Book-Geek

One hundred seventy-three days in and day six of school for my kids and they get sent home for a week of remote learning due to the fact that someone at the school tested positive for covid-19.  I think to myself, Phew.  The system is working.  Thank goodness the school department is being proactive and looking out for not only our childrens' health but the staff and the community at large.  We are so lucky our city has it's shit together. Then, because I am ignorant AF, I logged onto Facebook.  I keep my circle small.  I have no problem hiding or unfriending someone who spreads doom and gloom and negativity.  I need to be vigilant about keeping my environment positive and nurturing for my mental health.  I quit Facebook once, twice...I have lost count.  I keep coming back to it because it is how I find out what is going on in town or how big my friends' kids are getting.  It is that necessary evil that I love to hate.   When I...

It was the beginning of summer, my husband was working from home, I started working three full days, the kids transitioned from remote learning to each taking a Vlacs course, so I decided to take another crack at finishing my degree online.  It sounded all so progressive, romantic even.  It felt like I was pulling off something a superhuman blogging mom would do.  Winning! It sucked.  I thoroughly enjoyed the learning.  I did not enjoy teaching myself or the logistics of the class itself.  It felt like simply navigating through all the moving parts was a full time job and it occupied all my spare time and energy.  Being who I am, I assumed that A. It was my fault and B.  I would get better at it.  Wrong! My second class just started and I was all pumped to write a paper on the failed Equal Rights Amendment when I had an epiphany.  Actually no.  That isn't right.  I started the class, got extremely confused, panicked, doubted m...

As the weather gets nicer, it is easier to get outside and do different things such as yard work and long walks but it is also more enticing to get together with friends. Yesterday was a bit windy but my friend came over with her daughter and we walked for miles while the girls hung out and did what teenage girls do, (show each other pictures and videos on their phones).  We were not wearing masks and we weren't six feet apart at all times but we were outside.  It felt amazing!  It felt almost normal except there were no hugs goodbye.  If there is one thing I am going to miss after this is all over, it is hugging.  No one will be touching again ever and it makes me a little sad. A friend is coming over today to pick up a couple of chickens. We will be wearing masks because chicken wrangling is a full contact sport.  We will have coffee outside and it will be glorious!  My zoom friends discussed walking in lieu of chatting once a week and I am totally d...

I awoke early this morning with a feeling of serious first world problems dread.  How much longer can I keep this up?  I made my coffee, ok coffees, and took the dog for a walk.  I came home and poked around the kitchen:  I made pizza dough, emptied the dishwasher, and made hot cocoa for my 2nd child. While still struggling with the pookies, I messaged my good friend from work.  We made plans for a mask-wearing , six foot distancing walk for tomorrow.  My spirits started to rise.  I went for a run.  I then did some post-run yoga and took the world's longest shower. When it was time for work, I set into my latest new obsession:  The Science of Well Being course from Yale .  It is free, my favorite!  I am currently in the process of rewiring my brain.  My homework is to spend the next week practicing exercising utilizing my top four character strengths in different ways.  Challenge accepted!   My top f...

Today was a day for a little bit of work and a little bit of baking.  There was not a whole lot of movement going on so I feel a little blegh.    My sourdough starter was freshly fed from the day before as I made some pizza dough so I decided to try a different sourdough bread recipe from my tried and true dutch oven bread.  My original recipe is chewy and satisfying but isn't the greatest for kids with braces or sandwiches.  The crust is so tough that even the chickens won't eat it.  I have linked a similar recipe below.   Dutch oven sourdough recipe So I tried this new recipe.  It is much quicker and the perfect combination of sandwich bread and heaven!  We ate almost a whole loaf between the four of us and then had pizza for dinner!  Can you say BLOATED?   This sourdough is not vegan so I will try and tweak it a bit.  I am not vegan but have friends that are and in the interest of conserving ...

I don't know about you but I am pretty lonely.  My kids are doing school work, my husband is working, and my dog is, you guessed it, sleeping.  As I indolently plug away at cooking, cleaning, reading, writing, and exercising, I manage to fill my day but I am left unfulfilled.  How long can I keep this up?  I miss my friends!  I miss being at work and interacting with people.  I'm not even that social!  What is wrong with me! Last night, some friends of mine got together on  Zoom  with a beverage of choice and just talked!  There was no agenda, no judgment, no fear of contagion!  We chatted for about an hour and it was just what I needed. I jumped out of bed with a renewed sense of purpose.  My batteries are recharged and I am ready to go:  Wash doors and woodwork, make phone calls and do laundry.  I will be doing it with a smile on my face, however, and I am anxiously awaiting our next evening together! Shout ...