"Keep Calm and Carry On" April 2020 W.I.S.H. Challenge

[PollyannaMom]

Yesterday was my aunts 70th birthday. We did a Group FaceTime call to sing to her. My family, my parents, my brother’s family and my sister’s family all participated. It was such a surprise and really made her day.

So sweet!

I enjoyed Onward here as well. It's nice that Disney put it on streaming early.

And I'm with you on the day thing. - I'm not sure if it was here or on another thread that I posted a pic, but I actually have one of those days-of-the-week clocks.

Yesterday, I chatted on Zoom with my little "niece and nephew" (the ones I was helping watch before the shutdown). We played "guess the toy" - one would go get something and give me clues to guess what it was.

This morning I watched my Thursday night shows (Station 19 and Grey's) on DVR and then decorated a poster-board Easter Egg to put out front on Sunday. - My town is having an "egg hunt" for people to drive around with their kids and see how many they can spot.

Later, I plan to make home-made mac 'n cheese for dinner.

 

[Summer2018]

View attachment 486834
It’s Free-For-All Friday!
Share what’s on your mind.

It was just announced yesterday that schools in PA will not reopen this spring. They will remained closed for this academic year. I am sad for many reasons (miss my kids, some I won’t see again in person as they’ll go to a different school for first grade, the poor seniors miss out on the fun of senior year...prom, walking the halls one last time, graduation...although I hear they are actively working in finding ways to do things either virtually or after the social distancing ends). But honestly I had already prepared myself for this. Once they extended it to the endive April, my mind just went to the rest of the year. But still, it’s sad.

On a lighter note, we watched Onward on Disney+ and loved it!

Yesterday was my aunts 70th birthday. We did a Group FaceTime call to sing to her. My family, my parents, my brother’s family and my sister’s family all participated. It was such a surprise and really made her day.

It is sad to be so invested in your kids and one day you just leave. I had to go back to create work packets before our online distance learning was operational, so I did get back into my room. I took down and put away the Rocket Ship Dramatic Play Center and all of the Outer Space Unit materials. I threw away all of the crayons and pencils because of germs. I wiped down a lot of materials, and locked up anything valuable that could be stolen.

My Cat in the Hat "__at Hat" bulletin board is still up. The "Thing One & Thing Two Kk is for Kite" bulletin board is still up. The "Rr is for Rocket" project that was only completed by 1/3 of the class is still on the drying trays. The ones that are done came out great. There are some personal items left behind in cubbies that kids forgot when their parents rushed to pick them up early on that last day.

I guarantee that the dried orange juice that spilled that day never got mopped up. About a month before the closure, our meticulous custodian was transferred, and we got the laziest loser as a replacement. He prefers to watch YouTube videos over actually doing his job. The timing on that is beyond awful. I even approached my old custodian and told her I would pay her under the table to clean my room once a week. I may do that when we return.

At yesterday's TEAMs meeting, my Principal said that the teachers might go back half-days in mid-May while the kids stay home. So I may have to work in my classroom instead of my living room. I don't feel good about that, but it won't be my choice.

Graduation is obviously not going to happen. My little guys will be fine. We hadn't even started talking about it, so they won't know what they are missing. But I really feel awful for our 8th graders. They have been looking forward to being the upper class men and everything that comes with it for years and years. It is a huge deal...caps and gowns...musical performances...awards...and then the tear-jerking traditional recessional through the hallways with every staff member and every student applauding them as they walk to "Pomp and Circumstance" piped in through the loudspeaker.

Over the years, I have had nightmare families and wonderful families. I have a few nightmares right now, and I am NOT missing them one bit. But the ones I love...I miss them terribly. My favorite Room Mother has Covid19. It's only a matter of time before her four kids get it too. They live in very close quarters, and they have always caught every virus from each other. My heart breaks for her. She is terrified.

As I try to take a break from school and everything related to it, it is so hard to not think about the positive trajectory of the school year. Spring is my favorite time...my favorite units of study. The kids have come so far. They basically manage each other. It is a fun time. Not this year. I have to let it go for the sake of my mental and physical health.

No regrets.

 

[sjrec]

It is sad to be so invested in your kids and one day you just leave. I had to go back to create work packets before our online distance learning was operational, so I did get back into my room. I took down and put away the Rocket Ship Dramatic Play Center and all of the Outer Space Unit materials. I threw away all of the crayons and pencils because of germs. I wiped down a lot of materials, and locked up anything valuable that could be stolen.

