Pandemic At School Week 37

Pandemic At School

 

Week 37

 

Day 251 – Sunday, November 22, 2020

 

We slept in a tiny bit.  After breakfast, the kids and I went to Target to get a couple of things.  Leah and I did not pack enough sweatshirts…. Leah also needed some dental wax because a wire on her braces was poking her.

 

Drew came over and we played a new to us game, Carcasonne, which was fun and pretty simple to play.

 

Grief is definitely hitting us sporadically, and we are all dealing with it differently.  I just realized that my mom has literally never lived alone.  She was married the same month that she graduated from high school.  

 

We ate leftovers and sandwiches for dinner, and watched Moana on Disney+ for the evening’s entertainment.  

 

My dad’s autopsy and cremation are unlikely to happen before I leave.  Everything takes longer, due to COVID.  

 

Day 252 – Monday, November 23, 2020

 

I didn’t sleep too well last night.  Part of the problems was every 2.5 – 3 hours there was a loud noise that seemed to be coming from the garage.  This morning I told Mom and kind of described the sound.  She realized that Dad had turned the air compressor on for whatever he was working on Thursday morning.  She knew he’d been in the garage and had turned off the power strip and the lights, but didn’t realize the air compressor was on.  She turned it off.  

 

I tagged along with Mom to Dulcey’s house to decide what artwork of Dad’s we wanted to display at his funeral.  That was the first time I’d been to her current house, it’s nice.  I went ahead and went to Crest, Aldi, and Walmart with Mom as well.  

 

Drew got us dinner from Pollo Campero, a Guatemalan chain restaurant.  The grilled chicken was really good, I liked the yucca fries, but the sweet plantains were amazing!

 

After dinner, Drew, Bailey, the kids, and I played Among Us.  Hannah and I were the newbies.  Leah and Elijah were chosen to be the Imposter WAY too many times.  Elijah is always sus…

 

My dad’s body was released to the funeral home, but they are waiting for the permit from the state to proceed with the cremation.  I had no idea what a complicated process it is.  

 

Day 253 – Tuesday, November 24, 2020

 

First thing in the morning, we noticed that there was a water truck with a digger on the back parked in front of Mom’s house.  It was putting up a Road Closed sign…. Thankfully, the digging took place on the 36^th St side of the block and not the 38^th St side that runs next to the house.  The water never was turned off, for which we were truly thankful.

 

My good friend, Sunshine, stopped by for a few minutes to drop off some AMAZING cookies and other yummy snacks.  We got to talk for a few minutes.  Because of stupid COVID, I hadn’t gotten to see her in almost a year.  

 

Later in the morning, Mom, Drew, Dulcey, and I took pictures, drawings, and Dad’s guitar to the church to set up some tables.  Afterward, Dulcey took Mom to the funeral home to pick up the programs, and also, unexpectedly, pick up Dad’s ashes.  

 

I printed a few more photos of Dad that Mom wanted to add to the funeral display.  She borrowed several frames from pictures around the house, but she was still short a few.  I took the girls to Dollar Tree to get the rest of the frames.  We didn’t go to the closest one since Mom said the store on May and Hefner was bigger and had a better selection.  I can’t remember the last time I was that far north on May Ave, but it’s likely more than a decade, possibly closer to two.  How am I that old?

 

Since the water never got turned off, I was able to do six loads of laundry.  

 

My mom’s neighbor, Kay, brought over brisket, potato salad, and cherry pie for dinner.  All of this yummy food from Sam’s makes me want a membership.  

 

Drew came over for dinner.  Parker came over after dinner.  Drew, the kids, and I played Among Us again.  

 

Tomorrow is the funeral, and that’s going to be difficult.  We’ve stayed busy preparing for it.  I told my mom today that all funerals are thrown together at the last minute.  She countered with the fact that some funerals are preplanned.  True, they may be planned, but they are never scheduled.  It’s hard.  

 

Day 254 – Wednesday, November 25, 2020

 

Today was Dad’s funeral.  I got up at 5am, got ready, got kids up one at a time to shower and get ready.  I finished making breakfast while Mom got ready.  We got to the church at 9am to finish setting up the displays of Dad’s photos and artwork.  

 

Relatives started showing up around 9:15 and more local friends around 9:30. Denny and Ara Ann Duty, Joel and Jennifer Duty and their boys, Darlene Mason, Danell Oxler, Diana and Randy Mark all traveled from Wichita to show support for our family.  Several local friends showed up as well, including my very first school friend, Aimee, who I’ve known for 41 years.  The funeral was live streamed on Facebook, and 71 people viewed it.  

 

I had asked to the preacher to read Psalms 139, which is my absolute favorite.  I cried.  We sang Amazing Grace.  I cried. We sang I’ll Fly Away.  I cried.  The Air Force Honor Guard played Taps.  I cried.  The Honor Guard presented the flag to Mom.  I cried.  It was wonderful and extremely difficult all wrapped up in 45 minutes.  

 

Eight years ago, my mom instituted Pie Night the evening before Thanksgiving.  Everyone present gets to request one pie.  Pie Night became Dad’s favorite holiday, and he was especially excited for this year.  My kids and I have never been to Pie Night because traveling 700 miles for both Thanksgiving and Christmas is extremely taxing.  However, since we missed celebrating Dad’s 75^th birthday during our long Fall Break that became a one day break due to COVID, we planned to come for Pie Night and Thanksgiving.  Never in a million years did I expect to attend Dad’s funeral the same day as my first Pie Night.

 

We went ahead with Pie Night because it was his favorite.  We had three savory pies and eleven sweet pies.  The savory pies were Cheshire pork pie, chicken pot pie, and bacon and egg pie.  The sweet pies were as follows: pecan pumpkin, lemon meringue, cherry, pecan, Dutch apple, green tomato, S’more, banana cream, chocolate cream, orange custard, and blueberry bacon.  I was able to try all the savory pies and four sweet pies.  All were amazing, but blueberry bacon is my new favorite.

 

Day 255 – Thursday, November 26, 2020

 

Thanksgiving Day

 

I slept extremely well because of something I took to “take the edge off” last night.  I got up around 6:45 and got ready for the day.  Mom had planned on making cinnamon rolls for breakfast, but no one was in the mood to come over early.  She made them and they were ready around 10am.  They were fantastic, as always.  

