Five Things for Friday

Well, there have been positive COVID test results reported in our school district every day in November except one. Yesterday, there were SEVEN positive results from four different buildings, one of which only opened to students this week. I don't feel safe, honestly. I think I went from staying home with the kids to doing two school jobs, and may have never updated here. 

I am a crossing guard at one of the middle schools (all outside, and just started back this week), and I serve lunch at one of the elementary schools (with one quarantined classroom currently). While I think my student contact is pretty minimal (less than a minute with each kid who has ordered a lunch, and we're both masked), it still just feels like bad odds overall. A lot of districts around us have gone back to full remote, and I hope our district does too. I did opt to keep my kids virtual, so they are at home all the time.

Anyway, can something this year NOT be about COVID please? On with my Friday Five!

1. 
   I am so excited to watch Netflix's new holiday movie Jingle Jangle tonight!! Friday is always pizza-and-a-movie night around here. Usually we get Hungry Howie's, with wings for Maggie and I. Tonight Jack asked for Jet's. We'll skip the wings because we like Howie's the best.
2. Today was a perfect day to have something I'm excited for. The director of my department came into our kitchen today and rearranged all the prep tables. She insisted she wasn't micro-managing, but I've worked in that kitchen successfully for almost four years with things where they were. She insisted it didn't make sense how it was, so she 'fixed' it. Thanks?
3. We've decided to have Thanksgiving at home with just the four of us. I asked the kids for their suggestions. Jack wants turkey, or chicken. Maggie wants us all to dress either in a theme, or dress up. She also requested mac and cheese, so I told her to find an awesome looking homemade recipe and we can make it special.
4. My other fun project for this weekend is starting my holiday wish list! I usually post my own personal '12 days of Christmas' with stuff I want from December 1 - 12. Then I can share the link with people like hubs who may get me gifts at the holidays. I also signed up for a gift exchange through my favorite book-lovers Facebook page. I think partners are assigned for that one on Monday, so this is my big wishing weekend.
5. What an emotionally trying time! I am nothing short of thrilled with the election results. As an election worker of 30 years, I'm a bit annoyed at the people crying foul. So many people would need to work together to produce fraudulent election results. It ain't a thing. Counting down the days til Biden/Harris take their rightful places as leaders of our great country. And then to temper my joy, COVID. Yes, this post just came full circle.

Hope you and yours are doing well. Maybe we're in a new normal, or maybe things actually evolve all the time without labels. I'll be cozy in my family room, curled up with a relaxing drink and a good book (well, when I'm not at work, anyway!)

Five Things for Friday / Book Beginnings for Friday / #Friday56

Let's kick off this lovely (just kidding, looking super dreary and thunderstorms planned) Friday with five random things. If you're here for some bookish involvement, scroll on down.

1. Today was the last day for our elementary school's remote learning. Starting Monday, most (approximately 80%) of the elementary students will switch to in-person learning, and a few (including my third grade son) will 'switch' to virtual learning. They will remain either in-person or virtual through the end of the school year. While I think virtual is pretty similar to the remote learning they've been doing since Labor Day, he will have a new teacher for the rest of the year, since his first teacher will be teaching in-person kids. I'm a bit stressed, but also happy to have the rest of the school year resolved, more or less.
2. I am so excited that I was able to purchase a Bookmas box from Peanut Butter Taco Etsy shop!! I somehow ended up on her book planner page on Facebook, and found out about it. She puts together a package with 12 gifts - for the 12 days of Christmas - that are book and/or planner related. They sold out in seven minutes!! I'm super excited to get my package in early December with 12 fantastic gifts for me!
3. 
   Last night I had a blast at a Yelp Murder Mystery Party (on zoom) that was themed around a 1980s Prom. I dug out one of my dresses from either my junior or senior year of high school. Yay for stretch! LOL  Then I asked my 13-year-old daughter to fix me up with some 80s make-up  - heavy on the blue eye-shadow, please. She did a fabulous job, and the party was a lot of fun. Edited to add: I just found out I won one of the costume contest prizes! Once I finish up this post, I need to go choose which of my local coffee shops, breweries, or wineries I want a credit for!
   
