Thursday, May 14
The governor announced dates for more businesses to open later this month. Now to decide what we will do ourselves. Pools may be open, but are swimming lessons a good idea this summer? The jury is still out.
Friday, May 15
Patios open today for outdoor dining. I am definitely not comfortable eating in a crowd at the moment, but I'm curious to see how it will go this weekend. The weather isn't supposed to be great tonight, so maybe it won't be so bad.
Sunday, May 17
From a distance things almost seemed like normal this week. The weather was lovely, we spent all weekend outside, and so did nearly everyone else. But of course it wasn't quite the same. Still, I'll take what I can get.
A few reports of local bars exceeding guidelines -- the rainy weather didn't really come as predicted, so many people were eager to get out again. But lots of people still staying home as well. We got takeout yet again.
Tuesday, May 19
Book club meetings via Zoom just aren't the same.
Thursday, May 21
Atticus had his end-of-year preschool celebration via Zoom today. I remember Edith's -- the parents came to the classroom, each kid was recognized and we gave an extra big clap as it was announced that she would be headed to kindergarten. Not quite the same on the computer, but it was very nice, all things considered. The teachers even put together a slideshow of the year that was. Now Atticus is off to the next school adventure ... whatever that may look like in the fall.
Friday, May 22
Dad called in the morning and asked if he and Mom could come visit for a couple of hours. They had some things to drop off, plus we hadn't seen each other since February. We stayed on the porch for the visit. Not quite the same as visits "before," but it was nice all the same.
Sunday, May 24
Visited the in-laws for the first time since the virus -- again, an outdoor visit. More things to add to the "new normal" list.
Monday, May 25
Memorial Day is low-key this year. I've read most of the day, the kids have barely been inside, and Paul is finishing up some household tasks. It's been HOT this weekend, nearly 90 degrees, so it really feels like summer is here. We'll see what it brings.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Monday, May 18, 2020
The New Normal
The new normal is ...
... waking up and starting "school" 20 minutes later, occasionally as early as 7:30 a.m.
... needing a first-grade refresher once in a while. What's a predicate again?
... teaching a 5-year-old how to read. One of the most fun parts of this new normal!
... seeing Edith become a faster and faster typist. And remembering that I didn't learn to type until what? Junior high maybe?
... dragging a chair to the end of the driveway nearly every nice day, watching the kids ride their bikes.
... watching a TV show and thinking "that would never go now" whenever I see fictional strangers close together.
... patting myself on the back for all of the outdoor work we've done. If we're going to be spending more time at home, let's have it look nice.
... thinking about all of the things we're going to miss out on this summer. We were supposed to leave for vacation in five weeks.
... reading. So much reading. I've always read a lot, but now I'm listening to Edith read, reading longer chapter books to her, reading by myself and teaching Atticus some sight words. Books, books, all the time, books!
... keeping a mask at home and in my purse or car. Never know when I'll need it.
What's your new normal?
... waking up and starting "school" 20 minutes later, occasionally as early as 7:30 a.m.
... needing a first-grade refresher once in a while. What's a predicate again?
... teaching a 5-year-old how to read. One of the most fun parts of this new normal!
... seeing Edith become a faster and faster typist. And remembering that I didn't learn to type until what? Junior high maybe?
... dragging a chair to the end of the driveway nearly every nice day, watching the kids ride their bikes.
... watching a TV show and thinking "that would never go now" whenever I see fictional strangers close together.
... patting myself on the back for all of the outdoor work we've done. If we're going to be spending more time at home, let's have it look nice.
... thinking about all of the things we're going to miss out on this summer. We were supposed to leave for vacation in five weeks.
... reading. So much reading. I've always read a lot, but now I'm listening to Edith read, reading longer chapter books to her, reading by myself and teaching Atticus some sight words. Books, books, all the time, books!
... keeping a mask at home and in my purse or car. Never know when I'll need it.
What's your new normal?
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
COVID-19 Outbreak in Ohio: Weeks 8 & 9
Thursday, April 30
Spent the evening installing a new over-the-range microwave. Paul picked it up from Lowe's the day before -- it was the first time I had ever completely researched and purchased an appliance online without looking at them in person, too. One thing I'll say about shopping under the coronavirus: I could get used to curbside pick-up!
Saturday, May 2
A beautiful, sunny day that hit 80 degrees. Everybody was outside -- familiar faces and others taking walks, biking and just generally enjoying the outdoors. Paul powerwashed a boatload of stuff in the backyard, as well as our porch ceiling and the sides of our house. I learned how to use a push mower -- I'm almost 39, so I figured it was about time.
