Shots and dogs pics

We found out a couple weeks ago, that as school personnel, we could get the Covid shots during phase 2.  We were not sure how long it would take in our county, but my mom and I were pleased to be told we could get our shots yesterday.  We went together, got our first shots and had lunch at the "new" Mexican place in Lyndon.  Evelyn was excited to go eat tacos!  She also may have cleaned out GG's purse for her.  Such a good little helper.  

We did not want to hang out in the health clinic.  I despise that place, so we did our 10 minute of waiting to see if we had a reaction in the car.  Evie was pretty worried about our shot arms!  :)  She is such a sweet little nurse.  I am so relieved to have started this process.  I have heard all the arguments about it.  Living in this county, there is plenty of resistance.  I was annoyed beyond belief at the man who was in the health clinic without a mask, demanding (in a nasty, loud voice) that they give him his shot because he saw that people over 65 could get one now.  Maybe it is wrong of me, but I sort of wanted to punch him.  I hate the pandemic.  It has made me see a lot of people in a different light.  People I have cared about my entire life, who refuse to believe science, who refuse to be part of the solution, people who I knew I didn't care for who just confirmed my feelings as being justified all making me feel like I really just dislike society as a whole.  Not to mention, I hate the feeling of worrying over little things that we have always taken for granted.  Things like sending my kids to school, going to work, going to the grocery store or a basketball game all now invoke anxiety.  I am willing to do whatever I need to do to get this mess behind us.  I was also able to get Jim on the list, he will get his shot during phase 3.  I will be happy when we all have it taken care of.   

In other news, Colin and Spencer got a new puppy.  He is a golden retriever they named Cashew.  He is just about the cutest thing ever!  I cannot wait to play with him.  I was told that Volt likes his baby brother!  I miss Colin and Spencer.  I am going to need to make a trip to see them soon!  

Cameron seems to have taken a liking to Lauren's new dog as well.  We sure are accumulating a lot of grand dogs!  :)  I guess a trip to Manhattan to see Cameron and Lauren is upcoming too.  I miss all of them, and I have a lot of new dogs to meet!  

 

And again

The weekend came and went too fast again.  I was secretly hoping for a snow day tomorrow, but it’s not looking as promising as it did earlier in the weekend.  Saige is excited to return to school. She would be the only  one here disappointed by a snow day.  

We had a nice Sunday dinner, including a great parfait for Andrew’s birthday.  It was fun to celebrate with him.  

Cameron had been substitute teaching.  I got a huge kick out of him sending me text photos of the apology notes he got from a group of 4th grade students who apparently were not well behaved for him.    

Lauren sent me some pictures of her new baby.  She knows how much I enjoy pictures and dogs I think!  I love this girl’s sweet face. I can’t wait to meet her!  

It is a tie between Carlos and Evie on who loves Daisy Paige more!  Daisy needed a nap after all having all these playmates!  

Carlos is also worn out from his adventures!

It never lasts.   I want a do-over!   

Proud moments

Quincy joined the women’s wrestling team this year, as you all probably know.   I am so proud of her for doing something new.  She has made new friends, learned some new skills, and yesterday she took second place and got a medal at her league tournament.  I am also thankful that Jim was  able to take the afternoon off to go watch her and take pictures.   I also snagged her team photo off of the school Facebook page.   The wrestling from here on is a little bit tougher as she tries to get to state.  Whether she makes it or not, we think she’s amazing!  

More

More wrestling.  Quincy wrestled in a dual at Wellsville last night.  She only had one match and she won by pin.  It was a quick night of wrestling and we were home early which was nice.  

More exciting than about anything news wise has been for....oh around 4 years.  Thankful to see trump climb on a helicopter and away from DC. It was exciting to see the first woman to be sworn in as our Vice President.  I am beyond thankful to see a new president.  Listening to his inauguration speech was so nice.  A president who is able to form sentences without pointing out how great he is.  What a concept.  

And finally, more remote school.  Only a couple days left until hopefully this girl can head back to in-person learning.   It isn’t that we mind having her around. She’s awesome.  She does the work by herself without complaint. She does miss her friends and being in school though.  Going to work with mom is not fun, or so I’ve been told.   

Weekend....don’t leave me!

 

Saturday, Quincy’s girls wrestling team had a tournament in Burlington.   There was a time when I would have packed everyone up, and spent a day watching.  Because of Covid, we can’t all go.  So I asked Jim to go because I am driving her team Tuesday, and her season is getting close to over.   Jim was happy to do so.  He likes wrestling.  It appeals to his orderly nature.  This worked out well for me because I purchased a new carpet shampooer, and haven’t been home long enough to use it.  I spent most of Saturday trying it out!   I was happy, Jim was happy.  A win-win kind of day!  Quincy didn’t have her best day on the mats, but she did work hard!  We finished the day with pizza and the Bills game.  I don’t know when Preston became a Bills fan, but he is super excited about them winning!  