 

The dogs didn’t eat their dinner last night.  They are used to my dad being outside with them a lot, and my mom often stands on the deck and talks to them while they eat.  I went out to try to coax them into eating.  After about 5 minutes, the little dog, Bubba started eating, but Hoss just wanted me to pet him.  Hannah and Leah came outside, and then Hoss decided he could eat.  Bubba kept getting in his way, so he took a mouthful of food and spit it out on the deck.  Bubba went right over and ate that while Hoss finished up the previous night’s dinner.

 

Mom did a great job of getting most of the dinner ready in advance, and we didn’t need to start anything until 2:30.  Dulcey made several dishes as well.  We all ate too much.  Then we ate pie.  Tonight, I tried the Dutch apple pie, and the pecan pumpkin.  Both were very good, but I really wanted another piece of the blueberry bacon.  I think tomorrow, I will do that.

 

We got the meal cleaned up and the living room back to normal.  Elijah was too warm, so we went out on the deck and talked the dogs into eating most of their dinner.  

 

After the Greenlee/Ruark clan left, we watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Charlie Brown Christmas.  I could barely keep my eyes open, so I decided to call it a night.

 

Day 256 – Friday, November 27, 2020

 

Got up around 7am and got ready.  I ate oatmeal for breakfast, but a couple of hours later, I finished up the blueberry bacon pie.  

 

Hannah and I looked through my dad’s bookcases and found some books that we’d like.  Mom is keeping a notebook of our requests just in case two people want the same things.  I’m pretty sure that no one else is interested in the same books I am… Strong’s Concordance, Holman Bible Dictionary, and Josephus.  Hannah would like some of his classic literature and a book on woodcarving.  

 

My elementary school BFF, Aimee, texted me and we met a coffee shop and chatted for a couple of hours.  We’ve kept up with bits and pieces of each other’s lives over Facebook, but it was great to talk in person.  

 

In the afternoon, Hannah and I took Dad’s ashes to Dulcey’s house where we opened up the box and put small amounts of ashes in 8 little containers.  I have some plans for a personal memorial of my dad.  Dulcey and I figured other family members may decide at a later time that they would like to do the same.  If not, everything will be either scattered in the backyard or interred at Ft Sill in the summer.  

 

Dulcey had recently helped scatter her father in-law’s ashes, so she knew what to expect.  I was surprised at what the cremains looked like, but I wasn’t bothered by them.  

 

Everyone came over for Thanksgiving round two, the leftovers for dinner.  I did my best not to overeat, and tried to choose wisely to avoid stomach issues (no eggs or cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves) since we’ll be in the car tomorrow.  

 

After dinner we watched A Christmas Story.  Elijah and Leah actually watched most of it which they clearly had not done in the past.  There were some good chuckles from them.

 

Tomorrow, we drive…

 

Day 257 – Saturday, November 28, 2020

 

We left OKC right on time at 6am.  We stopped in Joplin, MO; Waynesville, MO; and the western suburbs of St Louis.  We encountered at least a dozen roadkill deer, a “blasting area” and “watch for falling rocks” in the Ozarks (widening the highway??), a speed trap where three cops had pulled over three vehicles, and just before downtown St Louis the interstate went from four lanes to ONE lane for absolutely no reason.  

 

We made it home in exactly 10.5 hours, and we found ready to be heated up dinner in our fridge.  The cats were looked after extra well too.  

 

We are glad to be home.  The cats are screaming at us to let us know that they missed us.  Leah and I are requesting a snow day for Monday which is not impossible.  

 

 

 

 

Pandemic At School Week 36

Pandemic At School

 

Week 36

 

Day 244 – Sunday, November 15, 2020

 

We had a very relaxing Sunday where we did very little.  Between a storm blowing through and a cat puking at 1am, I needed to sleep in a bit.  I got up at 7am.  

 

I went to Schnuck’s to get a couple of things that Walmart didn’t have yesterday.  I got the last 12 pack of Diet Dr Pepper, but they didn’t have green enchilada sauce either.  Who knew there would be a shortage??

 

I finished my 29^th book of the year.  My goal is 36, but unless I read some short books, I don’t know if I’ll make it.  I’m certainly not reading the two new, 1000 page books on my list until 2021.  I’m about halfway through book 30 (I set it down when #29 became available at the library).

 

I did some number crunching on Hannah’s college costs, but we don’t have offers from IU or Butler yet. 

 

I called my mom, who is apparently re-staining/painting her kitchen cabinets.  I had no idea.  Big project! 

 

We get to wear jeans to school all week, so that makes me happy.  

 

Day 245 – Monday, November 16, 2020

 

I woke up from an almost nightmare at 4am.  I dreamed that I got pulled into the Superintendent’s office on the way to some other meeting.  He said, “I’d like to offer you the opportunity to be a self-employed speech pathologist”.  I argued that I had more seniority than most of the other therapists.  Then he brought up my previous evaluation which must have not been great in dream world.  I remembered that I had to get back to my office (and building) for my current observation, and wondered why I would bother.  I wasn’t sure if I was being fired, or if they wanted me to do my own billing.  At that point I woke up and was surprised that it had been a dream and remembered that my actual observation really was today.  I didn’t really get back to sleep after that, but the cats did snuggle with me.

 

Daniel Wertz teachers are participating in American Education Week’s spirit week.  Today was Wear Yellow – “Improve working conditions.  For years educators have been asked to do more with less – during the pandemic, this is at an all time high.”  I work my yellow and blue tie-dye shirt that I got on our last trip to Gulf Shores and jeans 

 

My school day was pretty uneventful, though I did have my observation around 2:00.  I got to choose the time, so I picked a couple of students who generally behave and we did one new activity and one that we practiced last week.  It was practically perfect, and I already know my scores because I opted to use last year’s (one perk of school during a pandemic).  

 

Elijah decided to stay for Science Club (mostly tutoring), and opted out of tomorrow’s Business Club, so I had to flip my menu for dinner.  We had chicken tikka masala in the instant pot over rice and broccoli.  It was amazing, and I just used the Aldi “simmer sauce”, so super easy.

 

At dinner, Leah mentioned that she had homework in science, math, and ELA.  She invited me to turn on some Christmas music and join her, lol.  She did get the science and math done without any help.  In ELA they are reading The Legend of King Arthur, and she’s convinced she “can’t read”.

 

Day 246 – Tuesday, November 17, 2020

 

The way my work schedule is set up, I see all of my students for three weeks in a row and then I have a consultation week to work on the rest of the parts of my job.  Because of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, I get this Thursday, Friday, and next Monday for consult.  But my Tuesday morning kids (and my virtual kids), I’d already seen enough times since my last consult week.  So, I spent the morning on paperwork.  All three of my virtual students who are scheduled for Tuesdays on regular weeks either logged into my WebEx “room” or their parents emailed to confirm therapy was today.  It was not.  Also, the emailers had missed a combined 5 out of 6 sessions this month.  I send out WebEx/Google calendar invitations to therapy…. Maybe next month I will get away from scheduling everything in my “personal meeting room” and go back to individual meetings with unique logins.