4. When I kept my computer at the kitchen table, I set up some shelves next to me and set up my old boom box with an assortment of CDs for my listening pleasure. Now that I'm redoing my actual office upstairs, hubby found an abandoned 90s stereo in our basement and set it up in the kitchen so I could bring my boom box up to my office.  I've been thrilled to be listening to my old CDs again. I'd like to take a moment to thank Columbia House and BMG for my extensive collection of old CDs. If you're old like me, you'll understand this reference.
5. Tomorrow I've got a long to-do list around the house. I need to pack up my planters and hummingbird feeders til spring, replace the toilet seat in the kids' bathroom, get and apply those frosted window-cling things to the master bathroom, and work on purging or reorganizing a lot of my office clutter. I'm tired just considering it all, but I keep reminding myself how great it will feel to have it all done. Ugh.

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Would you like to hear about what I'm reading (well, one of the books I'm reading now anyway)? Welcome to Friday, when I like to post with Book Beginnings on Friday and #Friday56. Today I've chosen to post about 60 Stories about 30 Seconds: How I Got Away With Becoming a Pretty Big Commercial Director Without Losing My Soul (Or Maybe Just Part of It) by Bruce Van Dusen. Thank you to the publisher for my copy of this book for review. 

For Book Beginnings on Friday with Rose City Reader, I share the beginning of the book. 

Crazy Eddie was the first person to hire me to direct a commercial. Crazy Eddie himself. He didn't actually say, "You're hired," because his jaw was broken, and he was attached to some life-support machines. His ad manager translated his grunts. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

For #Friday56 with Freda's Voice, I share a bit from page 56 (since this is a physical book for me - if you're reading using your kindle, please feel free to share from around 56%).

That's my opinion. And it's as harsh as it is because I have come into directing from nowhere. And at the bottom. Most commercial directors start out as agency art directors or copywriters. So they're used to all the bullshit. They must have been the cream of the crop because they had enough oomph to get the fuck out of the agency side and start shooting. But, if you come in as I have, via film school, and a little production work but no agency experience, workign with these people is crazy-making.

So that's what we're into for this weekend. Still wrapping up Matrimony, Inc from last week, and starting 60 Stories. Also need to break up this non-fiction run, so I think I've got You Can Go Home Now by Michael Elias keyed up and ready to read on my kindle. 

Tonight is our regularly scheduled pizza and a movie, so I'm stepping away from the computer to pick up Hungry Howie's and watch Halloweentown!

Thanks for checking in - I love to read your comments, and I'll check in on all the other participating blogs over the weekend and early next week. Hope you have a happy, healthy weekend and week :)

Five Things for Friday / #Friday56 / Book Beginnings for Friday

Hello, peeps! Weeks feel like they're getting busier and busier lately. I'm starting off this post with my Book Beginning with Rose City Reader and #Friday56 with Freda's Voice. Scroll down if you'd like to see my Five Things for Friday :)

This week's book I'm looking at is Matrimony, Inc: From Personal Ads to Swiping Right, a Story of America Looking for Love by Francesca Beauman. Thank you to the publisher for my copy of this book for review. Receiving the book for free of course doesn't influence my review.

Book Beginnings:

On February 23, 1759, the front page of Friday's Boston Evening Post greeted readers with an account of the latest skirmishes in the Severn Years' War. The owner of a brown leather purse lost last Friday offered a reward for its return and there was an announcement that a brig named the Hannah had just docked, bringing with is supplies of cutlery, shoes, and raisins, all now for sale on Third Street.

from page 56 (okay, page 55. page 56 is entirely blank):

The year 1860 was a leap year, and Kate Darsie was in the mood for love: "As it has become fashionable in the Eastern as well as the Western cities for young ladies as well as gentlemen to make known their wants through the columns of a public journal, and as this is the year when ladies can make free to do so," Kate explained, she had decided to place a marriage ad in one of Philadelphia's biggest newspapers.

 So far it's an interesting and amusing read. I'm looking forward to finishing it this weekend.

Five Things for Friday / Book Beginnings for Friday / Friday56

Switching things up for this Friday - I'll start off with my five things, then talk about Book Beginnings and Friday56 from The Girl Beneath the Sea by Andrew Mayne.

