Day 368: A Little Lucky Magic

We are big fans of St. Patrick's Day around here. Brad proposed on St. Patrick's, and we love any excuse for a little magic--especially this week.

This morning, Buddy appeared with pots of gold for the kids:

They were filled with Ferrero Rocher, and both kids were thrilled.

The leprechauns also came! We think the hopped in the upstairs window to start a trail of sparkling shamrocks:

They ran all the way through the house:

And ended with some Lucky Charms:

 

I have beef stew in the Instapot, complete with every root vegetable known to man, including a rutabaga. This afternoon, I'll make soda bread, and we have a virtual ticket to a Flogging Molly concert tonight. 

May the Luck of the Irish be with all of us...

Day 367: Goodbye Sweet Friend

We said goodbye to our sweet Frosty last night:

She spent most of the day sleeping, but she would move to be closer to us throughout the day, and we all took turns snuggling and saying our goodbyes:

When Issa came home from dance, we cast her pawprint in plaster. We have casts of Viv, Nuzzle, and Tumbler, and Issa wanted to be sure we added Frosty even though she was passing at home. When we finished, she snuggled Issa with her signature head boops and kisses, and then she settled into the bathroom. 

Brad and I knew we were nearing the end, and when we checked on her just a few minutes later she was gone. She truly just passed in her sleep, and we are so grateful for such a peaceful end. 

We buried her outside her favorite window, and we are really missing our giant Potato this morning. We are so grateful for the years of snuggles and head boops, though, and we are glad we could give her a graceful exit.

 

Days 365-366: Roller Coaster

 This weekend was a bit of a roller coaster. 

Friday, Aunt Shannon came back from Chicago! She will be staying until after Easter. We picked her up from the airport and then all had Nickel together, which was a fun way to start her visit.

Saturday morning, I went to work and the boys went to Winterquest. Winterquest was on Zoom this year, but they boys still had fun training with people from around the country, and they learned a few things. We did a reverse parade for our beginning teachers on campus. They made a loop through our parking lot while we cheered, danced, and gave them a big bag filled with goodies. It was so good to see them, and they were all so excited to be celebrated in  the midst of a tough year.

The big highlight was celebrating Mom and Shannon's birthdays on Saturday! We worked on Mom's patios some more, and we had dinner from Gatewood just like we did a year ago--except we did take out. 

Saturday night, though, things took a turn. Frosty spent much of the night getting sick. All day yesterday, we sat with her. She is 15 years old, and we really think her little body is just shutting down. She didn't move from the couch, and she won't eat of drink. Yesterday, she was content to let us hold her. I slept on the couch with her, and she is fading. We don't expect her to be with us much longer, and if she hasn't passed by this afternoon we will take her to ease her into it. 

We are all so sad. Issa and Evan don't remember life without her, and she is definitely Issa's Potato. We won't let her suffer, though, and we are grateful for 24 hours of pure snuggles.

Skip a few...Day 364: Counting is Hard

 At some point, I missed some days in the Covid count on the blog. I know for certain that today is 364, though, because we shut it all down last year on March 13, Mom and Shannon's birthday. The kids had their last day of face-to-face school and we went out for our last meal in a restaurant to celebrate their birthdays. I find it ironic that I was off by exactly 40 days in this desert of Covid.

We've spent a lot of time talking about this year milestone this week. Remembering where we were a year ago and how things slowly became more urgent and more real. Being in awe that we are still very much in the Covid-times a full year later.

We are still incredibly grateful. Our little family has weathered this well. We are all healthy and finding ways to thrive. We have enjoyed the added time together, and we still genuinely like being together so much. But we are also acknowledging it is hard, and there are certainly things we are missing.

I am half vaccinated, and Brad can sign up for his vaccine this week. There is a light at the end of the tunnel...

Day 324: My Plan

I'm following Inks's lead this afternoon:

 I'm going to find a sunny spot and just soak it all in.

Day 323: Channeling This Dog

I'm really trying to channel Neela a bit more:

 She loves nothing more than unapologetically sunning herself in our backyard. She will just flop down for as long as the sun is shining, soaking in the sun and fresh air.

I'm trying to make more time for that. The burn out is very real this week. I had to have some follow-up imaging for a mammogram. All is well, but that level of stress is not fun. My stupid ankle is still healing, and I'm increasingly frustrated at the slow progress.

And we are reaching pandemic anniversaries. Work is high stress as people continue to try to cope and some crumble. I haven't been in a school in a year, and it hurts. I am trying to support student teachers and new teachers in a district that make decisions on Tuesday that go into effect the following Monday with no clue about all that it will take to make that happen. And at the end of the day all the bucks stop on my desk. It's a lot.

Last night I called it in. No amount of gratitude practice or powering through was going to work. I took a bath and went to bed. Today, I'm trying again...and I will every day...and I'll soak in as much sun as I can.

Day 322: This Dog

I really thought I was going to snuggle Brad on the couch, but Buddy had other thoughts:

He wedged himself right in there. Please notice his paw on my shoulder.

He then promptly fell asleep snuggled into his favorite human:

And then they both fell asleep:

It's a good thing I love this big, dumb dog.
 

Days 320-321: Creating

This weekend, we spent a lot of time creating in all kinds of ways. Mom is redoing her patio, and she passed her old furniture down to us! Saturday morning, Issa and I recovered the little bench that had been out there, and we are loving our new front porch:

After the boys got back from the dojo Saturday, we went to Mom's to help start the patio in earnest. The boys power washed everything while we girls made the first trip to Home Depot. 

While the boys picked up pizza, we outlined what will be the patio extension and garden in the back with her new edging:

And we planted her houseplant, Leah:

It was a really productive beginning, and now we are anxious to start assembling furniture and laying the stone! Hopefully next weekend!

When Issa and I got home, we finished these little bugs we've been working on:

Issa found the pattern and wanted to learn to crochet to make it. It was a doozy of a first project, but she did great!

Sunday, I got all of the front bushes and flower beds ready and started pruning in the back. All that work deserved a lavender lemonade on the new front porch:

While I was enjoying that break, Issa and Brad went thrifting again. They found some great books, but Issa was most thrilled by her new glass:

 Yep. It's a stemmed mason jar, and she is in love. 

It was a great weekend of productivity, creativity, and rest.

Day 319: Spring

 The sun is shining, my bulbs are starting to come up, and Brad and I spent some time on the front porch reading this week. 

I love this time of year, and this weekend we have big plans to soak in some vitamin D. We hope to help Mom start her back patio, and I am hoping to get some time in my own flower beds getting them ready for spring. 

Spring always feels so hopeful to me, and I think it feels even more so this year.

Day 318: Yoga Cat

Inks still loves working out with us:

 She is the best yoga cat--always happy to climb on your back or belly. She gives great snuggles while you are in plank, and she is happy to push my yoga ball around for me. 

Day 317: One Major Step Forward

Yesterday, I took a major step in the journey out of Covid quarantine:

I got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine! Because I work with teachers in schools, I qualified to get vaccinated, and I am so very grateful. 

I won't lie: this sucker hurt! After an hour, I had a weird headache. I went to bed at 7:30 exhausted. I woke up this morning, though, and I feel physically great and so optimistic. The vaccination spot is a little tender, but I will happily walk if for that second dose in three weeks. 

It finally feels like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I can't wait.

 

Day 316: Spring Has Sprung

This weekend, I packed up the snowman and holly dishes. We are very ready for spring around here, and once winter was safely packed away the kids helped me get out all of the Easter bunnies:

We have all new places to decorate this Easter, which was really fun:

I really love our mantle:

I purchased that bunting from a nine-year old entrepreneur who is the daughter of my cooperating teacher's daughter and one of the students I student taught. It makes me so happy.

And Issa is very proud of this arrangement:

Please notice the bunny driving the car Evan built.

Evan is most proud of this:

I'm still deciding if it's cute or creapy.

The sun is finally out, and the temperatures are rising. It really does feel like spring now, and I'm ready!

 

Day 314-315: Our Girl was Back On Stage

Yesterday, Issa and I loaded up and drove to Rocky Mount for the Inspire dance competition:

It felt so good to actually load up for a day and get to see Issa do her think on a real stage! The competition was run in blocks, which meant we were the only studio in the venue, and everything was sanitized in between studios. It made for a whirlwind event; we were finish with the whole thing in about three hours!

Issa started with tap:

They earned a platinum, and it sounded so clean!

Then she moved to jazz, which is "Dream Girls":

They earned a high gold, and it looks great!

And she ended her day with musical theatre, which is "Nothing" from A Chorus Line:

They earned a platinum and a Best of Broadway award for this one. It is so clean.

Issa had a blast, and I am so grateful that she is able to keep doing what she loves, even if it looks a little different this year.
 

Day 313: A Thief

 We have a biscuit thief in our house:

Those would be dog treats, but apparently Inks doesn't care as long as it's chicken flavored.

Day 312: Today Is a New Day

 Class last night was terrible. It went sideways. We had to have a class meeting. Blech.

It's hard. Several decades in you hope you will know what you are going to do in any given situation. I don't think you ever hit that point. 

But...this morning I am choosing to focus on the fact that I modelled how to regroup and move on. And today is a new day...

Day 311: This and That

We are all feeling very crafty. Last Friday, I took Issa to Home Depot to pick up her first custom order:

It is a complete paint sample book. I have to admit I tuned out after about five minutes of talking about paint. She is loving her interior design course, and I think she has found her career!

And...our seeds are starting to sprout:

The arugula is the most impressive, but the thyme is close behind. I love when things actually work!

 

Day 310: A New Hobby

Brad and Issa have been looking for a hobby they can do together for a while now. Brad and Evan have the dojo, and Issa wanted something all her own, too. They have tried several things, but I think they finally found it this weekend: thrifting. 

They set off to find some furniture they could fix up, but they ended up finding some great clothing scores. Brad really needed dress shirts:

And they both found jean jackets:

And Issa found a couple of cute tops:

They had a ball, and they are already scouting other thrift shops for their next adventure!
 

Day 308-309: A Night Away

For Valentine's Day this year, Brad gave me a night at the Colonial Inn here in town. The Inn just reopened, but it has been a part of the town since the early 1800s. It is now fully restored and beautiful:

The bones of the hotel remain unchanged, including the tavern area and many of the beams. They have put art from local artists in the rooms, though, which is really cool:

Brad made arrangements so we never had to leave the room! We enjoyed cocktails in our sitting area, and he had dinner delivered from a local restaurant, which the Inn plated for us:

It was too cold to enjoy the patio, but we enjoyed looking at it from the room:

And the cinnamon rolls they make for breakfast are amazing:

It was just one night, but we both agreed it was a much needed escape. I am certain we will be going back!
 

Day 307: A Finished Project

We have been trying to figure out how to have an herb garden for years, and we are finally well on the way! Brad started the project Valentine's Day weekend, and I had some help finishing it this week!

Issa is the best little dramatic reader for all planting directions:

Evan got most of the dirt in the cup:

And the two of them were great help planting 15 jars:

The final product:

Each jar has a wooden wick to transfer the water, so they should stay hydrated:

Our stairwell gets a lot of light, so we have high hopes! Now we wait for the seed to sprout!
 

Day 306: Virtual School for Us and an Open Letter

 Last Friday, the School Board reversed course and decided to start bringing all students back Monday, February 22. We talked with the kids about the reality of the CDC and DHHS guidance that said this was unsafe and the fact that they would only have one or two other students in the classroom with them. Lunch would be outside and fast--no talking. All of the social elements of school are gone, although that is an argument people try to push schools to reopen. Thankfully, both kids immediately decided to stay virtual. They keep their teachers and schedule; they stay safe.

Monday, though, I wrote the following email to the Board and Superintendent. I'm posting it here as an open letter.

A Broken Trust

Good morning,

I am writing this email as a former teacher and administrator and current OCS parent and education professor and researcher. It is through these lenses that I write.

I was working for another school district when we bought our home in Hillsborough. I knew I wanted our children to attend Orange County Schools. I have always considered OCS to be a district focused on innovation, equity, and leadership. I have shared these beliefs with pride as I work in districts across the state and nation, sharing about a small district doing great things. After the events of the last month culminating in the Board meeting Friday night, however, I can no longer share those beliefs unequivocally. Here are my reasons why:

1. Please interrogate the findings of the ABC Collaborative. The district has put tremendous emphasis on their findings--findings that are problematic at best and dangerous at worst. Research, especially education research, is only generalizable to the extent the contexts match. Our context is very different from the studies from which their recommendations are derived. (The superintendent in the Wisconsin study has been very clear about his concerns about the way that study is being used.) Furthermore, they are using the same data to make different recommendations to each district with whom they consult even though those contexts are much more similar. Why?

2. A commonly cited reason to bring students back to in-person learning is the emphasis on "at-risk" students. Setting the problematic nature of that term aside, we are hearing from teachers and families across districts, including OCS, that these students are not opting to return to the classroom--as is their right. For some, they are particularly vulnerable to the economic and medical ramifications of a potential Covid exposure. For others, systems and policies regarding the return to school, especially transportation and screening, make returning challenging or impossible. 

3. While current CDC guidance does suggest bringing elementary students back is possible, it clearly states that middle and high schools in orange and red counties should remain virtual. Furthermore, the same guidelines state that if schools do return to in-person learning, extra-curricular activities, especially indoor sports, must be suspended. OCS is ignoring all of these guidelines.

4. Further guidance from the CDC suggests that all school staff should be vaccinated before reopening buildings. We now have a timeline for those vaccinations--one our original reopening plan would have allowed. When we ignore this guidance, we send a clear message to our most valuable resources--our staff--that they are less important. In districts that are reopening we are seeing waves of early retirements and resignations as teachers make impossible choices. I receive multiple emails daily from principals looking for teachers. I have none. Although our cohorts are larger than they have been in recent history, all of our December grads had jobs before they graduated; many of my May graduates have already been offered and accepted jobs that will begin the day after they finish student teaching. We have to support our current teachers; there are no replacements.

I am keenly aware that most of the recent decisions have been driven by political pressure from Raleigh and the impending bill. However, the increased rapidity and decreased transparency of the decisions raise great concern. I will not speak for others, but I want to unequivocally state that while I have faith in my children's teachers, I no longer have faith or trust in the district leadership.

I would urge you to stop succumbing to political pressure and return to leading.

Respectfully,

Heather A. Bower, MSA, PhD

Day 305: This Sweet Boy

This sweet boy:

 Sunday, it was cold and gross, but we had PORCH pick-up. Brad was still battling his cold (which is now gone), and Issa was exhausted and sore from dance. Evan said he and I could manage. I fully planned to do more parking and hauling, but he knew my ankle was (and is) still not quite right. He refused to let me help. We filled the entire back of the car, and he carried every box, bag, and can. 

In the past few months, he is really growing up and we are seeing more of the man he is becoming, and I couldn't be more proud.