Covid Quarantine

What better thing to do than to document this crazy time!

As of last week, our family is on a kind of lock down, like most of the country. A virus called coronovirus or Covid-19, is scaring the world. It can be deadly, yes. Time will tell how deadly it actually will be. In the meantime, we are following the guidelines set by the government, guidelines to isolate, to help prevent sharing the illness with those who can't fight it off.

Jay started the process today of moving all his classes online. Katie started her online classes through K-State today, while the rest of the kids get another week before they have to navigate guided home schooling. I'm working, because when there is a virus, the nurses are still needed. But, I'm only working 4 days each week, so that means three days at home.

So, this is what day 1 looked like: Natalie making a puppy from a craft kid she had; Jay sitting through hours of zoom planning meetings; Maggie responsible for meals today, making lunch, supper, and dessert; Katie studying in her room; John writing letters to grandparents; and Lainie sewing on her 4-H skirt.

Catching up

Do you see the cloud of dust as I clear off the cobwebs from this blog?

It's too hard to update a blog on a phone, but now that I have a computer -- watch out! ;)

So, what's happened since the last post...

• John's testing came back with no seizures during his extended stay. The activity that we thought were seizures, they attributed to side effects of his seizure medication. And with that long of an EEG looking clear, it means it's time to wean off and watch. John has been without seizure meds since June, with no seizures yet. We have the emergency med on hand; after all, we have been through this with Lainie a few times. But for now, we are happy to have him drug free and seizure free.
• Speaking of Lainie, she is drug free and seizure free and thriving. Eighth grade has been great to her. Grades are great, her music is great, and she's got a competitive little streak in her when it comes to running that I for one didn't expect. Lainie Sue even medalled at league cross country this year! She's about to start track season, is about to enroll in her high school courses, and is in the midst of drivers ed. Hardest part for me is letting her go and knowing she doesn't need me to hover.
• Natalie has never, ever gave the impression of needing anyone to hover over her. Nat is a force, likes to take charge (whether she should or not), is driven and competitive. She will always prefer outdoor chores or going to Market with dad over doing inside chores. We are challenging her a bit this spring, with her showing her first heifer (as compared to the much smaller bucket calf.) Keep in mind Nat weighs all of 55 pounds on a good day, so being intimidated by an animal that will get to 1,000 pounds is understandable. But she's being tough and mostly brave and working hard. Seems all my kids work hard. 
• Maggie and Katie... well I won't post about them, because they are old enough to get really out of sorts with too much said. But I'll just say -- I am so very proud of them both and the young women they are becoming.

Jay and I are working, too much, too hard. We have set goals -- financial goals, personal goals, professional goals -- and are chipping away at them. I've moved back to the local hospital, with a tiny commute, but longer shifts. That means I'm not home for supper 3 nights each week, which is difficult. It's not so much what to feed the kids; it's making sure homework and chores are done so bed time can be on time. But we are adjusting. I'm still working in the ER in the bigger hospital, partly because I LOVE the work, the challenge, and partly because of the extra pay. But it does mean I've been working 48 hours/week for the past 6 weeks. Too much. So much it got me knocked down and sick. But I don't learn and I'm back to the overtime this week. But that's details that interest no one.

So, why the refresher? Well, it's lent. And I gave up social media for lent. And have idle hands now that I'm not reading others posts and brain drains, etc. I have the itch to write. And, as I mentioned before, I have a laptop that's all mine that I can use to post. And what a better day to start than on John's birthday. 

I guess what I'm saying, to absolutely no one, is … I'm baaaack.