 

I had to write an IEP from scratch for a new student whose meeting is Friday.  I’m glad that I normally just have to update previously written IEPs.  

 

We have two faculty bathrooms that are really unisex bathrooms, but they do have men’s/women’s signs on the doors.  We have 30 women and 5 men in the building, so everyone uses the “men’s” room when necessary.  Really, they should just take down those signs.  I promised I wouldn’t tell the story, but there was a little kerfuffle today.  The moral of the story is LOCK THE DAMN DOOR when you go in the bathroom.  

 

We got the word that our kindergarten class of 29 kids will be split back into two classes.  Making one giant class was one of the most ridiculous decisions ever made.  Even worse than when Leah’s 5^th grade class, which had always been split between three teachers became two classrooms.  Then ten new kids moved in and each 5^th grade class had 35 kids.  There was hardly room to breathe in those rooms.  

 

I got more information on the speech meet I volunteered to judge on Saturday.  I hope it’s fun… I suppose we’ll see if it’s something I volunteer to do again, lol.  It’s a virtual meet, but the Sig kids will all be AT Sig competing virtually against kids from Memorial.  I get to judge from my own, empty classroom.

 

Day 247 – Wednesday, November 18, 2020

I started my day a little early, when I woke up from a dream where I was having trouble breathing (I was on another planet, and when you left the ‘pod’ you had to put some powder in your mouth so you could breathe.  My powder ran out, and my companion was carrying me back to the pod when I woke up.).  I felt like I had pressure on my chest when I woke up.  I was halfway on my side, Oliver was curled up in my right armpit, Georgia was snuggled up on the left side of my legs, and I was pretty much trapped.  I got up and checked my O2 level.  It was 99%, but my heartrate was 118!  That may have been from the exertion of detangling myself from the cats because it quickly dropped to 75.  I propped myself up on my pillow and dozed for an hour.

 

Wednesday is my day to see my middle and high schoolers.  I decided to check my middle school students’ attendance before I left my office.  On kid was out for “remote learning”, so I was glad I checked.  I saw my first three kids, the fourth was out, and I went to find the fifth… and he was out too, but the 1^st period teacher hadn’t marked him absent.  One of my students is new to the school (though he was at Daniel Wertz in 3^rd and 4^th grade, so I know him), and when I went to pick him up the music teacher didn’t recognize me in my mask, and thought I was a “kid” because I was dressed in jeans and a hoodie for Red for Ed Wednesday.   I told her “thank you”, lol.

 

Our occupational therapist spent the morning Velcro and taping a “sensory walk” in our Commons.  It’s to take the place of our Minds in Motion course in a “no touch” fashion… due to COVID.

 

This whole COVID thing is out of control.  The death rates in Vanderburgh county are crazy.  On average (based on 2017 rates) 5 people die in Vanderburgh County every day.  Adding just ONE COVID death a day is a 20% increase.  Now it’s typical to have 3 or 4 COVID deaths a day!  Kentucky’s governor just shut down in-person dining at restaurants moved all the schools to virtual.  I will say that I don’t think there is a ton of spread in EVSC schools, but restaurants and bars NEED to be take-out only.  

 

A friend who has already had COVID is having anxiety thinking they have it again, and now their significant other is a close contact…and has symptoms.  Another friend has a parent with symptoms.  One of Elijah’s good friends at school is sick, sick enough that they didn’t attend class online…. Is waiting on a test result.  Elijah sits next to this kid in almost every class and eats lunch with them.  

 

Day 248 – Thursday, November 19, 2020

 

This morning my dad died.  2020 can go @#$%! Itself.

 

Will process tomorrow.

 

It started off like any normal day.  Leah hadn’t finished her family crest that was due in ELA today, so I helped color the background while she finished getting ready for school.  Elijah’s school had “formal dress” for spirit day, so he wore his new suit.  He looked very handsome.

 

At school, I had to get my computer ready for a 7:45 WebEx conference for and IEP annual case review for a Virtual Academy student with TERRIBLE attendance for V.A.  

 

I finished filing most of my student data sheets for the month.  I was a few minutes from a virtual therapy appointment when at 10:33 I got a text from my mom:  “call me ASAP”.  I don’t get good cell service in my building so I called my childhood telephone number from my office phone.  My sister answered, I knew she wasn’t my mom, but I still responded “Mom?”.  She put my mom on the phone.  Mom had found my dad, and she was pretty sure he was already gone.  She called an ambulance, and told them not to resuscitate him because he wouldn’t have wanted that.  After the ambulance left, she texted me.  My sister and (??? I guess John or my brother, Drew) took mom and followed the ambulance.  They were back home about an hour later.  That’s all I know.

 

I immediately went to our wonderful, school secretary and told her my dad had just died.  She hugged me and promised to take care of everything on the school end.  I got a few hugs before leaving the building.  Elijah had a half day, so I had to drive downtown to pick him up.  While I waited, I was able to send a few texts.  I had a hard time keeping my shit together so I could drive us safely home.  But I did it.  I told Elijah as soon as he got in the car.  I will tell the girls as they come home from school (soon).

 

Heather brought me something to take the edge off, and I am thankful.  Karen is bringing dinner, and I’m extremely grateful for that too.

 

Day 249 – Friday, November 20, 2020

 

We got up at our normal 5am and got ready for our trip to Oklahoma City.  We left the driveway around 6:15 and the sun was starting to lighten the sky.  I had downloaded about 10 episodes of Dear Hank and John to listen to on the drive.  I needed something lighthearted to take my mind off the reason for the trip.

 

We stopped in O’Fallon, IL, just east of St Louis for breakfast.  Elijah wanted to eat a real breakfast, so I opted for Cracker Barrel.  They were only offering outdoor seating, so I accepted.  It was a bit chilly, so I had to go back to the car and open my suitcase for a hoodie.  The menu was significantly pared down, they only had three breakfast options.  Pancakes with eggs and bacon, French toast, or a big breakfast (Old Fashioned?).  After breakfast, we put gas in the car and got some sodas for the road.  I was happy to find Diet Cherry Dr Pepper which I haven’t had seen since March.  Elijah was excited for Sprite Cranberry.