1. Happy Birthday to my son Jack! He turned 9 yesterday, and we're having family over tonight to celebrate. I've still got a to-do list a mile long (okay, not a mile: frost cupcakes, put out bird feeders, light candles, and make appetizer dip), so I need to FOCUS and get all this wrapped up.
2. While our schools are opening for the elementary kids to choose face-to-face learning starting on October 26, I still haven't heard about work. I'm okay with this, but really would just sort of like to know if I have a job or if I've been replaced. Also, if I have any co-workers, since the other two kitchen ladies in my building are gone, and their positions are not listed as open. Whatever.
3. My office remodel is moving along. My new desk is set up, and I moved a few other things around. Still to do - pack up and store lots of scrapbooking/stamping supplies I really don't use anymore, find a desk mat sort of thing to put on the sewing machine cabinet so that can be used as a desk of sorts by a kid needing help, and assemble my big ol' 12-cube unit to store and display stuff.
4. This week has really been busy. We had a doctor's appointment for me (just my annual), a dentist appointment for hubs, multiple library pick-ups, a Yelp online kitchen event, swim lesson (usual weekly for Jack), and now the birthday stuff. 
5. Last random plea for help. LOL My face won't stop twitching. My eye did it a couple years ago, and it stopped around the time I went on high blood-pressure meds and got glasses. Now I don't know why it's doing it. I wear glasses, and take my meds. I've added in taking magnesium and a daily vitamin at my doctors' recommendations, but the twitching is worse than it was a couple years ago. Now it's really half of my face, not just my eye. It's frustrating and embarrassing. Has anyone found an easy solution? I'm really tolerant of this stuff, but it would be nice to not have to take a break from reading because I can't see well enough sometimes, or my speech starts slurring when I'm trying to yell at my kids. I am grateful that I'm mostly healthy, but this seems like something I shouldn't have to put up with for the rest of my life. 

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Five Things for Friday / #Friday56 / Book Beginnings on Friday

 Hello and welcome to another Friday! It's a good Friday so far here - I got my new desk and got it put together yesterday. We moved the giant corner desk out of my office (and to hubby's new basement office), so I'm reorganizing my space. I also got my hair did this morning. I'm keeping it in a short pixie now, so getting it cut more frequently, and today I had the front dyed navy blue! Sorry I couldn't get a picture I was pleased with...I'm sure I'll have one eventually. For now you'll have to use your imagination.

I'll get to my five things after my bookish updates. Today I'm joining in with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for #Friday56. 

The book I'm using this week is Tommy Wallach's Strange Fire. 

The beginning:

from the Prologue: 

Florian Parks was sitting in the Gantry watchtower, whittling a wooden doll for his little sister, when he first spotted the travelers over the pointed tips of the palisade. He was so surprised that he cut the figurine's nose clean off.

#Friday56:

from page 56:

Clive stepped out from behind a tree just a dozen yards or so upstream. And for once, Clover was grateful that his brother was tall and strong, intimidating even at eighteen. Dominic took a step backward, out of the flow of the stream, muddying it up as he went. 

While at least one of the reviews mentioned that the book had a lot of religious overtones, they're the kind I don't mind so far. I'm almost halfway through and enjoying this book. There are sections about different societies that sound post-apocalyptic. I'm sure I'll find how they overlap soon.

Five Things for Friday / Book Beginnings on Friday / #Friday56

Switching my order around this week. Ima kick off with my five things (about our district's remote learning), and then discuss my Book Beginnings and #Friday56 after that. Enjoy! 

1.  I've seen plenty of posts and such discussing remote learning schedules, so I'm sharing ours today.

My son is in third grade. This is the really nice schedule his teacher posted for us last night, so we're all on the same page today. All scheduled times are the START of a lesson on zoom. They never run all the way til the next meeting. And only the specials (in this case, PE) are separate zoom meetings. Once his morning meeting starts, we don't have any more logging in - she puts the kids in the 'waiting room' when she's done, until the next subject starts. After teaching the lesson, the kids go to SeeSaw (another site) to complete their assignment. Oh, I believe they'll add on Science OR Social Studies after their social/emotional time in the next week or so.

