Me. I am sick and tired of lunch at home. Seriously, how many more lunchtime meals of omelettes, sandwiches, supper leftovers, cereal (admit it – you do it as well), soup, and leftover fridge stir-fries can you take?

In the before times I didn’t go out for lunch frequently. Maybe once a week, I’d leave my home office and meet a friend for lunch or zip out to a nearby sandwich shop for a wrap (somehow other people make better sandwiches).

If Marc was working from home and was heading out for lunch, I’d normally stay home. I probably said something like “I don’t need to go out for lunch. I have what I need here.”

Hmm, not anymore. What I would give for a lunch out, at a restaurant, sitting down, catching up with a friend or just sitting reading a book and dining solo.

I think today, I’ve hit my breaking point with the way life is now. Something just snapped when I realized that today will be like all the other days. Static. The same. Steady.

And yes, I’m very fortunate – I’m healthy, I have a job, my family is safe and healthy. But geez, would I ever like to meet up with my friend Joan for a lascivious lunch. And I’d really like to drive out to Bell’s Corners to meet up with Marc for a smoked meat sandwich and sweet potato fries. Seriously, how much longer until I can meet up with my friend Shari for an evening of chai lattes and talking?

Yes, today I’m done with all of it. But even with this state of mind, I’m staying in. I’m not riding my bike outside (yes, I’ve read the research, the chances of getting sick while outdoors is low – but this is not my primary reason for not riding outdoors. I wrote a whole blog post about Why I’m Not Cycling Outside). I’m not lining up to rush into stores that are now open. I’m sticking to what has kept me and Marc safe and healthy.

But, really it is getting tough. But, but – I do know things will get better. We will never return to the before times. And that’s probably a good thing.

Still – what I’d really like is to get on Ottawa’s dreaded light rail transit system (yes, it’s that bad now), wander around the National Art Gallery, browse the book store, drink a delicious Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate (with whip) from Second Cup, walk over to Nicastro’s for a sandwich, and then sit by the giant Ottawa sign in the Byward Market and watch the world go by.

This is what I would like. But until then, it’s toasted crumpets with butter, marmite and old cheddar with a side of leftover microwaved vegetables and looking out the window.