When Monday rolled around we did Monday. It was not necessarily a good Monday as Mondays go. The virtual platform for my son's school was different. My son was like a space cadet. I had to read everything to him. I had to lay it out step by step for him. I lost my cool. I yelled at the top of my lungs. My daughter wasn't being overly productive either. I ended up calling the school and two teachers called me to assure me that we were doing well and to keep it up. It was odd to hear the teachers telling me how best my son learns and it was great advice.
We rolled into Tuesday and my daughter had an amazing first half of the day. We did multiple math lessons and her little brain was on fire. My son was focused on his work and did much better and thankfully we had the ELA Aide on the phone with him. When my daughter had her midday Google Meet she couldn't focus and listening was not happening. The teacher quickly caught on and let us go.
I had my first PTO Zoom meeting. How nice it was to see everyone and to talk about things that were not on a 5th and 2nd grade level. We ended the meeting and had a quick chat session. My time as a Committee Chair at my daughter's school is coming to a close. I know that before long new adventures will open up and I will have new paths to explore.
By Wednesday my daughter was done. I tried to get her to watch the ELA videos and complete the work. I ended up screaming at her in a rage by 11 a.m. My husband suggested that she go to her room and I go pick up the school lunches. I biked to the school in a fury. I could feel the rage rolling off of me. Back home, kids fed and son is working diligently. Again I struggle with my daughter and again we end up in a stalemate. This meant that the two extra days she should have off will be partially spent doing this work. I tried to explain to her that her teacher took time from her kids to create this online platform. I tried to make her understand that she was making it harder on herself and me. I know it is selfish to include myself, but I need free time too. I need time to step away from the teaching roll. Time to be just a mom.
It is now mandated that all DOD facilities are to be utilized by people wearing a mask. Mask making has begun in earnest all around our post. This also meant that since my husband had a mask alternative and I did not, that he would go to the Commissary. I wrote him a short list with the much needed rice at the top. He came home with the harder to find items and no rice. I was still extremely thankful to him. This also means that I have not left the general area of my neighborhood in over a week. The furthest I have gone is a neighboring neighborhood to pick up something from a porch. I have become isolated. In a way this is somewhat normal for me as I do not normally like to drive across town to just drive across town. In other ways this is highly unusual as I am a fairly social person due to my volunteering commitments.
Wednesday was a beautiful and warm and sunny day. I knew from the news that a storm would roll in. I also expected some moderate wind and a lot of rain. After my second online PTO meeting, which was again like a breath of fresh air, I got my kids into bed. Hubby and I settled in to watch a show and wait on his next round of accountability calls from his Soldiers. Just as we turn off the lights I realize that our repurposed bike stroller is uncovered. I go outside and get it covered and think to myself how odd the air felt and it seemed like I was breathing in dirt. I return to bed and start telling my husband that I think I left my barely alive poinsettia outside on the front porch. As we are discussing how my plant will be fine, a terrible pounding commences outside of our bedroom window. The wind was roaring against our house. The window was rattling and the curtain was literally blowing in and out. We hear a thud and I am up grabbing for my robe. I throw open the front door and see and feel nature's fury. The wind is swirling there is dust and debris. I grab my son's bike that was knocked to the ground, I grab our lounge chair. I am thrilled by the sight of this storm, as I love storms. My husband and I run to the back door to look out and check the trampoline. We realize quickly that ours is intact but our two neighbor's have lost their trampolines. When I return to the front door our non social distancing neighbor runs over to offer to help us bring in our porch furniture. I decline and then they tell us that another trampoline had blown down the road past all of the parked cars. It mere minutes it is all over. Everything settles down and returns to a semblance of normal.
When morning dawns, I get dressed and head outside. The sight before me is many branches strewn in the road, the yards and all around the cars. It is chilly in the early morning air. Our cars for the most part are okay. There is a small ding on one of the van doors. Later in the afternoon the kids and I go outside to clean up the branches. Maintenance was by earlier in the day to clean up the large branches.
I did manage to get my daughter to do some school work. I picked up face masks that were made for my husband and I. In return I had baked pumpkin muffins. Hubby had to work, and he made a Walmart run. He also cooked and amazing dinner. Potato tacos. They were phenomenal. Last night I cooked spicy chicken with the rainbow bell peppers.
Though we are largely stuck in our neighborhood, we are blessed with good neighbors. Technology though infuriating at times, is a Godsend. I often catch myself remembering my 90s teenage years and how I did not have technology. I only had a dial up home phone, a VCR, a TV, and a typewriter. My stereo was a saving grace and how I loved to type stories. How much has changed since then. I know my kids would never make it if they were tossed into the 90s.
Find a positive everyday God Bless.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Chronicals of a Not so Oridinary Mom: Spring Break
Spring Break came and went.
No travel, no true notice of the passage of a weeks worth of days.
Big plans to continue working on school work were pushed aside in order to relax, regroup and adjust.
The first weekend passed with little notice and much staying up too late and getting up late. On into Monday were we watched TV and dealt with slightly cooler temperatures. The heat had to come back on.
Tuesday rolled around and shit hit the fan. I had decided to order online from Walmart. This would be my first time. Time consuming and lots of concentration as I tried to work my way through my grocery list. In the middle of it when time is essential in order to keep my pick up time, my two kids begin shouting at each other. I turn and tell them to turn off the game system. They both yell at me in unision, an I begin yelling at them to turn it off and go to their rooms. I grab controllers and walk back into my kitchen and finish what I was doing. A few minutes later my husband returns home happy as you please. He is shocked when he hears what had just transpired. A little later we make grocery run to the commissary and then to Walmart to pick up my order. I am still in need of breakfast sausages and Jasmine Rice.
