Morning glories, thank you for popping in for “20 from 2020, remembering and celebrating a most unusual year.” And a big thanks to my friend Carrie at A Stylish Fit for inviting me to co-host this post with her.
Carrie and I have been virtual friends since the early days of the Get Your Pretty On capsule wardrobe style challenges. For a couple of years, we were both members of the collective group of bloggers that was The Blended Blog. We are both military wives, mothers of grown daughters, teachers and Texas girls…although neither of us was born in the Lone Star state. But we got here as soon as we could. Hoping to do several fun projects together in the coming year.
2020. What a year, huh? And I thought 2019 was bad!! I would be the first one to complain and grumble about this year, too. But there have been some very precious moments, some lessons learned. And the pandemic provided me some down time over the past 12 months during which I’ve been able to focus on what really matters in this life.
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20 From 2020
As we close out 2020, and anticipate all the possibilities that come with a new year, it is the perfect time to pause for just a moment. To appreciate how far we have come since that first day in January.
Silly
This year provided lots of opportunities for introspection. But there were days when we just had to laugh to keep from crying.
In 2020 we discovered that:
- masks would make great statement accessories: we quickly moved from the standard but more effective blue and white medical grade masks to the far less effective but much more attractive floral satin and calico cotton print masks. I ordered one of these little silk beauties for my first annual online book club holiday mask swap.
[source]
- having to wear masks would necessitate a whole new kind of bling: Etsy became the place to shop for masks, crystal face mask lanyards, colorful silicone mask extenders, and macrame ear savers.
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- hand sanitizer would become a new fragrance: Local Lather’s ‘hippie lover’ has become my signature Covid scent.
- mascara is the only cosmetic needed during a global pandemic: self-explanatory but I will explain anyway cause I am wordy that way. No need for lip color, foundation or blush because the only facial feature showing above my mask and beneath my bangs is my eyes.
- none of us really knew how to wash our hands: who knew there’s a right and a wrong way to wash our hands? Apparently, we have to sing the alphabet song, count 20 Mississippis while hopping on one foot?
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- memes and gifs would help us to laugh to keep from crying: so many of you guys have shared the cutest Corona-virus graphics, memes and gifs on your social media.
- Covid graphic tees could make everyone a comedian: jumped on this band wagon in a big way. Hopefully, in 2021, I will be able to make dust clothes out of all of my Covid graphic tees. Check out a few of my favorites, here.
- doctors appointments and getting gas are reasons to get dressed up: for the first weeks months of the virus, I was overjoyed to have an excuse to stay in yoga pants and tee shirts all day every day. But you know what they say about too much of a good thing, right? Here I am going out for milk.
- we could all learn to trim and color our own hair: or in my case, let my hair and color grow out.
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- everyone needs a dog during a global pandemic: within a few weeks of restrictions here in El Paso, our animal shelter was emptied of all its adoptable dogs. Having a dog to walk is a prerequisite for healthy survival of the virus.
As my 93 year-old mother would say about each of these silly lessons learned, they are “more truth than poetry.” I did a 10 on the 10th post earlier in the year about favorite sayings and family expressions. The year that was 2020 saw my mom forget so many of the idioms that gave her speech such colloquial color. Strangely enough, being locked down on Code Red alone in a tiny apartment for months, Mom hasn’t had much reason to speak. Maybe to scream…but not to speak.
On to some of the heavier take aways from 2020.
Sincere
Covid restrictions went into place in El Paso in May. We were a couple of months behind the rest of the country. But by autumn, we had become the country’s Covid epicenter.
Having to shelter in place or lockdown or stay at home meant:
- cooking instead of eating out: Lauren introduced us to HelloFresh and that became an alternative to eating out. I poured us each a glass of wine and we would make the meals together. Restaurants closed temporarily only to open up with delivery and pick up options. Makeshift outdoor dining opportunities were constructed. A patio for you, a patio for you, a patio for you.
- new ways to entertain ourselves: no date nights to the movie theater, no baseball Saturdays, no I Painted That or dinners out. We couldn’t even hike as the trails and state parks were closed as was our neighborhood park and playground. Instead we began taking long walks in our neighborhood bouncing a ball between us as we walked. I found online painting classes to try. We popped microwave popcorn and watched several TV series from start to finish. Heck, we even froze our gym membership – thank you, Planet Fitness – and began doing Hasfit workouts for seniors at home.
