A Journey through Summer

Do you remember the first of March? I think we were all surprised by the sunshine.  In like a lion, out like a lamb.  We were all taught to expect the rough hard times before the calm and peace of April.  The month of March seemed backwards this year.  Now going into April, I don't know what to expect. Tomorrow we start school again.  E-learning is a new venture for our family.  Luke will hopefully return back to his learning as well.  He has enjoyed the extra time at home, but today he asked for some school time.  I think he is ready. On a side note, we have been enjoying the Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari videos.  Today we learned about the Bearcat.  Check it out when you have a chance.  If we ever get a chance to travel again, the kids would like to go and visit.

Sometime the pictures I took throughout the day are the best summary. Today was Anna's first try with Zoom and her class.  I may be wrong, but this may be a long month of learning in our household. Local playground taped off to prevent kids from playing. Sigh. Spring is showing her colors.  I walked over a mile by myself this evening.  Glad for the break before the work of school begins.

Today was a better day.  Getting outside in the sunshine was a welcome change from the constant gray skies.  Although my sunglasses have gone missing.   I needed to make a trip to Walmart today for some medication.  It was much busier than I expected.  The man in front of me took the last Purrel wipe for the carts so I tried to use my coat sleaves instead.  Most items are available, but if it has the name Lysol you are out of luck. Really wish people practiced social distancing more like this squirrel instead of stopping in the middle of the aisle so no one can pass by at a safe distance. We had a nice walk this evening.  I told the kids if we went back next week it is going to look totally different.  Everything is tipped with bits of green ready to burst forth. School e-learning ramps up this week.  Structure will be good for everyone.  A lot can change in a week.  We will keep you posted.

Guest Blogger John Garner When the pandemic hit, I went through several stages of grief. Namely: 1. Denial 2. Bargaining 3. Anger 4. Acceptance. 5. Wait for help. 6. Get impatient. 7. Grab the boy and science the sh*t out of this place. The 'sciencing the sh*t out of the place' is from "The Martian" in which plan A for a trip to Mars rapidly descends to plan Z when one crew member is left behind. He realizes his resources are limited and the time he has to be there is long so he 'sciences the sh*t out of the place' which is to say applies his incredible creativity and ingenuity to solving critical problems. Although we're not on Mars, we are down to Plan Z. I have made the active decision to embrace the apocalypse and start making the kinds of stuff that would normally come from factories that are covid-a-closed. Because of this decision, I am not bored in this pandemic. In fact, I am working harder now than ever. Today started with hiding in t

Ready for the weekend? Me too.  You would think staying home all week, every day,  all day with family is like the weekend, but it isn't.  There are still chores to do, routines to maintain, and a general sense of needing to get something accomplished. The weekend gives a chance to break from the routine, because it is a short amount of time.  It limits the rest, so we savor it more. This week has been a challenging one on multiple levels.  We have gone from plan A, past plan D, P, Q, Z and on to plans Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3.  But we are still here. It could be worse. I didn't make a to-do list today. I stayed in my PJs longer than the kids.  But they did learn, play, eat, rest, and exercise today. So I keep my job as zoo keeper for another day.   While we have been home, we are still trying to connect.  The kids saw grandparents from both sides of the family via video chat.   Having more time, I shared a skill with Daniel.  Maybe I will allow myself to indul

As mommy recovered from a 24 hour shift, the kids were left to self entertain for a bit of the day.  The past few days have been off routine and it was starting to show.  Tomorrow is a new day to get back on track just before the weekend. Some good things of the day My purple crocuses opened up today . Packages   from grandparents always add a bit of fun to the day.   New books with new ideas The kids are learning to play games together. Luke can keep up with Uno now, so more games are are being played.  That said, they are also learning when to separate.  Brothers are enjoying our daily walks together.

I saw the sunshine today but was busy keeping warm at work today.   The kids were able to play outside, though.  Glad for family able to support us today. Also proud of John taking the initiative to help out the community the best way he knows how.

Having worked in infection control; I have a stronger understanding than some about procedures that are put into place to protect both the patient and care provider. That said it is still hard when you have to implement it for your own family.  It is hard to explain to your little ones why something they can't see is causing such big changes. So sometimes you need to make you kids cookies to offer a bit of brightness for the day.