Wednesday to Sunday became a blur. When the weather turned nice we went on family bike rides and walks. We picked up school lunches on the week days and made our own Saturday and today.
My hometown in Tennessee has provide much online entertainment as I read post after post of hardships caused by the shut down of many businesses and the pros and cons of why people should stay home. Somehow the concept of flattening the curve seems lost on so many. They insist it is essential to eat out when they have the means to eat out. It is as if they do not realize that this is only the beginning. This is where it is about life and death and keeping those we love safe. This is almost like the eye of the storm. Once we can emerge from our homes and regain some sense of normalcy the economy will crash. Unemployment is rising already. I see people eating out and I wonder when they will realize that they should be saving money.
Monday of last week my oldest son became unemployed. Instead of using that as a time to stay home, he ventured from TN to KY to visit his half sister. I was devastated when he called me from her house. I knew he was only a little over an hour away, yet I had to tell him to come. I was hurt that he refused to acknowledge how he was endangering everyone he encountered, to include his grandfather that he lives with. Instead he hung up the phone hurt and angry at me. I sat there on my couch stunned. As a mom I want my home to always be open to my children. But these times are making that hard to do especially if your child lives in another state with your aging parent.
The situation in Mexico where my husband's family lives are not much better. They are faced with job loss and rising food costs and crazy rumors about people going to the hospital and never returning. My husband calls them daily and we pray hard for them.
Saturday we did a three mile hike and came home feeling rejuvenated. Saturday night we sat a safe distance from our attached neighbor. They had a fire going in their fire pit. We drank our own alcohol and enjoyed the fire from the yard as the fire pit was on their back patio. It is strange how you make adjustments to find a semblance of normalcy. We spent an hour outside and then came in to call it a night. Please keep in mind that these are people who like us have had minimal contact with others outside of our homes and our husband's jobs. These are people who live in the same dead end area of the neighborhood. From our chairs we could barely feel the blazing heat of a great fire only remnants of the heat as it drifted up and away.
Today we are relaxing and preparing for the next week. We know that homeschooling has now been announced as "Until further notice" Thankfully we will still have the school lunch pick up.
I am fully sad that I won't be able to plan the end of the year events with my two PTOs. My next Resident Advisory Board meeting will be a phone conference. The two exit rams to the outside towns have been blocked under the guise of maintenance. We are still able to get off post and back on through the one main gate.
Pray for Monday as I am sure it will be a hard one
No travel, no true notice of the passage of a weeks worth of days.
Big plans to continue working on school work were pushed aside in order to relax, regroup and adjust.
The first weekend passed with little notice and much staying up too late and getting up late. On into Monday were we watched TV and dealt with slightly cooler temperatures. The heat had to come back on.
Tuesday rolled around and shit hit the fan. I had decided to order online from Walmart. This would be my first time. Time consuming and lots of concentration as I tried to work my way through my grocery list. In the middle of it when time is essential in order to keep my pick up time, my two kids begin shouting at each other. I turn and tell them to turn off the game system. They both yell at me in unision, an I begin yelling at them to turn it off and go to their rooms. I grab controllers and walk back into my kitchen and finish what I was doing. A few minutes later my husband returns home happy as you please. He is shocked when he hears what had just transpired. A little later we make grocery run to the commissary and then to Walmart to pick up my order. I am still in need of breakfast sausages and Jasmine Rice.
Wednesday to Sunday became a blur. When the weather turned nice we went on family bike rides and walks. We picked up school lunches on the week days and made our own Saturday and today.
My hometown in Tennessee has provide much online entertainment as I read post after post of hardships caused by the shut down of many businesses and the pros and cons of why people should stay home. Somehow the concept of flattening the curve seems lost on so many. They insist it is essential to eat out when they have the means to eat out. It is as if they do not realize that this is only the beginning. This is where it is about life and death and keeping those we love safe. This is almost like the eye of the storm. Once we can emerge from our homes and regain some sense of normalcy the economy will crash. Unemployment is rising already. I see people eating out and I wonder when they will realize that they should be saving money.
Monday of last week my oldest son became unemployed. Instead of using that as a time to stay home, he ventured from TN to KY to visit his half sister. I was devastated when he called me from her house. I knew he was only a little over an hour away, yet I had to tell him to come. I was hurt that he refused to acknowledge how he was endangering everyone he encountered, to include his grandfather that he lives with. Instead he hung up the phone hurt and angry at me. I sat there on my couch stunned. As a mom I want my home to always be open to my children. But these times are making that hard to do especially if your child lives in another state with your aging parent.
The situation in Mexico where my husband's family lives are not much better. They are faced with job loss and rising food costs and crazy rumors about people going to the hospital and never returning. My husband calls them daily and we pray hard for them.
Saturday we did a three mile hike and came home feeling rejuvenated. Saturday night we sat a safe distance from our attached neighbor. They had a fire going in their fire pit. We drank our own alcohol and enjoyed the fire from the yard as the fire pit was on their back patio. It is strange how you make adjustments to find a semblance of normalcy. We spent an hour outside and then came in to call it a night. Please keep in mind that these are people who like us have had minimal contact with others outside of our homes and our husband's jobs. These are people who live in the same dead end area of the neighborhood. From our chairs we could barely feel the blazing heat of a great fire only remnants of the heat as it drifted up and away.
