Day 47

The warmest day of the year, so far!  We had a productive day.  Kids worked on school stuff, Glenn was busy and I worked in the morning and took the afternoon off.  I had to zip to the post office for Vicky and then sewed masks in front of the tv to round out my afternoon.  Some storm clouds moved in but we walked the dogs and Reina rode her bike tonight.  The weekdays (especially the evenings) all start to look alike, without practices and sports to break things up.  But we are getting by, hanging in, whatever you want to call it. 

Since the kids heard that they officially won't be going back to their school buildings until the Fall, they've been pretty zen about the news.  We've patched together a schedule in the mornings for schoolwork and sharing the laptop that we have that's actually not charging right now (that's a problem to be solved tomorrow) and doing some work on the Ipad along with PE time outside.  When they work at it, they are usually done with school stuff by lunchtime and have the afternoons to do what they want (within reason.)  They are keeping up their grades and I'm proud of them for taking it seriously.

Wyoming's case number is over 400 but no additional deaths.  Hairdressers, gyms and other personal service businesses are opening back up tomorrow, with a lot of limitations.  A restaurant that we ordered food from on Friday is now closed because an employee tested positive.  So that's something new to add to the list of things to think about.  After hearing us talk about that a few days ago, Reina now cheerfully takes her own temperature every morning and announces that she's fine.

Tomorrow's is the first of May.  Let's see what the new month brings.   

Day 45

Today we had an appointment to pick up the contents of Reina's desk from school.  While we knew it was coming (other grades have been picking up), it was definitely bittersweet.  We also received an email from the Jr High so we combined it into one big trip.  The kids chose drive-through brunch from McDonald's as their take-out meal for the week so that added even more reason to leave the house.  At McCormick, we drove through the drop-off line and they brought the contents of Will's locker out to us - which consisted of one math book and an empty pencil cup.  For comparison, the contents of Reina's desk filled up a large trash bag.  Will also got to bring home a cutting board that will end up being his only project from 7th grade shop.  It's really cool - I'll get a picture soon.  As we drove to McDonald's, I warned the kids that I felt a little teary about their respective school years ended in this fashion and while they told me it was okay to cry, they also immediately launched into a series of knock-knock jokes to distract me.  

So that was our day.  Glenn and I worked, the sun was shining and we keep on doing our thing.  

Breaking news:  We just got the official email that school is closed for the rest of the year.  We knew it was coming but it's still hard to fathom.  No word on what this means for baseball season and summer camps and all of that - we'll just take it day by day... and learn more about world geography, fractions, writing poems, conversions and bowling etiquette than we planned to at this point in our lives.    

Day 44

It's a Monday!  We had a nice weekend with lots of sun and not too many chores.  We are itching to work in the garden but we know in our hearts its too early.  70 degree weather today does not rule out the possibility of snow in a week or two.  Instead we took another load of clothes to Goodwill, picked up groceries and made more masks.  Masks for everyone!  We also watched the football draft more than we ever have in our lives, but when there are no sports, you watch the draft.

It was a decent Monday.  Less complaining about school work than normal and I had a little more flexibility to help with homework at odd times.  Tomorrow we have an appointment to pick up the contents of Reina's desk from her school and then we'll go to McCormick and get Will's locker stuff.  That's a fairly good sign that they won't be going back before the end of the school year but we are still waiting for an official word. 

The Governor is having another news conference tomorrow to discuss how counties can open back up, following certain criteria.  Our county has one of the highest (maybe the highest?) number of infections so I hope we won't be opening up anytime soon. I understand the need for people to go back to work and the psychological need we all have for things to be back to normal but the virus isn't going anywhere and there are still so many unknowns.  Wyoming has somewhere around 390 cases tonight with 7 deaths. 

On a lighter note, earlier in the day, Glenn asked me to cut his hair tonight.  After thinking about it for several hours and seeing my reluctant response, I think he's decided to find an alternative plan.  Not a plan like Will's.... but maybe just keep growing his hair for a while.  That's what Reina and I are doing. 

