Life continues in a "New Norm"

 So during General Conference (held again with no audience, apostles 6 feet apart wearing masks), President Nelson said...

It has been 8 months since this viral outbreak and things will not go back to normal any time soon- or maybe even ever.  I wonder what the world will evolve into as my grandchildren grow.  I do know that we have had to become very flexible and adjust in more ways than we could ever imagine.  I find it exhausts me deeply.  Here is my post about the 1st two weeks of school:

Top 10 for the past 2 weeks:
1. Week before school started found out I had displaced 2 ribs. (no wonder I was in pain)
2. 1st week (and preweek) of school I lost 4.5 pounds running up and down stairs and all over the building.
3. Weekend before school started I was interviewed by Scholastic for an article in their parenting magazine.
4. Started school and it’s the busiest it has ever been- going 1:1, new school, new library, online students, soft start to school, preparing to help teachers with NWEA testing and learning how to use Schoology and run Learning Adventures.-very little sleep due to stress. I know my fellow teachers feel the same…
5. My son tested positive for COVID and his work shut down until the 25th. He was very sick, but much better now.
6. Last weekend I had to go get tested since I was directly exposed to him. I also went because I had been gasping for breath through my mask all week and felt awful- but just thought it was from a long week wearing a mask full time. Found out I had a sinus infection and walking pneumonia! No wonder I felt awful and struggled breathing. Breathing treatments have helped tremendously.
7. My test was negative but had to quarantine at home until this coming Monday. Ended up working full time from my kitchen anyway because so much is going on. Thank heavens for the internet and zoom and a nebulizer.
8. Just finished my big presentation for the Eastern Iowa Reading zoom for this Tuesday.
9. Got everything for my literary pumpkins that I will do next week during general conference
10. Now I will sleep and breathe…hug all your teacher friends- we need it.

 

The annual pumpkins were made alone: Alayna was at college and Bob was in AZ.

 

Harold Bird Hart

 As I went to write this post, I realized I still feel raw. Maybe it is because I wasn't able to make it to the funeral (infections and pneumonia) so I didn't get that closure.  Also, maybe, because he was a father to me for 27 years and this loss is felt so deep, but I am not ready to share my thoughts now- so I will share what I posted on FB 

"I was waiting until I had the words, but I don't think they are going to come. We lost an incredible father (my father in law), grandfather, and great grandfather yesterday. It still seems unreal. He has been such a huge part of my life for 27 years! He attended all the big events in our lives, in our kids lives, traveled with us, visited every year,. I Can't possibly express the deep loss of not only a loved one, but an incredible human being. I always felt he would outlive me. Hal- you are loved, and missed, and you left a huge hole in our hearts and family. Today my aching heart is grateful for eternal families and grateful I am part of yours. Hoping you are at peace and experiencing joy with all the loved ones beyond the veil. We love you!"

I am hoping Bob will write up the events that led up to Hal's unexpected death and the loss we all feel. I am extremely grateful Kayla and Marisa and families were able to be there and that I was able to participate through zoom for the Family Meeting, the funeral, and the graveside process.  I haven't shed that many tears with deep sobs in a long time. 

 

Fall 2020

 ...with masks, social distancing, virus, and weeks after a catastrophic storm...it's a year like one we have never known...

Books arrived and shelved the day before school started.

Alayna arrived safely to BYU-Idaho and started college unlike any other college freshman has!

And then we found out that Tyler tested positive for COVID and so I had to go get tested (was negative) but had to quarantine the entire 2nd week of school which was rough: dealing with in school students, online students, textbooks, getting everyone a computer, dealing with tech issues, AND they assigned me to teach 3 elementary classes.  I know I saw this a lot but I don't think I have ever been so exhausted in my entire life!

Also wearing a mask all day every day is ROUGH!!!  Which is why I was surprised when I went in for the COVID test that they found I had a sinus infection and walking pneumonia again!  No wonder I was struggling to breathe!

AND Marisa and Anthony finally got into their new home!

And then they left...and grandma cried...

 

Labor Day trip

 

Still having fun!