Today we are relaxing and preparing for the next week. We know that homeschooling has now been announced as "Until further notice" Thankfully we will still have the school lunch pick up.
I am fully sad that I won't be able to plan the end of the year events with my two PTOs. My next Resident Advisory Board meeting will be a phone conference. The two exit rams to the outside towns have been blocked under the guise of maintenance. We are still able to get off post and back on through the one main gate.
Pray for Monday as I am sure it will be a hard one
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The Chronicals of a Not so Ordinary Mom: More Changes
Hello Thursday, normally early release Thursday for the kids.
Last night the husband came in from work late, yes Happy Anniversary to us. In addition to being late, he had a box. As of last night he will be working at home and he will be on call. For the most part the "on call" should have very little impact on him. I took the news with mixed feelings. Yay he will be here should I need his help, and Really? As the night wore on I realized that this would mean even less free time for me to do as I please. It also will be a great time to work on our communication and parenting skills. Hopefully we both survive this.
I mentally prepared myself to the be the first one up, as is normal on any days off he has whether kids are in school or not. So this morning I hit the floor at 6:30, just seconds before his phone began ringing. As I am preparing to get a shower, he comes in to tell me it is 100% accountability via video chat. It was rather interesting watching him call his soldiers while sitting in the bed shirtless and slowly coming awake. Secretly I was glad this happened, so that he would be forced out of bed and it would not just be me going about the morning routine.
Once breakfast was over and cleared away, my sweet husband actually washed the skillets. Honestly though I think he did this to prove that he can wash skillets better than me. Shortly after, we had four computers on and all of us sitting around the table trying to get into the groove. Naturally we missed a video chat. This one was for my daughter. My husband's laptop wouldn't support Google Meet, mine wouldn't connect to the internet, the work computer wouldn't connect to Google. It all ended well, just before I blew a fuse. I will be honest, my voice began to get higher and the stress levels were rising. I rushed around the table to turn on my diffuser and then sarcastically, my husband states that the missing diffuser was really the issue. He begins to lecture about me getting everyone all worked up and causing him undue stress and the scaring the kids.
I ignored him and got my daughter set up to Google meet her teacher. My son began doing his work and endless Google meets. I think he was on that platform for upwards of 2 hours, though not consecutively. Guess what still isn't completed? Google slide project will be completed momentarily.
The kids worked hard, the husband, well I am not really sure what he was doing. He did do a little assisting with math or trouble shooting. I was able to do the scanning and printing of worksheets and signed forms for the kids. It is really more like I am mom, teacher, cook, maid, and secretary. My life is slowly becoming dominated my the kids and I am sure the husband before long.
Lunch break, my daughter asked if we could bike over to the school because it was pretty outside. I quickly agree and because there was a tiny chill in the air, my husband tried to say that we needed to ride in the car. Finally we pulled out the bikes and took the quick ride up to the school and back. Hubby and I ended up eating the school lunch and making the kids something else.
After lunch we got back to it. My poor son is working as hard as can be, but it really feels like he is treading water with little progress. I found out today that one of the things my daughter did yesterday, was supposed to be spread out over a few days. She made great progress on the math platform. By 1:30 it was really time to let her go. She was all worked out. I sent my son outside after his last Google meet, and here in just a bit we will knock out that project.
It is really nice watching the kids and husband play outside while I sit in the shade writing this. I look forward to our walk later and cooking dinner with the husband.
Please continue to pray for all those affected by the Coronavirus. Pray hard, the world needs it.
Last night the husband came in from work late, yes Happy Anniversary to us. In addition to being late, he had a box. As of last night he will be working at home and he will be on call. For the most part the "on call" should have very little impact on him. I took the news with mixed feelings. Yay he will be here should I need his help, and Really? As the night wore on I realized that this would mean even less free time for me to do as I please. It also will be a great time to work on our communication and parenting skills. Hopefully we both survive this.
I mentally prepared myself to the be the first one up, as is normal on any days off he has whether kids are in school or not. So this morning I hit the floor at 6:30, just seconds before his phone began ringing. As I am preparing to get a shower, he comes in to tell me it is 100% accountability via video chat. It was rather interesting watching him call his soldiers while sitting in the bed shirtless and slowly coming awake. Secretly I was glad this happened, so that he would be forced out of bed and it would not just be me going about the morning routine.
Once breakfast was over and cleared away, my sweet husband actually washed the skillets. Honestly though I think he did this to prove that he can wash skillets better than me. Shortly after, we had four computers on and all of us sitting around the table trying to get into the groove. Naturally we missed a video chat. This one was for my daughter. My husband's laptop wouldn't support Google Meet, mine wouldn't connect to the internet, the work computer wouldn't connect to Google. It all ended well, just before I blew a fuse. I will be honest, my voice began to get higher and the stress levels were rising. I rushed around the table to turn on my diffuser and then sarcastically, my husband states that the missing diffuser was really the issue. He begins to lecture about me getting everyone all worked up and causing him undue stress and the scaring the kids.
I ignored him and got my daughter set up to Google meet her teacher. My son began doing his work and endless Google meets. I think he was on that platform for upwards of 2 hours, though not consecutively. Guess what still isn't completed? Google slide project will be completed momentarily.