Speaking of Reina, we made a deal that if we made it through the day without fighting, we'd go get ice cream cones tonight from the drive-in.  We are just one piano practice away from that happening.  Wish us luck.   

Day 41

Today marks the end of the 5th week since I've been working from home and 6 weeks since the kids were in school.  Wow - it some ways it feels a lot longer than that but other times it feels like the blink of an eye.  We've had a slightly better week.  The kids are figuring out how to manage their work time (for the most time) and the weather was nice enough to get outside.  Glenn and I both had a lot on our plate work-wise but we've been productive.  I finished up a two week workshop that I was co-teaching via Zoom and it wrapped up this afternoon.  It was fun interacting with people every day but I won't miss having to mute my microphone every time someone walked by the house and the dogs lost their ever-loving minds. 

Speaking of pets, Glenn accidentally left the back door open after letting the dogs out for their bathroom break in the morning.  Both cats quickly discovered this oversight and made a break for freedom while the rest of us were getting out of bed.  By the time we noticed the back door, they'd probably been outside for 15 minutes.  I figured they'd come back when they were ready but it was chilly this morning and we had some rain last night.  I looked at the front door and they were both sitting by the window screaming to come in, with muddy paws and wet legs.  They've slept most of the day.  I guess a cold, wet adventure sure takes it out of you. 

We are headed into the weekend.  It is supposed to be sunny and gorgeous so I'm looking forward to some yardwork and Vitamin D.  Happy Friday!

Day 38 and Glenn's birthday!

I'm tired tonight but I had to log on to commemorate Glenn's birthday!  He couldn't have picked better weather - I heard it was close to 70 without hardly any wind.  Both Glenn and I had busy work days but we made sure to make some time tonight to the dogs out to the field.  Reina joined us too and we had a nice walk before the sun set.  We did a grocery run today so we also had steaks and steamed artichokes.  It's a dinner blog!  A friend's ninth grader daughter made Glenn an amazing cake - she's been busy during quarantine and we were the lucky recipients.  Glenn didn't want much in the way of presents but I'm getting him the wildlife conservation license plates as soon as everything opens back up.  Isn't that just such a dad gift? 

We are almost halfway through this week. I had eight Zoom sessions between yesterday and today.  The rest of the week is still going to be busy but it eases up a little bit.  The kids are working hard on their school stuff and loving the nice weather.  Will even had some 'baseball' homework to finish in preparation for another team videoconference tomorrow.

Happy birthday Glenn - we love you and I'm so glad that we are all safe at home together. 

Day 36

Day 36 and weekend #? was nice.  We had some sun and a little bit of wind but all of the snow has melted off.  I jogged, we talked to family members on the phone, Reina got to talk to cousins on both sides of the family, we cleaned the house and made more masks (we have a pretty neat little socially distanced assembly line going between Vicky's house, mine and friends - all of it is contact-free and lots of bags filled with masks in various stages of development being left on front porches.)  We ended the weekend with a family football game in the backyard and the game ended when people got cold, not angry.  Yah!  Will did baseball drills in the garage with Glenn and Reina and I baked and played some piano.

Glenn continued his project of cleaning out our shed and sprucing up the garage.  He decided this weekend to tackle all of the paint cans that we have sitting around.  We found paint that predates us buying the house, so it was definitely time to do something about that.  What an exciting update!  But I include it in this blog to highlight all of the weird little projects we probably wouldn't be getting done if it wasn't for quarantine. 

Reina filled out a book to remember her COVID-19 days.  I'll include it in more detail here soon but she had to interview both Glenn and I separately.  One of the questions was one thing that we like to bake.  My answer was chocolate chip cookies, obviously.  Glenn's?  "Salmon." Reina had a lot to say about that answer and not much of it was positive.  She will always remember that her dad likes to eat healthy. 