 

We didn’t stop again until Springfield, MO and we gassed up and got some snacks.  The next stop was Momma’s house.  I was surprised that the turnpike between Tulsa and OKC now has a speed limit of 80 MPH!  That’s just crazy, and semis can’t go that fast so it gets dangerous.

 

My cousin Diana sent food, but we’re going to eat that tomorrow.  My mom’s friend, Betty, must have bought all the sandwich supplies available at Sam’s.  We will have some pretty amazing sandwiches for a few days.

 

My mom had my sister and her family come over at 7pm so she could tell us all what had happened.  Up until that point, I’d received almost zero info.  Since I had to maintain my composure for 11 hours of driving today, I hadn’t called to get more information.

 

Yesterday morning, around 9:45, Mom was driving to the store when she got a call from my dad.  She pulled over to call him back.  He didn’t answer.  She called the land line. He didn’t answer.  She sped home, and found him, sitting in his chair with his phone in his hands setting in his lap.  No pulse.  She called 911, who told her she had to start CPR.  The paramedics arrived, she told them he was DNR, they attempted anyway.  They took him to the ER where they also attempted to resuscitate him.  

 

The preacher will visit tomorrow and the funeral details will be ironed out.  He will have a military color guard which means the funeral can’t be before Wednesday.  So, it looks like it will be Wednesday morning.  None of us have any desire to view the body, and his remains might not even be at the funeral.  We are not sure what the restrictions are for the size of the funeral, but will find out tomorrow.

 

The plan is to scatter some of his ashes in the backyard and the rest will be interred at Ft Sill in the military cemetery in the summer.   

 

Day 250, Saturday, November 22, 2020

 

Hannah and I got up and around by 7am and had breakfast with my mom.  Over the course of the morning, Leah got up, and I woke Elijah up around 10am so he could eat before the preacher came over to talk to the family.

 

At 11am, my parents’ preacher, Mark Bradford came to talk about the funeral service and get to know the family a little better.  He was very kind, and he provided a lot of information that we just didn’t previously have.  The funeral will be Wednesday, November 25^th at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City, and due to COVID will also be live-streamed on Facebook.  Surprisingly, there is no limit to the number of people who can attend in person, but they will be socially distanced by family groups.  

 

For lunch, we had more amazing sandwiches provided by Betty Gresham (like I said previously, I think she bought all the sandwich fixings at Sam’s and brought them over on Friday).  After lunch, my siblings and nephew went to take care of other parts of their lives, and mom went to the store to finish the shopping trip that wasn’t from Thursday.  

 

Mom’s trip was supposed to be short, so when the kids mentioned that they felt like she should have been home, I ran to get my phone that I had plugged in next door.  She had texted to let me know that she was stopping at Dulcey’s house to pick up a loaf of beer bread that she’d made for dinner.

 

Drew, Parker, and Bailey came over for dinner and we had BBQ that my cousin, Diana sent.  It was good!  None of us, including Diana, is sure where it was from, lol.  

 

The lot of us played a round of BANG! and I was the sheriff for the first time.  The law enforcement team won!  However, my team played it really close to their chests and I was unaware of  who they were for most ot the game.

 

We watched The Trouble With Angels with Mom before heading to bed.  It was a nice day with the family.   

Pandemic At School Week 35

Pandemic At School

 

Week 35

 

Day 237 – Sunday, November 8, 2020

 

COVID, COVID, COVID… make it stop!

 

My friend’s daughter’s test came back positive, which was no real surprise with all of her symptoms.  Then mom spikes a fever, then her brother…. They will get tests tomorrow.  Another family I know has it, though mildly.  It’s too close for comfort right now.  

 

I took my car to the gas station to fill up the tank, and I took the scenic route.  Leah had left her door ajar yesterday, and I wanted to make sure the battery was okay.  That was the extent of my time out of the house today.

 

I did more laundry and vacuumed the floor.  I recently made the discovery, quite accidentally, that the vacuum canister has a notch to hold the floor attachment/hose while not in use.  Today, I realized there is another notch to hold it while the canister is in another position.  I doubt I read the instructions when I bought the thing, but I wonder if those features were even noted.  It certainly makes storing the whole thing in the closet much easier!

 

I read some, and I made chili for dinner, turkey chili since ground turkey was in the freezer.  My kids aren’t huge fans, but I’m not bothered by that fact.

 

I had Evansville/Wichita Zoom book club tonight where we talked about Howl’s Moving Castle.  Even though it was Karen’s turn to choose the next book, I essentially chose it… A Study of Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock #1).  I recently started book #5 since it just came out.  They are fun, and since I’ve never read Sherlock Holmes, the plot is new to me. Win, win.  

 

Thinking about Thanksgiving travel since we are supposed to visit my parents.  If we don’t get infected prior, I think I will get us tested the weekend before Thanksgiving for a little assurance that we aren’t taking COVID to OKC.  

 

Day 238 – Monday, November 9, 2020

 

My day was pretty normal.  However, the same can’t be said for everyone.

 

The 1^st-2^nd grade self-contained teacher was vomited on by a student.  She went home, showered, and changed clothes before coming back to school.  I’m not sure I would have come back.

 

One of the teacher’s assistants is out for 14 days… so kindergarten dismissal was “all hands on deck”, but it went really smoothly.

 

Leah’s middle school had no internet or phones today.  I guess the remote learners were just out of luck today.  Leah had another unannounced after school band practice.  I’m starting to expect them, though it would be nice to know in advance.

 

Central Library finally opened up to the public, so Elijah was able to go there after school instead of the YMCA.  He said someone that he couldn’t see had a horrible cough.  Fantastic.  

 

I got home just after 4, and started getting dinner ready in the Instant Pot.  Tortilla soup was on the menu, but I used the last can of Rotel in the chili last night.  So, we had Chrissy’s chicken and noodles instead.  Tomorrow, I will run to Aldi for hamburger buns and Rotel since they did not make my shopping list… 

 

My friends with COVID are feeling better, but those tested this morning are still waiting on their results.  

 

I am surprisingly excited about the vaccine trial (not yet peer reviewed) that came back 90% effective using RNA and nanotechnology. I want to read all about it!!

 

Day 239 – Tuesday, November 10, 2020

 

We have Veteran’s Day off school tomorrow, so it’s Faux Friday; therefore, I didn’t do the dishes.

