pretty much just more of the same

If you had told me two two months ago that a weekend in quarantine would feel different than any other days of the week, I don't know that I would have believed it. But I totally do now. Work has been so all-consuming (even on the weekends sometimes), but we can all feel a difference when Friday afternoon rolls around ... even if we don't have big plans to go anywhere. While the state has allowed more places to open within guidelines (primarily less than 25% capacity), many places have still opted not to do so, or are doing so very slowly. Regardless, I'm not in a rush to get to those places. Still too many unanswered questions about the 'rona. Plus ... take-out and online shopping ... in the absence of being able to return to work the "real" way, what else could I possibly need?! Sara's gym is going to start holding on-site practices in a couple of weeks, but it'll be conditioning - no stunting or spotting. Still no word at all on Emma's seasons, for good and obvious reasons.

We've been spending a lot of our weekend evenings outside. We enjoyed watching the NFL Draft together a couple of weeks ago. Normally this is a weekend-long event with friends.

 Although it was different, we enjoyed the glimpse into players and coaches' homes and lives. The girls swam and enjoyed the play-by-play. On night one, Emma was sure that the Cowboys would take Tony Romo. We had to do a little Draft education, but she soon caught on. Sara was surprisingly intrigued by all of it!

 I realized that one of my main new hobbies is taking pics of Jim. Ha! When I can, I take my work outside and get some fresh air to help balance the stress. Jim has been a great outdoor work partner.

 I was brought to tears a couple of Fridays ago when my staff surprised me with a drive-by and gifts. They are working SO hard, and here they were honoring me. It was so incredibly humbling. The mental health of my staff has been on my mind throughout remote learning. As teachers, we are not programmed to work this way - none of us like it, and everyone is reacting different from an emotional standpoint. I'll be so glad when we are all back together. I've been working hard to show appreciation in different ways during this time - lots of online games, snail mail, a video tribute, etc. Regardless, I'm supposed to be taking care of them and they have been doing so much for me.

 Another weekend patio/movie night. We all sat outside last weekend and watched "Napoleon Dynamite" - always good for lots of laughs!

 Jim has found a new favorite spot. From here, he can see out the big windows to the path in the back and the sidewalk/street in the front. He especially loves it when the weather allows us to open the windows!

 A 5th grade parent put together an appreciation video for Sara's teachers. This was her photo for it. What an end to 6 years of elementary school!

 Our weather has been very up and down - we've had a handful of hot pool days, coupled with some nights in the 30s ... who knows?! We've taken advantage of the pool and sunshine!

 The teeth keep falling out during quarantine! One day last week, the TF had to visit both girls in the same night! Emma is up to 8 teeth lost and Sara is at 16. Whoa!

 Emma recently stocked up on slime-making materials. When I told her I didn't think they were worth a trip to the store, she countered that they would keep her entertained. Touche. She's making videos of all of her slime experiements ... which got us remembering the time two years ago (two years exactly!) that I had to cut a chunk out of Emma's hair ...

 HA! I remember that this chunk was literally right on top of her head. Luckily, nobody could really tell since her hair always does its own thing anyway.

Like the title says, pretty much more of the same. Another back porch night last night - movie and fire. The temps were perfect for it!

Today I did a workout, will probably take Jim for a walk ... and open the windows thanks to the warming (but not too warm) temps. That's one of my favorite things to do that we don't get to do super often in Texas! We are going to grill some ribs later and I'm going to try a new recipe for oven baked steak fries. Certainly not the most of exciting of times, and although there are parts of normal life I really, really miss, there are lots of things about our continued quarantine that I really, really love.

photo shoot

Last weekend was supposed to have been Sara's final competition for the year, and of course Emma is supposed to have ongoing games. I already know that we'll likely need to find Emma a new soccer team once everything is back up and running, and although Sara plans to continue cheer, it was sad to miss the final competition. So ... I had the girls put on their uniforms and we did a little backyard photo shoot to commemorate the lost seasons!

 

 

 

out-of-order updates because all the days run together...

I might as well continue to document quarantine, don't you think? We got the news Friday that all schools in our state will be closed through the end of the school year. Although we knew that announcement was likely coming, it was still very hard to hear and process. This has certainly been an emotional journey on so many levels.

Emma's biggest heartbreak has been around the fact that her 1st grade program isn't happening. She had been practicing her songs, dances, and speaking part so diligently and had all hope in it being rescheduled.  It's also hard to think about Sara's elementary school years ending this way.

Our family time has been so great! Our evening happy hours in the family pub are still a huge hit. We gather around right at 5:00, listen to a record, and just enjoy being together. Sometimes there are games, other times it's just chitchat.

 HH Legos

 HH Headbandz

 HH Poker

Jim has received his first two Amazon packages! From G&G he got a pool float, and from Auntie, Adam, Cal, and Expo he got a Cowboys jersey and a kong. Happy guy.

 Our weather has been crazy - like everyone else's - so up and down. But a couple of hot days allowed us some pool time and Jim's first float!

Of course Emma has been busy in the kitchen. Everything from "edible glitter" to cookies to popsicle stick coasters ... you name it, she's done it.

 I'm proud of Sara for being so independent with her remote learning. She's up and working without me having to ask her. Jim is often her school companion.

  Both girls went crazy cleaning their rooms (after watching a couple episodes of Marie Kondo). They filled trash bags and Emma uncovered a face mask she'd gotten for Christmas! 

 We just love Jim. He's such a good dog. He'll even chase toys and bring them back!

 Headstand challenges... 

 Sometimes we eat dinner in our pub. Our quiet evenings have been a welcome change of pace.

 

Big packages came for the girls from G&G - giant pool noodles!

Emma started making paper masks. My mom sent her some fabric so she's upgraded to cloth ones.

