>U Mom Knows Best: Surviving Summer While Staying At Home During a Virus Outbreak

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Surviving Summer While Staying At Home During a Virus Outbreak

This summer is going to be very different


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 This summer is going to be very different for my family. The C virus pandemic has changed life for now and we are adjusting to the new normal. Two months ago when this virus outbreak started to affect my life, I knew that things were going to be different for my family in more ways than I ever imagined. It was then that I started to make my backyard a place that my boys and I could enjoy while we sheltered in place. I knew that the virus thing would cause us to have to pretty much stay home for a while so I wanted a place that made me happy. I started my yard project with the idea of planning a staycation at home.


I bought a hot tub

 I knew this virus outbreak would mean that public pools may not open for public swimming this summer and if they did open, they would probably limit how many people could be in the pool. The public pools here are usually crowded in the summer so I knew that swimming would not be an activity this summer for my kids. So when we got that extra money from the government, my husband finally agreed to buy a hot tub for our backyard. I have been wanting a hot tub for quite some time but my husband, being a health inspector who inspects pools, was not keen on the idea. So I was excited that I was finally getting my own hot tub.

 I guess a lot of other people had the same idea about a hot tub as six weeks later, we are still waiting for our hot tub to be delivered. The hot tub company said to expect another 2-3 weeks on the delivery. I know a hot tub sounds strange in the summer but I am planning to keep the water temperature low so it feels like a swimming pool.

I bought a gazebo


 I live in the desert of New Mexico and the dry heat can be brutal. The dry heat tends to destroy anything in the backyard that is wood, fabric, or plastic. So my husband said we needed something to cover up the hot tub. So I ordered a metal gazebo with a metal roof as the fabric roofs never last more than a summer. That meant it was going to be more work to put it together but with my college kid stuck at home, we had some extra help. The gazebo came within two weeks.


 The gazebo needed a strong place to rest on as we did not have a deck, also the sandy soil of the desert, which tends to grow way too many weeds, would not support a hot tub. So I had to first kill all the weeds in my yard with my homemade weed spray that works in a day and pretty much kills any weed that I spray it on. It was also time to remove the thick black plastic that I had laid down a couple months ago in the yard to more permanently kill the stubborn weeds. Read about the black plastic weed killer method HERE.


 After I took care of the weeds in the yard, my husband and older son started to prepare a space in the yard for the TRUEGRID PRO Plus Pavers. We originally wanted to have someone lay a cement patio in our yard for the hot tub to set on but it was rather costly and hard to find someone to do the work. So I am glad that I discover the Permeable Pavers for a strong foundation for the hot tub. We only had to move some gravel, level the area, and compact down the dirt. These pavers are strong and can support a shed and more.

 

A day of yard work



 The whole family helped with the yard work to get the yard ready for the hot tub. We spent a whole day moving rocks, sifting rocks, and building the gazebo. It was a typical hot summer day and the sun was out in full force, so I was glad that I had my floppy summer hat to protect my face from the sun. I had ordered this wide-brim summer sun hat online since the stores were closed at the time. I loved that I was able to virtually try the hat on before buying it. Tenth Street even had a quiz to help me select my hat. I can't wait until I can travel again as this floppy hat is so pretty for the beach. There were so many women's hats to select from, they also had hats for guys, that I had a hard time selecting which hat I wanted to buy.


Prevent face mask tan


 Are you a hat person? I never thought that I would be a hat person but once I realized how they kept the sun off my face and out of my eyes, I was hooked on summer hats. This hat will be a must this summer to avoid the face mask tan. Since my town is requiring the use of face masks in public places, I may need to wear a face mask while outside. Last week my church did a drive-up food pantry that I volunteered my time at. The volunteers had to wear a face mask and we were working in the sun. I was glad that I wore my sun hat so the sun stayed off my face to prevent a face mask tan.

 After working all morning at my church, I was so ready to relax in the hot tub. I was so glad that my husband taught me how to take care of hot tub water, so the water was perfect for a day of relaxation.  My sore muscles were soothed by the warm water and water jets.


My second office



 Now that my husband is working from home, I have been working in my master bathroom. My husband is always on the phone so I need a quiet space to write. Now that my yard is almost complete, just waiting on the hot tub, I have been sitting outside in the yard under my pergola in the purple Adirondack chair that I restored. It is a peaceful and quiet place to relax. The sounds of the birds and the water sounds from my fountain just create the perfect place to get some writing done.