The kids worked hard, the husband, well I am not really sure what he was doing. He did do a little assisting with math or trouble shooting. I was able to do the scanning and printing of worksheets and signed forms for the kids. It is really more like I am mom, teacher, cook, maid, and secretary. My life is slowly becoming dominated my the kids and I am sure the husband before long.
Lunch break, my daughter asked if we could bike over to the school because it was pretty outside. I quickly agree and because there was a tiny chill in the air, my husband tried to say that we needed to ride in the car. Finally we pulled out the bikes and took the quick ride up to the school and back. Hubby and I ended up eating the school lunch and making the kids something else.
After lunch we got back to it. My poor son is working as hard as can be, but it really feels like he is treading water with little progress. I found out today that one of the things my daughter did yesterday, was supposed to be spread out over a few days. She made great progress on the math platform. By 1:30 it was really time to let her go. She was all worked out. I sent my son outside after his last Google meet, and here in just a bit we will knock out that project.
It is really nice watching the kids and husband play outside while I sit in the shade writing this. I look forward to our walk later and cooking dinner with the husband.
Please continue to pray for all those affected by the Coronavirus. Pray hard, the world needs it.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
The Chronicals of a Not So Ordinary Mom: The Great Escape
It is another Wednesday, another hump day to mark the passage of a week. A long week at that.
A fun fact, on this day eleven years ago I married my tall, dark and handsome husband. If you have read any of my previous posts, then you know our story. But if you haven't I'll just say we have certainly traveled down a winding road and ascended and descended a few fairly good sized hill. We have survived through the bad and seen the good on the other side. This year hubby is once again in the same zip code that I am in, but he is working late. Lucky him to be attached to the only Brigade at our location that is mission essential. I am finally sitting down to type this out after eating dinner alone with the kids.
The morning started off a little rough. My daughter just could not focus. The more I pushed and tried to engage her, the more distracted and upset she became. As for my son, my husband started him off with Google slides. Five minutes into the project we have tears. He couldn't tell us why he was crying only that we were not doing the slides the right way. He was not communicating with us and once we worked past the lack of communication issue it was smooth sailing. By tomorrow that project should be a thing of the past. One of the teachers that works with both my kids at their respective schools called for a video chat today. It was refreshing to catch up with her and to have someone that listened to my difficulties and challenges and offered up solid advice. Away we went to get the kids lunch and they loved the sandwiches. Finally I had a few minutes to scan several sheets of homework and get them turned into the Google classrooms.
Just before we began after lunch work I put both of our Chihuahuas on their leashes and asked my son to take them outside. My oldest son called and then I sat down with my daughter to get her started. Once I had her writing colorful sentences, I decided to check my FB. As I am scrolling through I see a lost dog picture in my neighborhood, I started to keep scrolling, but then I realized it was my dog. But wait I hadn't taken any pictures of him today, and why is he outside on the leash? Slowly I look up from my phone and over to the couch where I see one Chihuahua. My little girl dog has been a little more restless than normal. I look at my son who is sitting across from me focusing on his school work. "Where is Javier?" He looks up clueless or guilty, I am not really sure. And suddenly my daughter is shouting that her brother let him go when she asked him to look at a caterpillar on the trampoline. He is still trying to maintain his innocence. I am at a loss as I look at him and implore him to explain to me how on earth he goes outside with two dogs and returns with only one. How could he not tell me. He just shrugs "I don't know" "I was distracted" I frantically comment on the picture and send a DM, but I am beginning to realize that thirty minutes has passed and this person might have taken him somewhere as a lost pet. Then I notice that this person has a mutual friend. I call our mutual friend nearly in tears because my sweet Javier is gone. Shortly after our call she sends me the pick up address which is thankfully almost in view of my house. As I start to walk down the road I see a lady with a small animal carrier coaxing an animal out of it. I call "Javi" and instantly he is running to me. The lady and I chat a minute and I explain how this happened. My sweet Javi tends to be a wanderer especially if the kids are outside. Today he took advantage of a dropped leash and went on a stroll only to be apprehended almost in sight of home. The lady said that she was about to take him into the vet to be chipped, and this would have meant doggie jail for him. The rest of the afternoon he stayed on the couch and kept one eye on me at all times. I am so thankful that this had a happy ending. I am also wary of trusting my kids to take the dogs out.
We wrapped up school around 1:30 today. It turned into a beautiful Spring Day and I just could not see keeping the kids inside working on homework. The rest of the afternoon was spent outside with a the kids and a neighbor and her kids enjoying the sunshine. I am becoming accustomed to this new reality. It is not my favorite reality, but what matters most is that my kids are happy and healthy. My oldest is volunteering as a fireman with the rescue squad in our home county in TN. Unfortunately my sister will be unemployed by next week, I have a cousin who is also unemployed and here before long my son might also be unemployed. Let us all join together in prayer for all of those that are being negatively impacted by this situation. Please be with the Military Members whose movements are frozen for 60 days. This will include those set to leave for or return from a deployment.
God Bless!
A fun fact, on this day eleven years ago I married my tall, dark and handsome husband. If you have read any of my previous posts, then you know our story. But if you haven't I'll just say we have certainly traveled down a winding road and ascended and descended a few fairly good sized hill. We have survived through the bad and seen the good on the other side. This year hubby is once again in the same zip code that I am in, but he is working late. Lucky him to be attached to the only Brigade at our location that is mission essential. I am finally sitting down to type this out after eating dinner alone with the kids.
