Today I changed an in-person coffee date to a walk after listening to a news story about how covid is as bad as ever, but Americans are tired of dealing with it, so we just ignore it. After reading a story that IU health has more covid patients than ever. Ugh. Mask up. Get vaccinated. It works.
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I just felt like I was failing today. I can’t stay ahead of my work or school and I’m tired and no, Milo, I don’t want to play on the playground. I want to lay on the couch. And then I got this message, out of the blue, from a Grad school friend who I rarely talk to. Sometimes the universe kicks you in the stomach and sometimes… this time… it really comes through. Many moments of gratitude today, but especially my spouse who let me vent. And Milo- when he heard me venting, he brought his bucket of Halloween candy over to offer me some so I felt better. So, all in all… it’s pretty damn good.
I’m not sure how it’s Sunday night. Quarantine life can be fun, but it goes by in a blur. Milo’s rapid test was negative, but it’s not official until the PCR is negative, so we’re still home. Yesterday we went on a lovely hike and today randal let me escape for a bit. (Randal has worked all weekend.) This week will be the hardest of the semester, but I’m getting so close I can almost taste it. It tastes like wine and chocolate.
As I was making Milo’s lunch this morning, I got the dreaded contact tracer call. Milo was exposed to covid on the bus. One day before he was to get his second covid dose. So, we’re home together until he gets a negative test…. But, we went on a good run/wild Kratt adventure today and it was a good excuse to get next to nothing done. Happy quarantine weekend!
It's our eight-year anniversary today. We made Milo's lunch and the kids breakfasts in the kitchen together, gracefully moving around each other in that small room while we heard demands shouted out: "I want apple slices!" "I want sparkle toast!" As we bumped into each other, I said, "sorry," and then, "oh!" And we simultaneously wished each other a happy anniversary. And I just felt so damn grateful for these little moments where we coexist and help each other. But, we have made it through some big moments this year too. Since the celebration of our 7th anniversary: Covid has continued and the delta variant has become a frequent conversation topic. We have had two visits to the ER (one for Randal, one for me) and one ambulance call (Milo). We have each been on steroids to deal with out of control allergic reactions. We have gotten and lost a dear pet. We have a very small amount left before we reach our out-of-pocket maximum (we ...
Most of us are spending all of our days at home, and we are too. But, working, school and volunteering are keeping my schedule full six days per week. Today, the four of us were at home. Randal tried to fix our drainage system. The kids played quietly. I cleaned and picked up and did laundry. It was a lovely day with the family and I felt so satisfied at the end of it. So, today I’m grateful for this day at home. It was a good one.
If you are the main cook in your house, you probably haven't had someone cook for you as much in the past year of COVID. I am the main cook in my house and I am tired of it. I am tired of my cooking, tired of my meals, tired of making the effort, tired of groceries. So, today, I am grateful for the home cooked meal that I am served every Friday evening when we go out to Mom and Dad's before our early start at the vaccine clinic on Saturday. Tonight we had meatloaf, vegetables, corn, rolls, and the good wine. It was great. I am grateful that I didn't have to buy those groceries, plan that meal, nor cook it. Thanks Mom. These kids are pretty great too.
Friday- I was grateful for a super strong immune response to the COVID vaccine (yeesh) and a husband who brought me lunch on a tray on the couch. Saturday- I was grateful for my dad who will come out to sled with the kids and me and who will go that extra run so we can break the sledding record. Sunday/today- I am grateful that Randal has given me the time and space to complete a class paper and for the moment when i asked Marian if i worked too much and she put out her hand for me to hold and was so sweet.
It has been a full month and there have been a lot of ups and downs. Today, we will focus on the ups. Our baby turned two last week and we had a wonderful birthday celebration. She got a new president for her birthday and it was just what she wanted, so we were all happy. Marian is a spunky delight. She has a distinct stinkeye and her moods can turn on a dime. (I am told that she takes after me more than her dad.) She can throw a tantrum and kick around on the floor and she can throw rocks in the creek and kick her shoes off just as well. Her language is spectacular and she seems much older than two years in both abstract concepts and vocabulary. (For example, "A raindrop just fell on my head." "I played with my friends at school yesterday."). She plays with toys and the running commentary is fascinating, "Oh baby! Are you okay? Yes! I am okay. I fell down. It's time to eat. Do you like your food? Yes....
I was at Mom and Dad's when Joe Biden was declared President-Elect. After a week of universal fatigue and restless sleep, it was such a relief to get the news. But, I haven't felt much better since then and I have been trying to pinpoint why. I think it's for many reasons... One, the good news was tempered with coverage of Donald Trump on his golf course, refusing to concede the election. Instead of focusing on a Biden celebration, the conversation was focused on the negative. What do you do with a President who is making false claims and refuses to follow the civil, good precedent of his predecessors? I continue to get depressed when I see Republicans backing up his claims and giving them credence. Is winning more important than dignity? Is retaining power more important than integrity? It seems that it is. It's also because 71 million Americans still support Trump. When I ask people (in a calmer frame of mind) why they suppor...
I get very homesick for Klamath Falls at Halloween. Our street when we lived there was THE destination for trick-or-treaters and we always hosted a party for our friends while handing out treats to the 600-1000 kids who traipsed through our neighborhood. COVID-19 would have changed all that, so it was easier to miss the holiday this year and we hunkered down for an intimate Halloween in Bloomington. Mom brought dinner and we traipsed down two streets in our neighborhood who had tables out for a socially-distanced trick-or-treat. Like my childhood Halloweens, we all piled into the car and visited some dear friends. The main purpose was to showcase the kids' incredible Halloween costumes. Randal, Milo and I spent several hours working on Dogman and Marian's little stuffed Toto. (Okay, Toto only took one hour and I worked on it by myself, hence the disparity in quality is quite evident.) While the adults' costumes paled in comparison to the kids, R...
I have had to turn down the news this week. I am doing a 7-day meditation challenge. I am focusing on Halloween. I feel like I am taking a deep breath before next Tuesday. So, here are some highlights from our Halloween prep this week. Stay tuned for some pretty great costumes on Saturday. The creativity expert of the family gathers his troops. He does not like drawing, but he drew this fabulous face! Marian was an art director for her pumpkin. She directed us (as she does multiple times a day) to "draw kitty." And here are our beauties! I am inordinately proud of my donkey, which I did ALL BY MYSELF. (Okay, I can't always avoid politics.) Milo is very proud of his pumpkin too. We are obviously a family of jack-o-lantern artists. And we got this amazing package from Cory that was chocked full of Halloween goodies, including these great socks for the whole family. Please ignore how I am holding Marian for the picture (it's...
It is a busy, beautiful fall. We have been trying to enjoy the outdoors before a dreary winter sets in, working steadily, and celebrating birthdays. The kids are still in school, but we wait with bated breath for the first email that says that we have to quarantine for two weeks because someone tested positive. (Someone in Marian's school tested positive last week, but not in her class, which is separated.). They love their schools and I love their schools and everyone is happy that they're there: learning, playing, and getting some time away from their parents. Midterms are over and they went pretty well. Whew! I would have liked a week off, but the classes keep on coming. My birthday was quite fun and Mom's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Mom! We were reminiscing about our trip to Wales last year for her birthday. I am SO glad we took advantage while we had the chance. And we are following the election. Time is ticking! Ra...