The State of Indiana declared a 'shelter in place' order today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Only essential personnel is to be going to work.  Only essential businesses will be open like grocery, gas, hardware, daycares, healthcare, etc.  Also businesses that are beneficial towards the effort of helping with the outbreak.  So, riddle me this...what do two essential employee parents do when their childcare puts into place a Zero Symptoms policy for your kid to go to childcare?  Do you scramble to find another way to keep the kids safe, or risk taking your kid to childcare with the understanding that the slighted sniffle can send your kid into a 14 day quarantine? With each day it feels like we are running out of moves to support our family and jobs.  But there is much as stake, so we continue to maneuver through the system. By the end of the day, we all needed to take a walk to shake off the frustrations of the day.  We may not be able to go to the playgrounds

Today was the first day I didn't leave the house since this COVID-19 journey began.  Sunday worship was from our couch and the weather wasn't inspiring for me to want to be outside. I did pack up some clothes to share with our neice. All seasons of clothing to share as Spring likes to act like Winter and Winter liked to act like spring.  Kudos to the post office for offering free package pickup so we can stay home. The kids though, had a full day.  Walks in the snow, snowball fights with the neighbors, game night, free play and videos may the day go by quickly. Tomorrow we get back into a routine.  A some point this week I will be gone for work.  I need to organize activities for the kids to do while with John.  Something for the to-do list tomorrow.  I am hoping by the end of the week we will have some hope that all this distancing has made a difference.  We shall see.

We made it a full week.  But this is just the beginning.  Numbers of those ill are increasing. Death reports are now to 4 in Indiana, but much higher elsewhere.  We still have a sense of bubble here, but the county is claiming a public health disaster in an effort to secure funding for later relief. Instead of the usual "Have a nice day", I have taken to saying "Be well". I am praying for the expectant mother's I am supporting.  Birth is uncertain enough without this added stress. We continue to organize the house for better function.  A cleared back porch and unneeded items out of the basement help towards the cause.  Tomorrow is Sunday, so I hope for a day of rest and restoration. Art is a universal way of expression and comfort.  The kids enjoyed participating in a community chalk drawing.  Everyone visited at different times to complete the rainbow.  The translation is "Let's all be well." A little bit of hop

Today we needed a break.  Yesterday's news dampened some of the urgency on completing school work.  A week of daily updates of restrictions had stressed out our bodies, minds, and spirits.  So today we chilled out. Some of us were in PJs till noon.  I spent time in digital community with my women's Bible study group.  We had nap/quiet time, which was glorious.  We watched a nature film and music videos.  Dinner was made by a local small business, so I didn't have to plan dinner. It is good to rest. It is also good to have community.  I did drag the kids outside for a walk around the block.  Each wrote a note to a neighborhood friend to place in their mailbox.  Hopefully they will get a reply. Tomorrow we are all home.  Things will happen, other things won't.  That is ok.  We will still be in quarantine the next day too.

When is rains, it pours; so you go jump in the puddles. And maybe build an ark. Today was really ok besides the news of school being closed longer.  The kids played well together, we made pizza and brownies for dinner. The games are starting to appear for entertainment.  I wonder when Monopoly will emerge?   We are getting a little bit of school work done each day and settling into a routine.  I am looking forward to e-learning officially starting so we have better direction. Staying in the moment was my life preserver today.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.  I just need to keep persevering.

The Governor just announced schools will be closed until May 1.  Governor Announcement   I am feeling numb as I sit on the couch to process this information.  The question of whether or not to tell the kids races through my brain.  Hopes of spring activities slip out of my mind.  Concerns for the kids education swirls without anywhere to land.  The unknown is really big right now. But, I know we have to still move forward.  I will tell the kids in a few minutes that school is at home now.  There will be time to organize later, but I think we just need to sit and mourn for a bit.  Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.  I am sure we will experience it all at some point.   But for now, I am just numb.

Little victories of the day. 1. I kept my shoes on all day.   2. Daughter willingly finished a book of her choice that wasn't Captain Underpants. 3. Kids played together for almost an hour while John and I watched the news together.  This hasn't happened in a long time, but was much needed. 4. Passed our first screening when going to Anna's therapy appointment. 5. Found toilet paper at Aldi when I stopped for some missed items. The week is blending together.  They say the first day of spring is tomorrow.  Being so used to spring starting on the 20th, I thought tomorrow was Friday.  Oh well.  Maybe we will celebrate tomorrow with some April showers puddle jumping. We are finding ways to keep busy.  School work will be done when the students are ready.  I am continuing to explore my Aromatherapy with revised hair care and skin recipes. Anna made a sock bunny family. I have many books that I could be reading, but so far feel compelled to kee