So it's on to another busy week.  Both Glenn and I have a lot projects and meetings this week.  As we enter our third week of official home school I am feeling a little more prepared for some of the challenges but I also know that we can be thrown a curveball at anytime.  How's that for a baseball analogy?  I also know that we've made it through this many weeks, we can surely keep going. 

Day 33

New day, new attitudes!  Mostly.  We had a nice peaceful day.  The snow fell for a big chunk of the day but the sun came out around 5:00 p.m. and we were able to take the dogs for a wet walk.  We have about 5 inches of snow on the ground but its the melty, spring snow that probably won't last very long.  The kids worked hard on school projects today and really seem to have figured out schedules for themselves.  I hope I didn't jinx everything by saying that.  My work presentations went well and Glenn was busy so the day went fast.  When all of this first started, I wondered if the weekends would feel any differently from the week days.  After the last few weeks, I can say that I'm definitely looking forward to Saturday morning. 

We've been trying to minimize how often we run errands and we've been utilizing curbside pick-up for most of our grocery shopping and all of my Target runs.  I had to order some toner for the printer today so I asked if anybody needed anything from Target.  Glenn had a few requests.  Reina wanted things that are unrealistic and so I asked Will if he needed anything.  Quick note, I've been very kind about his haircut and have told him how proud I am that he was brave enough to do that.  BUT, I couldn't resist asking if he needed anymore shampoo.  He tried to act mad but a giggle gave him away. 

My favorite football player has been diagnosed with COVID-19.  Tomorrow marks four weeks since I've been working from home.  Wow. 

Day 32

I was tempted to forego blogging tonight because I'm tired and while we had a decent day, it's been a rough night. I think for 3/4 of us, the weight of all of this time at home finally came crashing down.  Thankfully the 1/4 of us who was still feeling positive (Glenn) stepped in and helped us get some perspective back.  So there's my silver lining for today.

Before all of the grumpiness descended down, we had a good work/school day.  I had to give another presentation, Will had an online check-in with his Spanish class and luckily a bunch of other kids didn't utilize the video option so he's was able to 'stay dark' and keep his new haircut under wraps.  Reina did most of her schoolwork independently which was helpful.  Will had a Zoom session with his baseball team in the afternoon so he wore a hat and a hoodie (inside) to participate that way.  He had a lot more homework today than on previous days but he got everything done.

Glenn had a day-long conference call so he hid out downstairs.  We are supposed to get a big winter storm tonight but I managed to walk the dogs after work and get some exercise.  I made white chicken chili for dinner which only the grown-ups ate because the rest of the house thought it looked weird. 

So there's Day 32.  Unfortunately, Wyoming has now had two deaths from COVID-19.  We are trying to stay safe at home. 

Day 31

Today can be summed up thusly:  while I was giving an important presentation online and Glenn was working in his office in the basement, Will enlisted Reina's help in shaving his head. That went about as well as you would expect from an 11 yr old and a 13 yr old who had never used a pair of clippers before.  Glenn finally came upstairs to help repair the damage and Will briefly allowed him to shave a scalp lock, which Glenn then adorned with turkey feathers and proudly proclaimed that he finally had the warrior son that he always wanted.  By the time I finished my presentation, Will was fully shorn and completely regretting his haircutting (head-shaving?) decision.  As luck would have it, he has both an online Spanish class tomorrow and an online meeting with his baseball team.  Hats and hoodies will be worn. 

Day 30

Thirty!  Day 30 was actually a pretty good day!  The kids did their school work with less histrionics than last Monday.  Okay fine, they did briefly spend some time in their rooms "cooling off" and "thinking about how they want to treat each other and their mother for the rest of the week" but it was short-lived.   They even played together (on electronics but in the same game!) for a little while this afternoon so that was nice.  Reina is starting to really figure out mixed fractions and I'm thinking back to all those years I thought I'd never need to remember anything about fractions besides how many teaspoons equal a tablespoon and yet here we are.  I'm finally needing to understand fractions again so that I can argue with a fifth grader. On the jr high side of things, Will had to write his observations about a poem today and that was about as painful as you can imagine it being for a 13-yr old to write about observations and (gasp) feelings.  But he got it done! 

