Happy Easter!

This year will certainly be different with all the rules about social isolation and a virus running rampant throughout the world. However different doesn't have to be bad. We are planning on doing some of the same things (colored eggs, Easter baskets for the kids, cinnamon rolls, bacon and fruit for breakfast) and doing some different things (watching Mass online, Easter dinner at home, etc.) It will definitely be memorable. 

I hope all of you have wonderful Easter celebrating in a way that will make your day good! May everyone have a wonderful and healthy Easter Sunday! 

Getting some stuff done....

…Otherwise known as Day 27 of social distancing/ isolation due to COVID-19.

Yesterday and most of this week I have lacked any sense of motivation. I was lamenting yesterday about that and said that maybe if I had a list that I would report back on that it would help. Well I think that it did. I still had plenty of time to spend with the kids and got a few nagging things done too. So what did I get done? 

• Laundry (at least 3 loads need to be done)
• Deep clean downstairs half-bath
• Deep clean upstairs bathroom (Bill actually did this for me)
• Sweep mudroom and do a quick organize of pantry ( I also did a quick straighten up of our upright freezer and found a hidden bag of chocolate! SCORE! LOL) 
• Make menu plan for next 2 weeks
• See if we have egg dye kits in basement
• If we do, then boil eggs for kids to color
• Clean off my desk area and empty laundry basket full of crap stuff that is next to my desk.
• Watch Good Friday service online

I also cleaned up the kitchen, had a take out date night with Bill (from Bob Evans (one of the only restaraunts still open for take out in our area)) to celebrate our 16 year anniversary of our first date! (Can I also say that after not eating out for a few weeks, I felt so bloated after dinner. I don't know if it is because I don't typically fry foods at home so we eat healthier or what it was.) I also watched a movie with the kids for movie night. We watched "The Greatest Showman" as it was Rebecca's pick for the week. 

Today, I have a few more things I would like to get done. And since I found that making a list and posting it here helped a ton I am going to take that approach again. 

• Laundry (I have 2 loads to finish up)
• Clean out the laundry basket of stuff next to my desk
• Clean up puzzle and pack away off the small art table (so that Ben can have that table on Monday to do his school work on)
• Dye Easter eggs with the kids and Bill
• Go for a walk with the family
• Watch the Easter Vigil Mass from Rome 
• Make Chocolate Pie for tomorrow
• Make Lemon Bundt cake 
• Lay out ham to defrost for tomorrow
• After kids go to bed make their Easter baskets

I think that that will give me plenty to do today if I get up and get stuff done. Right now Rebecca is still in bed (typical teenager! ;) The boys are building with Legos and watching the "Star Wars" episode of "Lego Masters." I love that this show brings out their creativity. I should probably take this opportunity to go shower while they are preoccupied. LOL

What are your plans for today? I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday! 

No motivation....

… Otherwise known as day 26 of social distancing/self isolation during COVID-19.

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses on my last post. I told my dad last night that I was following my gut and staying home with Bill and the kids on Easter. It will be different and I know that they are disappointed but I feel the call to stay home and make it a good day for my little family unit. 

https://pixels.com/featured/im-not-lazy-funny-sloth-tired-relax-chilling-gift-j-m.html

In other news I am becoming a sloth. Really have no motivation to do anything, although there is plenty to be done. I am watching way too much TV (LegoMasters, The Masked Singer, Good Mythical Morning episodes on YouTube, etc.). I am doing more things with the kids like throwing the football  with the boys and playing games with the kids (I killed Rebecca 3 times the other night in Bananagrams!). But there is stuff not getting done. So today I have decided to make a list and see what I can get done. Maybe if I promise to come back and report on how I did it will motivate me? If you guys want to yell and tell me to get off my butt I would appreciate it too! LOL 

So what do I want to get done today?

• Laundry (at least 3 loads need to be done)
• Deep clean downstairs half-bath
• Deep clean upstairs bathroom
• Sweep mudroom and do a quick organize of pantry
• Make menu plan for next 2 weeks
• See if we have egg dye kits in basement
• If we do, then boil eggs for kids to color
• Clean off my desk area and empty laundry basket full of crap stuff that is next to my desk.
• Watch Good Friday service online

I think that will keep me busy on this Good Friday. If I can find the motivation. Considering it is already after 11 AM and the only thing I have accomplished today is taking a shower then I am already behind. So I need to get off and do something! 