- discovered that there is nothing like a pandemic for giving us time to take care of projects around the house: before we were knee-deep in Covid, I hired Fish Window Cleaning to wash our windows. We had the pool tiles professionally scrubbed. The carpets shampooed. And the chimney, HVAC and dryer vents cleaned. I did my spring cleaning and then when Covid was still around in September, I did fall cleaning!! PC and I took everything out of the garage, rearranged where it all went and put it back in.
- American ingenuity is alive and well: U.S. manufacturing sprang into action at the country’s call for more masks, ventilators and PPE equipment. “Like during wartime – when industrial titans like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler helped to produce airplanes, trucks, tanks, marine diesels, guns and shell – industry is being mobilized and companies across the world are helping to plug shortages for ventilators and other life-saving equipment.” [source]
- necessity is the Mother of Invention: tank tops for summer and long-sleeve tees for winter.
- it often takes a village: to follow mask-wearing guidelines, to adhere to social distancing, to teach our children, to care for our sick, to find vaccines that work against viruses.
- a reminder that good health is one of life’s best blessings: in our extended family alone, we have had not quite 10 cases of Covid. In the family of one of my closest friends, they have lost 3 loved ones to the virus. Many of those who contracted Covid and a majority of those who died from it, had underlying health issues. Good health is a blessing. And something we all need to work toward achieving for ourselves. Eating better, exercising, securing mental health assistance to make a healthier version of US.
- we were reminded that prayer is a powerful thing: family members and prayer warriors gathered outside our hospitals to pray for patients inside. While our medical professionals often began or ended shifts in group prayer inside. The video below was recorded outside a hospital in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Home girls unite.
- there’s always something to be thankful for: although I didn’t share a Thankful Thursday post on my blog each week or even every month, I did write in a gratitude journal almost every night. Gratitude encourages more gratitude.
And Number 20
- a whole lotta babies were made and born: my daughter Brennyn, who is a NICU nurse, can attest to that. Along about October and November, they began seeing a big spike in the number of births at her Ft. Worth hospital. If you count back, those mamas would have conceived early in the pandemic!! Our family was blessed by our very own bundle of joy on 01.08.2020 with the birth of Miss Camila Jean Buendia. Can’t think of a better note on which to wind up this post.
Love that baby.
Your Turn
Sure would love to read what you will remember and celebrate about 2020. What did you take away from this most unusual year? How will you use what you learned as we embark on 2021? Please accept this invitation to spend a little time examining all of the experiences – many new and varied – that this year provided. And then sharing them with us either by linking up your blog post or in a comment below.
Not sure why the Inlinkz message says that but I was able to use it to link up my post.
Thank you for stopping by today. Thank you, Carrie, for asking me to co-host 20 from 2020 with you.
Hugs and kisses and happy new year!!
What a fun (well if you can call it “fun”) way to remember 2020, There was bad, but there was good too. Here’s to hoping for a better 2021 though.
I second that, Danielle!
I enjoyed your silly things! I’m about to start working on my post to share tomorrow and I may have to borrow some of your ideas.
Thank you, Dara. It was enjoyable looking back over the year and seeing what all we walked through. And now there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you for sharing your list!
Thank you for coming by!! Hope you will join me for 10 on the 10th!!
You really did save the best until last – what a cutie!
I am happy to confirm that those silk masks are as beautiful in real life as they are in that photo 🙂
When our non-essential shops were still open, each would have a hand sanitising station by the door as you went in. It just became second nature to walk in the door, put your hand under the pump and get some sanitiser on your hands. So much second nature that in one shop I did it and forgot that I was still wearing woollen gloves – doh!
Ha, you never fail to make me laugh, Deb. Thanks for sharing that bit of pandemic fun. We have sanitizer everywhere here…on every counter, at every cash register and at the entrance to most public places, too. Glad you like the silk mask. I think I need one, too! Have switched to a silk pillow case which has been heavenly.
The video was touching. I participated in a live broadcast of a local radio station in Rapid doing this.
Aww, how special to have participated in a live video of praying for the Covid victims. We had a family who went to the hospital night after night for weeks to pray for their father/son. Sadly, he died. And like so many others, he rallied and they were so hopeful only to have him relapse almost immediately. This virus. So very sad.
