Things have certainly changed in the past week-and-a-half. Driving home from work on the 9th of March, I told my husband (we work in the same office) that I didn't really feel good about coming in anymore. I skipped lunch in the lunchroom (too crowded) and washed my hands about 5x as often as normal (and I'm really good about washing my hands to begin with).

The next day, I was home & rumors started popping up about home office (though we had been instructed to take our computers home daily a while ago) and, later that day, the official mail came through.

On Wednesday, I chose not to go to my German class (again, too crowded) and Wednesday night my daughter was quarantined because of secondary exposure (turned out that the first people had only been in the same location as the doctor who tested positive)...

On Thursday, our two younger kids went to school, even though I didn't feel so good about it.

On Friday, the kids asked to stay home and I said yes. I had already informed the teachers that they wouldn't be coming on Monday and Tuesday (which ended up being cancelled anyway).

Kind of understanding that the world was about to close, I took the kids to a big, empty store and let them choose things that they'd enjoy having (they chose a massive Lego set and a set of poker chips - and a bunch of pens, of course, because we're all addicted to pens).

Over the weekend, we took advantage of the opportunity to take a 4-hour hike out to a frozen lake. By Monday, we weren't allowed to do that either (no complaints, I think they're doing what's best for us).

So, now we've finished our first week that started with total lock-down and moved to quarantine (we can't leave the village). The kids are busy with homework (they get their assignments online, but don't have any face-to-face lessons). My husband and I are super-thankful to work in the medicine industry, which (hopefully) won't be hit as hard as other industries -- and working from home has been easier than I expected.

On my days off, with the help of my super-talented co-author (who also happens to be my little sister), we finished the first draft of the third book in the Magic Sparkles series!

The Orange Sparkles Do More and Understand More Superfun Workbook has been downloaded hundreds of times this week (yay!) and hopefully, I'll get the next workbook done in the coming weeks (should have plenty of time on my hands...) For a free copy, check out magicsparklespublishing.com.

I feel thankful for so many things - for the fact that my kids are self-motivated and I don't have to nag them to do their schoolwork. For the fact that I married my best friend and if I have to spend the next 10 years in quarantine with him, I'm sure it won't be too bad (but, please tell me that the kids will be able to move out at some point). I'm thankful that where we're living is calm, quiet and peaceful. That the supermarkets are fully-stocked with everything you could need and tons of things you would never need (but might want). That we live in a house with lots of space, so everyone can find their own quiet corner. For friends who keep sending funny things on whatsapp. For siblings who call to check in or just to gab with me. For parents who are smart enough to take all the precautions that other people aren't yet aware are necessary - so that they'll stay healthy! The list would go on forever, but I'm also thankful that I have time to spend doing things I see as a luxury - puzzles, reading, drawing, and,... wow, I'm never going to be bored.

Stay safe.