Are you finding it hard to find motivation to get stuff done? Or are you being productive? 

Blah days, productive days, etc

… Otherwise known as days 19- 24 of social distancing/self isolation during COVID-19. 

Updating the numbers here in Ohio...Last Thursday (April 2), Ohio has 2902 cases and 81 deaths. As of yesterday, Ohio has 4782 confirmed cases and 167 deaths. Again, another huge jump in less than a weeks time. :( We have had 7 cases in our county (and 1 death although this was a resident who had been in Florida since November). 

Monday, our state told stores to start limiting the number of people in them at one time. Yesterday, Bill went to Aldi's for me and he said it that Aldi had an employee sanitizing carts outside and giving each customer a sanitized cart and marking how many were in the store and how many left. He also said that they had transitioned to one way aisles and most of the shoppers were following that and maintaining six feet distance (he did say there were some older shoppers that didn't seem to care and were cutting in front of people and stopping their carts right next to his, etc.). They also had plexiglass up at the registers and the employees all had masks and gloves on. He also had to go to Walmart to drop off a prescription. He said that was surreal. They had a barrier maze up at the one entrance you can use and they had 2 security guards at the entrance with masks on and were checking people off as they entered the store. You then had to go through another maze to get into the store. He just said that the whole thing was super creepy. So thankful he is willing to go to the store for me and the kids. 

In other news, what has been going on? We celebrated Ben's birthday with a blue WWE cake. 

Bill did end up going to get McDonald's for dinner from the drive through as that was Ben's request. He also got a couple of presents from us, including 2 wrestlers: Million Dollar Man and I.R.S. He was thrilled to get them. Ben also got to Zoom with my sister so he was happy with that.

Speaking of Zoom, Ben also got to zoom with his class on Friday and "see" his teacher and friends so he was thrilled with that. The kids were happy when they finished their school work on Friday as that was the beginning of their Spring Break. The school is taking their regularly scheduled Spring Break in order to give teachers and parents a break from online schooling. 

Saturday, I took the kids to the park and met up with what was supposed to be my sister and her girlfriend. Well it ended up being my sister, her girlfriend, my parents, my niece and nephew, my brother AND his girlfriend. My parents brought donuts and presents for Ben-- more wrestlers and a summer outfit. I felt awkward because we are supposed to be social distancing but at the same time we are family. I don't know. (We are still trying to decide what we are doing for Easter. My parents want us to come over like normal, but my gut is telling me to stay home. I just don't know what to do.) 

Sunday, was a lazy day. I watched Palm Sunday mass on Facebook. Then in the afternoon, I watched the movie "Onward" on Disney+. Jacob actually watched it with me (and usually he doesn't watch movies! LOL. It was a cute movie. Then we watched one of the new nature shows that Disney+ dropped titled "Penguins." It was really well done (I love the Disney Nature shows).

Monday we did a little bit of Spring Cleaning. The kids cleaned the toy bins out and Rebecca moved the furniture in the living room and swept underneath them all. I deep cleaned the kitchen table and chairs and walls in the dining room. I made a banana chocolate chip crazy snack cake to use up some brown bananas I had. Rebecca really likes it! 

Sunday I also did a ton of laundry. We tried to Zoom with my in-laws but for some reason we couldn't get on the same video page. Not sure if it was on my end or their end. We will try again at some other point. 

Yesterday, I ran out of steam and it was another day to just be. I did get a Misfit Markets delivery (including a TON of bok choy)
and got that processed and put away. Also, I did have to deal with my van. Bill went to pick up a written prescription for Jacob's ADHD medication at the doctors office after he got off work. He called me to let me know that the battery died in my van and that he was waiting for AAA. They got him jumped and he came home. When he went out later to go to Walmart and Aldi the van wouldn't start again. AAA came back out to jump it and I am hoping he can go get a new battery for it today (fingers crossed). I was also able to cut the boys' hair yesterday as they were looking pretty shaggy. LOL 

Today I am dragging as we had some pretty loud thunderstorms this morning between 2 and 4AM. Woke me up and kept me awake. I need to get the bathrooms cleaned today and my desk area. I will take the kids to get their lunches from school today in a bit and maybe that will wake me up and get me motivated.

