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Oh my God. So far we’re doing this. Five family members are living under one roof – Randy and me, my Mom, and our two adult sons, both on temporary “Corona” leave from school jobs. Like many families under lockdown, Team Stone is coping. Most interesting is how everyone’s talents are coming to the forefront…

Son PaulChef. Thank God, my twenty-something year old loves to cook… and I mean loves to cook. Like an episode of “Chopped,” Paul’s learning some nights to make dinner with what’s in the cupboard — chick peas, kidney beans, mandarin oranges, tuna fish, and peanut butter. He rises to the occasion each time. It’s not unusual for Paul to start dinner at 2:00 p.m. prepping and simmering and braising. God bless him.

Additional duties: None. Unlike the rest of us Paul has no other task than cooking. He’ll even whip up a lunchtime omelet for Randy that would make Jacques Pepin salute. ‘Nuff said.

Son PatrickIn-house Therapist. Thank God my oldest is going for a Masters in Clinical Psychology. As luck would have it, he’s living here to save money and attend full-time — at least virtually for now. Trust me, that degree isn’t wasted. When any of us start feeling blue or anxious or depressed, Patrick’s the go-to guy. “How does that make you feel?” is a question that’s asked around here often. And we’re more than happy to answer.

Additional duties: Patrick’s in charge of vacuuming, garbage removal, and basic home repair.

Husband RandyPurchasing and Risk Management. Unlike me, Randy loves to shop and in this trying time, we need his lightening fingers on that keyboard more than ever. Randy has amazing prowess, navigating several local grocery delivery services, Amazon, and in a pinch, Ebay. Although finding some items is challenging, if anyone can solve this dilemma, its Randy. He even had the foresight to buy a case of Purell in February. (I’m hoping he finds the black market on toilet paper).

Additional duties: Helps change our sheets when needed and has become adept at occasionally cleaning a bathroom.

My MomIn-house Nutritionist. I constantly have to remind myself that my mother’s in her mid-80’s. She’s agile and fit, and there’s a reason. She eats really healthy. Mom makes sure we always have mixed berries and healthy greens on the shopping lists. She’s also a big believer in “lemon water” – citrus juice squeezed into H2O each day. She says it’s good for the immune system. Fingers crossed.

Additional duties: Mom keeps our plants looking healthy and beautiful. She even fertilizes them twice a month, something I did… well, never. She’s also part of the clean-up crew after dinner, wiping counters and our stovetop with a precision that would make Martha Stewart weep.

Dog LibbyEntertainment. Our eleven-pound Yorkie heads the Comedy Relief Department. There’s something soothing about having a creature that has no idea what’s going on. Libby reminds us that fetching and playing “keep away” are what make life exciting. She’s a constant reminder that it all goes on.

Additional duties – Exercise motivator. She gets me walking each day and her zest for sniffing out chipmunk burrows or wild animal scents is inspiring. Libby’s always “turned on” and it’s hard not to be inspired by her joie de vivre.

Me – General Manager. I keep the house clean, get the bills paid, and fluff up the throw pillows (I hate messy throw pillows). In these muddled days, I find the rhythms of the house comforting.

Additional duties – Historian. With my journal, I record how it feels to live through this strange time. Especially in the New York Metro area, statistics are grim and only getting worse. I feel like a huge tsunami’s in the distance and we’re all scrambling to find higher ground.

My heart goes out to people who have it bad –the sick and their worried families, moms and dads having to entertain rambunctious children, our health care providers. The list goes on.

But I believe we’ll get through.

One day, hopefully older and wiser, I’ll read back on these times and remember how my family coped. Barring anything serious, I pray we remember these days with mostly happy memories.  We came together as a family and a team. We survived.

But for now, all we can do is our best each day.

And keep our fingers crossed.

 

How are you and yours coping? Comments are always welcome and if you liked, please share.

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Comments(29)

  1. I’m impressed … you’re very well organized. We could give you guys the job of finding the cure!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Oh Tom, I wish we had any talent in that way, but alas…

    • Lea Sylvestro

    • 4 years ago

    Hi Laurie! It was lovely to visit the Stone home in quarantine! What joy to have an in-house chef! There’s nothing like a delicious meal to keep spirits up. Sounds like everyone’s playing a role in your world. MY role is similar to yours in all ways, but for dog-walking since we don’t have a dog. Keeping a journal and writing blogs…Today, I found myself a bit teary… Mostly, I’ve played “reporter,” but every now and then, the enormity of this hits me. I miss hugging my kids and grandkids….I miss my parents (who are deceased)… occasionally, I just feel like I want my Mom! If anything, I find remarkable how upbeat Dave and I are able to be…but we are so fortunate in our circumstances, and when one reflects (as you did) on what others are dealing with – the illness of loved ones, the threat to a relative who works in a hospital, the plight of those in homes that are not happy or safe…it is scary and heartbreaking. I send you and your family hugs and wishes for good health! XO

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lea, I feel like we’re in the eye of a hurricane, feeling safe and secure right now, but so much chaos swirling around. Scary. You and Dave and your loved ones all stay safe. Someday we’ll be past this.

  2. You’re lucky to have your tribe there! I tweeted, Laurie.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Thanks so much, Carol, and I feel very lucky.