Glenn and I both had busy work days, that seems to be the theme for Mondays lately.  The weather was chillier than necessary.  Glenn mentioned a few times that it shouldn't be 20 degrees in April but Wyoming just giggled.  We have several inches of snow forecasted for later in the week so I'll try to enjoy dry sidewalks for as long as I can. 

Tonight we had leftovers and Easter candy for dinner.  I worked on more masks.  We watched Antiques Roadshow and someone had a $3000- $5000 Audobon print sitting in their closet because it didn't match their decor.  Eye roll. 

On a sad note, Wyoming announced its first COVID death today.  Stay safe out there. 

Day 29

Happy Easter!  Someday soon I'll upload the pics I've been taking over the last few weeks, but today is not that day. I don't have any cute Easter family photos because (1) it snowed at least 3 inches today and (2) Reina wore pajamas until the early afternoon and (3) it was laundry day.  But we had a nice day.  We had a decent weekend too!  No giant shed cleaning out but yesterday Glenn did finish up some projects in there and I worked on more masks. I volunteered to make a batch for the military base - they are trying to collect 4000 and I finished up my 20 a few minutes ago.  Yesterday we also ordered our first food through Grub Hub or Door Dash or one of those apps, I've clearly forgotten which one.  It was pretty handy! 

Today I made scones for Easter breakfast.  While cleaning bathrooms, I watched the Easter service that our church recorded.  It was just what I needed.  We had an inside Easter egg hunt that lasted all of five minutes, although there still may be a few eggs hidden away. Luckily they are all of the plastic variety.  We took the dogs on a quick and pretty chilly walk.  The high temp was only in the 20's today.  We made a turkey for dinner along with broccoli and twice-baked potatoes.  Dessert was Cadbury eggs, obviously.

This should be a busy week.  The kids have a lot of schoolwork to keep track of now.  Glenn has some projects and I'm teaching a mediation workshop online.  That's a new adventure for me but I'm hopeful that the technology will hold up and it'll be a good experience for all involved.

I don't know how many cases Wyoming has tonight.  Higher than the last time I posted.  We are staying home and staying safe. 

Day 26

It's a Thursday!  Today was a nice day.  Glenn and I both made quick trips to the office. We were both busy with work projects and the kids had more school to do than the day before.  Will had a big Spanish assignment on the vocab for breakfast foods.  He had to fill out a worksheet about what he likes to eat for breakfast, when he likes to eat breakfast, who he likes to eat breakfast with... I was sitting by him and he grumbled, "why does my teacher need to know this, is she stalking me?"  We both cracked up thinking about waking up tomorrow morning to a breakfast basket on our front porch with all of Will's favorite items, tocino, huevos and jugo de naranja.  Reina tackled math with more enthusiasm and less screaming than yesterday so that was a nice change of pace.  She also spent most of the afternoon outside in the backyard with a game that involved a sword, the garden hoe, leaves and stems from the garden and the chickens.  I know she misses her friends and playing at recess but I was proud of her for letting her imagination keep her entertained for a while.

Not much else to report today.  I listened to the Maundy Thursday service while I was making dinner.  Glenn and I took the dogs on a walk after dinner and talked about how hard everything is right now, but that there are definitely moments to hold on to, like the fact that we can go for a walk on a pretty Spring evening and not be driving kids all over town or working late or all of the other things that take up our time.  So there's my silver lining for today.  An after-dinner walk before the snow hits. 

Day 25

I'm too tired for paragraphs tonight so here's the day in list form again.

