LAZY DAYS OF PANDEMIC

Mr. 6 catching crawdads on their rafting trip

Mr. 9.5 has a teeny tiny one in there!

Driving 10 hours to Montana for a week with GrLaura and GrEdward.  Trail ride included!

The oldies just hanging out together.  Feeding birds.  Watering plants.  Napping!

BACK TO NORMAL

Whew.  I think we have reconnected everything, have daily virus scan and I even bought protection from evil on my iPhone.  Every little bit helps.

The family went rating on the Clackamas River last week and I drove 10 miles over to return a driver to where they put in.  They wanted me to drive their car (HUGE SUV) with slow leak in a tire and nonworking GPS.  Kate set up Waze on my phone but in the end, they moved all the rafting stuff into their car so I could be more comfortable driving my own (which I have only done once in the past four months).  

A serious wake up call!  I couldn't remember how to use some handy features, couldn't find where they put my sunglasses and forgot my water.  Waze worked but she wouldn't talk to me.  Nerve wracking drive for sure.  Now I am going to drive somewhere close every day AND pick them up at rafting once a week.  Because it is predicted to be HOT HOT HOT

The boys spent the next THREE nights with their cousins and gosh has it been lonely and quiet.  Everyone is gathering at Grandma Laura's tonight (Saturday) to have an outdoor picnic to celebrate two family birthdays.  

Our latest conundrum is school for 2020-2021.  Montessori has put together a hybrid situation, two days AT school in person, two days more structured online learning and one day independent online learning.  Our public school is offering the same OR all online.  They provide the devices preloaded with all the software necessary to attend classes.  School starts at 8:05 am and I'm not sure how long their day will go.

We may just do our own version on our un-early bird schedule and use Khan Academy online learning.  (Watch Sal Khan's Ted Talk entitled "Let's Use Video to Reinvent Education".  Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with a mission of providing free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Khan Academy started as a passion project in 2004 when Khan's cousin was struggling with math, so he tutored her remotely and posted his educational videos on YouTube.)

It's FREE (although I made a big donation) and each class has several lessons and you only get to the next class by passing all the previous requirements.  They/he has made it very fun and interesting (we have been using math to keep Braeden using his skills).

PHISHING SCAM

Yes, I fell for one.  Computer taken over.  Spent all day Saturday closing credit cards, investment account and passwords.

I'm frazzled.

A WLLO friend asked me to purchase and send $100 Sephora gift certificate to her niece.  She is very computer illiterate so I totally helped her out.  NEVER AGAIN.  I never click on links even from my sister until I check with her.

No more helping anyone via email. 

I feel so violated.

PARKING LOT PARTY

Yes!  We did get together with Janet (sister) her hubby (taking photo) ... they did not sit at table but behind us a few feet.

Me and my family had left end of the table.  Tahlia (Janet's baby girl) and her friend Audree at the other end of the table.  VERY Covid19!

Proof of six feet of physical distance.

 With total protection from party crashers by the Booth Boy military.

Mr 9.5 year old.  He's grown two inches!

Mr. 6.

A great time was had by all.  The weather cooperated.  The bugs did not bother us.  And the conversation was continuous!  Love my family.

RECUPERATING

It was a very peopley weekend with Janet, Jonathan, Tahlia and Audree.  We had a great appetizer party outside, everyone 6 feet apart.  No bugs!  Wine, cheeses, fruit, home made sour dough bread (still warm), prosciutto, salami, chips.  I washed up, masked and cut everything into toothpick size bites.

and a dessert bar

Jesse brought out two 8' tables and chairs (from the clubhouse), we put on masks when near the food table, then off when seated.

Everyone returned on Saturday late morning ... Jesse did a load of laundry for Jonathan, Jonathan had an hour plus of computer work, Aunt Janet brought treats from local bakery and we sat outside the condo and blabbed away.  They boys showing off their military camp outside, calling her with their Gizmo watches and even my kidults socialized a bit.  

Everyone was as concerned about Covid safety as we are, so it was very comfortable.

For the past 5-6 days my family have all had sleeping sickness.  The little boys have been sleeping 12+ hours each and every day and I think I could also.  Yesterday after company left, I took a 3 hour nap.  Went to sleep at 11pm and slept until 8:30.  Hope this passes!

