How I Am Using The BIG TIMEOUT

I thought I would share how I am using THE BIG TIMEOUT. I have now been isolated due to the Coronavirus, COVID-19, since March 17th, and I am focused on remaining calm and creating order in the chaos of my apartment. And a big priority was editing and uploading my SWEET GOODBYE to Late Bloomer Garden 1.0. For all who have seen and been inspired by this garden, I hope you will watch and share with others. I’m very proud of this tribute.

Why is my apartment chaotic? Well, with the help of generous friend, Stan, I moved in the last three carloads of my stuff during a rain storm on March 16th. We were rushing to get it all in before dark. Everything was set down wherever there was a space. There was some order before that last weekend, but after that chaotic Monday, all hope was lost.

Messy office last week

Why do I say all hope was lost? Because I arrived at my new place with a severe case of laryngitis which developed into a major chest cold. An entire week went by, while I only managed to wash a load of clothes in the bathtub and hang them on the clotheslines here to dry.

Laundry drying on clothesline

In addition, I also put a large metal shelving unit together, which was really a two-person job, and was able to get a dozen boxes off the kitchen floor. You will recognize my outdoor chairs and table from my Cozy Corner. (If you love hand knits, you will want to watch this video.)

Kitchen shelving unit

Thankfully, Amazon is still delivering non-medical supplies, or I would not have also been able to start organizing the closet in my office with these metal filing cabinets. Doing these projects alone was daunting, but I managed. Cabinets had to be removed from boxes in doorway, and boxes broken down and flattened on landing, and carried to alley without bringing into the apartment.

Filing cabinet in doorway

New filing cabinets, which I dragged on a tarp into office

During the process of filling up these filing cabinets, I ran across this photo taken of me some years ago by my dear friend, Buck Henry, who passed away a few weeks ago. When we would have lunch, he would bring his new digital camera, and I would bring my old Rolleiflex, and we would photograph one another. I am wearing my favorite scarf I knitted.

Kaye Kittrell by Buck Henry

However, no progress had been made on my dining room until yesterday, which was a horror I merely passed through to get to the kitchen.

Dining room yesterday

Dining Room a few hours later

While it may seem like it’s still a mess, at least all the boxes containing kitchen stuff have been moved into the kitchen and stuff put away, and the other boxes somewhat neatened up. I have purchased two air purifiers from Medify Air, a family owned company. I look forward to writing a review of them soon.

In addition to these developments, I managed to shoot, edit and upload my first video of the community garden here and show an update on my plants. I am also holding two livestreams a week during the lockdown. Today’s was just over two hours! Please watch, like, and share, and help me continue to grow my channel during this transition. I can’t wait to be gardening, and bringing more inspiration to everyone watching!

That’s a taste of how I am using The BIG TIMEOUT. How are YOU managing? We are all on this journey together. Stay well! – Kaye