Almost the End of September

197th Day of Quarantine.

High today was 79F.

Kids spent night with aunt rocky.  Very excited to go.

Billy and I had a cheese and meat pack for dinner. While we watched Enola Holmes and The Boys.

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196th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 82F.

For our nature study, we decided to go to the "pumpkin patch."  In years past we've gone to uncle john's cider mill and enjoyed live music, rides, and a huge selection.  Today, we just purchased from our "neighbor" who sells produce on his front lawn. = )

Billy bought cider and donuts at the QD that we were able to enjoy on our walk back and at home.  The kids also made some fall 'masks' from an email that Aunt Wanda sent me.

For dinner we had a crockpot stew that made the house smell wonderful all day long!

Sarah took me to pick my car up from the dealership, who wanted to charge $5K for the repairs I need, and bring it into our favorite mechanic, who tends to shy away from my car after the month long saga a few years back.  He's supposed to call me next week with a quote.

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195th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 77F.  There was a cool breeze reminding us all that it is truly autumn.

We have almost finished week six of our curriculum, so our routine is settled and we are all pretty comfortable with our day.

For dinner we are having tortellini with alfredo sauce.

I finished my book and now I don't know what to do with myself.  The first mops meeting of the year is tonight at 7, but I don't think I'm going to go in person.

It was great to see so many smiling familiar faces.  Not the same as being there in person, but at this point in 2020, it was still a welcome change!

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194th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was a respectable 80F.

I got up early, and Sarah met me at the dealership at 7:30 to drop off my car.  The ABS light is finally on full time, it has a little oil drip, and worst of all, my heated seat stopped heating. = (

Sarah beat me there, but I still waited outside the door for 5 minutes until they opened.  On the way home she took me by the QD so that I could get donuts for my crew.

Most were awake when I arrived home, and we were able to start our school day on time!

Juliet dressed all Ariel today.

In science the big girls made a hygrometer.  It's currently on the porch, we'll see if it works in a few days. = )

After a pleasant poetry & tea time, the kids played a live action version of "among us" [called "imposter" in roblox.] It's collectively their new favorite online game. 

One is the "imposter" and kills a victim, as they all mill about the house. Once a "dead body" is found, they have a meeting and vote who they think the imposter is. That person admits their role, and if they've chosen incorrectly, they have to move about again, and a new person "dies." It's fun to listen to their observations and politics.  And this is absolutely one of the best reasons to have 5 kids. = )

For dinner we had hamburger helper.  

My book was so engaging it was all I could do not to ignore my responsibilities.

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193rd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was 75F.

William finished his 1st grade math review today and received his alien stuffie!

After school, I went to the thrift store with a load and then to FEDEX to drop off the recycling box from the kids' medicine.

For dinner we had cheesy chicken noodles.

I'm still reading through my Cormoran Strike book, and have been making the poor decision to stay up late to read it. = 0  

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Today is the 192nd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was 73F.

In science we attempted to make a "camera obscura" but I'm pretty sure that the tennis ball cannister that I procured lacked the opacity that we needed to make it work.

I ran to carl's to take a tub of cans.  The shed is still chock full of them, but at least now I am slowly removing boxes versus slowly adding them.  While I was there I got root beer and a snack for tomorrow.  I also got some bacon to attempt a "quick" recipe I saw online.

For dinner we are having Stouffer's lasagna and salad. 

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Today is the 191st Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 67F.  We turned on the heater for the first time.

After church, I went to drop off recycling at Sarah's. She bought me sugar cubes!  I've been looking for weeks at the stores I actually go to, without success.  So, I'm very excited.

The grocery store was busy, as was the gas station.  When I went to the ATM that offers different denominations, I saw a sign that they are about to close it down mid next month. = (  I stopped at a garage sale, but didn't find anything today.

For dinner we had chicken fajitas.

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later days

3rd Week of September

The 190th day of Quarantine for the #crockstars.

The expected high today was 64F.  It was quite cool, but when I was out painting in the direct sun, it was warm enough that I was sweating! = 0

For dinner we had a variety of food: chicken nuggets, mini corn dogs, boiled eggs and pretzels. 

Billy and I finished watching the other two installments of CB Strike.  It is well done, and I am excited for more to come.

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Today was the 189th day of Quarantine.

The expected high today is 61F.

Today we went to the DODC to do our nature study. It was too cool to set up in the shade, but was very pleasant in the sun.  The kids (except for Alice) had a fun time running up and down the hill for a while.