The morning started off a little rough. My daughter just could not focus. The more I pushed and tried to engage her, the more distracted and upset she became. As for my son, my husband started him off with Google slides. Five minutes into the project we have tears. He couldn't tell us why he was crying only that we were not doing the slides the right way. He was not communicating with us and once we worked past the lack of communication issue it was smooth sailing. By tomorrow that project should be a thing of the past. One of the teachers that works with both my kids at their respective schools called for a video chat today. It was refreshing to catch up with her and to have someone that listened to my difficulties and challenges and offered up solid advice. Away we went to get the kids lunch and they loved the sandwiches. Finally I had a few minutes to scan several sheets of homework and get them turned into the Google classrooms.
Just before we began after lunch work I put both of our Chihuahuas on their leashes and asked my son to take them outside. My oldest son called and then I sat down with my daughter to get her started. Once I had her writing colorful sentences, I decided to check my FB. As I am scrolling through I see a lost dog picture in my neighborhood, I started to keep scrolling, but then I realized it was my dog. But wait I hadn't taken any pictures of him today, and why is he outside on the leash? Slowly I look up from my phone and over to the couch where I see one Chihuahua. My little girl dog has been a little more restless than normal. I look at my son who is sitting across from me focusing on his school work. "Where is Javier?" He looks up clueless or guilty, I am not really sure. And suddenly my daughter is shouting that her brother let him go when she asked him to look at a caterpillar on the trampoline. He is still trying to maintain his innocence. I am at a loss as I look at him and implore him to explain to me how on earth he goes outside with two dogs and returns with only one. How could he not tell me. He just shrugs "I don't know" "I was distracted" I frantically comment on the picture and send a DM, but I am beginning to realize that thirty minutes has passed and this person might have taken him somewhere as a lost pet. Then I notice that this person has a mutual friend. I call our mutual friend nearly in tears because my sweet Javier is gone. Shortly after our call she sends me the pick up address which is thankfully almost in view of my house. As I start to walk down the road I see a lady with a small animal carrier coaxing an animal out of it. I call "Javi" and instantly he is running to me. The lady and I chat a minute and I explain how this happened. My sweet Javi tends to be a wanderer especially if the kids are outside. Today he took advantage of a dropped leash and went on a stroll only to be apprehended almost in sight of home. The lady said that she was about to take him into the vet to be chipped, and this would have meant doggie jail for him. The rest of the afternoon he stayed on the couch and kept one eye on me at all times. I am so thankful that this had a happy ending. I am also wary of trusting my kids to take the dogs out.
We wrapped up school around 1:30 today. It turned into a beautiful Spring Day and I just could not see keeping the kids inside working on homework. The rest of the afternoon was spent outside with a the kids and a neighbor and her kids enjoying the sunshine. I am becoming accustomed to this new reality. It is not my favorite reality, but what matters most is that my kids are happy and healthy. My oldest is volunteering as a fireman with the rescue squad in our home county in TN. Unfortunately my sister will be unemployed by next week, I have a cousin who is also unemployed and here before long my son might also be unemployed. Let us all join together in prayer for all of those that are being negatively impacted by this situation. Please be with the Military Members whose movements are frozen for 60 days. This will include those set to leave for or return from a deployment.
God Bless!
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
The Chronicals of a Not So Ordinary Mom: Progress
Tuesday, hmm that sounds boring. In theory I would be counting down the days until next week. Next week is supposed to be our Spring Break. So for right now that means absolutely nothing. It does lighten my workload, but I will still need the kids to catch up on school work that we haven't done. This includes a Living History Poster Board, math exercises, and reading out loud.
Started off good, no dramatics, very little opposition to the work. My son's school called and we worked out a viable schedule. My daughter's meet group made me realize that we had only started on the surface concerning her school work.
Currently I am sitting at the kitchen table between my two kids. I am listening to my daughter do a math exercise on Google Meet with a teacher. My son is pretending that he knows how to write a story. This story is like plain white bread. I have been assisting him with ideas and punctuation and paragraph set up. Overall these two kids have been working hard. Lunch time had to be adjusted a bit to accommodate Google Meets. I am counting down the minutes until we reach a stopping point. I am also hoping that our stopping point allows me enough time to catch up on one show. Just one show, that is all that I really want.
My kids were not as impressed with the school lunch today. My son ate all the chicken nuggets that were between both meals and I made my daughter a peanut butter and Jelly.
Last night my family went on a small neighborhood walk. Our post is doing a Teddy Bear hunt, and were able to see two Teddy Bears. This made my kids so happy. Once we got home they each found a Teddy Bear to put outside. We also drew pretty pictures on our sidewalk for passer byes to see. While we were out we had to pass a playground. Let me tell you that this looked. like a first day of warm weather neighborhood meetup. We walked around the area and were equally surprised that so many people were in one place and all of the kids were playing on the playground equipment. It is equally sad that right now you look at such a scene and think to yourself how reckless this is. Just one month ago we were all flocking to the playgrounds to savor the warm sunshine and the feeling of belonging to a community.
I am not what is considered a millennial as I was born in the late 70s, so this is not my time to shine. I am okay with secluding myself inside my house to regroup, but at some point I will need human interaction again. Right now, this is not possible. I have not been inside of a grocery store since last Friday. I am sure I will have to go soon as we are creeping ever closer to no milk and avocado. Going to the park on Sunday was when I rounded the corner to more caution. I want life to return to normal, whatever that new normal would be. I miss my two PTO board activities and friendships. I miss afternoon pick up at my daughter's school. In the end, I know I am doing what is best for my family. My husband must still go to work, and that in itself continues to put us in a moderate risk area, so this is what we need to do. Never mind that my sister and my dad think that all of this social distancing is for the birds.