 

Today, was a pretty normal day at school with just a little bit of craziness.  I had a screaming, crying, gone-boneless, hitting, scratching first grader for the first eight minutes of their session, who then settled down and worked extremely slowly for the next seven minutes, and didn’t have enough time to play a game.  Sad day.  I helped a kindergartener “find their lost” music class. (The class wasn’t lost.  The child had run.). I was novel to the situation, so they were perfectly willing to come with me… 

 

Hannah’s boyfriend got a negative COVID test result, so I guess he really did have a stomach bug.  

 

Friends have been waiting 36 hours for test results.

 

I talked to my financial planner, for my annual meeting.  He also, has COVID.  Tonight, I tried to get all my EVSC retirement accounts linked to Edward Jones… NO LUCK.  

 

After school, I made a quick stop at Aldi for a couple of necessary things I forgot.  I guess 3:30 is a super busy time, but I was still out of the store in five minutes.  

 

I broiled hamburgers for dinner.  I considered one last grilling session since it was 70 degrees, but it was raining.  

 

45 and his cronies are acting like he won’t leave office.  Annoying.  Sure, file your lawsuits.  Do the recounts.  If we are a democratic republic, then he will go, kicking and screaming if necessary.

 

Day 240 – Wednesday, November 11, 2020

 

Having a Wednesday off is weird and messes with my sense of time.  Tomorrow feels like it should be Monday, not Thursday, though I’m happy for Thursday.

 

Indiana’s governor finally decided that counties in orange (most of the state) are not allowed gatherings of more than 50 people, and counties in red are capped at 25.  He did not limit restaurants and bars to take out only, which probably needs to be done.  

 

This morning, I went to Walmart at 7am and stocked up on paper supplies.  I shouldn’t need any toilet paper or paper towels for several months.  The chip on my credit card would not read, but my debit card did, so I blamed my credit card not the chip reader.  When I got home, I ordered a new card.  At 9am I got an oil change, and when I paid with my credit card, the chip worked…. Oh well, I’m getting a new card this week.  While I waited for my oil change, I sat and read (while masked, of course) for an entire hour without interruption.  It was magical.  Even though my kids are big, they still interrupt my reading time.  Heaven forbid, I close my eyes for a quick doze, alarms must go off in their heads because they always wake me up.  

 

Elijah had me watch a Scottish show today.  Not only could I only understand about 25% of the words coming out of their mouths, it wasn’t funny.  It’s kind of an SNL/Studio C type of show.  I don’t think it would have been funny if I could understand it either….   I generally enjoy BBC shows, so this was underwhelming.  Don’t let your Zoomer children pick the shows.

 

Leah was BORED so we took a trip to Michael’s for her to buy more supplies for making earrings.  On the way home, she remembered that her jewelry making pliers are in the art room at school for a project they are working on…. At least she got to spend some money.

 

Also, Leah wanted me to teach her how to crochet.  I’m not fabulous at it, but she did manage a couple of short rows.  Somewhere I have a kid friendly how-to book on crochet, but I couldn’t find it.  

 

Once again, we had shepherd’s pie, this time with ground turkey because that’s what was in the freezer.  Leah likes it even though she doesn’t actually like mashed potatoes….  It was still good with turkey, and I added some beef gravy to give it some flavor and keep it from being too dry.  

 

My principal sent out an email saying we can wear jeans tomorrow and Friday (typical).  I think we are getting to the time of year when he generally calls every day is a jeans day to boost morale.  I think the whole school year should be 180 jeans days, but that’s me.  

 

My friends’ COVID tests came back negative, but with a positive case in their house and a mom with mild symptoms… I think at least one of those was likely a false negative.  The teen with COVID lost her sense of smell yesterday, and today has weird, new pustules on her ears.  It’s the weirdest virus.

 

Day 241 – Thursday, November 12, 2020

 

The “feels like Monday, but actually Thursday” started off pretty good.  Our principal got the teachers new spirit shirts, and they are ¾ sleeve baseball shirts, which are my favorite.  

 

I was deleting some random photos off of my iPad (some kids take screen shots during games), and I found some photos of some of my students from 3 years ago.  So, I had to show those around to some teachers.

 

My virtual student, who almost always shows up, didn’t today.

 

Our high maintenance kindergarteners were high maintenance today.  It all kind of went downhill from there.  Our principal is now “out for 14 days”, we have a teacher’s assistant “out for 14 days”, our music teacher was out today as well.  That made dismissal interesting, since there were three spots to be filled by others…. During dismissal, a kindergartener, who has no business having a pair of scissors, cut the loops off another kid’s mask out of jealousy and spite. Then, as I was leaving at 3:20, there was another significant issue with another student.  I decided it was well above my pay grade and after my contract day, so I went home.

 

I went home, tossed some chicken in the Instant Pot for tortilla soup, then went and picked up Elijah from his speech team practice.  He has his first meet next weekend (it’s a virtual meet)!  He’s doing a radio broadcast…. I volunteered to be a judge.  Should be entertaining.

 

The middle school is going to try for a Guinness Book of World Records record for the most people spinning fidget spinners.  One of the teachers found a large stash of them in a closet, and decided to put them to good use.  A couple of years ago a got a fidget spinner at a professional development, so I brought it home for Leah.  Elijah and Leah were fighting over it (Elijah is one of those who is only interested in toys other people are using), but both were impressed with the quality.  I suppose, I’ll never see it again, lol.  

 

Day 242 – Friday, November 13, 2020

 

This Friday the 13^th was thankfully, quite uneventful.  Things ran smoothly at school.  Several “high need” students were out for various reasons.

 

Neither of my virtual students showed, but that just seems to be par for the course any more.

 

Elijah came home obsessed with a contraption he’d seen in physics class, a “centripetal force board”.  He made one so he could impress Leah by not spilling a cup of water while spinning it upside-down.

 

It was pizza night, then Elijah hooked up his ancient Wii to the TV so he and Leah could play Rhythm Heaven. 

Day 243 – Saturday, November 14, 2020

 

We had a great day.  I did my grocery shopping at 7am, there were a couple of things Walmart didn’t have so I’ll check Schnuck’s tomorrow.  

 

Leah wanted to meet Libby at the mall, and I needed to get Elijah a suit for his speech meet next week.  Hannah decided to go too, so we made a family trip.  After looking at Macy’s and Dillard’s, we ended up getting a cheap suit at H&M.  We went back to Macy’s to get a nice tie.  We got Chinese food in the food court, which was pretty tasty.  

 

We all just did our own thing which included a lot of laundry for me until dinner.  We ate leftover pizza.  I guess I’ll have to get to the dishes tomorrow.

