Stuck At Home: Activities & Online Resource List

Today, we’re sharing our Stuck at Home: Activities & Online Resource List.

I had every intention of getting a post out on Monday.  But you guys, I’m just going to be honest, I had a COVID-19 moment and decided to take a mental wellness day to clear my mind. 

If you haven’t had a COVID-19 moment yet, it’s probably coming.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been distracted, anxious or frustrated these past few days and my apology almost always sounds like a version of “I’m really sorry, I just had a COVID-19 moment right there.”

Thankfully, everyone around me gets it because they feel the same way too.

Last week, those COVID-19 moments didn’t happen very frequently at all. In fact, it kind of felt like we were in the middle of hurricane season in “prep and wait” mode.

But over the weekend, my bestie S and I found ourselves in the middle of an argument between a customer and a store employee that brought everything I’d been internalizing right up to the surface. 

So, we were at the self-checkout…  

We were at the self-checkout of a big box retail store. You know, one that sells everything from tomatoes to camping gear to pajamas all in the same store.  

This store in particular usually comes with a lot of extra drama which is why we hardly ever shop there. 

But given we had gone to 3 different grocery stores which had no beef, chicken, eggs, milk or bread we went out of desperation. 

While we were cashing out our transaction, we heard a store employee yelling at the young lady that was operating the self-checkout station across from us.

“What do you think you’re doing buying 2 gallons of milk and 2 loaves of bread! Can’t you read the sign? You know you’re only allowed one of each, so you better put them back right now.”

My guess is that the young lady buying groceries was maybe 19 or 20. She was clearly caught off guard by the store employee.  With watery eyes and a trembling voice, she said, “’I’m also shopping for my grandfather.  He’s 75 and can’t come out to shop because he’s not well.”

To which the employee yelled back, “I don’t care what your situation is lady. We all have a situation at home. I’m just trying to do my job and you’re not walking out of here with 2 gallons of milk and 2 loaves of bread on a single transaction.”

By this time, the two women were all but in each other’s faces.

I’m not exaggerating when I say, it felt like a David and Goliath moment that had rows of people checking out around us gripped with anticipation. 

In a calm voice that can only be described as steeled and determined (every Mother has that voice, so I know you’ve either heard it or used it) the young lady said, “Call the law right now.  I’m buying what I need for my family. And I WILL leave here with what I need to take care of my grandfather because he cannot take cake of himself.”

And there it was…the line in the sand.

My bestie S and I were so close to the situation that not helping was not an option.  If you knew S in real life, it takes a lot for her to get ruffled. 

A lot. 

Believe me, if you’re ever stranded on an island, you want her on your team.  She is a problem solver and is so cool under pressure I’m constantly amazed at how she keeps her composure.  I’m the one standing next to her with clammy hands.

S stepped in front of the young lady and faced the employee, “What’s it gonna take for this lady to be able to leave this store with the groceries she needs to feed her grandpa and her family.”

The employee said, “She needs the bread and milk for her grandpa to be on a completely separate transaction. She knows that!”

Then S calmly turns to the young lady and says, “Place everything that belongs to your grandfather on the belt.”

And you guys, I still get teary thinking about this part…

The young lady pleadingly says, “Please, I swear, I’m not taking more than I need.  I work at the chicken plant.  I’m just trying to feed my family and I don’t want my grandpa to get sick.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation. It’s going to be fine. Put his groceries up here and I’ll pay for them and you’ll have the two transactions you need to be able to go home,” S replied.

The young woman hesitantly put her grandfather’s groceries on the belt.  All that drama and disrespect for a single gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, a package of oreos and 2 small containers of microwavable mac n’ cheese.

I was gob smacked.

As S was paying for the groceries the store employee was still at it. “I don’t care what y’all do!  I’m not losing my job cause y’all can’t read!  Y’all don’t know what it’s been like in here!  We doin the best we can!”

And while that is probably true, it is still not a reason to strip someone of their dignity. I’m sure working at a chicken plant has not been a piece of cake as of late either.

While S was waiting for the grocery receipt, the young lady was pulling crumpled dollars out of her pockets.

“Put your money back in your pocket, we don’t need it,” I softly said, “We no longer have grandparents so when you get back home give your grandpa a hug for us. We’re happy to help, I promise.”

And with that, the young lady could no longer hold back her tears and they quietly began falling down her freckled face.

“Thank you.  I’m so sorry about this. I promise, I wasn’t trying to take more than I needed.  My grandpa is really fragile, and I’m scared he’s gonna get the virus.”

We both assured her we understood and wished her well.  Then she invited us to go back with her to the chicken plant and she would try to get us the chicken we had not been able to find in 4 different stores that day. 

We thanked her for the kind offer but told her it was more important for her to get home and be with her family.

Then, we parted ways.

Finding a New Normal…

It’s been several days since that incident, but I find myself thinking about it often.  I’m sure there are versions of it playing out all over the world right now.

