to document this crazy time.

First thing that was awesome and I wish would have lasted longer but it didn't were the gas prices. It got down to $1.75 a gallon which gas hasn't been that low in 15 years or so. It was really nice while it lasted though.


And although Utah is opening up as of a week or so ago and you can go inside most resaurants now, you see these signs on pretty much every food joint. Of course they were up before trying to keep their business from shutting down... even though you can go inside curbside pick up is still very much an option for the people that are still keeping their distance.


And speaking of the food industry, You also see a lot of people encouraging us all to support our local businesses. Downtown Provo did it as a sticker challenge. You document that you supported on your social media and tag them, you get a cool sticker designed by a local artist just for thie challenge. Yes... I totally participated. Even though I don't live in Provo anymore, I lived there for years and still eat there on occation beacuse I have so many favorites over there. So now I have a sweet Provo sticker. I think these promotions to support local buisnesses are great because I DO NOT want to see any of these places suffer for no reason.




Utah decided to pay tribute to all of the hospitals working hard by flying these jets across the state in their honor. Kind of cool. Everyone knew about it and a scedule was put out so you knew when to walk outside and look for them. You better believe that we stopped what we were doing at work to go watch for them outside.


And who knew that masks would be the hottest trend of 2020! Not me! Everyone is selling them or making them and in all kind of fun patterns. It is super weird to go out and see lots of people wearing masks... but at the same time, it's not anymore... because this is the new normal. Truth be told, I have only worn one once... when I went to get my hair done because it was required in order to go into the salon. I did buy one though for when it is required... but I am finding that not that many places require it, so I haven't had to use it much. Even when I finally got a pecicure, they didn't make me wear it. Which I appreciated.

Speaking of getting my hair done.... it was strange. Not only did I have to wear a mask, but I had to wait in my car for my friend to come get me and then I had to wash my hands right away. Thankfully they hadn't gotten their thermometers yet or else I wouold have had my temperature taken as well. But hey... it is what I needed to do in order to get my hair done, so I am happy to do it. Everything was pretty shut down here for a couple of months, so I was thrilled to get my hair done and my nails done... something most people in other states still can't do. My friends outside of Utah were pretty jealous when I posted getting these things done. Again... I am so happy that I am in Utah right now.


Amidts all the crappy things happening, there are a lot of good/ fun things coming out of this as well. There have been drive by parades for students from teachers and for missionaries that have come home and most recently for graduations.


In our neighborhood in Mapleton specifically we have had a lot of fun things happening... especailly for the kids.... like sidewalk chalk to display for others to see and bear hunts where people put bears in their windows or outside for kids to find when they go out walking. On our neighborhood facebook page we had people offering items that were hard to find in the store and others that were taking those people up on their offers but in trade for other goods. I loved seeing everyone be so thoughtful and kind and looking out for eachother. We also have a group that goes around the neighborhood doing social dis-dancing. THAT is my favorite. It makes me to happy to hear the happy music as they pull this lite up stage around the neighborhood while people come out of their house to dance and sing along. Talk about bringing happieness to the neighborhood!!



Then of course you have the celebrities jumping on board trying to spread some joy as well in their own way. You have networks offering free shows, movies that were supposed to be in theaters being realised right away, free broadway shows on youtube, Josh Groban singing "shower songs", Jimmy Fallon continuing to do the Tonight Show from home with his family and interviewing guests via Zoom and having each guest highlight a different charity and encouraging those who can to donate. Then there is my favorite, John Krasinski doing "SGN" (Some Good News) Just reporting on all of the good going on around the world. A lot of the videos have made me cry. But are we surprised by that? I'm not.

So there is an update on the new normal. It has been sad for me not to be able to travel or even plan to travel which makes me so happy. But I have been trying to switch my focus and see it as an opportunity to get lots of projects done that I have been putting off! I will do another post on all of my projects soon. Also... I keep buying more house plants. ha ha. Maybe I will do a post on that as welll. It is getting a little out of control. Ha! Ok... bye for now.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Going Green


Lately I have been trying to make some changes and go a little more green. Do I think I am changing the world by doing these things? No. Am I going to go completly green? Probably not. Sure, I feel good about doing my part, but this is also about just not being so wasteful in general and saving money by not having to buy all of these single use products over and over again. Plus, because there are so many companies trying to change the world to go green, there are a lot of quality products out there that have not always been an option. So if you are wanting to make some of these changes... NOW is the time!

The first change I made I think is probably the most common one. Using tote bags when going to the grocery store. I have gone through phases of how good I am at remembering... and sadly when I order groceries online and go pick them up, that isn't an option (although I have put in the feedback online that it should be) but for the most part I remember and it is great to not have a million plastic bags around my house. I occationally use them, but not the amount that I have laying around and was coninuting to collect. So this was a great change.

A more recent addition were some netted bags I bought from Coconut Bowls company. These are to replace the plastic bags that you pack your fruit and veggies in at the grocery store. I love these! Great buy.




I didn't make any other changes for a long time. Then my sister and mom talked about dryer balls instead of dryer sheets that are actually not great for your clothes anyway. So I bought some dryer balls. So far... I am really enjoying them!


Next thing I realized is how many zip lock bags I used. So many that all just get thrown away! So I started looking on Amazon to see if there were some good reusable zip lock bags out there. I found some and decided to give them a try. They are AWESOME! I love how thick they are, they are easy to clean and the zip lock is really strong. My pack came with 2 different sizes... but now I would like to find a freezer size version. I like it THAT much!



Last, I decided to get some reusable straws. Not that I use straws that often... because I don't. But I thought I should have a few on hand for when I do want to use them. So I bought some coconut straws from Coconut Bowls. I really like them. I also got a pack of silacone straws in my fabfitfun box. Each pack came with a cleaning stick. Oh! I also got a reusable cup at Sodalicious and got one of their metal straws. For someone who doesn't use a lot of straws I now have a lot of straws. ha ha. The sodalicious straw stays in my sodalicious cup. Which I currently can't use thanks to COVID-19 along with my grocery totes.


Just kidding... that wasn't the last one. After doing a story about this on my instagram, I asked what else I should change in going green and almost everyone that responded said switching to bees wax paper instead of plastic wrap (which I was actually thinking about anyway) so I ordered some and it came and I have used it a couple of times now and I think it will be great. I just hope that I never need more than the biggest peice that came in the pack.

One last thing that I have ordered and is on the way... a diva cup. I have been scared of this one, but it would be a good change to make and save me a ton of money in the long run. I just hope I can adjust well and don't have trouble using it. ha ha.

Go green where you can everyone. If for no other reason that to save some money.