 

Elijah talked Hannah into playing Rhythm Heaven, and she is a natural.  She’s on par with Elijah, leaving Leah and myself in the dust…

 

 

 

 

Pandemic At School Week 34

Pandemic At School

 

Week 34

 

Day 230 – Sunday, November 1, 2020

 

Even though cats don’t understand time changes, they didn’t wake me up early, they just got in some extra snuggling.  It was light out at 6:30 when I got up…. So, it will be light when we drive to school for the next month which is the only positive of being on Standard Time in Evansville.

 

I had to drive to Meijer to pick up Hannah’s Rx.  They are across town, but their prices are so much cheaper that it’s well worth the drive once a month.  Their pharmacy opened at 10, so the girls and I hopped in the car, went through the Meijer drive-thru, then headed to Target.  Leah wanted to get her BFF’s birthday present since her party is next Saturday.  Hannah has a ridiculous amount of money in the form of Starbuck’s gift cards, so she bought us drinks for the way home.

 

I had a few chores to get done: vacuuming, a little more laundry, clean bathrooms, etc.  

 

I made sausage rice casserole for dinner, and Elijah commented, “Why don’t we have this more often?  It’s really good.”  Well, it’s kind of a PITB to make, and it’s definitely a fall/winter dish.  Leah hates it (shocking, I know), so she made some mozzarella sticks in the toaster oven.

 

My dad’s 75^th birthday was on Thursday, and the OKC family got together for his birthday dinner today.  The kids and I got on Zoom to add our “Papa-isms” to the mix and sing “Happy Birthday”.  

 

I often listen to 90’s music while I load the dishwasher, but tonight I said, “Alexa, play ‘Hipster Holidays Radio’ on Pandora”.  Why not?  I’m not putting up the tree early because of cats…. 

 

At 5:15 tonight, it was dark.  I hate that part of fall/winter in Evansville.

 

Day 231 – November 2, 2020

 

Today was a good, but busy day.  I started by getting everyone dropped off on time, and to school 2 minutes earlier than normal.  Not long after I got to my office, I received a text saying “come see me when you have a chance”.  My teacher friend, Lydia, gave me two Mandalorian themed masks.  They are super cool!

 

My morning wasn’t too busy since my two virtual students didn’t show up and two of my in-person students are quarantined. However, after lunch things got a lot more hectic.  I got a text from Leah saying that she had band practice after school, which was a surprise to both of us.

 

The exterminator, who was scheduled for 4pm, requested 3pm.  I told him, he was welcome to spray the outside of the house, but I wouldn’t be home until 4:00.  I picked up Elijah, and actually got to Perry Heights around 3:45.  Leah got out of band practice at 3:57 and we made it home by 4:02.  The bug guy took about 5 minutes inside the house.

 

I made chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn.  I have to say, I make a mean chicken fried steak dinner!

 

One of my friends in Phoenix said people are hoarding toilet paper and bottled water again.  My friend in the DC area sent photos of DC boarded up…. I’m a little nervous, but I have to have faith in the goodness of most people.  Right?

 

Day 232 – Tuesday, November 3, 2020

 

Elections Day!  Elijah will probably stay up all night watching the numbers come in.  I’ll likely be in bed, asleep before the west coast polls even close.

 

It was a good day at school.  I think I told two kids to put their bottoms in their chairs approximately 100 times this morning, and I did not get bitten, though there was definitely a close call.  

 

One of my virtual students who had never missed did not show up today.  His mom later emailed apologizing and letting me know that her dad was being tested for COVID.  

 

Elijah’s school had another positive student today, and they have a positive teacher out as well.  About 20 students were sent home as close contacts to the student, one of whom is Elijah’s good friend.  

 

I got an email from Riley County Kansas saying that I was a close contact… but I don’t know anyone who lives in Manhattan, Kansas, nor have I been there.  I have only been in close contact with my kids and some of my students.  Also, it was to an email account that I don’t give out very often, though it does contain my full name.  After a lot of study, the email does seem to legitimately be from Riley County Kansas, but I have a feeling there is a Brooke Rosen (probably with a middle initial in their Gmail) at K State who did not get the email she should have.  Pretty weird.  Also, if that’s how contact tracing works, we are doomed.

 

I was pretty excited to get home and finish up dinner.  I had put “taco chicken” in the crockpot this morning to be used in enchiladas.  After school, I shredded the chicken and did a layered enchilada casserole in the crockpot.  Yum!  I made plain rice and corn to go with it since Leah’s not a fan (of anything).  She was cold and hungry so she ate some of everything, lol.  

 

My friend, Karen, came over for a few minutes to drop off some shirts and for me to attempt to put a new wrist band on her husband’s watch.  However, he bought a band that was just a mm too big…. I was happy to see Karen, who has been a hermit for the past 7 months trying to keep healthy.  

 

Day 233 - Wednesday, November 4, 2020

 

When I woke up, I looked at the map of the results of the election, and I was feeling really down about it.

 

Then, I went to the kitchen to make my lunch and eat breakfast.  I heard quacking and assumed that it was Leah’s phone.  There was more quacking and Hannah commented on it.  When I told her I thought it was a phone, she said the cats thought it was coming from outside.  I went out on the deck, and sure enough, there was a duck on the roof of the house behind us.  Duck appeared to be stuck on the roof since she kept walking to the edge and looking down.  Being me, I quacked at her…. She immediately flew right toward my head!  I ducked (ha!) and she landed on the deck between me and the house.  I was not please, and Hannah had scampered out of the way.  I got between the duck and Hannah and we (duck not included) went in the house.  Duck quacked at us, knocked on the glass with her beak, and really wanted in the house.  The cats were super interested in their new friend.

 

Hannah got home around 3pm, and Duck was still on the deck.  She did quiet down after dark, and I hope she found somewhere safe to sleep.  Our yard is NOT safe, we have raccoons.

 

The school day was fine, and uneventful.  It’s my travel day, so I go to both the middle and high school as well as fit in a few elementary kids.  One of my perpetual no-show virtual students is now in person at the middle school.  That’s definitely best for him, learning wise anyway.

 

I got a text from Leah during lunch that she unexpectedly had band practice after school. It’s no big deal to pick her up at 4pm.  Elijah was supposed to have a Mu Alpha Theta meeting until 4:30, and I had a 3pm IEP meeting for a middle school student.  However, Elijah’s meeting was cancelled, and he told me at 3:10…. So, he had to wait at the YMCA.  Leah did not enjoy getting home at 4:45pm, and doing homework before her 6:30 Wednesday Night youth group.

 

I decided that I didn’t want to make the 15 minute drive twice in the dark, so I’m hanging out in the church parking lot.  