2.  My daughter is in eighth grade this year, and (luckily for me!) very independent. She's been taking care of her own school stuff. She has three subjects on Monday and Thursday, and the other three subjects on Tuesday and Friday. Wednesday is office hours for staff, but no 'regular' classes meet (this applies to my son too). While my daughter's overall start time and end time fall within my son's schedule (so it looks like her day is shorter), her lectures are usually at least an hour long. The schedule also writes in time for 'asynchronous learning.' She told me that that's her independent work.

3.  Given all that, I am SO GRATEFUL that my kids are learning, thriving and even enjoying school so far this year. My third-grader watches the clock like a hawk to make sure he's back at his desk with his headphones on in time for his next class. The kids agreed with each other that when they're in a zoom meeting, they close their door so there's less distractions and noise (their rooms are next to each other). 

4.  And on the other side, I would be willing to give a kidney ..okay, maybe just my spleen.. to have faster, more reliable internet. I think we've been lucky so far this week that hubby has had to go to offices to work. I don't know how well our household service will handle everyone online on separate devices at once. I'm sure we'll have to find out before too long.

5.  You know I try to end on a happy note! This week we made tie-dye shirts with Mimi on Monday, and then later in the week I received my new Plum Paper Planner, and my VOTE necklace. 

Ugh - tried very hard to get that picture up a bit, and then add a caption, but the new Blogger tool is less than user-friendly :( That's my selfie with no makeup, my new shirt, and my new necklace.  

Having stuff to look forward is so important when the scenery seldom changes, amiright? Hope your week has had more good than bad.

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Five Things for Friday / #Friday56 / Book Beginnings on Fridays

 

Welcome to Friday! I just woke up today, and the storms were awesome through the night. Bonus - I don't need to use my dribbly hose to water my flowers this morning! 

I'm flipping things around today just to keep it interesting :) If you're here for my Five Things for Friday, scroll on down. 

Today I'm joining Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings on Fridays, and Freda's Voice for #Friday56. The book I'm reading right now is When I Was You by Amber Garza. I should have the review up on my blog for this one early next week. 

From the beginning:

"It was a Monday morning in early October when I first heard about you. I was getting out of the shower when the phone rang. After throwing on a robe and cinching it, I ran into my bedroom, snatching my cell off the nightstand."

And from 56% (thanks to Netgalley for my kindle copy of this book):

"Jealousy struck me, hot and fast like a slap to the face. I was also hit with something else -- reality.

You'd been avoiding me all week because I'd been like Rafael. I'd pushed you too hard. I'd tried to box you in. To control you."

I'm personally just at 5% so far. Rafael is the narrator's husband. The woman she's narrating to (so far) is a younger mother with the same name as the narrator. Sounds like it gets a little crazy, so we'll see what happens!

Five Things for Friday / Book Beginnings on Friday / #Friday56

Lookout - my rage is getting too big to want to contain. 

If you don't want to deal with my fury, skip to #5 (where I try to shed some of my bitter), or go ahead and scroll down to the book memes, eh?

I started reading Invisible Women last month, but gave up before I finished. 75% of the unpaid labor in the world is done by women. 3/4. But so much of it is not acknowledged because it's 'just' childcare, 'just' housework, 'just' eldercare, 'just' running errands...

But it isn't 'just' feminism that is gathering my rage. It's politics too. Aw, heck. Let's just pour it into five things, shall we?