Wake up earlier than normal to get a jog in while watching old mystery shows from the treadmill.
Drop off Charlie at the vet to get tutored.
Stop by the gas station to fuel up and also get donuts for breakfast.
Join a work conf call, help with math homework, help with science homework, help with Spanish homework.
Open windows because it's nice outside.  Realize that the house is short one cat who escaped her tent outside.  Give her a few minutes of freedom before calling her name a few times and watching her race up to me like "oops I'm outside!)
Work through lunch.
Listen to Governor's press conference on COVID-19, still no shelter in place requirement.
Decide to take rest of afternoon off because of too many errands and need time to spend with kiddos.
Place an online grocery order and cross fingers that most of it will be filled.
Pick up a to-go order from Target for Vicky and make conscious decision to not pilfer her Easter candy purchases.  Take Reina with me so she can get out of the house without leaving the car.  Listen to the Hamilton soundtrack which is her new jam.
Pick up Charlie from vet and he's made it through his surgery without biting anyone.
Drop off Target purchases at Vicky's.
Come home and snuggle Charlie.
Have a virtual piano lesson for both me and Reina.  We hadn't had a lesson in almost a month so it was good to get more instruction even though we've been practicing more than usual. 
Get notification that grocery order is done and mostly filled (they had parmesan cheese - yah!). 
Pick up groceries in the parking lot while Glenn makes a quick trip inside the store to grab stuff we forgot.
Come home and eat grocery store sushi for dinner.  YUM.
Quick walk with dogs.
Mask-making.
Quick blogging.
Earlier than usual bedtime because = tired. 

Today's silver lining that despite all of the stress and homework temper tantrums and could-this-house-get-any-messier-in-two-days, hearing my girl sing "what's your name man?  Alexander Hamilton!" is a lovely part of any afternoon. 

Day 24

Day 24.  Is that right?  I'm pretty sure it's a Tuesday.  Is this what retirement feels like?  Without all of the homeschooling?  Today was a decent day.  The mornings are always the most stressful part of the day, which is a change from life before March 2020.  These days, Glenn and I usually have some work to catch up on first thing and I have an 8:30 a.m. conference call every day.  Will likes to get an early start on his school work and Reina prefers a more leisurely approach to the day. But we got everybody moving and grooving and by lunchtime, the kids were done with school stuff.  Glenn and I can stretch out at the dining room table and crank out an afternoon of work. 

It was sunny today but pretty windy.  The weather is nice for a few more days and then we have some snow predicted over Easter weekend.  Frankly, it's not Easter in Wyoming if you aren't wearing snowboots with your finery.

Glenn and I co-cooked a chicken parm dinner.  We played some family four-square and the game ended without anyone storming off the court. I worked on more masks.  Will texted with a girl (wait, what?) and everyone is in bed at a decent time. 

Reina had another first communion class over Zoom today and it's fun to listen in on their discussions with the pastor.  The juxtaposition of Holy Week and quarantine and hard times and the Good News is really interesting (bittersweet? ironic?) but I'm so thankful that when we can't go to church, church can come to us at the dining room table.  There's our silver lining for the day. 

Day 23

I took another weekend break because for the first time in several weeks, it actually felt like a real weekend.  Not because we were running kids to sports and loitering in Target but because we stayed busy all day, both days!  Glenn decide to embrace the warmer weather by cleaning out the big shed we have in the backyard. The shed stores everything from goose decoys to Glenn's textbooks from college.  It was due for a cleaning.  I didn't take before and after pictures because that would've been too easy but we ended up with about 20 empty totes and 2 trips to Goodwill and a couple of things given away from the front lawn.  But the giant project is done and the shed is so clean that people could live in there, which might happen if the quarantine continues.... "where's mom?"  "oh she lives in the shed now."

Today was the first day of online school for Will.  Reina's starts in earnest tomorrow.  It was a slightly rough start getting all of the technology figured out but I think it's going to work pretty well.  Will has a bunch of assignments that are due by the end of the week so he can pace himself to get everything done.  I'm trying to stick to a plan that has them doing academics, exercise and piano in the morning and then afternoons are free time.  That will work as long as the weather cooperates with me.


Yesterday, Reina and I participated in a Zoom call with her first communion class and I watched the sermon online.  It's so strange to be watching Holy Week over the computer but it's what must be done.  Wyoming has 210 cases today.  Still no deaths.