My Cat in the Hat "__at Hat" bulletin board is still up. The "Thing One & Thing Two Kk is for Kite" bulletin board is still up. The "Rr is for Rocket" project that was only completed by 1/3 of the class is still on the drying trays. The ones that are done came out great. There are some personal items left behind in cubbies that kids forgot when their parents rushed to pick them up early on that last day.

I guarantee that the dried orange juice that spilled that day never got mopped up. About a month before the closure, our meticulous custodian was transferred, and we got the laziest loser as a replacement. He prefers to watch YouTube videos over actually doing his job. The timing on that is beyond awful. I even approached my old custodian and told her I would pay her under the table to clean my room once a week. I may do that when we return.

At yesterday's TEAMs meeting, my Principal said that the teachers might go back half-days in mid-May while the kids stay home. So I may have to work in my classroom instead of my living room. I don't feel good about that, but it won't be my choice.

Graduation is obviously not going to happen. My little guys will be fine. We hadn't even started talking about it, so they won't know what they are missing. But I really feel awful for our 8th graders. They have been looking forward to being the upper class men and everything that comes with it for years and years. It is a huge deal...caps and gowns...musical performances...awards...and then the tear-jerking traditional recessional through the hallways with every staff member and every student applauding them as they walk to "Pomp and Circumstance" piped in through the loudspeaker.

Over the years, I have had nightmare families and wonderful families. I have a few nightmares right now, and I am NOT missing them one bit. But the ones I love...I miss them terribly. My favorite Room Mother has Covid19. It's only a matter of time before her four kids get it too. They live in very close quarters, and they have always caught every virus from each other. My heart breaks for her. She is terrified.

As I try to take a break from school and everything related to it, it is so hard to not think about the positive trajectory of the school year. Spring is my favorite time...my favorite units of study. The kids have come so far. They basically manage each other. It is a fun time. Not this year. I have to let it go for the sake of my mental and physical health.

No regrets.

My younger friends that are still teaching are heartbroken not to finish the year with their juniors and seniors.

Your custodian stories bring back memories-one of the ladies assigned to the library was a great cleaner but loved to talk and talk-made me a little crazy trying to get work done. And even though we had a storage closet next to the library she liked to leave her vacuum cleaner in my office. So every morning I would move it to the closet and every night she would leave it in the office. Then the schedule changed and someone else did our cleaning.

So it feels like 30 degrees today with the wind. If the sun stays out I will get out for my walk. A good day to make @MickeyMom76’s chicken chili.

 

[Oneanne]

Work week one of the furlough is in the bag, "only" five more to go. I wasn't very productive on tackling the larger projects, just little things here and there. The beautiful weather has been wonderful, yesterday it got up into the 60's, and it actually felt warm.

I got my seeds planted, kind of a strange mix of what I could find... sweet peas, hollyhox, black sunflowers, and radishes. I've also got carrots to direct plant when I get the raised beds cleared out, which I'm going to work on today.

My blood sugar numbers are staying high, because I'm having carbs (which are ok with Noom as long as there is balance). So I need to go further with adjusting what I am eating. I think I'm going to go to the grocery store Monday and will try a new recipe or two for next week.

I want to finish my book by the weekend, I'm half way thru it so it is do-able but I'm not just reading I'm studying, highlighting and journaling... good practice to get my brain in gear and to retain what she is saying. Next week I'll chose an on-line course and start working on that a couple hours a day.

I lost a pound this week, hopefully something else will drop off over the weekend to up that a little bit. I need to increase my walking, as that's really the only exercise I'm doing, but just haven't had the energy in my body to go after it... which also tells me I need to make more adjustments in what I am eating. I went out for an evening walk yesterday and it has gotten to be a neighborhood parade, with so many people and doggies out. The morning walk are lovely because it is so quiet.

 

[sjrec]

Cheers, everyone! We made it, it’s Friday!

 

[MickeyMom76]

As a teacher, part of my job is to assess the kids. So as the host this week, I have a quiz for you. Of course this one is just for fun. But let’s all post our answers to this quiz:

Which Disney+ Original Character are You?
https://allears.net/quiz/page/2/
Here’s what I got...

 

[PollyannaMom]

I also got Forky.

 

[sjrec]

 

[Oneanne]

I got Lady, from Lady and the Tramp, which I don't recall I've ever watched.

 

[Summer2018]

 

[sweetpeama]

 

[sjrec]

Happy Easter, everyone!