 

Elijah's school had another positive student case today... but Elijah was not aware of who it was (unusual).

 

Day 234 - Thursday, November 5, 2020

 

When the sun came up this morning, I went to see if Duck was still around.  I could hear her quacking in the distance, so I assumed she was well.

 

Apparently, the school superintendent came to witness our kindergarten class of 29 students this morning.  Our kindergarten teacher is amazing, but the situation is far from it. There are several students in the class who have emotional issues, and every day either a SEL (social emotional learning) specialist or a special education coordinator has needed to come help with those students.  The obvious solution is to split the class back into two classes.  I guess the superintendent needed to see that for himself. 

 

My day was pretty normal, but in my 5 minutes in the kindergarten room, a student announced, “That guy in the bathroom is just in there eating Doritos!”  There was a trail of Doritos to the kindergarten boys’ bathroom…. 

 

Elijah had speech team after school, so I came home and got dinner (shepherds’ pie) in the oven before picking him up.  

 

I put on some Christmas music to do the dishes to, and the doorbell rang.  I didn’t bother to answer it until it rang the second time.  It was a very animated door to door salesman who got a little snippy with me when I told him I wasn’t interested.  Yikes.  The neighborhood FB page noted that he was a little inappropriate with some of my neighbors.  

 

After I was sure the coast was clear, lol, I was able to take my trash out.  The kids next door were playing with Duck!  I guess she didn’t go far…. I imagine she’ll be back in our yard soon enough.  

 

 

Day 235 - Friday, November 6, 2020

 

I love how downtown Evansville randomly closes streets without any notice.  Today, Main St was closed, so I had to take a short detour to get Elijah to school.

 

No sign of Duck today… but I’m sure she’s still in the neighborhood.

 

My morning was busy, but good.  I got to meet a new student in one of my (many) self-contained classes.  He works hard and is compliant, so no complaints!! 

 

My afternoon was less busy, but I got to use my teacher voice on a student playing in the bathroom, and it was hilarious. “XXXX GET OUT OF THE BATHROOM, NOW! And wash your hands.” 

 

I had not helped with kindergarten dismissal in a week or so, and it had descended into utter chaos.  No words. 

 

It’s Friday, so we got pizza.  

 

I decided to plan a menu around food we already had, so I only need three fresh items at the grocery store tomorrow: lettuce, a tomato, and an avocado.  Shouldn’t take too long, lol.

 

Day 236 – Saturday, November 7, 2020

 

It was a nice Saturday.  My grocery trip was minimal and cost less than $12.  I did end up getting frozen waffles, bread, and cheese to ensure Elijah’s breakfasts and lunches were not affected by my plan.

 

Leah’s BFF, Libby, had her 13^th birthday party today.  Four girls had lunch and shopped at the mall with a mall cookie to end the day.  I think it was perfect for the girls, and they had a blast.

 

I got to see my friend, Karen, for a few minutes in the mall parking lot while we exchanged a few items with each other.  We have not seen nearly enough of each other due to COVID.

 

My friend’s daughter has COVID symptoms and got tested today.  Scary stuff.

 

As I was listening to Christmas music while doing the dishes tonight, Do They Know it’s Christmas by BandAid come on.  Wow, that song is just so… ethnocentric.  I know it was 1984, and their goal was noble, but seriously, it really was a different world.  I recall really liking the song when I was 10, but it didn’t age well.

 

No craziness for the Rosen family today, for which I am truly thankful!

Joe Biden will be the 46th President of the United States!  Georgia will have TWO Senate runoff elections that will decide who has the majority.  

 

 

 

 

Pandemic At School Week 33

 Pandemic At School

 

Week 33

 

Day 223 – Sunday, October 25, 2020

 

Last night around 11pm, Elijah came in my room and announced that his phone charger had broken, and could I buy him another tomorrow.  Of course, because not only do I love making a second trip to Walmart during the weekend, I had forgotten a few things as well.  

 

I didn’t get up until 7:30 which is late for me, goofed around for a while, and made it out the door around 10 for the second trip to Walmart.  I needed cat litter, shredded cheese, and Halloween candy for Leah’s Wednesday night church activity.  Evansville felt really subdued, and it was grey and cool out.

 

When I got home, I wanted to eat lunch.  Leah wanted me to help her with her English assignment.  We ate first, then I read a chapter aloud to her, she answered the questions mostly by herself.  Then she cleaned her room for a bit.  

 

Hannah went to Mayse Farm with some friends.  She was a little nervous about driving there by herself, but it’s not a complicated drive by any means.  She made it just fine.

 

I was thinking about starting a short project, but Leah wanted me to read another chapter to her.  I did, then as she was getting to the questions, Hannah sent me a text.  Her car wouldn’t start.  After some questioning, I found out, yes, her friend had jumper cables.  I told her I would drive to her in case jumping the battery didn’t help (I would call AAA, if needed).  They got her car started right before I arrived, but they had planned to go have hot chocolate.  I had Hannah drive her car home, so I could deal with it, and they came and picked her up. 

 

On my way home, I stopped and bought a new battery (the last one three months shy of two years… it had a “Two Year Limited Warranty” whatever that means.  I’m guessing it means you’ll be lucky if it lasts two years! I’m now a battery installing expert, lol, and it took longer to get my tools out than it did to replace the battery.  I was happy to be done before it got dark.  

 

For dinner, I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.  Hannah arrived home, just as we were sitting down.

 

Leah read the third and final chapter for her English assignment on her own and answered all but one question without help.  She likes to be helped…. 

 

I was not expecting an afternoon adventure, but it all worked out.  

 

Day 224 – Monday, October 26, 2020

 

Today was definitely a day. 

 

I was 0 for 3 on virtual students attending, though one mom did let me know beforehand.  

 

The (self-contained) room next door had a student who had a difficult morning… so difficult that at several points I wondered “What the heck is going on?”

 

When I went to another self-contained room to work with a student, they screamed a blood curdling scream every time I asked them to do something.  So, I created 15 solid minutes of blood-curdling screaming, go me. 

 

The school district is losing money by being self-insured for our health insurance.  They promised that rates would not go up this year, but likely would after that.  However, today, they announced that they would no longer be making contributions to the highest deductible plan’s HSAs.  They’ve done that because THEY play a lot less for the insurance that pays for nothing.  So, no one’s rates go up, but they are screwing over those of us with the highest deductible plan…. We have to make any changes next week.  It’s cheapest for me to stick with the highest deductible plan, but I’ll probably have to up my own contribution to my HSA.  