We had a family HH the other night. It was a fun time! I've connected with my high school girl friends this way, and we also did a HH with our college friends. Funny how, now that we have time, we're being more intentional about connecting with people than we are usually. 

The girls have done  good job of making their own fun. Since we haven't had consistent pool weather, they find other things to do outside. Sometimes it's just flipping out back on the grass or riding bikes around the park, but they've also been busy with chalk art, too! 

 This weekend we did a lot of things we wouldn't normally get to - some yard work, finally hanging some pool equipment, new propane tanks, washing the front door, and organizing the spice cabinet!

(Totally out of order - you saw the title.) Last weekend (was it just last weekend?) we had a low-key Easter. The girls dyed a few eggs. 

 We rented the new Trolls movie and had movie theater style popcorn.

 The EB made it, even though we weren't sure he'd be traveling.

 We made some monkey bread.

 And we had confetti eggs for the first time. They were fun!

We enjoyed the simple celebration - enjoying the simple is the name of the game right now. There's a lot to be said for embracing simplicity, and appreciating that we have all we need, including our health!

Still Here...

We've left March and entered April under a stay-at-home order. The new normal is hard, and while some things are getting easier as we get used to them, it's difficult knowing that - at the moment - there isn't light at the end of the tunnel. Trying to enjoy the good and walk away from my work once in a while...

Last week we were blessed with a couple of beautiful days, so we heated up the pool and the girls had the best time getting out and active!

  Sara has been participating in cheer challenges and workouts.

(I really should be doing these workouts with her.) 

I miss my school community so much. I have been at school on and off, mostly for continued device delivery for students (which is being considered essential). The teachers are so stressed, and I don't have the tools to help them in the way I'd like to - it's just a time we all have to figure out and get through. I've heard from a number of parents who are unhappy, frustrated, and not handling this well - I get it, I'm working from home and schooling my kids, too. It's A LOT. I've also been the recipient of some very kind and understanding parents. The FB post made me smile and nearly cry. Little gestures... 

 Our big news - big distraction - big mood booster ... has been our new pup! Steve and I had been researching (finally, after months (years?) of begging from the girls). Steve found Jim, born on January 8th and named after Jim from "The Office", through a rescue about 45 minutes away. He's a beagle/dachshund mix. Last Saturday, Steve went to get him. I had the girls convinced that he was bringing home mulch and yard work materials, so they were shocked when he came through the door with a pup! In my excitement, I totally screwed up the videoing of the reveal ... ugh. But I had the girls in the living room and Steve came in through the garage. He announced that he had brought a friend to help with yard work ... and then walked around the corner with Jim. Sara jumped and screamed. Emma was paralyzed with shock. Everyone as instantly in love!

 Jim loves being outside. You can barely see him in this pic, but on a warm day this week, he just sat outside and watched the girls. He's a good dog ... we're just working on what not to chew and where not to potty. We have lots of time to train him, though, since we're out of school through May 1st (and possibly longer). I'm so glad we finally made the decision to get a dog for the girls. They'll always remember their childhood pup!

 Both girls enjoyed showing him to their friends and teachers when they had virtual meetings today. Sara is totally self-sufficient with her learning, and I need to give Emma a little more help. But she LOVES when a video of her teacher pops up!

 Last night was a district awards ceremony for an art contest the girls entered at their school. Sara's project went to the district level and was awarded last night. We tuned in on FB live! 

We're missing our normal, but doing well. I keep wondering what life will be like when this is all over - will we rush back to our usual crazy routine? Steve thinks we probably will. I guess I agree, but it's hard to know. We'll see what organizations (cheer, soccer, etc.) recover from this, and whether Steve and I are still both employed remains to be seen as well. We've canceled our summer Estes Park trip, which I'm so sad about. We were so looking forward to taking the girls to see the mountains. It'll have to happen another time. I'd also signed them up for overnight camp, which they were super excited about - that hasn't been canceled yet, and I'm so hopeful it won't be. I guess in the end, though, we just need to focus on being thankful for the time together (even when it's waaay too much) and our health. What a crazy time. I still can't wrap my head around it all.

Quarantine Book Talk

In many ways, I've been busier than ever with work during quarantine ... but I'm trying to balance with my favorite type of self-care: reading. There have been plenty of moments for me to enjoy some reading, even if it's just a chapter or two.

MUST READ

1. The Lager Queen of Minnesota was a book I just had to have, for obvious reasons. I love the author anyway, and this story didn't disappoint. I loved the references to places I know, and the story itself (about breweries but also lots of other things) was worth the read.

2. American Dirt is the book that has come under such scrutiny since Oprah picked it for her book club, but it's about a Latina woman and her son trying to cross the border from Mexico, written by a white woman. I ignored the controversy and just read. What an incredible, gut-wrenching story, and on top of that, the prose is stunning.

MIGHT AS WELL READ 

1. If you've got quarantine time on your hands, these books are enjoyable reads. In the same fashion of Where'd You Go, Bernadette?, Today Will Be Different was ... different. The author's character building and sense of humor is so unique. Just a great story of best-laid plans. 

2. The Hypnotist's Love Story wasn't my favorite Moriarty book, but it was good nonetheless, and had just enough mystery to it.

3. The Coincidence of Coconut Cake was really just a love story, set in Milwaukee. A few unexpected twists, plenty of really obvious parts - it's how I think a Hallmark movie would come out as a book. I appreciated that it was easy, didn't add stress to a stressful time, and had a happy ending.

NEXT ON MY LIST

As I was nearing the end of Today Will Be Different, I was almost paralyzed by this quote. I read it a thousand times. I live and breathe my job, and that effort rarely translates to home. Although I don't love quarantine, I'm thankful for this time to slow down, reflect, and work to "...love well the people I love the most."