Today. It isn’t shaping up like I’d planned.

It was today that my college senior was going to head back to her university four states away to finish the last few weeks of spring semester. This week, she would have ordered the coveted red cap and gown that distinguishes the handful of 4.0 students. She would have posed and smiled and laughed her way through graduation photos that have been scheduled for months. And, every day from now until graduation, we’d be Facetiming about the million little things we talk about every day, including the yet-to-be-leased post-graduation apartment we’ve been mentally decorating since last fall.

Peep 1 won’t be on the plane today when it takes off for Alabama. Instead, she’s setting up her “apartment” at home…unboxing a few things from Christmas that she was saving for adult life, including the Nespresso and some amazing glassware…rescheduling interviews…making a game plan like she always does.

Across the hall, Peep 2 is online with his college courses and studying to place out of several classes. The bed is unmade – no biggie – and his room is otherwise clean – kudos – and our pup pal is by his side – heartwarming. The Xbox is on. So is the TV. He, too, should be headed back to college today to finish his freshman semester and to continue an amazing internship that offices in his favorite football stadium on the planet.

Things change.

Like a gazillion other college students, mine will be home for at least several months as a result of Covid-19. With the exception of packing up their apartments, spring 2020 campus life is over. Good-byes, or at least the good-byes for now, will take place by phone and text. All the lasts either happened unknowingly or won’t ever happen. Graduation: postponed.

Meanwhile, things on the homefront have changed as a result of this novel coronavirus. Everyone is home. All day. Every day. The dishwasher and washing machine are no longer in empty nest hibernation. The pets are manipulating everyone for treats. Hubs is managing tremendous work challenges from his home office, where Skittles the cat alternates between the leather desk chair and the leather inbox. Volatility in the stock market has turned my 401(k) into a 101(a).

Things change.

On the flip side, and there’s always a flip side, some things don’t change. Having run my business from a home office for 26+ years – 9,563 business days, to be exact – my workday is basically the same.

 

 

• Up before the rooster crows √
• Walk the pooch and feed the pets √
• Tidy the house √
• Crank it out in the office for at least 8 hours – more if clients have tight deadlines √
• Make sure kiddos are cool √ (My kids have always had a mom that worked from home, so they don’t need constant entertainment, nor should they. Bored has never been an acceptable word, and the new temporary normal is no exception.)

Some things never change.

Let’s be honest. It could be worse. We’re not hungry, sick, sad or unemployed. We have food, supplies, health insurance and a safe home. Oh, and the big one: We have each other.

Awwww.

This is normally where I’d wrap up with a play on words or something tongue in cheek to end with a laugh. Not this time.

Things change.

Instead, I’m going to address why Buffy hasn’t blogged since “More Than 13 Reasons Why,” which racked up a handful of local and national awards. I took some serious heat from a self-appointed queen bee who “punished” me with behind-my-back smack talk and face-to-face death glares for two solid years. I scratched my brunette head for a long time wondering which of the 13 reasons led to such extreme queen bee-ing. Maybe it stung (pun intended) when I observed that there are some things you simply cannot wish away, ignore away or pray away. Who knows.

The mean girl has since moved, and I’ve moved on.

Things change.

I haven’t blogged as Buffy for 1,058 days, although I have put my hands on the keyboard Every. Single. Day. Since. and written millions of words for my clients’ websites, brochures, social media posts, blogs, RFPs and every other form of written communiqué you can imagine.

As of this day – the day that didn’t shape up like I’d planned – Buffy’s words are back on the blog, and I have more than 13 reasons why I’m never going to stop.