For dinner we had steak and spaghetti, since Sarah brought over some of the steak she bought earlier in the week.

We started CB strike, and watched the entire first installment (broken into 3 parts.)

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188th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today is 64F.

For dinner we had cornbread chicken with peach salsa.

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187th Day of Quarantine.

78F was the high.

Sarah came by with meat after a run to Rives Junction.

I've started returning my cans to Carl's (in small loads) but it will take a while to get all the cans from the past 6 months returned.

William made some cornbread from a recipe he found in one of this books.  It was pretty good without sugar (but with butter on top) and even better with sugar mixed in and butter on top!

Dinner was hamburger helper with homemade corn bread and Greek salad.

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186th Day of Quarantine.

73F was the high today.

For dinner we had Panera family meal.

The new Cormoran Strike book came out today (on a Tuesday?) and I've ordered it, but used all my self reserve to wait until after my chores were finished to start it.  I'm so happy.

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185th Day of Quarantine.

67F is our high today.

We started a new read aloud, after lessons, Red Sails to Capri.  

Sarah came over to mow the lawn.

Made an appointment at the dealership for my car for next week.  Made an appointment for my car with the tire shop tomorrow.  Called the doctor to see if the kids need xrays and bloodwork (again.) Filled out and paid for a new driver's license and yearly fee for my car tags.  It was a good Monday to get things done!

For dinner we had fish over rice.

Trying to finish the book I'm currently reading, so that I have an open kindle for the new Cormoran Strike book that comes out tomorrow!

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184th Day of Quarantine.

73F is our expected high today.

For dinner we had gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with grapes (green & purple.)  I'm such a chef.

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later days

1st Week of July

120th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 80F.

We had a lovely lazy day.

Before lunch, Billy walked to Carl's to get the makings for chips and queso.

Grace made spaghetti and meatballs for lunch, with just a little help from me. = )

I made a little progress on the pile of masks.

Billy went to get Wendy's for a late dinner, but ended up taking my car since his car did not start. = (  Hopefully it's just a battery issue, but we won't find out until tomorrow.

We watched some Jim Gaffigan comedy and the first episode of Carnival Row.   I'm not that into it, but we might give it another chance, sometimes it takes a few episodes for things to get going.

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119th Day of Quarantine

The high today was a warm, rainy 79F.

We were up and at it early today, since we had quite a list of things to do!

For Art this week, the kids followed a tutorial to draw some funny monsters!  They each inserted their personalities into their products and I was so impressed!

Once morning activities were finished, Emily and I ran some 'consolation' packages by the Eaton's & Stepp's.

Jessica modelling some of the goodies! <3

Matt and Deb with their gear:

We then dashed home so that I could grab William and get to Hastings for an 11:50 covid test for him, in preparation for his surgery on Monday. 

There is not a good direct path, so we ended up zigzagging the backroads.  I had trouble twice, due to road names being the same.  In Vermontville, Main Street intersects with Main Street!  And in Hastings, two roads called State Rd. come in from the East.  We did make it on time, but just so.

We were there less than 5 minutes, and only that long because William fought me when it was time to take his sample.  (This was not the awful test with the swab in the throat, but an easier one that they just need to poke the swab in his nose.)

When we left, we decided to go to a few touristy spots on the trip home.  We saw a park called Fish Hatchery Park.   It was a very nice park, and there were tons of fish in the water!

I found 6 fish (or most of a fish) in this picture:

The playground was open, but there was a party going on in the pavilion, so we were trying to keep our distance from the other park goers.

We found a very cool tank in downtown Vermontville. William thought it was cool enough to get out and take another picture. = )

We stopped for gas in town, since we have such an early morning Monday.

Once we got home it was time to pick up and put things away.  Then check the mail, and get started on dinner, since we had a Zoom scheduled with the Stepps at 5!  It was nice to 'party' with them for a few minutes and catch up.

The weather today has been very rainy, so, had the party occurred as planned earlier this year, we would have all been in the carport with our swing music, root beer and liquorice.

For dinner we scarfed down Hamburger Helper (that Juliet requested.)

We finished off the day with some Kim Possible. = )

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118th Day of Quarantine

The high today was 93F.  We had some light rain blow in this afternoon dropping the temperature to not so warm by the time I took out the trash.