In my own home I have played around with conspiracy theories, but honestly, who hasn't? Even before this current crazy, the last four years have been led by the crazy and unpredictable who love to vent all the Nation's problems on social media and sprinkle that with hate and just all around bully mentality. I pray for simpler times, but I guess that is exactly what every generation has done. Imaging that we are experiencing the roaring 20's. Not like the 1920s, but an entirely new version of social and political unrest with a crazy virus to keep it exciting. Even in the 1920,s into the 30's hate and racisms were profound and here we are again. I am a patterns person and that makes me often presume or make conclusions in a particular way.
Ya'll stay strong and keep doing you :)
Started off good, no dramatics, very little opposition to the work. My son's school called and we worked out a viable schedule. My daughter's meet group made me realize that we had only started on the surface concerning her school work.
Currently I am sitting at the kitchen table between my two kids. I am listening to my daughter do a math exercise on Google Meet with a teacher. My son is pretending that he knows how to write a story. This story is like plain white bread. I have been assisting him with ideas and punctuation and paragraph set up. Overall these two kids have been working hard. Lunch time had to be adjusted a bit to accommodate Google Meets. I am counting down the minutes until we reach a stopping point. I am also hoping that our stopping point allows me enough time to catch up on one show. Just one show, that is all that I really want.
My kids were not as impressed with the school lunch today. My son ate all the chicken nuggets that were between both meals and I made my daughter a peanut butter and Jelly.
Last night my family went on a small neighborhood walk. Our post is doing a Teddy Bear hunt, and were able to see two Teddy Bears. This made my kids so happy. Once we got home they each found a Teddy Bear to put outside. We also drew pretty pictures on our sidewalk for passer byes to see. While we were out we had to pass a playground. Let me tell you that this looked. like a first day of warm weather neighborhood meetup. We walked around the area and were equally surprised that so many people were in one place and all of the kids were playing on the playground equipment. It is equally sad that right now you look at such a scene and think to yourself how reckless this is. Just one month ago we were all flocking to the playgrounds to savor the warm sunshine and the feeling of belonging to a community.
I am not what is considered a millennial as I was born in the late 70s, so this is not my time to shine. I am okay with secluding myself inside my house to regroup, but at some point I will need human interaction again. Right now, this is not possible. I have not been inside of a grocery store since last Friday. I am sure I will have to go soon as we are creeping ever closer to no milk and avocado. Going to the park on Sunday was when I rounded the corner to more caution. I want life to return to normal, whatever that new normal would be. I miss my two PTO board activities and friendships. I miss afternoon pick up at my daughter's school. In the end, I know I am doing what is best for my family. My husband must still go to work, and that in itself continues to put us in a moderate risk area, so this is what we need to do. Never mind that my sister and my dad think that all of this social distancing is for the birds.
In my own home I have played around with conspiracy theories, but honestly, who hasn't? Even before this current crazy, the last four years have been led by the crazy and unpredictable who love to vent all the Nation's problems on social media and sprinkle that with hate and just all around bully mentality. I pray for simpler times, but I guess that is exactly what every generation has done. Imaging that we are experiencing the roaring 20's. Not like the 1920s, but an entirely new version of social and political unrest with a crazy virus to keep it exciting. Even in the 1920,s into the 30's hate and racisms were profound and here we are again. I am a patterns person and that makes me often presume or make conclusions in a particular way.
Ya'll stay strong and keep doing you :)
Chronicals of a Not so Ordinary Mom: Monday Again
Monday
Not a bad Monday considering how most Monday's go.
I got out of bed just a little later than my customary 6:30, try 6:42a.m. Jumped in the shower, ever mindful of the sleeping household. Grabbed a cup of focus tea and turned on the News. Not much in new, but still interesting statistics. I personally blame both the Republicans and the Democrats for the current state of things. I feel that if there wasn't so much bickering between the two parties they might actually accomplish something. I am sad because I feel like the election this year will not be fair as no one can really get out and vote in the primaries. Ah, but that is not really the point of all of this.
I managed to get breakfast started and everyone awake by 8, though not all feet were on the floor. Today my husband was home from work and he was able to convince our angry princess to show up to breakfast. His presence in the house managed to keep everything on a grouchy but productive spin. The husband and I toggled between computers and kids. I think that my husband finally saw and understood why I get so stressed out. The kids and the two of us worked hard until 11. For me it was a lot of printing and organizing what needed to be done and in what order. For the husband it was attempting to get my son to interact with him and to respond to direct questions. They also worked on handwriting. The big Social Studies project shouldn't be too hard to put together. Today my daughter worked on a lot of math. She had her first Google Meet and she did well. Great participation and she was good at answering the Math questions. If only she would to that for us.
After a full day of watching my son tread water, I sent an email to his teachers to let them know something had to give. He is struggling with the navigation between the two learning platforms and with the time frames given for the work. This transition has been hard for him as he is out of routine. That is not an easy thing for him. I figure by the end of the week, he will be in a routine and then it is Spring break.
Virtual Spirit week for both kids. Daughter was crazy socks and my son was PJs. This was a lot of fun.