I started a garden



 The virus outbreak had me worried about food shortages. So I started a garden for the first time since moving to the desert. I just planted some spinach seeds along with beets and kale seeds. I also planted a tomato plant. I had to first get the soil ready so it took a while for my compost pile to decompose into soil for plants. I don't have high expectations for my garden as I am not good with outdoor plants. We don't get much rain here so that means having to remember to water the plants.

 My indoor cherry tomato plant that I grew from a kit is doing well and I am so amazed. The tomato plant has lots of tiny green tomatoes on it and I am excited about having fresh tomatoes this summer. I will be oven roasting tomatoes if my garden overproduces. The sun-dried tomatoes will be perfect for my Rosemary and Caramelized Onion Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia.

 So with a hot tub, a garden, and a new patio space, my summer will be happening in my backyard. The only time that I am leaving my house is for my daily running and to pick up summer lunches for the boys. The city is has made the free summer lunch program a pick up instead of being at the park near us. So that means that the kids won't be able to see their friends. This is going to be a different summer but we will survive.

How is your summer going?



23 comments:

Unknown said...

It is extremely had that our summer is going to be different because of the pandemic. We all will still enjoy the sunshine and have as much fun as we can.

GiGi Eats said...

You just updated up the wazoooo during quarantine and I love it!! Make your home an oasis so you want to stay there :)

Julia Hess said...

Absolutely love the gazebo idea. We have recently been talking about building a pergola over our back patio. Such a great share.

AiringMyLaundry said...

I would LOVE a gazebo one day. We're mostly staying in, but next month we are traveling. My husband is deploying so he wants to say goodbye to family. But we'll have masks and sanitizer!

Celebrate Woman said...

Your 2nd office looks wonderful! The tomato plant could be doing better outside at this size. But it's so cool to enjoy live plants inside the home!

Kathy said...

Sounds like you'll be keeping plenty busy. I would love to have a gazebo someday. I think it would be wonderful. I love that you're doing some updates. We have been doing some updates around the house as well. It's a great time to start for sure.

Prime Beauty said...

Your backyard is amazing! The fact that you did it yourself is even more amazing. I need to spruce up my backyard!

Sherry said...

I really love what you're doing with your backyard especially the area under the pergola. I could spend all afternoon out there reading. I never thought of face mask tan. Eek! I better get a hat.

Gust si Aroma said...

wow! First, you are so lucky to have a backyard. I do want one especially during this pandemic period. Second, you did a wonderful job. It's so cozy and you feel there like in a vacation!

Toni said...

I love that gazebo! Glad you had an amazing time while staying at home!

Nyxie said...

I've been wanting a hot tub for so long. Our next door neighbours have one but sadly I don't think we'd have the room for it.

Lisa Joy Thompson said...

Your backyard looks amazing! Can't wait to see pictures when you have your hot tub in place! For now, I love that you get to work out of your new gazebo. That's delightful!

Erin said...

I love all the work you've been doing in your backyard! It looks amazing! Can you do mine next? ;) lol kidding, but that hot tub sounds amazing and your backyard space looks very welcoming for these summer months ahead! I have been spending a TON of time in my own backyard as well. :)

Monidipa said...

I really loved your work in here in your backyard. I would love to love to see the pictures when it is done.

Marta Skeledžija said...

Love the back yard with all the updates. I am one of the lucky ones whos family has a sea side house on the Adriatic coast so I am spending my summer there along with Turkey and Germany.

Silvia said...

This is so awesome!! I would love to have a gazebo too to sit and sip my favorite beverage. Our summer will be fun and exciting even though we are indoors. We live close to the ocean so I cannot complain.

Jhangi said...

Wow..this sounds really very amazing and interesting..you did such awesome work..it is really very inspiring to do so..Thanks for sharing..Great work..

Georgia said...

Did some great yard work! Hope our summer is super fun!

daniel Sierra said...

What a great summer project. I bet your family will have a lot of fun at the backyard! There is always something positive out of everything that is going on

Lyanna Soria said...

That's amazing! You definitely made use of your time and did a great job at it as well.

Cristina said...

The gazeebo looks super nice. What a nice project to occupy your time not to mention you've got a splendid corner in your garden.

Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen said...

The gazebo looks really nice and I loved your Summer project. Summer is over here but we were stuck at home during the summer and swam in an inflatable pool.

Winston said...

Such a cute place, it came out great dear.

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