Love that it’s a mix of serious and silly. The memes throughout the year have been amazing. And while I’m not a huge Zoom fan, I am grateful it has let me continue doing book club and just being a way to connect sometimes.
Thank you, Lauren. I have only been a Zoom spectator and not really participated in a Zoom conference. Would like to try meeting with my book club using Zoom but I would be so shy!! Maybe I can work up to it this year.
I can’t believe Camila is almost a year old already! I am not all surprised to hear that there was a spike in birth rates and pet adoptions (though I am thankful neither made an appearance at our house!).
HA HA HA!! No new babies or pets here either…thank goodness. We are feeding a stray but that doesn’t count!!
It sure was a strange year. I loved all the memes that were doing the rounds – so many giggles there – and the way that companies jumped on board quickly to glam up the mask. At this point, I need to confess that masks haven’t been compulsory where we live, although I have worn one each time I’ve taken a flight & when my daughter went to Sydney the other week she was diligent with mask-wearing on public transport. Here in Queensland, we’re now over 100 days since our last community transmission (touch wood). We’re still getting the occasional case identified in returned travellers but as they’re in compulsory hotel quarantine they’ve been diagnosed out of the community. Here’s to more certainty and less chaos in 2021.
So thankful that you haven’t been required to wear a mask. I sometimes think our mask wearing has lulled us into a false sense of security. We wear them but how much are they helping? Glad to have some pretty ones, though!!
What a sweet way to look back on a tough year! I’m so grateful that things have been almost back to normal here with no cases for over 100 days so we could celebrate Christmas properly as an extended family, although I think the lifestyle changes like going out less (and dressing up when I do!) will be the new normal for a while, haha!
Hope that you had a wonderful Christmas are enjoying the last day of 2020 🙂
Thank you, Mica. You all are certainly doing things right over there with regard to this virus. Our numbers are down but no where near your happy levels. Hoping we continue to decrease and return to something closer to normal.
Happy new year!!
I love the ending of this post…what a blessing and joy Leslie!!
As for a great reminder of how our health is uber important and yet we tend to take it for granted, eh??
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you, Jodie. So glad you joined us for this link up. It was very uplifting and heartwarming to read what everyone wrote. I got off the wellness wagon this year, not because I was sick but because I was lazy!! And depressed. But look out 2021, here I come.
Leslie, your memory post was funny and brought to mind things that I had forgotten about in the whole stream of everything happening all at once and every day. The mask accessories were THE hottest items. And graphic tees are everything. The handwashing lessons… LOLOLOL Thank you for this.
Thank you, Daenel, for stopping by and for joining me for this post. It was kind of fun to think back on the crazy that was this year. Huh? Hope you will join me for 10 on the 10th!!
What a great recap of a strange year – funny yet somber. I have much to be grateful for! You are so right…gratitude creates more gratitude!
Aww, so nice to hear from you, Sheila!! Are you blogging again? Hope so!!
This year was something else but we are still standing, huh?
Many congrats to your family on Camila! Like you, I listed humor as oh so important this year. Happy New Year!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Hello new friend!! I have added your blog to my Bloglovin’ feed Thank you for discovering my little blog somehow and for joining me for this post. We will be doing Sentence a Day on Tuesday. Would like to invite you to start writing a sentence a day in January and then share your sentences with us on 02.02.2021. And bucket lists!! We have seasonal bucket list posts. Come join us!!
Happy new year.
Hi, Leslie – “More truth than poetry” is brilliant! I LOVE when you quote your mother’s sayings. Thank you for sharing your Year in Review.
Wishing you and PC a safe and happy year ahead!
Thank you, Donna! Happy new year. When I use my mom’s expressions in conversation with her these days, they don’t ‘register’ with her. It makes me so sad. I need to continue to collect all of her colorful expressions (and continue to use them in my own writing and speaking) to share with my granddaughters.
ALL THE BABIES. I knwo so many people who had a baby or is now pregnant.
All the masks & accessories. I always think that – what will all these companies that make tehse things do when this is over… wait for the next pandemic I guess.
That meme about having a “case of Corona” made me literally snort laugh.
Happy New Year to you friend!