Sorry this took a long turn. Hope everyone is having a good day! 

Today is Ben's Birthday and a water heater issue

… Otherwise known as day 18 of social distancing/self isolation during COVID-19. 

Updating the numbers here in Ohio...On March 23, Ohio had 442 cases. As of today we have 2902 cases and 81 deaths. That is a huge jump in 10 days. :( Our county just announced their 6th case. :(  Ohio also just announced that the stay in place order goes through May 1 and that starting Monday stores need to determine, post, and enforce a limit to how many people are inside at one time. We shall see how this goes. I still need to get something for Rebecca for her Easter basket but am thinking about just ordering online. Not sure. 

We are hanging in there. Bill is still working a bit. His employer has laid off about 30% of the workers. His hours have been cut a little but we are trying to make things work. I will admit that I am getting discouraged and can feel the sense of hopelessness creeping in. 

Trying to focus on the positives though... like today being Ben's birthday! He turned 8 years old today. 

A couple of weeks old

A few weeks ago (pre COVID-19 stay at home order)

We can't do many of our traditional birthday things but I am trying to make the day special for him. He came out of his room to find a waterfall of streamers in his doorway. There were donuts on the kitchen table for him (that Bill picked up the other day when he went to get groceries). 

Our day started out crazy as I woke up to a strong electrical burning smell. Bill came to get me and asked me to help him figure out where it was coming from. Upon further inspection, I went to the basement was greeted with this: 

Yep, our hot water tank. Called our landlord, who is under quarantine due to health issues and he has 2 special needs adopted kids at home and he said he would send his son out to look at it. His son thinks it was just the element in the top went bad and he replaced what he could. He thinks this was the issue, but I am to keep an eye on it. I just wish the electrical smell would go away. It has lessened I think but is still here. 

The kids did their school work online. We just found out that after next week ALL work is being done online. It is frustrating to me but what can you do? Next week is our district's Spring Break so I don't think they are assigning any work to give teachers and parents a break. I know that I need it. 

Ben was able to zoom with my sister earlier today. He liked that but started crying at the end because he misses her. 

Currently the boys are finishing up their school work. Rebecca is upstairs on the phone with her friend. Later we will have cake and give Ben his presents. Not sure yet what we are doing for dinner...Ben said he wants hot dogs, because we can't go out. But then he asked if we could get food out to eat here. I am not sure what we are going to do. 

For now, I will leave you with some signs of Spring that we saw yesterday when we went to the park to walk. 

Goose on her nest

How is your Thursday going? (It is Thursday right? LOL) What's happening in your world? 

Just tired...

… otherwise known as day 14 of this Extended break due to COVID-19.

Sorry this is going to be whiny! 

Not feeling it today. Feeling very defeated. Tired of being at home. Tired of not being able to go to church or to the grocery store. Tired of my kids not being able to go to school and see their friends. Tired of feeling locked in. Tired of all the idiots who are not listening to the social distancing guidelines. Tired of being afraid about the what ifs. Tired of the lives lost. Tired of the injustice of it all. Just tired. 

Thursday, Friday and Today...

...Otherwise known as days 11, 12 and 13 of this "Extended Break" due to COVID-19.

First off I just wanted to say thanks for all the tips on the mini peppers. I decided to slice them for the freezer and will use them in spaghetti sauce and crockpot meals that I make. 

I missed a couple of days of writing as I was just too tired at the end of the day. So let's recap...

THURSDAY:: This day went much better academically. I let Jacob have some choices as to the order that he did his work and that seemed to help him have a better attitude. Also the sun was out again so that helped. I did some stress baking--- 2 loaves of zucchini bread. Super Yummy. I gave my mom a loaf to take home when she came to pick up my niece and nephew. The kids got to play outside a lot and they ran races for a long time! 

Zucchini Bread

Jacob was trying to teach Ethan how to throw and catch a football.