Long enough to put up in a bun or in a french braid.  Still not willing to risk it.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

For years, Jesse has had two four foot high speakers on each side of the fireplace.  All the accompanying input equipment filling all the shelves.  I asked him to take them to storage until he is ready to connect everything.

He put it all together.  That day.  With Alexa.  Now the boys can play music whenever they want.  Dad showed them HOW LOUD IT WOULD GO (giggles and oooohs and aaaahs) but explained what level was acceptable.  It's interesting the music choices they make, depending on their mood. Classical when they are doing table work (art, writing, painting rocks, playing games), hip hop when they are trying to shake out their sillies, rap when they feel like dancing ... and sometimes they ask Alexa for help (like patriotic songs on 4th of July.

I'm glad they play outside a lot.  Some people like to have background noise while working.  I like the silence.  Always have.  Thankfully my apartment blocks most of the noise from all my roommates.  I like that they love music. I'm adjusting!  

A TALE OF TWO BOYS

Yes.  I am still having so much fun.  With the little boys, for sure. 

Me babysitting Lamby.  I usually make a little (but noticeable) mess and tattle on him being a rascal.

 Dirt and water.  Just add boys!

Taping on a ping pong ball head to GI Joe so he can terrorize the other GI Joe's (Zombie or Alien, I can't remember!

GI Joe day while parents went hiking.  Inside all morning, outside all afternoon!

The parents, however, are on a short lease. I told them they need to get "work from home" jobs at the very least.  That was June 15.  Neither has applied for anything.  This morning I went out to pick up free groceries from a WLLO friend who could not use them (cookies, candy, pasta).  I was a bit embarrassed by the status of our patio (project central) and I have asked them (both), a million times, to put EVERYTHING away when they are done for the day.  As long as they are working, the little old ladies can't say anything.  But the old gals are walking around in the morning to get their ammunition.  Also, Kate left her smoking station out in the carport (we have had three HOA warnings about this). 

When I spoke with the two of them shortly after the food was dropped off, unfortunately, Kate had a hissy fit and started shouting at me (she knows when they are in the wrong).  They each have a credit card on my account and I have respectfully asked them to alert me BEFORE they use it.  It's not like real money to them. I get a notice each time it is used.  Most of the time, I say yes.  Sometimes I would like to request them to pick up something for me if I only knew they were going to that particular store.  She threw my credit card at me.  And slammed the bedroom door.

That, my friends, does not work for me.  I'm waiting a day as I make mistakes in communication when I am angry.  We will once again go over the very few rules of the house.  Which just got bigger.  I will put it in writing with a copy to them and one in the junk drawer for future reference.

I do understand they both have anxiety.  It is very real.  I'm glad they found each other.  But they don't like the medication prescribed so they don't do anything proactive.  Kate hemmed and hawed about working from home as that would make her MORE anxious.  I suggested she find employment anywhere that works for her.  Minimum 20 hours a week.  Minimum wage out here is $13.25/hour.  Every little bit will help.  I hope to encourage them up to full time by the end of the year.  They may never afford their own home or apartment, and as long as I am treated with respect, I sure don't mind sharing.

Maybe peri-menopause has entered the building.  She/they are usually VERY kind and respectful.  Please stay tuned!

SORRY!

I missed getting a post up on Sunday.  I was busy zooming my Sister for her 60th birthday!  For the whole month of June, I posted a meme about 60 every single day.  Specifically to have her friends email her or text her or call her ON the day.  I also sent an email to her family and friends to ASK them to bombard her.  He birthday was Tuesday, June 23.

Then with the help of husband and her "sister" on his side of the family, we put together a Zoom party for 80 people.  I emailed this invitation a day or two AFTER her birthday ....

We asked everyone to mute themself then Janet would greet each person and have a 30 second chat.  

Jonathan put together a slide show after we raced around looking for photos from each year of her life.  Folks from all over the country, including Maui (where it was 11:30 am!) dialed in.  It was fabulous.  Except I got so caught up in the party, I forgot to go get MY family in on the screen!  It was so fun for me to see friends I've heard about for years but had not met in person.

Now they are driving from Louisville to Portland, pulling a tiny camper to avoid hotels as their baby girl is moving to Portland this weekend.  Then to drop of the hubby at Seattle airport then drive herself (and dog!) to Whidbey Island.  They will park their trailer at the condo parking lot hopefully ending each day here, masked and six feet apart, sending virtual hugs and kisses and sipping a glass of wine!

Love my family.