1. Wear. A. Mask. I'm in Michigan, so that's the recommendation. I think our governor is great, and has done a lot to help stop the spread of COVID-19. I don't care if you agree with me on that or not, you just need to wear your mask anyway. If everyone had worn a mask back when it was first recommended, we'd be done by now. We'd be heading back to school because the virus would have been snuffed out to a manageable degree. Wear. A. Mask. And if your own health makes a mask impossible, you're probably safer at home anyway. Need me to drop something off for you? Let me know. But stay home, or wear your mask.
2. Those with opinions on the schools being virtual vs remote vs in-person: Deal with it. Or don't. I was going to head this one off by trying to get the attention of parents first, but a lot of the people bellyaching don't even have school-age kids. So you're just complaining because 'the schools are wasting your tax dollars.' Shut. Up. First of all, teachers have been training literally all summer long so IF we ended up online again, they'd be more prepared. Yeah, everyone saying teachers have 'three months off..' NOT THIS YEAR! By the way, if you're worried about your children falling behind - I get it! But if you're worried, your kids will be fine. True story. Random aside: They do pick up on your moods - tell them that it is going to be okay. Because it is.
3. Vote. Because I'm looking forward to having a president without pending rape charges. Please help make that happen. And as long as I'm spouting off, don't waste your vote on a third party candidate for president. Really, we need to make lying wrong again, and splitting the opposing votes because you don't like either primary option doesn't help anyone. It hurts.
4. Here's a nice fringe idea that doesn't apply yet, but definitely comes to mind with the schooling thing. If your kids are sick, keep them home. Not kidding. Being in the school, volunteering or working, I regularly heard from kids who were sick - like, had thrown-up that morning, or looking awful because they had an obvious fever. This is why I'm so grateful we don't have in-person schooling yet. Because some parents will send their kids to school no matter what. Is it because their job is more important than everyone else's health? Is it just because they are so adamant to not stay home with the child they brought into the world? Who knows. But it's got to stop. Sick kids and adults need to stay home. 
5. So. I feel like a big-ole whiner right now. Let me leave you with some great news (well, for me, anyway). I won our local library's summer reading program GRAND PRIZE!! My grand prize was $100 Amazon gift card! I got another pair of PJ pants (dark blue with dinosaurs), a book of RBG quotes, an RBG Funko-Pop, a 2021 Witches' Calendar, a swim suit for my lil dude, and a couple bottles of my favorite kind of nail polish (a bright yellow, and another top coat). Then I had 34-cents left, so I put it toward our 99-cent rental of the RBG documentary. So, yay me! Finding out just one week before my official lay-off letter is giving me some delivery bright spots when there won't be any more fun-shopping in the immediate future ;)

Five Things for Friday / #Friday56 / Book Beginnings on Friday

 This week's goal was really just to make it through the elections. While it's only been three days, so I suppose I could still officially end up sick from exposures there, the actual experience is over and I'm sleeping and eating regularly again :) I'm a precinct co-chair, so I was very worried about argumentative voters and potential issues with other election inspectors. I did have one worker cancel the day before, but traffic wasn't too heavy at the polls, so we made it through with just four workers for the four positions (and some hustling around during meal breaks). Now when will my body start freaking out about working the November election? Only time will tell.

Let's start off with the weeks Five Things for Friday, shall we?

1. Sunday I dropped both kids off at my parents' house for their 2020 'Camping' trip. They usually go to a campground a few hours away with them, but having seen campgrounds in early July, I wasn't comfortable with having them that far away from me in that environment. They did sleep in a tent on the deck, and got to do lots of fun activities. My daughter made a small quilt (!), they both painted pictures, they tie-dyed shirts for themselves, and they made a wonderful chocolate dessert to share. It was a fun break from the norm for them, and we'll have lots of pictures they'll put in the scrapbooks they made. 
2. Sending them away gave me one less thing to worry about during the election on Tuesday (since they weren't home alone), but leading up to it, I missed the distraction they would have offered. I have never felt so anxious about it all before. I hardly ate anything on Monday, and my stomach still hurt all day. I never ran a temp or had any other symptoms, so I knew it was just my nerves. Once I got to work on Tuesday, I was distracted and felt fine.
3. More and more school districts around me are back-pedaling and going to just online learning for at least the month of September. I have little doubt that our district will follow soon. Right now parents could choose between in-person schooling or virtual schooling. Decisions were due today. I let my kids pick, and they both said they'd feel safer with virtual, and promised to do as they're told to keep their work up-to-date.
4. Hubs is off to a boat race this weekend in Springfield, Ohio. He's the crew chief for a friend's boat team. There are no spectators allowed. I wish them both luck! If they place well, they come home much happier ;)
5. Next week has nothing but a work 'support staff' (i.e. not just teachers) zoom meeting, and a few more book reviews. Just a few weeks left until I have to go back to work one way or another...