Using the shadow line as the starting line for a race

Racing back

In other news, there has been a little bit of drama at Bill's work. His co-worker is refusing to cut his hours. (Bill is supposed to come early 2 days and his coworker is supposed to come home early the other 2 days). Well this man's wife called to complain about his hours being cut and all of a sudden he doesn't have to have his hours cut anymore. He told the boss that his wife was ticked off because they took away his Friday night shift completely. Here is my response: WHO FREAKING CARES?? Everyone is making sacrifices and they have no kids under the age of 18. Everyone is in this boat and everyone has to make sacrifices. If Bill gets laid off due to his coworker needing the hours I am going to be more the ticked off!! 

FRIDAY:: Yesterday both boys got done with their work before lunch time! Jacob had a couple of online quizzes /tests to take and Ben didn't have a lot of work for Friday. We did learn that on Monday I will be getting a Chromebook for Ben to do all his work on as 2nd grade in our district is going to all online work. I am not sure how this will work with Benjamin as he needs the paper and pencil practice. I guess I can always do paper and pencil activities with him. It figures we get into a routine and they switch it up. LOL

Yesterday was the last day I will have my niece and nephew for a while. My mom is a food service worker for the city schools. They are going on a 4 week schedule (work one week off 3 weeks) to lead the making and distributing of lunches. All classified staff are being called in to help during certain times as well. This was my mom's week to work and she is off the next 3 weeks. At one point, Jacob was doing his testing. Rebecca was on her Chromebook. Ethan was reading and Ben was playing with his cars/trains. One of the things about being at home 24/7 is that he is rediscovering some of his toys that he hasn't been playing with. 

Lacie's favorite position all week-- typical 15 year old behavior

Getting her schoolwork done

Ben and Ethan playing with cars and trains

 I got some "Happy Mail" yesterday. I ordered Rebecca (and the boys) some of their favorite types of granola bars. I found a special on them with free shipping and thought I would surprise them with them. They shipped pretty quickly! Rebecca was super happy! 

I also had my first dose of being ticked at someone's response to all of this. I have a "friend" on Facebook who was complaining yesterday about how the governor had to step in and say that golf courses and lawn care companies are non-essential. She was livid that he was taking away her rights to play golf and that she should be able to hire someone to do her lawn. Seriously?! This woman and her husband both work from home doing computer stuff and make LOTS of money. They have a teenage son who could be doing the lawn work. Her response just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Seriously ridiculous. 

TODAY:: Today it has been raining off and on. We had some storms go through a little bit ago. The humidity has been through the roof as well. :( This morning we just hung out and didn't do much of anything. Finally took my shower and made the kids lunch. Decided to try to get something done. Decided to tackle our bedroom closet that has become a catch all of stuff. 

The before

The after: the Luvs box is full of papers to be shredded and the box on top of that is for books to be donated to the book warehouse when it reopens. 

Took me about 45 minutes but it looks so much better and I got a big box of stuff out to donate (going to store it in Bill's van until Goodwill opens back up, that way it is OUT of the house. LOL) I have Italian sausage in the oven for dinner. I need to go make some coleslaw to go with it and figure out a veggie to go with it. 

How has your Saturday been? What is the weather like where you are? Doing anything exciting? 

Rough Morning, Outside Time and a question...

...Otherwise known as Day 10 of "Extended Break" due to COVID-19.

Today we had a rough morning. The boys didn't want to do their work independently. Jacob was in tears as I was making him do his work thoroughly and writing in complete sentences. Benjamin was in tears because I wanted him to do some of his work independently (as I can tell he is trying to tell me he can't do the work but I know that he can). I even overcooked my oatmeal for breakfast and it was cold by the time I was able to eat it. It was a trying morning.

We walked down to the boys' school to pick up the kids' lunch and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was outside. The sun was out and it was pleasant out (60 degrees). I decided that after lunch we would take a time out from school and play outside. 

We spent almost 2 hours outside jumping rope, throwing the football around, bouncing basketballs, etc. 

When we came in the kids had a snack. Ben watched "The Lego Movie" and Jacob finished up his school work (much calmer and better this time). I folded some laundry (SO thankful my washer seems to be working!) Bill went to the grocery store for me. We needed milk, frozen pizzas, and bananas. I sent him with a small list and he was able to get everything except frozen peas and corn on the list (which were NOT a necessity as we have one bag of frozen peas in our freezer and several cans of canned corn). He said it was weird in the store. They were limiting meat to 3 items (he scored a nice rack of ribs that were marked half price and some ground beef on sale). We have decided that since Bill is out working anyways that he would be the contact person for running errands, etc. while the kids and I stay at home most of the time. 