I don’t know of a single person that hasn’t been impacted by the effects of Coronavirus COVID-19 somehow.  It’s honestly hard to know what to do sometimes but I know we all have a part to play no matte how big or small.  

Given I’m a list maker by nature, I’ve created a Stuck At Home: Activities & Online Resource List which is a guide of websites and blog posts we’ve found helpful so far. 

My goal is for this list is to be informative and uplifting but it won’t be comprehensive by any stretch.  

As you all know, the COVID-19 pandemic is a very fluid situation and therefore constantly changing.  Make sure you stay informed with your state and local officials and follow the CDC Guidelines or your governments guidelines.

This information should not take the place of your healthcare professional.  Likewise, make sure you carefully vet any organization before you donate.

Here’s a look at our Stuck at Home: Activities & Online Resource List…

Informative Posts & Websites

CDC 

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center 

Map of Areas Most Missed When Washing Hands 

Why Outbreaks Like the Coronavirus Spread and How to Flatten the Curb  via The Washington Post

How to Donate in Your Community 

A Call to Care 

Feeding America 

Meals on Wheels America 

Save the Children 

The Humane Society of America 

The Red Cross 

Ways to Help Your Community

5 Acts of Kindness to Help the Older People in Our Lives via Camille Styles

6 Things You Can Do To Help Small Businesses Right Now  via Create & Cultivate

12 Ways to Support Local Restaurants Without Leaving Home  via Food & Wine

Curbside Pickup Services 

(services as available) 

Barnes and Noble 

Big Lots 

IKEA Click and Collect 

Joann 

Michaels 

Freebies

Free Paint by Numbers Printable Floral Download via Saffron Avenue  

Pattern Making Basics  via Centsational Style (starts March 24)

Scribd  (read free for 30 days)

The Daily Meditation Podcast via Sip and Om 

Weathering the Storm  meditations via Headspace

Uplifting and Funny Posts

Let’s Laugh via The Enchanted Home (these memes were so funny I sent them to my sisters immediately)

Your Productive #SocialDistancing Content Is Stressing Me TF Out via Cosmopolitan (this has a little bit of salty language in it, but it instantly gave me the giggles)

12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch via Travel and Leisure

Husband Celebrates His 67th Wedding Anniversary With Wife Through The Window via NBC New York  

5 Videos To Watch When You’re Having a Bad Day  via Design Darling 

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon: At Home Edition 

35 Feel Good Movies to Stream Right Now  via The Everygirl

50 Classic Moves to Watch While Home via Carly A. Hill

Posts & Resources for Kids

E-Learning Live Events  via Carly The Prepster

Mo Willems Daily Doodle 

Minno Kids Church at Home 

Raising Wonder free daily printables and videos

Wow in the World Podcast for kids & families 

25 Things To Do With Kiddos When Stuck at Home via A Beautiful Mess

Posts & Resources for Adults

God’s Grace Isn’t Canceled via Proverbs 31 Ministries

Tips for the Unexpected Homeschooling Small Business Owner via The Southern Coterie  

The Best Resources For At-Home Workouts via Hello Adams Family  

What to Cook For Dinner: How to Find Thousands of Recipes to Make With The Food You Already Have  via My 100 Year Old Home

11 Tips For Staying Sane While Working From Home via Cupcakes and Cashmere  

14 Achievable Tasks to Help Declutter Your Home While Stuck Inside  via Becoming Minimalist

17 Small Changes to Make This Week to Improve Your Mental Health via The Everygirl 

20 Calming Bible Verses For Worry, Stress and Anxiety via Home Made Lovely

31-Day Love Your Home Challenge via The Inspired Room 

35 Useful Things To Do When You’re Stuck At Home via 2 Bees in a Pod  

50 Things To Do When You’re Bored At Home via Life on Virginia Street 

Things That Have Helped Us

  1. Establishing a Daily Routine (morning tips here, nightly tips here)
  2. Exercising 
  3. Quiet Time and Journaling 
  4. Creating a Weekly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Menu (and reviewing it every morning) 
  5. Wearing Comfortable Clothes (that aren’t pajamas) 
  6. Limiting Media Coverage (to informed and not obsessed)
  7. Listening to Positive Podcasts and Music (I tell Alexa to play “relaxing music” and she plays “mellow folk” which has a super cool coffeehouse vibe
  8. Checking on Friends and Family
  9. Taking a Daily Tea Time (to check on mental wellness)
  10. Having Something to Look Foward To (each day/week)
  11. Creating a COVID-19 Stuck At Home Bucket List 

I hope this post, Stuck At Home: Activities & Online Resource List helps! I’ll continue to update it as I find additional resources and as related information becomes available.  

Let me know if there is something, I missed! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo

 

Similar Posts

16 Comments

  1. What a beautiful gesture you all did for that sweet young lady. I do feel sorry for the store person, as you know they are overwhelmed with people buying more than they should. I guess she too had just reached her ‘boiling point” ALTHOUGH as an employee she should have NOT taken it out on the young girl…I know God was smiling down on you all at that moment and what an inspiration your actions were…That young girl will remember your kindness the rest of her life….We all need things like that happening during these stressful times, God Bless you both!!!!