  3. You have such a wonderful family! I envy you your chef, therapist, shopper and nutritionist. And having them all under one roof!
    Husby is in hospital, recovering from surgery. He’s our shopper and general fix-it man. So…yikes!
    I’m doing fine with the whole ‘cleaning and organizing’ but my garbage timing is a bit off. Hense ours was the only ‘brown’ bin out when the rest of the street knew to put out blue. And Pandy has been getting me out for exercise at least three times a day which feels marvelous!
    What I really miss is having my kids and grandkids around. Yes, 2/3 of them live less than a block away. But it may as well be across the Sahara. We get together almost nightly to play Quiplash or Fibbage or Drawful online and it’s almost like having them in the room.
    Almost.
    Stay safe and healthy, my friend! And next lockdown? I’m claiming Paul…

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Diane, I hope your husband is okay! What a tough time to be in the hospital. I’m assuming you guys aren’t as overrun as we are in New York area, so hopefully that helps. I’m glad you can get online with your family. It’s better than nothing in these strange days. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for your guy. All my best.

    • Amy Burton

    • 4 years ago

    Love hearing about your family adventures, and so glad you are all well.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Amy, Thanks so much! Hope you and your family’s doing well! Such strange times.

  4. Well, reading your blog . . .what an inspiring way to wake up this morning!
    I am usually an ostrich but as a neighbour agreed with me yesterday . . .there is no sand deep enough!

    So now I am teary again. My husband is an amazing chef. We have restaurant level food on the table every lunch time. I feel deeply blessed about this because I have visual processing issues and get stressed just seeing a packet of flour on the work surface! He is also super practical in other ways and ironed the synthetic bedding yesterday (since I can’t tolerate the smell of hot polyester, and we don’t have our cleaner!) He is also my emotional rock. He finds it easier to be rational in a crisis than me. He knows that this is way out of my comfort zone and is just there when I want to talk but doesn’t over-dramatise everything. He gives me paraphrased Boris statements every now and then!

    My son is 12 and has quite extreme special needs – all about visual processing. He really loves his computer, writing and cooking. So I have another budding chef. He is baking for 3 local families (a project starting with hot cross buns and cheese scones on Monday) He will be leaving bakes in safe places! Not all roses though. He is terribly hard on himself, demanding high standards that he often feels at a loss to match.

    And my role (feeling really teary now!) is to steer the ship. I am organiser and analyser extraordinaire. I booked the supermarket slots before anyone else had really woken up to the impending issues! I constantly try to find ways to keep people happy and healthy. Yesterday it was a large net for our drive to play mini tennis. Today it is practicing our steel drum pieces for the band ,me and my husband are in. I keep track of money and make charts about anything I can make charts about! And as a visionary I am always looking ahead. As a person of faith I am always hoping.

    Whenever we start to think about what we might be missing, I speak about ‘squeezing the orange’. I say that this is the orange we have been given and our job is to squeeze every last bit of juice out of it. So our regular saying here is “Did you squeeze the orange today?’

    Always to good to read your pieces Laurrie.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Jennie, You are such a beautiful writer, I was going to say you should have a blog, but see you already have one! Your son will gain more confidence as he goes along with his baking. My son Paul was very hard on himself at first, but he realizes now mistakes are part of the learning process. There’s no avoiding them and they’re good things because they teach. Sounds like you’re all coping during this strange time, and how nice of your husband to cook and iron the bedding! Whoa! He gets bonus points. And of course, you’re the rock in this whole thing, holding everything together. Keep up the good work. We’ll get through this.

  5. Ah, Laurie, very heart-warming. Thankyou 🙂 Yes, I have 3 blogs but choosing to write on yours’ most at the moment. Maybe I am liking the company 😉

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Come visit anytime!

      1. Not sure whether to laugh or cry and couldn’t find any emojis!

  6. You are very lucky and I am so glad the roles are defined. I am with my two young sons away from my husband so I have taken on every role. If it were not for my 5pm nightly virtual happy hours I’d be in big trouble. Stay safe!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lauren, We also have our 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour, which keeps everyone sane. Best to you and yours!

  7. Laurie, you really have a family that can make it all happen. Your description of what each is contributing is perfect. Here it is me and my amazing husband. He works the net ordering things we need. I fluff pillows (same as you) and together we keep the house clean. I’m also responsible for the garden and he’s responsible for paying bills. When it’s time to shop. I go in and he waits in the care because of a cancer history. So far so good!! And all are children are doing well.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Beth, Sounds like you guys are a good team, each playing off each other’s strengths. Keep well.

  8. We’re surviving as well. We live in a rural area so planting and landscaping are keeping us happy and busy. My husband goes out when we need stuff. I haven’t left the house in awhile.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Rena, I’m very torn about leaving the house. On one hand, we need things we can’t get delivered anymore. At the same time, we’re at the Apex here. Very scary. Best to you and yours.

  9. I am impressed that each member of your family has a role. You, as general manager, have something to do with it. Congrats and aloha from Hawaii.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Thanks, Gigi. Hope you’re all well on your beautiful island.

  10. That’s so great that everyone is working together well. I just moved into a house with people I don’t know. It’s me and my dogs in a room and I share a bathroom with a guy. It’s a pretty neighborhood though and great for walking with my dogs. I WILL get through this.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Rebecca, You have a wonderful spirit and will get through this. Your dogs will be a great help. All the best.

  11. Love reading about the balance you’ve achieved. Warriors at their posts!
    As the pandemic wears on, our demographic has changed. We are now cohorting with our youngest daughter and her two girls. Her husband walked out on them to (and I quote) ‘find himself’, so they have been left on their own. How could we make the stress from surviving this amazing time just a bit worse?!
    But I find being able to have someone else in our home and having grandkids to cuddle helps me. Even if it happened for all the wrong reasons!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, Wow. Can’t believe he did that. Yes, the bright side is you get to help them through this tough time. So sorry for everyone.

  12. You are so amazingly lucky to have a chef in the house!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, So true, although now he works for a restaurant and gets too tired to cook on his days off. C’est la vie.

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