November 2020 Happenings

 The pandemic goes on.  Fortunately we've had some decent fall (even winter) weather so we've been able to be outside and still be around friends.  We did NOT celebrate Thanksgiving with family.   It's just too risky not knowing how careful the kids are being and having to be inside together.  We just keep telling ourselves that after this is over we can have as many meals together as we want whenever we want to.  Mom and I went for a walk on Thanksgiving Day though, that tells you how nice it was outside:)

We went down to visit Tibodeaus on a Sunday afternoon in Cedar Falls.  We got to see their new house, check out downtown Marion breweries and places to eat and then go disc golfing at a local park.  So great to see these good friends and can't wait to get back to visit them again for some nightlife in the summer!

We celebrated Tanya's birthday the first weekend in November.  It was the warmest hike we could remember since she began her annual birthday hike.  Her family camped at Ledges that weekend and then we went there to hike.  A great group of ladies to be with on a beautiful Saturday morning and afternoon.  After the hike we went back to Tanya's campsite for drinks, soup, dessert, and a campfire.

That night we celebrated the election, finally!  While we were hiking it was finally announced that Joe Biden was the official elected next President of the United States.  Matthew cracked the bottle of champagne at about 4pm and then we went over to Spence's to celebrate with some local Democrats.  There is HOPE for this country.

October 2020 Happenings

 The Covid 19 Pandemic continues.  Some days drag on and on.  Some days I enjoy the slowness of life.  Everyday I worry about my family and friends and their health.  Everyday is full of choices about risk assessment.  Thank goodness I have my job to keep my mind busy and the weather has been good for the most part.  We did nearly set a record for the earliest snow, but it quickly melted.  I continue to walk outdoors with friends a few times a week at 5am, try to run once a week outside and then spend time on the treadmill or doing a youtube workout video to keep my physical self healthy and strong.  On site learning continues although the country 14 day positivity rate continues to go up.  It is November 15 as I write this post and the rate today is above 17% for Story County.  We all walk on eggshells, wondering if or when things will drastically change for the good or bad.

Carter played and ended his Junior year season of football this month.  We got to see him play both JV and Varsity and were super proud of him playing a strong center in both.  Grandma came to see some games too and that meant a lot to Carter.

We celebrated Mom's 68th birthday the weekend before her birthday at Uncle Rick and Aunt Laurie's.  Uncle Rick smoked pork chops and beans.  The whole family was there and Mom was happy.  Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures:(. We talked about how fun it would be to get together for card games and a meal when Covid 19 is over.

Matthew and I went camping with Jeremy, Aiden and Lanie for our anniversary weekend at Lacey-Keosaqua State Park in southeast Iowa.  We spent the weekend doing things we love. Grilling (on our new Blackstone), trying new restaurants and sight-seeing a new town, playing disc golf, games, and hiking, even through the rain. Friday night was quite cold when we couldn't get the camper heat to click on and overnight lows were down in the 20s. The next day we headed to WalMart (thanks Tanya) to buy a space heater.

Mid October was super warm and we spent one relaxing, beautiful Sunday afternoon at Prairie Moon Winery's Concert in the crib.  Sangria and wine were delicious.  Sorems joined us too.  Definitely need to do this more often next summer.

Had a wonderful time at Spirits in the Gardens with Shanna, Liam and Ellie! Pumpkins were carved in amazing ways, great activities for kids and just enjoyed fall weather together.

Thank goodness for friends with motivation.  Tanya text me to remind me of the RUN Nevada race and asked if I'd walk instead of run.  Tanya, Kara and I had a great time.  There was a chili cook off and contest afterwards and it was good to get out and be around people.

Lanie's girl scout troop completed their (I believe) Silver award by creating a small food pantry for the community.  They not only built and painted it all but then learned how to dig a hole and use cement to hold a post.  

Lazy Friday night:)

Buzz painted this month.  We used a color called Alpaca.  One step closer to getting the house ready.

Continued to get out hiking and disc golfing with the family when it was warm enough on the weekend.  We golfed the back 9 at Big Creek, never have before.  It is really beautiful next to the water and up and down hills.  Lanie enjoyed all the opportunities for Parkour.

Things to Continue After Social Distancing

Although Social Distancing has really been heart-breaking in so many aspects, there are many routines that I've begun that I want to continue in some capacity.  I won't be able to do them for as long as I do them now, so I will need to balance everything.  For example, right now I do Duolingo for 30 minutes a day, maybe I just do 10 when school starts again.  

