April 23rd, 41st Day of Quarantine, 22nd Day of School at Home

The expected high is 49F today.  It was really cold, and rained, and we never saw the sun.  Have I mentioned that I'm done with the cold? No, oh, well I am.  Totally done.

I used almost all of the browning bananas in chocolate chip banana nut bread this morning, and the loaf was gone by lunch!

Billy got an email this morning that his company is furloughing some people, including engineering. This would be an 8 week furlough, which is a long time. So that was a lovely stress that I could have done without.

William started itching his head again, so more lice treatment and more laundry.  We're past the two week mark, and all the stuffed animals are still in the basement.  I've sprayed everything, so I'm hoping that it was just an itchy head, since I didn't find anything with the comb.  Also stress I could have done without.

An email came later that Billy would continue working for now, thank goodness!

We did 'whole group' kinetics today.  They called for pool noodles, but gave some ideas for substitutes.  So, we used foam cups!

Grace used the final banana in a blueberry-banana smoothie.  It wasn't much, but she, William and Alice managed to split it three ways. = )

I found time to finish yesterday's hat and one more today for a nice pleasant 10 to send to Diem!

Grace and Juliet and William all had Zoom meetings today, then I had one this evening with Alice's teacher (and the other parents in the class) and then I had a MOPS Zoom for virtual watercolor painting.  It was really fun! Also, I totally stole Deb's group picture.

For dinner we had cheese tortellini in alfredo.

Now it is late, and time for bed after a ridiculously stressful day, that at least ended with just the right amount of art. = )

later days

April 17th, 35th day of Quarantine, 18th Day of School at Home

Today's expected high is 36F. It is currently snowing, still.  The sky has been at it all day.

Once the kids started on their school work, I managed a few more hats for Diem.  The orange shiny fabric is tough to iron, so it took me twice as long.  The hat also turned out really stiff, so I don't think I'll make any more with that type of fabric.

For lunch I turned some of the leftover brisket and yesterday's chicken into fajitas.  It was really tasty!

I had a parent/teacher Zoom meeting with Alice's class.

And then, right after that, I got to chat with some of my long lost Bear Creek friends!  (I shamelessly stole the picture from Kristey.)  It was so good to see them, and made this time feel less scary and sad.

And then, to finish out our night, all 7 of us snuggled up on the couch and watched and episode of Kim Possible.  Y'all, 19 year old me would not have ever believed this story.

I'm over the cold and the snow, but oh so happy to have the life I have.

later days

April 16th, Day 34 of Quarantine, School at Home, Day 18th

The expected high today is a measly 40F.  Woke up to another dusting on the ground, but the sun has peeked out a few times, but it is still cold.

The kids started their school work, but at 9:30 I left them to their own devices (read: not much working going on ) so that I could go to a virtual meeting. = )

My mops group had a live meet-up today, followed by a zoom with our table.  It's nice to feel connected, especially with everything being closed.

I sewed up 3 new hats for Diem and her coworkers, some of them during my Zoom meeting with my table, but the rest gave me time to think.

I sewed pieces of this directional fabric back together for a large enough piece to go with the tie that I had already made:

People are angry and scared (and bored) right now which will be interesting to study, but not fun to live.  Friendships are being completely demolished.  People are hurting because they can't work, no one wants to get sick, and the protest yesterday in Lansing strained many relationships.

I do want the record to show that a silver lining for our household is that we are using the terrible trash bags (liners =/= trash bags) at a much faster pace, so we might actually use them before the 5 year estimate I made when they arrived. = )

For dinner we had salt and pepper chicken shish kebab from Sam's, with some vegetable skewers and rice.

I had enough free time to watch some Supernatural in the evening, but the episode was the Scooby-Doo crossover, so I had to keep shooing the kids out of the room.

I'm ready for the week to be over, thankfully tomorrow is Friday!

later days

Billy's Birthday!

On Thursday we got to celebrate Billy's birthday!

Emily and the twins helped me make him a banner.

He didn't care to have cake, but requested a peanut butter and chocolate pie from the Grand Traverse Pie Company.  Luckily, I didn't have to drive all the way to their original location, they have a branch in Okemos. = )

Everyone was excited to sing to daddy, and the twins even know the words this year!

Juliet and Grace were not ready to let go of their party vibes, and wore their party hats right up until lights out.

Happy Birthday Daddy!  We love you!

later days