We have had several great days of family time in the house together. I expect some will not be so great. I do miss my afternoon quiet time and getting to watch my shows. That has not happened in over a week. I have increased my junk food intake. I am trying not to, but stress for me equals eating as I am no longer a smoker. I am pretty sure when my daughter returns to school they are going to be sad that she knows how to carry and borrow in Math class. I do not understand those crazy blocks or whatever they are using. Why reinvent the wheel?
Tonight's dinner is going to be an easy one. Our meat situation is just about down to large packages of chicken breast and a few varieties of fish.
Again I implore everyone to stick to your own house, walks around the neighborhood, skipping the playgrounds and keeping a great social distance.
Stay safe and be blessed!
Not a bad Monday considering how most Monday's go.
I got out of bed just a little later than my customary 6:30, try 6:42a.m. Jumped in the shower, ever mindful of the sleeping household. Grabbed a cup of focus tea and turned on the News. Not much in new, but still interesting statistics. I personally blame both the Republicans and the Democrats for the current state of things. I feel that if there wasn't so much bickering between the two parties they might actually accomplish something. I am sad because I feel like the election this year will not be fair as no one can really get out and vote in the primaries. Ah, but that is not really the point of all of this.
I managed to get breakfast started and everyone awake by 8, though not all feet were on the floor. Today my husband was home from work and he was able to convince our angry princess to show up to breakfast. His presence in the house managed to keep everything on a grouchy but productive spin. The husband and I toggled between computers and kids. I think that my husband finally saw and understood why I get so stressed out. The kids and the two of us worked hard until 11. For me it was a lot of printing and organizing what needed to be done and in what order. For the husband it was attempting to get my son to interact with him and to respond to direct questions. They also worked on handwriting. The big Social Studies project shouldn't be too hard to put together. Today my daughter worked on a lot of math. She had her first Google Meet and she did well. Great participation and she was good at answering the Math questions. If only she would to that for us.
After a full day of watching my son tread water, I sent an email to his teachers to let them know something had to give. He is struggling with the navigation between the two learning platforms and with the time frames given for the work. This transition has been hard for him as he is out of routine. That is not an easy thing for him. I figure by the end of the week, he will be in a routine and then it is Spring break.
Virtual Spirit week for both kids. Daughter was crazy socks and my son was PJs. This was a lot of fun.
We have had several great days of family time in the house together. I expect some will not be so great. I do miss my afternoon quiet time and getting to watch my shows. That has not happened in over a week. I have increased my junk food intake. I am trying not to, but stress for me equals eating as I am no longer a smoker. I am pretty sure when my daughter returns to school they are going to be sad that she knows how to carry and borrow in Math class. I do not understand those crazy blocks or whatever they are using. Why reinvent the wheel?
Tonight's dinner is going to be an easy one. Our meat situation is just about down to large packages of chicken breast and a few varieties of fish.
Again I implore everyone to stick to your own house, walks around the neighborhood, skipping the playgrounds and keeping a great social distance.
Stay safe and be blessed!
Monday, March 23, 2020
Chronicals of a Not so Ordinary Mom: The weekend
Saturday lazy day. All well made productive stay in the house plans have been canceled, well accept for accountability calls that roll in at 8a.m. sharp.
No news stations for this household today. Talked to the Dad, he is not staying in as much as he should, but he is using the time out to assist others. Netflix and Hulu will keep us company and the trampoline outside will watch the kids. Oh, wait, I will look out the window at the occasionally.
A note on how we spent our Friday night. It was a true eye opening experience. My hard working husband has truly been feeling under the weather with horrible pounding headaches and a numbness in one of his legs. Lack of energy and a near fainting episode with the feeling of floating. After visiting sick call the medic advised an appointment on Monday but the ER immediately. What a scary prospect. The pros and cons were weighed over dinner and finally the decision was made to go.
We weren't exactly sure what the hospital protocol was, but we knew most likely we would have to take him, drop him and go from there. We loaded the kids in the car and once we arrived we went into the lobby to be greeted by the nursing staff and security guards. All of the personnel were wearing gloves and masks. SCARY! They questioned us as to who was being seen and said the kids had to go. No one under 18 unless they are sick. WOW! Hubby tells them he is feeling off and when he said headaches so bad they cause nausea, I honestly thought I heard the air leave the room and everyone draw back with eyes wide in unison. I was forced to return to the car with the kids and no parting touch. We waited nearly an hour before he called to say he was in a room and they felt it was not so serious. So the prospect was wait in the car with the kids for an indeterminate time or return to Post, that is almost a 30 minute drive. I decided to call our attached neighbor and ask her if I could leave my kids with her for just a bit. Without hesitation she said yes. Upon knocking on her door, I am met by her anxious husband who grills me on my health, the kids, my husband. Honestly I was surprised, but then I really wasn't it. He said to me that I would ask the same and I knew in that instant that I would not. My southern roots are so deep that I knew I would swoop any kids in need into my house without a moment's pause. I would be like the lady on this show I watched who died trying to protect a little girl who was already infected, but she didn't know that until after it was too late. I am thankful for their caution and their agreement to watch my kids. In hindsight I know I should never have put them in that position. In the e nd it was determined that my husband does in fact have migraines and that he is okay. It also took nearly four hours for the hospital to come to this decision. As a caution when I was about to enter his hospital room, they made me put on a protective covering, mask and gloves. All were grossly uncomfortable. Once we returned home we took off our shoes, sprayed them down. Tossed all jackets and clothing into the laundry and showered.