Day 20

Today was a better day.  Whether it was the sunshine (but cold air!) or just a Friday feel in general, the world seemed easier to bear today.  I took the afternoon off to make masks and jam and hang out with the kids. Only one and a half of those things actually happened.  I made a start on some masks and Reina and I took the dogs for a long walk.  Jam making is planned for Saturday.   I also left the house for a trip to the office and then grocery store and Target pickups.  I even went through the drive through at McDonald's and had a sprite and burger in silence (don't tell the kids.  Or Glenn.) 

Tonight Glenn and I teamed up to make dinner.  Glenn roasted some artichokes and they were pretty tasty.  We also had salmon and rice.  This is what this blog is coming to, a detailed reporting of our dinners.  Pictures next?

We got an email from Will's school and his studies start in earnest on Monday. I talked to the kids about having to devote more time to schoolwork and they were surprisingly amenable to the idea. I think even they are craving some normalcy.... as normal as mom teaching you math can be.  I think the person suffering the most from all of this quarantining is our Reina.  On our walks, she talks and talks and talks.  I think she misses friends to talk to during the day.  Here's my silver lining for the day, my knowledge of cool dances and topics of interest to 5th graders is soaring. 

We are back to our staying-at-home-as-much-as-possible routine this weekend.  Wyoming has something like 166 cases tonight, no deaths still. It's supposed to be 63 degrees on Sunday.  Bring it on.

Day 19

Not gonna lie, this was a rougher day folks.  I can't really pinpoint anything specific.  Glenn and I worked a bunch - he even headed to the office for a while.  The kids were pretty good at keeping themselves entertained.  The temperature was really chilly, it was only 11 when I woke up this morning, and it spit snow on and off all day.  By 5:00, I was done with all of it. I had a quick little pity party, Glenn offered to make dinner so I took the dogs for a brisk walk. I think I just needed a little dose of Vitamin D.  I came home refreshed and I'm ready to tackle the rest of the week.

Today, Reina made some pumpkin bread almost completely by herself.  She's really getting the hang of baking and other than a few corrections like 'tablespoon or teaspoon' and baking soda vs baking powder, she's doing great.  Will's daily Madden games are my sports fix for the day and sometimes he doesn't let me watch in case I jinx the outcome. 

It's hard to think that tomorrow is two weeks since I started working from home and Monday will be three weeks since the kids went to school.  It sounds like we are all in this for the long haul.  For today's silver lining, I'll be thankful for how my kiddos are adjusting and know that we can get through this, however long it takes.

Day 18

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep, I realized that I forgot to blog about Day 17.  I was too comfy to get up and write something real quick, so just assume that Day 17 was uneventful.  Kids were chill, weather was nice, we walked the dogs, we played four-square, we worked.  It was a Tuesday.  Day 18 was good, too.  The weather is changing ahead of a couple of inches of snow forecasted for tomorrow.  Reina and I took the dogs for a chilly walk in the field and we played a short game of four- square when we got home.  Will and I had old football and baseball games on the tv and Reina has been redesigning dress-up clothes in between screen time. 

Reina's school had a parade today with all of the teachers driving around the neighborhood.  It was so fun to see familiar faces and we waved and cheered.  It was a nice break from our regular Wednesday. 

We decided to do takeout for dinner tonight and Glenn chose Panera.  He and drove across town together and sat in the car for a few minutes while we waited for them to bring it out.  That's what passes for a date these days. 

Today's silver lining was watching the dogs race around the prairie in the chilly wind and knowing that they are just happy that we have time to do stuff like that on a Wednesday night. 

Wyoming has something like 139 cases tonight.  No deaths.  I'm off to make more masks.  I don't want it to sound martyr-ish because I'm really having fun making them.  My sewing machine skills are slowly improving and I've bought enough cutting tools and one of those boards to cut on and this thing that makes binding easier and fabric, fabric, fabric that I'm probably going to have to make a quilt when this is all done.