Mid-October

225th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a much chillier 48F.

My mom made it back to Michigan (for the first time since March!) But she is currently self quarantining at Sarah's so we will not see her until after my birthday. = (

Billy made another run to Biggby.  I think it must be the time of year, or maybe the cooler weather.  = )

For dinner, I made the pancakes that Grace requested all day long!

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224th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a deceptive 65F.  It was warmer than yesterday this morning, and muggy.  Then we had a few thunderstorms blow through and cooled us way back down into the 40s. = /

I finished A Handmaids Tale.

For dinner Grace talked me into ordering a pizza.  It was not a hard sell. ; )

I also got caught up with Supernatural on the app.  Watching it broken up with commercials, when I've only ever watched it on Netflix, is painful.

I watched A Simple Favor.  [spoilers ahead] It was good, but really the soundtrack was the best, as I feel the twin trope is really overdone.

Then I watched an run of the mill rom-com, whose name escapes me.

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223rd Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a pleasant (with pants and jackets,) rainy, 63F.

Sarah brought by some cake donuts this morning, which made for a very nice break this morning!

We are feeling the end of term crunch, well at least I am.  We finished up week 10 today!  I am 95% prepared, I think.  The first round of anything tends to be stressful!

I worked on cleaning the liner of our shower. Since the grommets and plastic were still in good condition, I started with a bleach bath, then a bar keeper's friend bath.  The latter did the trick, and it looks so much better now!

So now, the curtain and tub are both much cleaner! = )

For dinner we had hamburger helper and corn.

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222nd Day of Quarantine.

The high was a chilly 56F.

After our lessons, we watched Pocahontas.  

The big girls finished up their DaVinci helicopter, since it required dry time for the glue, it was just before dinner time that they placed the final elements.

For dinner we had cheesy chicken noodle stir fry.

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Day 221 of Quarantine.

The temperature reached a measly 52F today.  It was kind of sunny for a while.

We went at top speed through our lessons, since I had a yearly appointment with my doctor scheduled for 230.  

The big girls worked on the DaVinci helicopter, but didn't quite finish.  Hopefully we will get it done tomorrow.

For dinner, Alice cooked up some tortellini with alfredo sauce for us!

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Day 220 of Quarantine.

The expected high was a cold 50F. = (

During Solfa today, there was a game, and the kids were anxious to participate (way more so than I figured they'd be!)

For dinner Grace made us some spaghetti squid. Billy is travelling for work so he managed to avoid this missed out on this culinary delight. 

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Day 219 of Quarantine. 

The expected high today is 54F with expected rain.

For dinner we had leftovers, sandwiches and whatever we could quickly make up.

Emily painted up a Roblox Figurine for William's upcoming birthday!

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later days

2nd Week of October

218th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 54F.

Sarah came over and mulched up the leaves in the yard.  

I finished up the math exams for the kids.  I might add some problems if one of them makes some serious progress in the next couple of weeks.

For dinner we had egg fried rice.

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217th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a frozen morning dew, at 53F.

It was super productive.  I almost completed my to do list!  Billy and I voted (and I delivered the ballots to the box in person.) 

Then I took the supplies that I've collected for 8 months up to the school!  

I raked some leaves (both before and) after the vacuum came through.  I worked on creating exams for Term I, and made the files to send to the tablet for Term II.

Billy spent his afternoon at the office, trying to track down parts for an upcoming trip to a manufacturing plant. 

For dinner, Grace helped me make spaghetti!

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216th day of Quarantine.

The high today was a cold, windy, 'freezing' 50F.

Today was our "Friday." As our final subject we went to find a "special tree" to draw for nature study. Then, we rubbed the bark with a crayon and paper.

From there, we went up to drop off the recycling and pick up some bags from Aunt Rocky's.

For dinner we had ham steaks with potatoes (Juliet's request) and mixed vegetables.

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215th day of Quarantine.

The high today was a windy, chilly 64F.

The kids spent extra time outside piling the leaves.  Here Grace and Juliet are burying Emily.

For dinner, we had a William request: BBQ sandwiches!

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214th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 68F.

Attempted to teach William to whistle with a blade of grass.

I scored a heater at the thrift shop.

For dinner we had meatloaf!

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213th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 69F.

The big girls made a ornithopter in science, and we all enjoyed taking turns trying to get it to glide.

I got caught up on the latest episode of Supernatural tonight.  It's just not real to me that it is coming to an end.

The three little ones had a virtual ophthalmology appointment today, right on the heels of our school day.

For dinner we had teriyaki chicken.

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212th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 68F.  It was cool enough for a jacket when I went to get groceries. 

Sarah came over and blew all the leaves to the curb, since pick up starts on Monday.

I made it back to the estate sale, didn't get but a single book, but found a few other fun things for people in my life. = )

For dinner we had ziti.

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later days

The First week of October

211th Day of Quarantine

68F

Started new Jim Carrey Biography.

Billy sanded, then Grace and I painted the back porch.  It was the final item on my summer home improvement list and I'm so happy that we had such a nice weekend to finish it off!

We also put away summer things, and got out winter things.  I need to winterize my car, but am still currently waiting to get it back from the mechanic.

leftovers or sandwiches

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210th Day of Quarantine.

79F

We had pizza for dinner.

On the way to picking up pizza, I happened upon an estate sale.  I didn't get much, since they were closing, but they had soooooo many books (and so much other stuff) that I hope to return.

Finished book.  It was a good ending, but not a happy ending.

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209th Day of Quarantine.  I do feel obliged to include today that much of society has reopened, and we are independently deciding to isolate.  There is no fear of the illness in particular, more fear of misinformation about the coronavirus, therefore, we cannot make a sound decision, and the best of all options is to stay put.