Going forward we will just stay home. No take out, No store until we really need to go. We will not invite others in, we will not go into other's homes. We will also avoid playgrounds and stick to open air places where we keep our distance from others.
I know people say that is called panic and being sheep, but how do you know who is right? How do you know which way the dice will fall? So I urge each person reading this to do what is best for your family and do not judge how others react.
We spent Saturday in PJs all day. The kids went outside to jump on trampoline. We made our own Subway type sandwiches and just ourselves relax and unwind.
On Sunday we made a mistake. In the moment it seemed like a good idea. We went to the Bernheim Forest to see the Giants. Unfortunately, it appeared like everyone else in our part of Kentucky had the same idea. Thankfully it was a colder day. Once we followed the long line of cars and parked, we decided to avoid the groups of people. This meant that we would not be seeing giants up front. My 40 year old bladder was not cooperating and I needed to pee. The restroom was not crowded and I got out of there quickly. We did not walk around the beautiful pond or on the cute bridges. We walked through the pine trees. We skirted the popular paths and play areas or statues of art. We found a secluded trail and only passed three families on this trail. Each time I pushed my kids into the shrubbery and instructed them to face the trees. We found an out of the way area to eat our lunch. Then we headed back to the car and home where everyone showered immediately.
My family will not be doing this again. I will share my experience so that others know that this was not a wise choice. That my decision to push this family outing was reckless. Reckless not only to my family but to all others who were at that park.
It is hard to shelter in place. It is hard to avoid places that bring joy or relaxation. It is important to find new ways to enjoy the emergence of Spring. We must be proactive in curbing this nasty virus.
God Bless!
No news stations for this household today. Talked to the Dad, he is not staying in as much as he should, but he is using the time out to assist others. Netflix and Hulu will keep us company and the trampoline outside will watch the kids. Oh, wait, I will look out the window at the occasionally.
A note on how we spent our Friday night. It was a true eye opening experience. My hard working husband has truly been feeling under the weather with horrible pounding headaches and a numbness in one of his legs. Lack of energy and a near fainting episode with the feeling of floating. After visiting sick call the medic advised an appointment on Monday but the ER immediately. What a scary prospect. The pros and cons were weighed over dinner and finally the decision was made to go.
We weren't exactly sure what the hospital protocol was, but we knew most likely we would have to take him, drop him and go from there. We loaded the kids in the car and once we arrived we went into the lobby to be greeted by the nursing staff and security guards. All of the personnel were wearing gloves and masks. SCARY! They questioned us as to who was being seen and said the kids had to go. No one under 18 unless they are sick. WOW! Hubby tells them he is feeling off and when he said headaches so bad they cause nausea, I honestly thought I heard the air leave the room and everyone draw back with eyes wide in unison. I was forced to return to the car with the kids and no parting touch. We waited nearly an hour before he called to say he was in a room and they felt it was not so serious. So the prospect was wait in the car with the kids for an indeterminate time or return to Post, that is almost a 30 minute drive. I decided to call our attached neighbor and ask her if I could leave my kids with her for just a bit. Without hesitation she said yes. Upon knocking on her door, I am met by her anxious husband who grills me on my health, the kids, my husband. Honestly I was surprised, but then I really wasn't it. He said to me that I would ask the same and I knew in that instant that I would not. My southern roots are so deep that I knew I would swoop any kids in need into my house without a moment's pause. I would be like the lady on this show I watched who died trying to protect a little girl who was already infected, but she didn't know that until after it was too late. I am thankful for their caution and their agreement to watch my kids. In hindsight I know I should never have put them in that position. In the e nd it was determined that my husband does in fact have migraines and that he is okay. It also took nearly four hours for the hospital to come to this decision. As a caution when I was about to enter his hospital room, they made me put on a protective covering, mask and gloves. All were grossly uncomfortable. Once we returned home we took off our shoes, sprayed them down. Tossed all jackets and clothing into the laundry and showered.
Going forward we will just stay home. No take out, No store until we really need to go. We will not invite others in, we will not go into other's homes. We will also avoid playgrounds and stick to open air places where we keep our distance from others.
I know people say that is called panic and being sheep, but how do you know who is right? How do you know which way the dice will fall? So I urge each person reading this to do what is best for your family and do not judge how others react.
We spent Saturday in PJs all day. The kids went outside to jump on trampoline. We made our own Subway type sandwiches and just ourselves relax and unwind.
On Sunday we made a mistake. In the moment it seemed like a good idea. We went to the Bernheim Forest to see the Giants. Unfortunately, it appeared like everyone else in our part of Kentucky had the same idea. Thankfully it was a colder day. Once we followed the long line of cars and parked, we decided to avoid the groups of people. This meant that we would not be seeing giants up front. My 40 year old bladder was not cooperating and I needed to pee. The restroom was not crowded and I got out of there quickly. We did not walk around the beautiful pond or on the cute bridges. We walked through the pine trees. We skirted the popular paths and play areas or statues of art. We found a secluded trail and only passed three families on this trail. Each time I pushed my kids into the shrubbery and instructed them to face the trees. We found an out of the way area to eat our lunch. Then we headed back to the car and home where everyone showered immediately.
My family will not be doing this again. I will share my experience so that others know that this was not a wise choice. That my decision to push this family outing was reckless. Reckless not only to my family but to all others who were at that park.
It is hard to shelter in place. It is hard to avoid places that bring joy or relaxation. It is important to find new ways to enjoy the emergence of Spring. We must be proactive in curbing this nasty virus.
God Bless!
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