Things to Continue After Social Distancing

1.  Weekly hiking with family

2. Drop off or Pick up groceries

3. Meditating

4.  Learning Spanish

5.  Call friends more often

6. Virtual games when can't be together
7. Video chats with friends and mom
8.  Not working ALL night
9.  Picking the MOST important things to get done

Social Distancing Day 38

Wow!  It's really been a long time since I last wrote.  These last 2 weeks have been a little busier as I've tried to engage my students more.  I've had 2 class meetings, 18 family conferences, a virtual lunch bunch, and a virtual story time so far.  I absolutely LOVE seeing the kids and it really helps my mood so even though they are not required in ANY way, I will continue to do them.  The kids do SO well figuring out all the buttons, staying engaged and trying hard to participate.  Yesterday's virtual lunch bunch with 6 boys really began to hit home the effects of all this as all 6 boys expressed what they really miss was going to school and seeing their friends.  Their faces don't light up as much as they used to either:(

I finished my 2nd 1000 piece puzzle and immediately ordered another because they take 2 weeks to get here.  Now I'm excited to read Reading Strategies by Jennifer Serravello that I ordered a while ago. 

We've started staying the night at Grandma Barb's house on Sunday nights.  It helps break up the week and I think lifts her mood a little.  She likes to cook us supper and then we play games.  Matthew's been awesome about supporting this. 

Social Distancing - Day 19

Thank goodness for the sun and warmer weather!  It's definitely helped my attitude and given us even more things to be thankful for.  I've gone for a couple runs, walks, and just gotten to be outside a lot more.  Yesterday Lanie and I walked to Mom's house and we thought it'd be fun to bring Frisbee.  We put him in his leash and then plopped him in my backpack.  He didn't seem to mind it too bad:)

Later in the day, Matthew went to play disc golf and Lanie and I tagged along.  I practiced my golf swing and Lanie played with her little people.  It's getting harder for Lanie to understand why we aren't going back to school.  I just keep saying "the virus".  I also started cleaning up the yard and tilling the gardens. 

Matthew went back to work today.  They are planning ahead for when things get really bad and they may only need employees to work 1 - 2 days per week.  Carters working more and although it's definitely a risk, he is a lot more happy not at home all the time. 

Social Distancing Day 13

No pictures from yesterday but it felt good to get outside in the afternoon to clean up the yard.  I raked leaves, Matthew and Lanie picked up sticks and Carter mulched the leaves with the mower.  Then we all threw the frisbee around for a while. 

Today we had planned to drive to a State Park south of us, but I got nervous with all the cases popping up in Polk County so instead we just made the short drive to Hickory Grove Park.  Lots of construction going on but we still go out to walk around for a while. I wore my new hiking boots and they felt great!  I also learned that the park has some spots for reservations, which is nice, even though I bet they go fast:)  Maybe someday be able to use one.

The kids are rebelling against doing ANYTHING.  I feel like I've got to have some sort of routine in their lives or all they'll do is stare at screens.  Carter says he's going back to work next week because he's tired of being home.  I'm definitely finding ways to fill my days; filled with so many things I always wished I had time for:)  I've now created version 3.0 of the kids and my work menus.

Social Distancing - Day 12

This afternoon we got out of the house together and went to Harrington Park.  It was really windy but felt good to get out.  The boys did a round of disc golf and Lanie and I threw the frisbee back and forth.  The sign at the playground was a sad reminder of the state of the world.

Getting closer to finishing my puzzle.  Excited to start another one!

Played Sequence after supper tonight together.  It was good to touch things that Dad had touched and made for us, I felt him here with us.  It reminded me of playing this game at the cabin at Rathbun Lake with everyone.  One of the last times the whole family got together.  We went there to celebrate Mom and Dad's anniversary.

Social Distancing Day 10

Well, we should have been going back to school today but the world is in the middle of a pandemic so we are home.  I am trying hard to stay positive and continue to be thankful for the extra time to slow down and enjoy doing things I don't always get to do.  Sometimes it's a struggle because I DO love routines and being with people so much.  My goal is to write for 5 minutes every day because this is history, and years from now we will look back and think about how we survived this (I hope).

Lanie and I got some toys from the school to play with, went to the McFarland Eye Center to have her glasses adjusted and picked up breakfasts and lunches from the school as part of their Grab & Go program.  It was pretty eerie going into the eye doctor and having the door be locked and then having to have our temperature taken before we were allowed in.  The kids were excited to see their grab and go food and to trade and divide out their meals for the week.

Carter and Matthew left a while ago to go play disc golf.  I'm so grateful they get this time together.

Frisbee begging for attention while I'm working on a puzzle.

Sunday family hike to Ada Hayden.  We made sure to distance ourselves 6 feet from anyone else but it felt good to get out and at least smile at people.