Monday August 17, 2020

Weight 121.6. Multiple meals out is catching up with me a bit. And now here I am doing that for 2 full days!

Mike is picking me up at 9. We will be in Western MA by mid-afternoon and are staying at an iconic inn. Tomorrow we meet the daughter and granddaughter for lunch (the granddaughter is coming back with us for a visit with a Mike).

DS seemed a bit mellower last night, but he also had friends over so that might be why. At this point I will just give him space and time. Though this is a new experience for him (and me), in some ways his reaction is similar to what has happened when he hears difficult news such as someone in the family diagnosed with cancer. He gets upset, then angry, then can deal with it. His stages take time. I did a lot of reading about this issue yesterday and he is not unusual in his reaction. Here is one good article that I copied the link for because I thought it was quite accurate: https://adequateman.deadspin.com/how-to-deal-when-your-widow ed-parent-starts-dating-agai-1698557424?utm_source=dlvr.it&u tm_medium=twitter

It is chilly and windy this morning. It made me think of Shirl starting to see signs of Spring while we are seeing early signs of Fall!

Have a safe and healthy day!

Well, Liz is easily in western MA by now, as it's 4 pm EDT. Where is everyone else????

Today is the first day of the new school year. I was at school bright and early and ready for log on at 8:10! It all went very well from my end. All but one student logged in and attended all class sessions this morning. We have 5 Zoom sessions per day with independent work time in between. I think it's a pretty full schedule for 8 year olds, but I'm not in charge. Anyway, I am guessing it will take parents and students about a week to get the routine and figure out how to work Google Classroom, etc... This is sure a very different way to "go to school" and teach!

Turns out I have a "power mom" in my class. She has already called the office twice to complain about her kiddo being stuck in the zoom waiting room. I told the office manager to tell the mom to come to class on time that way kiddo won't be left in the waiting room. Apparently, that didn't go over so well. LOL! Hey.... "Those who are late, do not get fruit cup!" (Name that movie!)

Like Liz, my weight jumped up today, too. However, my weight jump is just on account of because! Seriously, no reason other than the heat that I can think of. I don't really care though. I know I ate well yesterday and that's all the counts. Weight will go up and down within a couple of pounds even when eating is on point. (Who is this and what have you done with perfectionist me????)

Not gonna lie. I'm missing our peeps here - David, Anne, Diane Mc, BB, Paula.... Would love to hear from you all more regularly.

I think you are going to keep these kids engaged! Too bad you can't set the schedule of zooms and offline work though?

Good Morning All,

Another Iso Day..... Not a lot planned for today - will help DH move top soil after work if its not raining. Supposed to be a cold snap till the weekend that will bring rain. Have a big piece of brisket in the slow cooker for dinner and washing on. All very exciting... Oh and a couple more bills to pay - they keep coming

Feeling more than a little fatigued with being stuck at home. I think I may also go and check our post box or even better take one of the dogs for a walk. They are saying we have passed our second wave peak and numbers are steadily going down from 795 to 282 yesterday - the deaths were the highest we have had - 25 yesterday with 22 being from the aged care homes. They are in the midst of a big enquiry at present as it has now been confirmed our second wave was started by breaches at the returned travellers quarantine hotel.

Liz - hope you enjoy your trip and it all goes well with meeting Mikes daughter and grandchild. DS will come around - think he is just processing. Will have a peek at the article in a min

Peps - So glad your first day when went and there is always one isnt there. Hope the Power Mum gets the idea and backs off fast. Doesnt she have any concept of how difficult this is on teachers already! Clearly not .....

Hello to all who follow - Im like Peps miss everyones voices - its a quiet ol board these days but I always try and get here to see what my second family is doing

Stay safe

S

Greetings Friends

Well Liz is off on an adventure. Peps is teaching, Shirley is running a farm and I am sitting here. Went to the studio today to help a little on a grant application for some covid relief funds. I am continually reminded of what a computer dinosaur I am but grateful to have a younger person who can do this stuff. I was at least able to do some calculations but thats about it.

Yesterday was a gallery day up in Trinidad and the tourists were out in hoards. Restaurant across the street was packed. Gallery visitors always want info on best beaches, views etc which I am glad to provide. Some poor lady came in and had tried to drive over from Reno but encountered fires and had to go way around. Ya just never drive in the remote parts of northern CA without checking road reports. Could be fires or mudslides.

Liz I meant to make gift suggestions but you are already in route. Flowers, a plant or fancy teas are my favorite hostess gifts. No yard gnomes!!!

Power Mom Peps? Thats not the word I would use for this person. You are more polite than me.

Hmmm, just got a letter from the IRS wanting some health insurance credit form. NO clue what that means so I will pitch it to our CPA.I used to understand this stuff. Old age now prevails.

Power company is threatening brown outs and wants us to turn down the air conditioner, which we don't have one of. Its foggy and probably 65 degrees here. Loving it.

Take care all. Cheers. Diane S

Hi all! The day got away from me. Tidied up the house, read the paper etc. Around 2pm left the house for a paddle. Absolutely gorgeous day. Blue, blue sky, soft breeze, right Sun. We alternately paddled and drifted in the sun for the entire afternoon. My incision does not hurt anymore tonight than any other night, so kayaking did no harm, and much good.

Peps I am awed your first day went so well. We start with 2 weeks of training on August 31. School start has been pushed back from September 7 to September 14, so that support staff can also have some training. I will be on health leave, but if any of the training is also live streamed I will attend. I've no clue what is expected of us for the groups that are distance learning while we are teaching the other group in person. But not giving a lot of energy to it yet. These things eventually have a way of working out.

Lovely story: One of my friends son recently came out to his family. Today is his 13th birthday. The son loves surprises, so his whole family, parents, brother, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, all came to his birthday party wearing pride shirts. Teared up a little seeing the photo of him, wearing his shirt, surrounded by his family. There are moments of real beauty in this world.

I love this celebration of your friends son! What a difference from what it was like when I was a child!