Today was cooler, but still coming in at 67F.  I am totally okay with this as an October temperature.

Grace's handwriting was just beautiful, I had to share!

Alice is quickly shifting from child to teenager, and I'm having so much fun with it. Whenever I say something it's either "soooo sarcastic" or annoying. She has no idea how flattering it is to me that she thinks I'm sarcastic!  She wouldn't say it any more if she knew, I'm sure.

My favorite is her current reaction to the way I say her name when I pull out her stick (for her turn to answer during lessons.) Apparently I was "too excited." So, after having a little fun with that, I tried to say her name as mundanely as possible. She didn't like that either. Apparently "too excited" is better than "bored."

For nature study, we did some pumpkin activities.  We guessed how much the pumpkin weighed (Juliet won), and voted whether or not it would float.  Then, we cut it open to see the seeds, and made some pumpkin seeds and I made a pumpkin pie. = )

For dinner I made some PF Changs Ramen mixed with some of the cheap stuff.  I thought it was pretty good, Billy really enjoyed it.

Tonight was our second mops meeting of the year.  I've switched over to the virtual group, and really enjoy it.

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208th Day of Quarantine.

Somehow, we were gifted a second comfortable 69F day, in October!

For dinner we had sausage and beans.  Well, everyone but Billy who opted for candy instead.

Also, I'm reading the new Suzanne Collins book, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and it is really good.  = )

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207th Day of Quarantine.

Today was a respectable 67F, and probably the last comfortable day of 2020.

In German we are learning some morning routine phrases, so I pulled up a German teeth brushing song that we enjoyed.  I managed to jot down the first chunk of it, before I was completely stumped and had to consult a real German.  Thankfully, she helped me get most of it squared away, and I wrote up a translation for us to use tomorrow during our German lesson. = )

For dinner we had tikka masala.

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206th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today is 58F.

We started our 8th week of homeschool, and homeschool is a lot like having toddlers, the days are long, but the weeks are flying!

We played a board game that I bought for my potential German classroom 15 years ago (and never used.) But today, I got to play it for the first time with my big girls!!!  Alice won, and they enjoyed the break from our usual German drills. = )

During science they created a webbed glove, based on one of DaVinci's models.

For dinner we are having a crockpot potato & beef in a wine sauce.  The house smells really good!

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205th Day of Quarantine.

53F Was the high.

After online church, picked up groceries, in Billy's car, since mine is still in the shop.

For dinner we had the chicken Satay.  It wasn't as good at the restaurant's recipe, but not bad either.

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later days

Saying Goodbye September, Hello October

204th Day of Quarantine.

After breakfast, the twins and I made up a batch of sugar cookie dough.  It's currently spending it's two hour solidifying period in the refrigerator right now.

Billy went to Carl's for me and bought some chicken breasts so that I could try my hand at chicken satay.  One of the restaurants in Lansing has been bringing it to the farmer's market each week, but the farmer's market is ending this month! = ( So, I thought I'd at least try. A little garlic salt, a little olive oil, a lot of turmeric.  I've got the bamboo skewers soaking and the meat marinating for tomorrow.

We made the cookies and then I cooked up spaghetti for dinner.

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203rd Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a very chilly, frost on the ground, kind of morning, 55F.

Today we did not have school, since we finished our four days yesterday.  I think we all approve of the extra time off!

They announced today that President Trump contracted the corona virus, and has been moved to the hospital.  We are exactly one month from the election, so there are all sorts of theories and nonsense floating around on the internet.  ("the opposition did it" "it's a publicity stunt and he's not ill")  I personally think he is sick, but have a shade of distrust, because I don't trust the media, since they rarely report things without an opinion (or political motive) attached.

For dinner we had cottage pie.  It was so so good. It's not Billy's favorite, so I don't make it very often, and I had forgotten just how much I love it!  I was able to make a double batch, so we have one in the freezer for later.

Sarah came by twice.  The first time for her document verification and the second time to bring Grace some savory crackers.  She does tend to spoil us!

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202nd Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a partly rainy and partly sunny 55F.

Billy had to go to one of the other plants today, so he was out the door before we started our school day.

We made it through our first 'permanent' 4 day week, and I hope the kids like it, because I am excited!

For dinner we are having hamburger helper and corn.

After school, we also decorated for Halloween!  (The tiny supply of decorations we have) The kids were excited though, and I feel like that is what is important. = )

We are doing an 'indoor' trick or treat this year, so we are putting up a few extra touches to be more festive! = )

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201st Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 59F.

We had tacos for dinner.

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Today was the 200th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a slightly warmer 63F.

Emily and Billy both had dentist appointments today, so Sarah came over to mow the lawn and watch the kids so that I didn't have to drag all 5 to Emily's appointment.

I finished my book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.  Billy watched some more of the The Boys.  I've decided it is just to graphic for me to get much out of the story line.  But, I'll probably try again when one of my favorite actors, Jensen Ackles, makes an apperance.  Luckily, Billy is giving me the run down each day.

For dinner we had chicken alfredo farfalle.  Emily had chicken noodle soup, since her mouth was sore from the dentist.

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Today was the 199th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a very cold 56F. I'm not ready!

For dinner we had orange chicken and rice.

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Today was the 198th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 75F.

We picked up our babies after the weekly grocery run. I think they had a really good time. = )

Despite this being what Alice did most of her visit, she really enjoyed watching her tablet at Aunt Rocky's house. ; )

For dinner I heated up the cheese and noodle casserole that Sarah sent over last week.  It was really good!

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later days