 

Leah had band practice after school, so I picked her up after getting Elijah.  I don’t think she was thrilled about getting home an hour later than normal.  She was trying to cajole answers to her English assignment out of us, but Elijah gave her a hard time about it and she stormed off.  

 

I made potato soup for dinner which was perfect for our chilly fall day.  After doing the dishes I sat down and immediately had a cat in my lap.  I think Trent needs an electric blanket.

 

I know two people who have COVID in their homes…. A parent of a kid, and a kid of a parent (two different families).  It’s definitely here.  I pray that everyone has mild cases and recovery is quick!!

 

I wasn’t a bad day, by any means, it was just a little different.

 

Day 226 – Wednesday, October 28, 2020

 

Yesterday was fairly uneventful, and I went to bed early because I’d slept poorly the night before. 

 

OKC had a terrible ice storm, and lots of my friends are without power, so I called my mom to check up on them.  They had power yesterday afternoon, but weren’t optimistic about keeping it since tree limbs were dangling over their power lines.  The trees still had all their leaves, so they were super heavy, and there was lot of damage.  

Both of my siblings were without power.  I believe it’s the earliest recorded ice storm in OKC, usually they wait until January or February.

 

Today I had Annual Case Review IEP meetings all day at Reitz High School which was a bit of a change of pace.  

 

One of my middle school virtual students who never did any virtual work is supposed to enroll at Perry Heights tomorrow.  I guess we’ll see if that happens.

 

Elijah decided to stay after school for math club (good ol’ Mu Alpha Theta), so I went home from Reitz, started dinner, and then picked him up.  Leah’s Wednesday night church group had a trick or treat where they passed out candy.  I think she’d rather be on the receiving end, but she had fun.  She had to be there by 6 to get set up, so everything was very tight.

 

Trent received an Amazon package today containing a heated sleeping pad for pets.  I wasn’t sure who it was from, and thought it might be a couple of different people.  I plugged in the heating pad, put a towel on it (he barfs a lot), and a cardboard box (because, cats).  I couldn’t get him to lay down on it, but the other two cats are living their best lives taking turns in the heated cat bad…. Heather later asked if it had arrived, so she was the sender.  

 

*** I got the inside scoop on the Life Skills class at Reitz.  One assistant has COVID and is sick, but recovering, one student tested positive (just had cold symptoms), one student has two parents who are very sick with COVID.  All three cases seem to be unrelated, but half of the class is quarantined from close contacts.

 

Day 227 – Thursday, October 29, 2020

 

Today did not get off to a good start.  It was dark and rainy when we left for school, and when I dropped Leah off, I got stuck behind some cars that didn’t let their kids out of the car for several minutes.  As I was dropping off Elijah, he realized that he didn’t have his backpack…. So, we drove the 20 minutes home, 20 minutes back downtown.  I was supposed to be at a conference at the high school at the same time as I originally got to Elijah’s school.  Needless to say, I was extremely late.  They just had the conference without me.

 

The rest of the day was spent in conferences, and it was pretty relaxing.  Elijah stayed late for speech team practice.  By the time he got home it was 5pm.  We had an extremely easy dinner of frozen chicken poppers and bagged kale salad.

 

The girls are carving pumpkins and watching Totoro since they both chose Miyazaki characters for their pumpkins.  

 

Halloween is predicted to be sunny with a high of 60* which sounds perfect

 

Day 228 – Friday, October 30, 2020

 

Today had a much better start.  Everyone got dropped off on time, and I took Leah’s inflatable T Rex costume to work.  I asked the principal if I could wear it while students were being dropped off and during breakfast.  He was all in.

 

I got inflated right before 7:45 when the students start arriving and I startled some daycare kids on the way to breakfast.  Then I went out to the front of the school to greet kids as they got out of their cars.  After most of the students had arrived, I went to each classroom while they were eating breakfast and generally riled them up.  It was hilarious, and no one expected me to be in the costume.  

 

I did a group lesson of the book Room on the Broom followed up by a comprehension Kahoot game.  Then I got to be part of a case conference.  Then I did another group lesson (same book and Kahoot).

 

Elijah had a half day so I had to run him home during my lunch.  One virtual student canceled at the last minute and the other was a no show… that is really NOT working out.  By that time most classes were doing special Halloween activities so I let them be.  

 

We ordered pizza for dinner and Elijah wanted Leah and me to play a “new” (actually old) game called Rhythm… something.  It was pretty fun, and I’m terrible because of the delay with the WiiMotes.  I would do better with wired controllers, I’m sure.

 

Leah’s pumpkin needed a little dental work last night, so I carved a couple of new teeth and placed them with toothpicks.  We are looking forward to Halloween tomorrow night.  

 

**Another DW teacher is positive, but asymptomatic. 

 

Day 229 – Saturday, October 31, 2020

 

Happy Halloween!!  Halloween on a Saturday is really nice and relaxed.

 

The cats got me up at 5am, but that gave me time to create my menu for the week and make my shopping list.  I even managed to get to Walmart by 7:30.  I stopped by the library on the way home to pick up Elijah’s movie for the week, but they were closed today which is unusual.  They only had curbside pick up during early voting, but voting at the library ended yesterday.  I suppose they’ll still have the DVD on Monday.

 

At home, I did laundry… all day.  Now that it’s jeans and sweatshirt weather, there’s a lot more laundry to do.  

 

The exterminator is scheduled to come on Monday.  Leah’s room has been too messy to spray the last 2 or 3 times he’s been here (he sprays quarterly), so I told her that her friends could Trick or Treat with her if she cleaned her room by today.  She had at least 10 days notice.  She finally finished around 1pm, and I was even able to vacuum.  I was afraid that I was going to have to cancel her Trick or Treat plans…

 

Then I got the urge to clean and organize the pantry.  It was a mess.  I chucked a lot of things that were past their expiration dates.  

 

Our first Trick or Treaters came to the door around 2:30.  I was not ready for that!  After they left, I shut the front door.  I ended up making a sign that said, “Come Back After 5:30”. I actually got set up around 5:15.  I set a card table up in the driveway with a plastic table cloth, the girls’ jack-o-lanterns, and the treat bags Leah made a month ago.  My 48 treat bags were gone by 6:30.  A tiny girl dressed like a baby zombie came up to me and told me, “I like it when people tell me I’m cute”. Hilarious!  I told her she was cute that she’d go far in life.  

 

The time change is tonight.  I love fall, but I hate the change back to Standard Time.  Now it will be dark by 5pm and in a few weeks by 4:30.