I spent some time today cleaning the mailbox and painting the flag back to a bright red.  It isn't perfect, but it does look better. = )

For dinner we had PF Chang's Honey Chicken and rice.  Everyone liked it.

I spent some time picking out fabric and cutting out masks to give away.  I think they will go up to the kids' (previous) school (assuming it opens.) If not, I'll find somewhere else to donate them.  I also made myself another mask using my bluebonnet fabric that I found buried deep in my fabric chest. = )

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117th Day of Quarantine

The high today was 90F.  We had some clouds roll in this afternoon, bringing rain (hopefully) and cooling things off. = (

Alice finally had her final appointment with her eye therapy doctor today.  Originally it was scheduled for April, and was bumped back today.  She exited the program with flying colors!  She will not have to do the exercises any longer.  And, as a bonus, the doctor did her yearly 'check up' so we won't need to make another eye appointment for her until next year!

After we left the doctor, we went up to Menard's to gather science supplies.  It feels good to have most of the list squared away at this point.  = )

For dinner we are having beans and hotdogs.

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116th Day of Quarantine

The high today was 94F!  We spent some time on the porch this afternoon enjoying the warm air and cool breeze.

For Alice's monster, she chose to draw the flag of Albania, inspired by one of the monsters in the book. = )

The washer repair man came today and fixed my washer (just as 5pm approached.)  It seems to be working perfectly.  Now, I just need to get caught up on my backlog of laundry!

A nurse called for William's pre-surgery chat.  She gave me bad news about his covid test.  We will have to go on Friday to a hospital almost an hour out for him to be tested.  = (  I'm not looking forward to this additional drive on top of his 7:15am ear tube procedure.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the early timeslot (since he will have to fast) but two drives just days apart for less than fun medical procedures is not really my favorite.

For dinner, I made grilled cheese served with a side of grapes.  It was simple, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. = )

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115th Day of Quarantine.  

Thought I'd take a moment to reiterate that it is currently voluntary.  We are not required to distance ourselves from society by any governing entity. I'm feeling lonely, and I know the kids are missing their friends, and Billy is missing the comradery of the office, but it is for the best.

It was bound to happen, and finally did.  Someone that I knew (in high school) is living through the corona virus.  He's posting updates each day, which might be helpful should the virus find it's way to us.  Michigan is fairly isolated from the raging cases in Texas and Florida, but as people travel, gather and party the situation can quickly change.  

The high today was a perfect summer temperature of 92F!  Billy worked out on the porch (but did commandeer the box fan from our room.)  We ran the air conditioner inside though.

Today was busy.  This morning I picked up groceries, got gas, went by the bank, dropped letters at the post office, took the medicine recycling box to FEDEX, and then dropped the mixed recycling at Sarah's.

When I came home, I decided to tackle the science list, and it is a doozy.  I have many of the items, but will need to claim a few from future recycling and make a trip to Menard's for the rest.

I've been feeling a bit introspective the last few weeks, as old memories crop up.  I recognized that one of the main influences in my skirt wearing was probably my 2nd/4th grade teacher (Mrs. Gerrick) who wore broomstick skirts much of each year.  Also, Mark Lester (of Oliver circa 1968) was the vision of how any of my boy children would be.  William does have some traits, though not the ones I would have predicted. = ) 

I also came to the conclusion today that very soon many people are going to switch to homeschooling, and it would be best if I finished purchasing the books for the later terms.  I realize this will mean that some of them will not be used (since I'm combining Forms I & II) but I don't want to not be able to get a book that we need, due to lack of supply.  So, finishing up book shopping has moved up on my todo list.

For dinner we had leftover steak & veggie PF Changs veggie egg rolls.  I though it was tasty, the kids thought I was trying to kill them.  ::eyeroll::  Billy was middle of the road, but didn't' complain.

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114th Day of Quarantine

The temperature today is expected to reach 90F.

I emptied the pool yesterday, cleaned it and started to refill it today.  Most of the kids spent their 'hour outside' in the filling pool.

The laundry is quickly piling up.  I'm ready for our repair guy to come Tuesday!

For dinner we had frozen dinners.

I'm trying my best to engross myself in another book, but am still feeling too emotionally involved in the cormoran strike series to fully engage in another series.

Our 'indoor' plants that I place outside for the nice temperatures were eaten and torn apart (probably by a chipmunk) so I moved them inside for safety.

later days

End of June

113th Day of Quarantine

We are expecting a lovely high of 88F for the Fourth of July!