Sunday, as I was trying to finish laundry and clean the kitchen for Sunday dinner, Mallory texted to see if I would ride with her to pick up her impulse buy.   Never wanting my kids to meet an online purchase alone, I jumped in the car and went with her.  We sure are collecting a lot of grand-dogs!   Evie claimed Mallory’s new puppy as “mine” during dinner!   It wasn’t a fight she could win!  Mallory decided to name the puppy Daisy Paige!  It is a cowboy corgi.  Mom is a corgi, dad is a blue heeler.   We are all pretty smitten.  

After dinner, we settled in to watch Quincy’s musical.  We were all sort of horrified at how bad the sound quality was.  I guess it is just one more thing that was screwed up by covid!  We did get a good laugh out of it!   Quincy is glad it’s over!   

Jim and the kids all have the day off today.  I have to go in to work, but I always like these federal holiday days because it means my phone doesn’t ring!   I hope to complete the year end junk today and get that off my mind.  This upcoming week is already looking ridiculously busy!  I always hate to see a weekend end!  

What day is it anyway?

 

Remote school means you talk daddy into taking you to the bar for lunch. (Actually daddy needs very little reason to eat at the bar).   The bar is in between our offices and has great lunch specials.  It is hard not to eat there. It is both delicious and cheap.  

The hunchback of remote school.  Carlos loves having a person at his discretion for snuggles and keeping warm.  Saige doesn’t seem to mind.  In my opinion, remote school is rough.  Having 15-20 kids all on zoom trying to talk, asking to go to the bathroom, having their dogs, cats, siblings etc around is almost dizzying.  I know the teachers are doing the best they can, but honestly, I’d rather they just handed out a stack of worksheets, and maybe assigned a book to read.  I feel bad because I honestly shouldn’t complain. Saige does all of the work with very little help.   I understand why so many parents are so upset by the remote school options that many districts are utilizing.  

Quincy had a wrestling meet tonight.  She called Jim to let us know she had no matches.  I was able to do a few things at home, so it worked out well.  I am looking  forward to the weekend.  I feel like we are all done with this week.  

Remote Ramona

This week has been an interesting one so far.   Saige’s school (and Mallory’s) shut down.  They started out the week, but on Monday, 8 teachers (not Mallory) tested positive.   They also had numerous students out.  They only have a couple people willing to come in and sub this year, so coverage was impossible.  Saige came out of school to get on the bus Monday afternoon and was very upset.  For some reason she took their decision to go remote as a personal thing (she wore her mask- didn’t play with the other classes at recess etc!). We talked about it, and she understands that this is just how things will go until the pandemic is over.  

She was supposed to start remote school yesterday, but I had a board meeting, and she and grandma had technical difficulties.  She said having a day off to hang out with grandma was fun....and that grandma is teaching her to sew now.  She started remote school today.  When we have been remote in the past, the other kids were home, and so they all stayed home.  She is a little young to leave home alone, so she is going to my office.   I have to say that I fully understand and support our district’s decision, but I hate remote school.  Saige hates that we are now calling her remote Ramona.  We got through today. She is out for 2 weeks.  Whether we survive is yet to be seen.   

Jewwy is learning to play video games.  Quincy’s idea.   

Preston came home from basketball practice bleeding.  He apparently took a tooth to the head.   We got him all cleaned up, and it is really not as bad as we originally thought.  Head wounds always bleed a lot.   At first I was thinking I would need to have Saige use her new sewing skills on him.   

Andrew got a new job.  He is off work this week, so we haven’t had Evelyn much.  She did stay with us today and I had to laugh about her pretending to eat a salad.   It sounds like she is on a new health kick, but I believe it is from eating at the bar!  We get salad bar and she likes the cottage cheese and the crab salad!   

Saige’s teacher told them to take a brain break and got outside and take an interesting photo.  This was her submission.  It was a beautiful day. Too nice to be inside anyway.  

Tuesday night, Preston played basketball in Wellsville.  Jim went to that.  I’m not sure if he took any pictures or not.  Life has been a little crazy and I haven’t seen him long enough to ask.   Quincy wrestled in her league dual at Burlington.   I got to drive the bus.  I was happy to get to go watch her.  She didn’t have a winning night, but she is improving. She is learning some of the moves and the counter moves.  It is important to realize that wrestling in this part of the country starts at about age 4.  Some of these girls have literally 10 + years of experience.  Quincy doesn’t.  She is catching up though and it is fun to watch.  It is a shortened season this year, but I believe the kids are still having fun.  

The girls have successfully tamed down Diablo.  He likes to chill with them and watch tv.  When we got him he loved to run.  Now he’s just lazy and likes the attention.  

The dining room table that Preston built has become a mask drying station.   I did not miss the almost daily chore of mask washing during Christmas break!   With 6 of us wearing masks every day, they sure do pile up!   And despite grandma making us all several, we all have our favorites.   I was able to get on the list for my vaccine this week- school personnel are phase 2.  I absolutely cannot wait!