    1. You’re so sweet to say that, Joanie, thank you! Believe me, I’ve thought about the employee a lot too. I’m sure they are super stressed out having to deal with so many people wondering when the trucks with basic goods will be arriving and they probably haven’t gotten a break either. Like you say, she could have handled it in a much different way and hopefully next time, she will. I’ve certainly held my tongue a bit more this week and practiced giving lots of extra grace. We all definitely need it 🙂 Sending you hugs and hoping you and your family are all safe and well, CoCo

  2. I just want to give you and your bestie big hugs for helping that poor girl…..

    1. Thank you, Sue! I definitely wanted to give her a hug but knew I couldn’t because we have that whole social distancing thing happening right now 🙂 We all need a break sometimes and I know she’ll have the chance to pay it forward one day. Sending you hugs and hoping you and your family are all safe and well, CoCo

  3. Bonnie Schulte says:

    I had tears in my eyes, reading you tell of the exchange between the young lady shopper, and the check out person. What a wonderful ending to this “story”. You made my day. Bonnie in WI

    1. I totally get you, Bonnie, it was all I could do not to cry right there in the store 🙂 I’m so glad it all worked out and she was able to get what she needed. We all next extra grace sometimes, especially with everything that is going on right now, so I’m thankful we were there to help her. I know she’ll pay it forward one day. Sending you hugs and hoping you and your family are all safe and well, CoCo

  4. Coco, I did cry…at this story. So hard to stand by and not interfere. Having been on the other side of the Cashiers’ of the world situation…I can’t excuse her. But, I have a friend probably working for the same ‘store’ who had to stop working in the pharmacy department—because of insane people–hoarding or trying to hoard. She is happily now a personal shopper for the same store…her soul simply could not deal daily with the public.
    Yes, we all need to help in some way. We are in our 70’s, and simply aren’t going out—and are working around the house, yard…to keep busy. Your lists are fabulous—and everyone needs to make a list and have on hand enough of everything for at least one month—! No exceptions.

    My grown kids & families are instructed to pile all their food in their cars and commute to our house as we have a generator and a well and can care for them all, IF any Disaster strikes. Luckily they have also learned to be supplied, and are working from home.
    Thanks for the reality check! And, hugs, to you your friend, the poor girl, and the cashier…who probably went home and cried also.

    1. Oh my gosh, Sandi, I seriously can’t even imagine what all the cashiers and people working in the pharmacy are going through right now. I know they must be really stressed out. I think the employee probably just hit her breaking point and lost it for a hot minute. But hearing the young lady plead to be able to buy basic supplies for her family and her grandfather just tugged at my heart too much to walk away without trying to help. I’m so thankful you guys are staying at home and working on projects around the house. It’s really smart! Thinking of you and your family as we navigate a new normal in these next weeks and months. Be well and stay safe! Hugs, CoCo PS: I’m super excited about your garden this year too.

      1. Thanks for understanding…we need to mentally tread in everyone’s shoes…at this trying time—when we can’t touch or hug. Every little opportunity to help someone…will be worth it!
        Sandi

  5. Oh, this made me cry. It’s so important to keep our compassion and humanity. The two of you defused that situation in a wonderfully caring way. Love to you both. xoxo

    1. ha ha can you even imagine a panic room like that Cindy! There’s another meme floating around that has a toilet paper roll earrings made out of pearl seed beads – they’re super funny too! Hugs and enjoy the girls, CoCo

  6. OMG, I’m not crying … you’re crying. Thank you for sharing your recent experience at the store and your bestie’s extraordinary quick thinking, compassionate response. I know you’re not looking for praise but this is an excellent reminder for us to take a step back, reflect and arm ourselves with kindness and compassion. Take care CoCo – love this post!

  7. Coco, it was no accident that you two were in that store that day at that exact moment. That young lady needed you! I’m so proud of you! She will never forget what you did for her and hopefully the employee will give a little more grace when needed & that someone will give it to her! I cried all the way thru your story – so thankful for our situation. We lost my Mom on Mar 9 – she was 92 years old. She was ready to meet Jesus & I’m thankful she isn’t here now but I miss her something awful!! Blessings to you & S?

    1. Completely heartbroken to read this for the loss of your Mom, Patty. I know she was such a treasure and bright light in your family. I know the ache of missing her is not an easy thing to go through even when though she was ready. I’m definitely keeping you and your family in my prayers and I’ll be lifting you up in the weeks and months to come. I hope you find comfort in your happy memories and you see your Mom in every star, every laugh, every flower and in every kind deed too. May love and grace and blessings show up for you in the exact ways you need it, even if you can’t quite imagine it or articulate it yet. Sending you lots of hugs and thank yous for your sweet words, CoCo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *