the yard: before and during the grading

Updated 5/14 to add pictures of the straw. It's quite impressive!

our new normal: week 8

The week of May 3, 2020

Backyard grading project started. Post coming soon with pictures

I killed the seeds/sprouts. It's been cold and I covered them all with a sheet and failed to uncover. Ugh. Looks like we will have to replant.

Scott had elective knee surgery on May 7. Dropping him off at the door for such a major event had me a bit choked up, but we prayed before he got out of the car - a good reminder that he wasn't alone for one second.

Andrew decided to start running this week. First day out managed a mile and a half, no problem. He's keeping at it and lowering his time every day.

We've been on a board game kick. It's really great that Matthew is now able to play big-time games like Ticket to Ride and Catan without much help.

I tried my hand at spaghetti and meatballs - definitely a hit.

our new normal: week 7

The week of April 26, 2020

It feels like this sheltering in place has really allowed me to see value more clearly. I've found it easy to retreat and not communicate with people, other than my own family and a few close friends. I've been shying away from group texts, and turning into a genuine homebody. This surprises me as a proud extrovert. But it also shows me all of the people in my life of varying degrees that I really don't need to thrive. I'm sure this sounds inconsiderate, but I'd probably be good on social media with just family (immediate and extended) and a dozen or so friends. In this same vein, I really don't care for half of the TV shows waiting in the DVR queue and could delete them without even watching. No regrets. If I start a book that doesn't hook me in the first couple chapters, I don't feel compelled to finish. I wonder if I'm the only one who feels like this. I also wonder if this clarity is a good quality or if I'm am insensitive jerk. I am starting to understand the appeal of quarantine for introverted Morgan. Who knew.

Enough deep thoughts for this post. Looking back, I'd say it's been a good recovery week. The tears haven't come as often, and each day was marked with progress.

I dug up the stones/slabs around the front maple tree. At one time, they probably looked beautiful, but I thought they called negative attention to our front yard, covered in moss, falling out of place, cracked and holding in compacted, weed-filled soil. Andrew was a huge help. Matthew dressed the part and looked good. I'd like to plant some perennials around the base, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Still need a plan and have to find a place that will sell the flowers and plants I want.

We had a nice bonfire in our new pit on Monday night. Not a working fire, just a marshmallow and smoky-link roasting kind of fire. I look forward to the day when we can have other people over to enjoy it with us.

The laundry room was finished, at least as much as we could do here on our end. Flooring, base moulding and cabinets will come later when Michigan "re-opens".

I also tackled a project that I've wanted to try since we moved in - painting the kitchen back splash tile. For so long it seemed daunting, not knowing what color to chose, what kind of products I needed to be successful. I had done research before, but until a video from This Old House popped into my Pinterest feed, I didn't know it could be so easy. I used a kit with step by step instructions. There were only three colors. Home Depot shipped the kit to me, and in one day, I had transformed the kitchen. What had stood out before in an obnoxious way, now fades into the background. It's lovely.

This has also been a week of preparation.

Scott's doctor called and his knee surgery is still on for May 7. This was quite a surprise, as we assumed elective surgeries weren't happening. [Some backstory here... Scott wrecked every part of his knee playing basketball with our church league back in February.] May 7 seemed like an eternity away when we visited the orthopedic surgeon, and now here we are. Scott admitted to nesting this weekend: washing windows and screens, washing cars, getting the lawn mower fired up for the first time this year. We will know more this coming week about his surgery logistics.

We are scheduled with a landscaper to have our backyard graded and seeded. We've been getting ready for that, digging up plants to keep, making sure bordering areas (like near the garbage cans) are ready to go.

The weather is beautiful this weekend. It might be the first 70 degree day we've had all year. Kids are sunburned. But what a great couple days of fresh air for all of us.

Wildlife sightings this past week:
Eagle! It's been reported there's a pair that live nearby
Groundhog (eye roll)
Skunk
And we have a raccoon that likes to walk across our deck each night. Where is he going? Where is he coming from? Is he so civilized that he needs to use stairs? Stay down in the yard!

our new normal: week 6 and a goodbye

It's been a pretty challenging week here.

On Monday, April 20 my grandma met Jesus. It had nothing to do with Covid-19 and everything to do with her declining health. She was 97, and after going to the ER, tests revealed failing kidneys and blood clots throughout her body, as well as one in her aorta. Within 72 hours, she was gone.

I struggled this week with my emotions. In fact, I am surprised at how upset this news made me. My grandma lived a full life and I have no regrets about time spent with her. She was ready for heaven and often asked why she was still here on earth. And yet I was (and still am at moments) incredibly sad.

This isolation has been hard. Six weeks of being home, no travel, missing holidays and birthdays - it takes a toll. And I wonder if this is what makes the tears flow so easily. I also think that of any family that I've lost to date, my grandma has meant the most, and therefore it's been the most difficult to let go. I miss her.

Her funeral was on Friday. There was a 20 person limit inside the funeral home where the service was held and we all wore masks. Sarah came alone. Joel couldn't find a return flight home and ended up watching via the Zoom Meeting I hosted, along with several other family members. I hugged people despite the threat of spreading germs. The pastor came from Our Shepherd and afterward, we drove to Glen Eden. We were given permission to leave our cars and watch her casket be lowered into the ground. A final farewell.

There are lots of things I will remember about my grandma...  her traditions and recipes, scalding hot soup with soda crackers, even hotter coffee with cookies, her desire to serve, her reminder to always take the Lord when we departed, and the image of her kneeling at her bedside each night to say her prayers. My grandma was an amazing woman, in in the words of my cousin, Linda, she is now "healthy, happy and home".

Other news this week seems to pale in comparison, but for the sake of record keeping, I'll add these items:

I tackled the laundry room walls which have been disgusting since the week before we moved in when two friends ripped off all of the wallpaper and base moulding. Scott unhooked the washer and dryer on Saturday night and then I got to work. I washed and scraped glue off walls. He filled holes. I sanded, and washed again. I then put Kilz on everything, including the ceiling, trim and doors. Then three coats of paint on the ceiling, three coats of paint on the trim and interior doors, and finally two coats of "On The Rocks" by Sherwin-Williams - the only store from which we were allowed to buy paint during this stay home order. On Saturday night, the appliances were put back in. It was a ton of work, and we're only halfway done. Still to come when life is back to normal... cabinets/storage, new flooring, and base moulding.

Also this week, we had horrible weather. Temps in the 30's and 40's and even some snowflakes really discouraged us from getting outside.

Our seeds started sprouting and that was exciting. I finally moved them outside on Saturday as the forecast promised warmer temperatures.

Andrew had his very first class Zoom meeting and loved it. I hope it becomes a regular thing. His class also did a drive-by birthday parade for a classmate.

our new normal: week 5

The week of April 13, 2020

Easter Sunday kicked off our week. I worked hard to keep traditions because it not only made the day special, but gave me a lot of comfort to do the things we would have done despite Coronavirus. The day was pretty great considering it was just the five of us. G&G N came over in the afternoon and parked in the driveway for a bit so we could visit from a distance.

This was our first week back to school after Spring Break. We started on Tuesday, and we will continue to have our distance-learning school Tuesdays through Fridays. Our principal is adamant that teachers get to save Sundays for sabbath, for family time - not for creating videos and uploading content. A Zoom staff/faculty meeting on Friday confirmed that this was such a gift for them.

The weather was awful every day, in the low 40s, and we even had snow multiple days. We didn't get outside much. I took a 25 minute walk alone on Thursday, despite the biting cold wind, and it helped improve my spirits. I'm losing motivation to keep up with my routine on fitnessblender.com. Change can be good - I see more walks in my future.


Memories from the week:

Andrew was able to present his Colorado project via video and it was shared with his class.

I made efforts to keep the dining/school room organized.

We moved our newly planted seeds inside because of the weather (except for Andrew's lettuce).

While Home Depot and Lowe's are forbidden to sell paint, Sherwin-Williams provided all we needed to get the laundry room makeover going.

I ordered a new vanity for the green bath and some tile re-finisher for my chubby friends in the kitchen. (maybe some progress pictures in future posts)

Our next-door neighbors returned from Florida with the massive camper in tow.

And a huge, devastating low to end our week: GG (the one mentioned in this story) is in the hospital and is getting ready to meet Jesus. Her kidneys are failing, and her arteries and aorta are filled with clots. She's progressing toward her heavenly home and dare I say she is looking forward to it. The news brings me both great comfort and great sadness. I'm really missing my family this week.