 

[4Mickeys]

You're Ricky!
Just like your counterpart on High School Musical The Musical The Series, you're a lot more than meets the eye. People under estimate you, but they're wrong. Plus, you have an adorable charm!

Umm never seen the TV show version - apparently he replaces the Troy character from the movies in the TV series. DS has Disney+ - maybe I will have to watch it to see if there are similarities lol - although I must say - the description probably is far off!

 

[4Mickeys]

For self-care Sunday - I ate Easter Eggs and walked on the beach with my family

 

[MickeyMom76]

Happy Sunday! And to all who celebrate...Happy Easter!

Sundays are a great day to take some time to refocus and refresh before starting the week. What are you doing today that will help your mental/spiritual health?

As always, we will start our Easter morning by attending the Easter church service, although the years service is streamed on Facebook Live. Due to social distancing rules, we aren’t getting together with extended family as we usually would for Easter. So I am attempting to make some of my mom’s traditional Easter foods. I don’t think any are actually healthy. But it’s ok, it’s a special day. So I will be spending a good part of the day cooking. But I’m excited for it! And although my kids are teens, we still do egg hunts and hide Easter baskets. I get so excited for those kinds of traditions. I enjoy watching them hunt. I hope you all have a lovely, relaxing Sunday! Making memories

 

[PollyannaMom]

Happy Easter, everyone!

My teen still gets a basket as well, but he's sleeping in and hasn’t seen it yet.

”The bunny” also brought the kitties some treats and new toys, and they dug in right away:



To nourish my spirit this morning, I’m currently watching “A Walton Easter”.

 

[sjrec]

I bought my husband a bag of Easter candy way back in March, so he was thrilled to get a treat! I’ve set the table with my good dishes and silverware for our dinner-we’re going to watch the Andrea Bocelli concert this afternoon. Will FaceTime with our daughter and family sometime later. Have already talked with out of state relatives. Everyone safe and healthy, thank goodness, including our niece, a nurse working in a busy hospital in Houston.

 

[Oneanne]

This morning I put on a dress and did my makeup for the first time in forever. I'm going to make a proper breakfast and then do what ever I want or don't want for the rest of the day. Well, except for that I'd love to do the drive along the beach but just can't justify it. Tomorrow morning I am going up to the fancy grocery store at the north end of the neighborhood, and from there I'll take the long way home which does involve the beach drive.

The sun is back out this morning and the temps are going to warm up more each day this week till we almost hit 70 I think... so looking forward to it. Things are really starting to bloom, as my stuffy nose can attest to, and the neighborhood is looking mighty fine.

I went thru several cookbooks yesterday but didn't find anything I really want to try. The fancy grocery store has a great selection of pre-made dishes, like a kale super salad, so I'm going to pick up a couple different things. I've got to change something because I've been stuck at the same weight for most of the past week, and my blood sugar number is still high.

I'm going to try and finish my book today, I didn't get far yesterday because the section I was reading leans on the teachings of Maryanne Williamson who I don't care for. I am trying to be open to what she is saying, but it is a struggle.

Happy Easter everyone... or Happy Sunday if that suits you better!

 

[Summer2018]

Happy Easter to all those that celebrate! We met this fellow last year when we were in Disneyland.

Today DD, DH, and I are home. Traditional ham, macaroni and cheese, carrots, and lemon bars are on the menu. The only difference is that the macaroni and cheese is not going to be homemade.

DH is the only one who has been to a store, so he got us Easter cards, Disney gift cards, and candy. This is the first year that I have nothing to give in return. I feel especially disappointed that I don’t have an Easter basket for DD. No hyacinths...really miss that heavenly smell. It’s weird to not be dressed up for church.

I’m hoping to FaceTime family later.

Be safe and well my friends.

 

[sjrec]

View attachment 487511
Happy Easter to all those that celebrate! We met this fellow last year when we were in Disneyland.

Today DD, DH, and I are home. Traditional ham, macaroni and cheese, carrots, and lemon bars are on the menu. The only difference is that the macaroni and cheese is not going to be homemade.

DH is the only one who has been to a store, so he got us Easter cards, Disney gift cards, and candy. This is the first year that I have nothing to give in return. I feel especially disappointed that I don’t have an Easter basket for DD. No hyacinths...really miss that heavenly smell. It’s weird to not be dressed up for church.

I’m hoping to FaceTime family later.

Be safe and well my friends.

Yes, that’s what’s missing-the hyacinths! I always have a pot in the house this time of year. Miss that wonderful smell!