Dinner tonight was easy peasy--- chicken tenders, tator tots and green beans. Sometimes easy is best.

After dinner and chores, we took a family walk of about 1.7 miles. Just around our neighborhood. 

As we were walking we passed a couple of houses where people were sitting on their porches... we would say hi and everyone seemed kind of nice. Unlike in the past where people on porches seem to avoid making eye contact with us when we were walking. 

Now I am just waiting to the kids to bed. I am physically tired-- I guess that is what lots of exercise will do for ya! LOL I am hoping that tomorrow is a better day academically and that we can get some more outside time. 

Before I log off though, I have a question. I received several mini peppers in my Misfits Market box yesterday. 

Does anyone have a tried and true recipe that uses these? I really don't want them to go to waste. If you do, care to share? Thanks so much in advance! 

Food, Art Class, Call to Pray...

… otherwise known as Day 9 of "Extended Break" due to COVID-19. 

Today was the first day of Ohio's "Stay-at-home" order. My day started out as normal. Got my niece and nephew. Bill came home from work in a better disposition. His hours will be cut, but as of right now he still has a job. I think the stress just got a hold of him yesterday. 

One of the things I am trying to do is to make sure that I am eating regular meals. The other day I realized that I hadn't eaten at all and it was close to 2:30PM. Oops. So I am trying to make it in the forefront to eat something in the morning. This morning I got the boys started on their school work and then made myself some eggs around 10.

Ben was able to get his school work finished before lunch. Jacob had to finish his science and then submit all his written work online after lunch. Rebecca worked on her work independently. We took our daily walk to the boys' school to get their grab-n-go lunches and then headed back home for lunch. After lunch and Jacob completed his work, I turned on a YouTube art video for the boys and my niece and nephew. This was a draw along video posted by a semi-local art place.

 

I am still trying to figure out the art schedule for the boys' school. Last week they said it was optional; this week I saw that it is now mandatory for grades 3-5. I just didn't want to deal with it today. LOL So this YouTube video for the win. 

The kids loved it and I think I will try to find something like this for tomorrow as well. My niece and nephew took theirs home, to show my sister, before I was able to get a photo of their work. I think Jacob and Ben's turned out really cute. 

While the kids were doing "art class" I got a Misfit Markets delivery from FedEx. I decided to try them again as a way to get produce without having to go the grocery store. I figured I would try it out again after trying it last year. I am pleased to say that we got produce that we would use (except for turnips and beets which I sent home with my mom as she loves them.) This means this will be less that Bill has to look for when he goes to the store later this week. 

After Bill awoke for the day, I ended up falling asleep and taking a 2.5 hour nap. Apparently I needed the sleep. That means now I am not tired. LOL SO I am currently watching "The Aquarium" on Hulu (a show about the daily workings of the Georgia Aquarium). 

I will leave you with this. If you are a praying Christian I offer you the chance to join with Pope Francis tomorrow morning to pray for this pandemic and those affected by it. 

I hope if you are reading this that you have had a good Tuesday and are staying safe and healthy! 

Schoolwork, a fixed washer, movie night....

… otherwise known as Day 8 of "Extended Break" due to COVID-19. 

It is Monday! I am currently on a quest to journal about what life is like during these extraordinary times. As such, I have decided that on Mondays I will post what the numbers are like in Ohio if I can. Here in our county, we have 2 confirmed cases so this map is not truly accurate but is close. Over the weekend, we had another case test positive and that person is currently in the hospital just down the road from us. 

Today started out rainy and wet and dreary. Kind of perfect for my mood. Just overall anxious and stressed. I am sure a lot of us are feeling that as well. 

This morning I had to run out to the boys' school to pick up their work for this week and turn in their work from last week. (Ben's teacher is doing mostly paper work; Jacob's teacher is trying to transition everything to online.) Then it was home to get started on some work. Or at least figure out what needed to be done and to get started. 