Five Things for Friday / Book Beginnings / #Friday56

What a week! I feel like my stress has gotten worse for having seen more of the state, but I also enjoyed my experiences while we were out for a bit. I think it's inevitable that Michigan should be locked down more again. The COVID-19 infection numbers are climbing, and they'll continue to do so based on the behaviors I saw. I wish people cared more about others, and acted like it.

1. Last weekend we started out Friday by leaving to visit my husband's father and his wife. They have a cabin next to their house, so we were able to mostly social distance (we did choose to enjoy a few meals out on the porch together and visit a bit). While the visit was nice, seeing the people at the nearby campground watching the sunset made up my mind to continue staying home as much as possible. We were the ONLY people wearing masks in the crowd. And social distancing? What's that? There were more than 20 people seated on the stairs going down to the beach for a group picture. My husband said of course they were all brothers - fraternity brothers! I can't help feeling like Michigan is doomed.

   

   Francisco Morazan shipwreck

2. Saturday we were able to spend quite socially distant - on the boat! Hubs loves to borrow his dad's boat and get out on the water again (we had our own boat years ago, but it just wasn't practical when the kids were babies). The water was super calm and we rode past North Mantiou Island, South Manitou Island, The Francisco Morazan shipwreck (my favorite!!), and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. We rafted off for a bit so the kids could swim before heading back.
3. Monday I finally went to the credit union to open new accounts (mine were compromised by a computer virus in mid-June). I loved their safety protocols. Everyone in the building wore a mask, and there was also a plexiglass partition between the member service woman opening the account and me.
4. Tuesday the kids and I went for our dental cleanings. When we arrived, we called before going in. Then each individual appointment started with taking off our masks and using an anti-viral rinse. During the cleaning, the hygienists wore two masks and a plastic shield over their face. Since there are two hygienists in the office, our family was also the only clients there during our visit.
5. The rest of the week has been my daughter starting all her new summer jobs. She's 12-years-old, and I posted a couple of years ago on our neighborhood page that she was interested in jobs like walking dogs, acting as a mothers' helper, and watering plants. She has regular clients each summer now. This week she is watering plants for two houses, and watching the three-year-old across the street while the girl's mother works from home three days/week. Loving seeing her be so responsible, and her excitement over having spending money.

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The more my stress goes up, the more a book should help, but sometimes instead it's even harder to focus. I'm reading a bit from three books currently - Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel (with a review due later today), Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld (a book I'm borrowing from the library), and Fire and Vengeance by Robert B. McCaw.


Today I'm using Fire and Vengeance for my Book Beginnings and #Friday56 because it's a print book and easier.

The opening paragraph: 

Disaster rode the gale force winds of Hurricane Ida across the Big Island of Hawai'i from the southwest. Ferocious gusts felled century-old trees. Sonic booms of thunder chased lightning bolts sparking through ominous black clouds. Torrential rains pounded the mountains, filling gulches, and gathering into flash floods. On Hualālai Mountain, one of the five volcanoes that make up Hawai'i Island, ten inches of rain fell in a single hour. Water cascaded into cracks and caverns, pouring deep into the earth. The pressure of the floodwaters opened long-sealed fissures in the faults on the west side of Hualālai. Water entered the volcano's magma reservoir and flashed into steam. Steam under astronomical pressure.

And now from page 56:

The two women peppered Koa with questions while they waited for the flight. What had happened to Ikaika? Had he been attacked in jail? How badly was he hurt? Why did prison officials move him to O'ahu? Koa told them what little he knew -- that Ikaika blacked out in the local jail while waiting to testify in a criminal trial. He hadn't regained consciousness, and local medics had ordered him airlifted to Queen's Medical Center, the best hospital in the islands. His vital signs remained strong, but he hadn't awakened from some sort of coma.

Five Things for Friday

1. I finally got my hair cut! The woman who does my hair said she doesn't remember ever seeing it as long as when I got there this morning. LOL See, I need to have a hairnet and/or my hair completely gone when I work in the kitchen, so I usually go get it cut again once school gets out. And this time I even made an appointment to get it trimmed again next month!
2. We accidentally got a box from Home Chef yesterday. My credit card was reported lost or stolen, but I guess it just charged to the new one? Whatever. But I didn't get to pick the meals, so we have a steak, a chicken and a shrimp. Hubs will never want the shrimp, so I'll try and make that one before he gets home.
3. Hubs is at his first car race this summer! I think there would have originally been one in April that was canceled. This one is at his 'home' track (about four hours away towing the trailer), and has no spectators allowed. That being said, there are still at least four drivers with each car. They're supposed to be social distancing, etc, etc. Fingers crossed everyone stays healthy!
4. It's looked like rain for half the day today, but hasn't actually stormed yet. Luckily I watered the flowers anyway. Looked like I missed the ones on the back deck yesterday, but they're perky again now. Sorry guys!
5. Still dealing with Paypal drama from the computer virus a few weeks ago. HP charged my Paypal account for the fraduently purchased computer, but then refunded instead of shipping. And then I did NOTHING, but they transferred the refund to my bank account. At the same time as I unlinked all accounts from my Paypal. So now my Paypal account is substantially negative, but they won't let me link anything to it - so I can't give them their money back. LOL Customer service via Paypal is closed because of COVID-19. I think my next step is to call my credit union and see if they can reverse that transaction from my account. Wish me luck!

Hope all is well and you and yours are staying safe and healthy :)

Five Things for Friday

Five things for Friday - because 10 was just too many. Does this whole stay home - stay safe thing feel a bit like Groundhog Day to anyone else? That being said...I'm quite happy to stay home and stay safe, and grateful to Michigan's governor for insisting on it as long as she did, and helping Michigan stay in great shape on our Coronavirus numbers. But I was an introvert to start with, so.....

1. Last Friday was a very full day. My computer got an awful virus. Someone in Indianapolis had access to all my info. They ordered a computer from HP, and a music mixing..thingy.. for $900 from some music company. Hubby and I spent at least an hour cancelling orders in my name. And it wasn't over. I canceled an HP delivery through FedEx on Saturday, after HP apparently didn't cancel the order? Whatever.  Ya'll are not getting my money, so I suppose send out computers for free if you feel like it? Anyway. Many much stress. Hubby didn't hear me ask to have all of my book files saved, so I lost all the reviews I've written, and my to-be-read list (like 50 books, please don't judge). It took me a couple more days to recreate the TBR list. It's done now.
2. And after all that fun? Hubs and I had a few family members over to celebrate our back-to-back birthdays (he turned 45 on Friday, and I turned 48 on Saturday).
3. Saturday? Seriously one of my best birthdays ever. My daughter helped hubby find sandals that were EXACTLY what I wanted, as well as a beautiful solar-lit wind chime for my front garden, and my own Lil Beyonce (inspired by The Bloggesss). If you haven't yet read The Bloggess's post about the original Beyonce the Metal Chicken - go read it. You'll thank me later.
4. Since then? We're still chilling at home. I meet with a weekly book club via Zoom (we were originally a Battle of the Books team, but the event was cancelled in April). Now that the kids are officially done with the school year (and I'm a school employee), we're officially DONE with commitments.
5. Because of all the computer drama, all of my credit and bank accounts are currently canceled or on hold, which means I can't order my regular weekly meal boxes. I'm expecting a replacement credit card any day, so my life will get back on track, but hubs is gone next weekend with racecar stuff, so my kids are really working on their cooking skills to stay, you know, nourished and stuff. LOL It's okay, they're good kids, and we're all holding it together.

10 GREAT Things about Lockdown

Work with me here. LOL

We've all seen the posts - what changes have you made in your life that you want to, well, KEEP in place? How is your life better while your circle is smaller? Some of these may be more serious, and some may be more tongue-in-cheek, but here are ten GREAT things about our 2 1/2 months in lockdown.