Thank you, Rebecca. I love the cat and woman memes. They are usually political but this one was just good fun. I have worried about the little businesses that sprung up making masks, too. But I hope that same creative business sense will lead them to their next successful venture.
I loved tour post Leslie and the ‘silly’ ones made me smile. We all need a reason to smile at the moment don’t we? You look very well dressed for just going to get milk!!! Hope things are settling down for you these days, it’s got to get better sometime soon doesn’t it? And that baby is the cutest little girl ever!! Take care xx
Thank you, Debbie. I love my baby girls and miss seeing them regularly. Surely this year will allow us more time with our granddarlings.
Despite the pandemic, many of us managed to experience a positive year and some life-changing decisions were made! My Sunday Stills post on January 3rd is my retrospective of 2020 in images. I will link my post to the InLinkz! Congrats again on the new baby and I appreciate all of your positive vibes and fun memes, Leslie. I LOL’ed at your cute outfit for venturing to the store and gas station! As you will see, if you read my post on Sunday, that we fast-tracked our new living situation and are now living in Spokane, WA while we wait for the new house to be completed. Happy New Year to you and yours, Leslie!
I have been following along with your move to Spokane. Hope you are happily settled now. I really detest moving and moving during the holidays would compound that. Look forward to checking out your retrospective tomorrow. And continuing to join you for Sunday Stills in this shiny new year.
So good, Leslie! I love this post! I laughed out loud…hard about going out for milk.
Ha!! Thank you, Carrie. It was fun to do this with you.
Thank you for sharing your lessons learned in 2020, Leslie…both the silly and the sincere. I learned that I can work from home. I appreciate my employer so much for the accommodations made and the concern for my health and safety. I have also learned to appreciate the simple act of holding a meeting in person, rather than virtually. Though I am grateful for that technology, it certainly underlines the importance of face-to-face connection. I also learned that social distancing works to prevent the spread of illness. I haven’t had so much as a cold since March (knock on wood). I will remember and celebrate the quiet time to look inward, to strengthen my meditation practice and build on my yoga skills to renew an old love for jigsaw puzzles. Of course, there is much more, but I will stop here. Happy 2021 to you and yours!
Thank you for sharing a part of your list of lessons learned from 2020. It was a necessary evil, I am afraid. We all needed to adjust.
Camila is such a cute little bundle and perfect to wrap up this post! So many things here made me smile! It’s funny how quickly fancy masks, mask accessories, and funny tees popped up. I get dressed up just to go to the mailbox some days. I asked for a puppy for Christmas to help me get my walks in but Santa didn’t appear to get the message. Lol.
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill, for the sweet words about my little chunk Cami. She is an armful and a lot of personality!!
So sorry you didn’t get a puppy for Christmas. I am certain it had nothing to do with whether or not you were a good girl. Perhaps once you are settled into your own place again, Santa will make a late (or early) special delivery.
Hi Leslie – loved the mask with the beads, loved the video of the singing and praying, and LOVED those beautiful baby pics at the end. 2020 may have sucked at times, but the human spirit rises up and resists. I just hope that we can keep doing that through 2021 because I don’t think we’ll be seeing a miraculous return to normal any time soon. Happy year ahead!
Oh, Leanne, I was so hopeful that we would somehow awaken on the morning of 01.01 and the virus would be GONE. GONE. GONE. But nope. I guess we will be wearing masks and maintaining distance and staying home well into this new year.
Thank you for your sweet comment.
Your 2020 round up made me smile! I love it. And can totally relate to most things on your list. Who knew that fashion would revolve around masks and going to get gas. hehe. xoxo
Thank you, Kristin. What a year, huh?
This is too good! I love the memes (and thank goodness for those because we needed the laughs)!
We have to laugh to keep from crying these days!! I think that was one of the lessons of 2020!
You are right, Leslie “a most unusual year.” And, yes, “some very precious moments…”. You always look gorgeous, Leslie, so I can see how you would make wearing a mask, beautiful. I totally agree about the bra in the graph. Hee hee. Thank you for sharing a great, comprehensive, fun and poignant post. This baby is VERY cute! Definitely a blessing.
Thank you, Erica. Baby Cami will be one this week. Can’t believe that I have worn a mask and appeared mouthless to her for much of her life. She tried to pull my mask down whenever we are together. Poor pumpkin.