When I got home I had a voicemail from the appliance people that the control board they had to order was in and they wanted to set up a time to install in our washer. I called them back and they could come out today to fix it! 

Around 11 we walked down to the boys' school to get their "grab-n-go" lunches for today. (Our school district is doing free grab and go lunches and breakfasts for all kids 18 and under.) As we were there, the appliance guy called and said he was 10 minutes out. So we walked quickly back home. 

He installed the new part and then had to spend about 20 minutes recalibrating the system as there was still water left in it from Friday and it was messing up the water level sensor. He finally got it fixed and I ran a load of wash and so far so good. Thank goodness! 

After he left, I had to do my nephew's blood sugar and give him his insulin. His sugar was low, so had to get him some juice to try to bring it up. Finally was able to get it up into the normal range, gave him his insulin and he was able to eat with his sister and cousins.

After lunch, was more schooling. 

Then I took a nap before dinner! Speaking of dinner--dinner tonight was spaghetti which is always a family favorite. 

My afternoon was not all rainbows though as Bill had a breakdown. He is so focused on the fact that he is anxious and that he may be laid off that he can't focus on anything else. He only got to work for a couple hours last night. He was being short with the boys and finally just as dinner was ready went upstairs. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was isolating himself as he was being short with the kids and wasn't hungry. I am at my mental limit and can't handle that right now. My focus HAS to be on the kids. I understand that he may be laid off. I understand that it will be hard. But he is acting like he is the only one in this predicament. Well he isn't. My own tutoring business is shut down because I am not considered essential infastructure. It is frustrating but I am trying to focus on the positives. I get to spend more one-on-one time with my own kids. I get to be involved in their schooling. I get to spend more time relaxing. I get to spend more time praying and focusing on what is important instead of going-going-going. Sorry for the vent.

Right now Bill is hiding in the bedroom, Rebecca is taking a bath, Jacob is playing at the kitchen table, and Ben and I are watching "The Wizard of Oz." (Ben has been asking to watch this for past 4 days! LOL) We are really living it up tonight! LOL 

How are things in your neck of the woods? Are you in a "Stay-in Place" area? Are you handling the anxiety? 

Mass at home and laundry...

… otherwise known as Day 7 of "extended Break" due to COVID-19.

Today was strange as it was Sunday, yet we couldn't go to church as all the churches are closed. Our church did "live-stream" a mass on Facebook from the chapel. 

It was different, but at the same time the sense of community as you could see other people watching it was intense. I was talking to my dad about it and he thinks it is insane that they can't offer communion some way and he says that he will NOT watch any mass on TV or on social media. To each their own. I feel contentment on watching and feel like I need the prayer and somewhat continuity. 

I was also able to spend some time chatting with a very close friend of mine who lives in Singapore. She has been quarantined for a week as the country is on lockdown. We spent 45 minutes or so chatting on Facebook messenger about the challenges of homeschooling kids and getting everything done. We were also comparing how the USA and Singapore are handling things differently. It was a good chance to catch-up. 

After "Mass" and taking a shower, the kids and I headed out to my mom and dad's house so I could do some laundry. I spent the day doing laundry. Jacob and Ben spent most of the day outside playing with their cousins and Rebecca spent most of her day inside on her phone and playing cards with my dad. 

The big news in our neck of the woods tonight is that our Governor has issued a "stay-at-home" order for Ohio until April 6. This starts tomorrow at 11:59PM and goes through April 6. Basically it is a stay at home unless you have to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, bank or doctor's office type of order. He has asked all non-essential businesses to close. We won't know how this will affect us until Bill comes home from work. He works for a small food distributer that does wholesale and runs a grocery store. We shall see. He is pretty stressed about it. I am trying not to be stressed. 

When the kids and I got home tonight Bill did have a surprise for me. He ran out to get Jacob some deodorant as I realized he was almost out. He also picked me up a bag of chocolate. He must have known that I am stressed and anxious. LOL 

Well, I need to think about getting ready for bed. My mom is considered an "essential employee" so she has to work this week which means I have my niece and nephew. Tomorrow I also need to take the boys' work into their school and pick up their new work among other things that need to be done. 

How was your weekend? Has your location gone to a stay-in-place order? How are you handling the stress of this coronavirus situation?