After sleeping in, I ran to Sam's to buy a table to home Billy's 3D printer.   We are setting it up in the girls room, but needed to get rid of the queen bed (that no one sleeps in) first. 

So, Sarah came over and I helped her disassemble the box spring, then we loaded up the bed into her truck.  I ordered a twin set up to replace it, but it should fit under the bed entirely, making it a 4 person single bunk bed.

Those of us who dressed up for the holiday:

Billy grilled out steaks and hotdogs for a late lunch.  We ate part of the leftovers from lunch as well as other leftovers for dinner.

I tried to start a few new books, but as of now, none will replace what I've finished. I feel so listless.

William helped me cut up our first watermelon of the season!  

Emily, William and I went out to watch the lightening bugs and see if we could spy any fireworks.  We saw a few over the treetops. = )

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112th Day of Quarantine

Today the expected high was 91F!

Sarah had to put Meggie down at the vet this morning.  It started the day very sad.

In art this week, the kids used a 3D printed heart lid whose handle broke.   Their job was to create art using the heart as a stencil.  Emily decided to mail hers off to the Helterbrand cousins, along with the stencil, so that they could make some too!

We had a Toy Story marathon, where we watched all 4 of them back to back!

For dinner Billy walked down to pick up Pizza.

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111th Day of Quarantine

Today the expected high is the long awaited 90F!

And, since we are approaching a holiday weekend (as always) my washing machine failed.  in the middle of a wash.  = (  I tried a few tips and tricks before calling the warranty company.  They had me try a few other troubleshooting measures, then set me up for an appointment next Tuesday.  In terms of waiting that is an eternity.

I called Sarah to see if I could come wash the load that was unfinished, and the load that Juliet threw up on this morning.  She was out, so she offered to come get it and launder it for me.  Seriously, what would I do without my sister?

I pulled the wet towels from the wash, and went outside to wring them by hand.  Seriously tough work for me in my machine filled life.  Now I understand why those wringers over the washtubs were ubiquitous. 

For dinner we had leftovers from last night.  = )

I'm suffering from a great deal of ennui after finishing the last published Cormoran Strike book.  The next one isn't due out until September.

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110th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 89F.

Sarah came over to mow the lawn before we are officially in the 90s this weekend.  She splashed the kids while they played in the pool, then gave Alice a second driving lesson.

For dinner we had chicken alfredo and chips and queso.  So, mostly chips and queso.

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109th Day of Quarantine

The epected high today was 87F, again, but we broke down and turned on the ac.  Outside was pleasant, but inside it was just too warm without a nice breeze.

For dinner we had a smorgasbord of leftovers and small freezer entrees.

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108th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today is 87F.

I was out the door for my grocery run before any of the kids came down.  I dropped the packages in the mail then headed to Sarah's to dump the recycling.   When I got to Kroger, I found out that I can now check in with the app, and I don't even have to call!!!!

William has been very interested in knives as of late, so I told him that I would teach him how to use it properly.  He cut up a sweet pepper, and ate it with fervor, then asked to cut another.  As long as he is snacking healthy, I told him go for it.

Grace had a virtual pulmonology appointment.  It was such a short appointment, I would have been annoyed to make the long drive to Grand Rapids to attend in person. So, I was thankful for the virtual meeting.  We will go in in 6 months to check her lung function (or something along those lines.)  If the results are normal, she won't have to go back in for a few years.  And if it's not, well we'll discuss it then.

I finished the suspenseful 3rd book in the Cormoran Strike series and was thankful that there was a fourth one to move onto.

For dinner we had orange chicken. Alice started her period today, not even 11 years old. = (

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107th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today is 85F.

After online church, I finished assembling the 'souvenir' packages to mail out, and took care of various other tasks.

Once all of my chores were tended, I went outside to watch the kids swim.  Everyone went out, because Sunday bedtime was becoming unreasonably difficult on days they did not go out to play.

After assembly line showers, I spent the evening reading the third Cormoran Strike book.  This one is the most intense so far.

Billy was troubleshooting his printer for the past few days, since he could not get Emily's heart shaped box to print.  Turns out it was the nozzle.  So, once he got that changed out, her box printed out beautifully and he started on an owl for Juliet.

For dinner we had a variety of leftovers. Since my grocery day is Monday, it is clean out the refrigerator day.

later days