Sunday, May 3
I expected it to rain all day, but it was merely cloudy and warm. So we got even more outdoor tasks done! Paul spray painted the wicker furniture that sits on our porch, so it's a chocolate brown color instead of a chipping white. He also touched up the chairs that surround our fire pit. Not being able to go anywhere of significance means we sure get a lot done around the house.
Tuesday, May 5
Atticus had his first Zoom meeting/storytime with his preschool class this afternoon. He was eager to show his class a Star Wars toy but gets surprisingly shy when it comes to seeing himself on screen dancing, singing or the like.
Thursday, May 7
Ohio is opening up even more. The governor announced that salons and outside dining will be permitted on May 15, with inside dining starting on May 21. I also got a call from our pediatrician's office to reschedule Atticus's well-child appointment, which was cancelled more than a month ago. Maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sunday, May 10
Mother's Day, and not a bad one all considering. Got some food from one of my favorite neighborhood bakeries, and Paul helped the kids make cookies
Never thought I'd do it, but we purchased a membership to the zoo today, too. It's for 14-months (starting when the zoo reopens) and the kids will love it. Seemed like a good way to support a local institution -- and maybe I'll love the zoo more when we go for only a couple of hours at a time instead of once every year or two for the WHOLE day. Ask me in a year if it was a good idea!
Spent the evening installing a new over-the-range microwave. Paul picked it up from Lowe's the day before -- it was the first time I had ever completely researched and purchased an appliance online without looking at them in person, too. One thing I'll say about shopping under the coronavirus: I could get used to curbside pick-up!
Saturday, May 2
A beautiful, sunny day that hit 80 degrees. Everybody was outside -- familiar faces and others taking walks, biking and just generally enjoying the outdoors. Paul powerwashed a boatload of stuff in the backyard, as well as our porch ceiling and the sides of our house. I learned how to use a push mower -- I'm almost 39, so I figured it was about time.
Sunday, May 3
I expected it to rain all day, but it was merely cloudy and warm. So we got even more outdoor tasks done! Paul spray painted the wicker furniture that sits on our porch, so it's a chocolate brown color instead of a chipping white. He also touched up the chairs that surround our fire pit. Not being able to go anywhere of significance means we sure get a lot done around the house.
Tuesday, May 5
Atticus had his first Zoom meeting/storytime with his preschool class this afternoon. He was eager to show his class a Star Wars toy but gets surprisingly shy when it comes to seeing himself on screen dancing, singing or the like.
Thursday, May 7
Ohio is opening up even more. The governor announced that salons and outside dining will be permitted on May 15, with inside dining starting on May 21. I also got a call from our pediatrician's office to reschedule Atticus's well-child appointment, which was cancelled more than a month ago. Maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sunday, May 10
Mother's Day, and not a bad one all considering. Got some food from one of my favorite neighborhood bakeries, and Paul helped the kids make cookies
Never thought I'd do it, but we purchased a membership to the zoo today, too. It's for 14-months (starting when the zoo reopens) and the kids will love it. Seemed like a good way to support a local institution -- and maybe I'll love the zoo more when we go for only a couple of hours at a time instead of once every year or two for the WHOLE day. Ask me in a year if it was a good idea!
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Things I'll Miss When Things Are Back to Normal
Don't get me wrong -- I'll be glad when things are back to normal and we can all go where we want, when we want, as often as we want. But I'm trying to find the icing on some truly awful cake, so here it goes. I'll miss:
- Sleeping in every day. When the kids don't need to be ready for school at any certain time, we're more leisurely in the morning.
- Not rushing to get out the door. See above.
- Letting the kids ride their bikes on the road. Traffic is down on our street, so there seems to be a general agreement on our block to let all of the kids ride on the road as long as there's an adult or two to watch for cars. The kids love it!
- Not feeling guilty about watching copious amounts of TV after the kids are in bed. All we have is time, so why not?
- Being so productive with home projects. Sure, we watch TV at night, but on the weekends our hours are filled with outdoor projects (and a few indoor, as well). After all, there's nowhere to go.
- Curbside pickup at practically every store we patronize. I really hope this doesn't go away! How nice it was to pick up a microwave, charcoal, storage shelves and spray paint without having to enter a store! (Haven't tried it with groceries though.)
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