One year ago, my husband, Dennis, flew home to Colorado from his job in Washington DC to take care of me and our two teenage sons while I recovered from bronchitis. What we didn’t know at the time was that he’d never have to return to his office there. Cases of Covid-19 started popping up everywhere and his boss told him to stay put for the time being. Soon after, everything shut down and his job changed to 100% virtual until further notice keeping him in Colorado with us.
I can’t believe it’s been a year. Sometimes it seems like it’s only been a few weeks, while some days it seems like a he’s been home for a few years. For example, when he sneaks up on me and scares the bejeezus out of me. Or when he’s in my way in the kitchen. Or when I look at our cluttered guest bedroom that has become his home office. Despite having to give up my solo parenting routine, it really is nicer having him here. I promise.
But the bigger, more important update...
We finally got a PS5! In December, I told you how we were trying to get our hands on a PS5 for Christmas. It was more important to Dennis and me than it was the boys, and our pursuit was an unsuccessful hot mess.
Fast forward to about two weeks ago: We were lying in bed watching TikTok videos. I watched them on the TIkTok app, and Dennis on YouTube because he refuses to download the app for some reason. I won’t let him use mine because I don’t want him messing up my algorithm. I can’t have nerdy data interspersed with my makeup tutorials and internet drama operas.
I was just about to turn off my phone when his phone made that god-awful buzz indicating an email. Who has audible notifications anymore, even if it’s just vibrate? Anyway, something about that buzz made me check my own email notifications. I’d just received an email from GameStop saying they were minutes away from freeing up a few PS5s! So I logged into our GameStop account and kept hitting that refresh button. Suddenly, it showed some available!
Having been burned by this before, I didn’t get my hopes up. I didn’t even grab my credit card. UNTIL… One become available! I immediately added it to my cart. It was the ideal package for us: PS5 with DVD slot, 2 controllers, a copy of Spiderman: Miles Morales and a $20 GameStop gift card. Because Dennis leaves his wallet by his side of the bed, and who knows where mine is at any given time, I yelled at him to get me a card ASAP! By the grace of the Sony gods, my purchase went through. However, the confirmation said I had just paid for the pre-order; the PS5s wouldn’t be available until March 5 which was still a week away.
I went to sleep that night thinking that it would be great if we got one, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. They hadn’t even sent me an email yet confirming my purchase.
That email arrived some time the next day saying our PS5 would be shipped after next Friday. On Monday, as I was leaving the house for an appointment, I noticed a large box on the porch. Too big to be one of my recent “TikTok-Made-Me-Buy-It” Amazon purchases, I brought the box inside and looked at the label. It was from GameStop! We finally had become the proud new owners of a PS5! This thing is amazing. The only reason we felt the need to upgrade so soon after hearing about the new version is because our PS4 sounds like a 737 taking off, and the controllers only stay charged for about 30 minutes. But we refused to replace any of it until an upgrade came out!
We are so happy to have this thing. We don’t have cable TV, so our PlayStation runs all of our streaming services. Honestly, games are rarely even played on it. But the boys tested Spidey and we’ve tested Netflix and this thing is quiet as a church mouse and you’d think we just won the lottery. Or just got our Covid vaccines.
Covid Craft #1: Acrylic Paint Pouring
In our last post, I mentioned all the different hobbies I’ve taken up during the pandemic. You were promised a how-to video on acrylic paint pouring. Even though I’ve never recorded a how-to video, I definitely wanted to try. If you haven’t noticed, I always want to try something new. It may not stick around for very long, but it’s always fun to learn and try something new.
Fair warning about this video: The painting isn’t always in view of the camera, I talk really fast and at times sound like I have a cold. But the painting turned out cool and the video is only 5 minutes long!
In this video, I explain everything you need to create a basic acrylic paint pour on canvas. Here’s a breakdown of what I used:
Supplies:
- Canvas prepped with Gesso
- Four or five different colors of acrylic paint
- Floetrol
- Water
- Oil (I used dimethicone in the form of OCX Coconut Milk Hair Serum, but you can also use silicone oil or even WD-40!)
- Cups (I’m using disposable)
- Thumbtacks, shot glasses, a rack, anything to elevate your canvas while your painting drips
- Painter’s tape
- A box or plastic or foil container that your canvas will fit in.
- Rubber gloves
- Blow torch (totally optional!)
Mix your paint colors in individual cups. Use two parts Floetrol to one part paint. Since you want the paint to be the consistency of warm honey, you may need to add a few drops of water. Then add a drop or two of oil to some or all of your colors.
For the dirty pour method like I’m using, slowly pour the paint colors into one cup. Then carefully pick up the canvas to move the paint around covering the entire surface. Be sure to cover the sides and corners as well. Let the paint dry overnight, usually around 24 hours (for me, at least, in super-dry Colorado) or until it’s dry to the touch.
If you like your painting enough to keep or give or even sell, you can apply varnish after about two weeks. Before varnishing, it’s important to clean your painting with a baby wipe or even soap and water. This will remove any of that oil you’ve added that rose to the top. Varnish will protect your painting and keep it from fading.
That's the Cliff Notes/TL;DR version
I didn’t go into a lot of detail but certainly can if you drop me a request in the comments. Feel free to ask me any questions for clarification as well.
Covid Craft #2: Coming Next Week
Next week, I’ll go into detail about a NEW craft I’m planning to try later today; one that I haven’t even mentioned yet. This just crept up on me after (you guessed it) watching a TikTok video and it has a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Stay tuned!
Even though I have seen videos of the pour method, I was mesmerized watching the paint flow to the corners. “Will it keep flowing?” “Will the white paint help it cover?” I was surprised to see texture as it dried. That I hadn’t see before. Love your blogs and love your hobbies. Thanks, keep these blogs coming.
Thanks! It was still very wet. Once it dries, it won’t have all that texture.
If it wasn’t a mini blizzard out, I would run to the store to get the supplies needed to try this at home. You make it look so simple and fun.
Can’t wait to see your next hobby and since you said Saint Patrick’s Day does it involve Green Beer?
Yeah, wait until you can see more than 10 feet in front of you! It’s crazy out there!
No green beer, but quite possibly a pint of Guinness…
Nice how-to video! I doubt I’ll be taking up the hobby, but it looks pretty cool! BTW, I’m with Dennis when it comes to NOT installing the tik-tok app. You go ahead and be the guinea pig for us. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you got for St Patty’s!