1. Sleeping in. Yes, I love my job, but I'm there by 7:30am Monday - Friday. Even when I've had to go in during lockdown, it's never quite that early. I'm really appreciating sleeping and not using an alarm clock. Like, really a lot.
2. Spoiling myself with dinner prep. It's pretty much the focus of most days. Instead of being my regular bored with the choices, and someone doesn't like it no matter what I make, I've been spending a little more grocery money to get meal prep boxes from Hello Fresh, Home Chef, Every Plate, and Gobble. (We'll both get a discount if you use one of my links to sign up for any of these.) They ship a full meal, veggies and all, with sauces and everything in exact amounts that you need! All you really need on hand is olive oil and salt & pepper. Saves me a trip to the store, gives us at least one well-rounded meal/day, and the prep teaches me more cooking skills and gives us something to do (my 12-year-old daughter and I usually cook together, another GREAT thing).
3. Saving money. Sure - there are a few impulse buys and indulgences, but I think overall we're spending less. We don't need gas when we don't go anywhere, and there are no extra stops that spend more money when we are out and about. Going out is a pretty regimented thing now ;)
4. Practicing a hobby. I've started playing the flute again. According to the notes in my sheet music, I haven't played (or at least had a lesson) since 1987. Whoa. That's like 13 years, which is a long time anyway, and then I realize that it isn't the year 2000 anymore, and it's actually 33 years. Bigger whoa. Muscle memory is amazing, and practicing is just as therapeutic for me as it was back then.
   
5. 10? I really said 10??
6. Dinner as a family. When we've all got our things, planning dinner around baton practices and swimming (for the kids), and race car build nights and teaching ski lessons (for hubby) is really challenging! While Friday night pizza and a movie is a pretty hard and fast tradition for the kids and I, since lockdown started, I think we've had dinner as a family all but one night (when hubby went on a road trip to get car parts). We're all here, so no excuses!
7. Seeing the good in people. Social media, ya'll. It can raise your spirits, or totally crush your heart. Today we're talking about the GREAT things, so look at all the good. Women have started groups of anonymous 'wine-ing' - delivering goodie baskets to other strangers in the group. Multiple food banks, with numerous employees and volunteers, are helping to both feed the needy, and employ or give a social outlet to those turning up to help. Birthday parades! Seeing neighbors across the street when we're all out for a walk on a nice day.
8. De-cluttering, cleaning, and donating. Maybe this counts as more than one? After this long, we're legit changing wardrobes and donating anyway, but we've also got a bit of extra time and focus, right? My office has been re-organized, with a shelving unit (also recognizable as a baby changing table) donated, and a whole list of books available to anyone who wants them. Our basement has been re-organized to make room for hubs at-home office. And the local charity has started pick-ups again for donations. Look out next week, Purple Heart, we're at three bags and adding more!
9. Slowing down. True story. Yes, there's more of a different kind of stress, but most of us have the luxury of less constant pressures on our time. Working from home is its own kind of stress, but we do appear to have more freedom listening to our hearts about when to go to bed and wake up, what to wear, not needing to be as available. As my hub's friends say on the car chat boards, your mileage may vary. But hopefully you're able to enjoy a little more time to process the new strangeness that is life.
10. Time to re-evaluate. Yeah. That's kind of the point of all of this. What do you actually miss from your 'real' life, and what would you be happy to continue doing without? This is your big chance. I get that I won't be able to sleep in forever, but I can keep playing the flute, appreciate the reading time when I've got it, and enjoying my new de-cluttered space and found treasures from storage. Moods are changing fast - be sure to appreciate the time when you're feeling, well, appreciative of the current normal.

My own disclaimer: Yes, I'm a middle-class, privileged white woman. I live in a home with 'enough,' and free of abuse. I get that not everyone has the same GREAT things that I do, even if I wish they did. This post was about me choosing to focus on the good for a bit, and not the fury and frustration I imagine for those trapped in less fortunate circumstances.

And I don't want to end on a downer note. What's the BEST part of lockdown for you? 

10 Random Things for Friday

1. Yes - this is my first random-ish post during quarantine. I'll admit I like staying home and sleeping in, but I hate cooking every day all meals. Take-out is an option, but I feel safer staying here. I have used a couple meal delivery things so far - we did Dinnerly last week, and I got a box from Hello Fresh today.
2. Hubs thankfully still has his job and is working from home so far. He set up his computer and monitors in the basement (which is finished, anyway, if a bit chillier than the rest of the house) so he can stay away from our noise and chaos.
3. I really, super-much need the weather to warm up. It was up to around 60 yesterday, so I sat out on the porch to read for a bit, the rest of the family went for a long bike ride, and then my daughter and I went for a walk after dinner.
4. As much as I would love to say I'm getting more reading done, I'm totally not. I think I may be just about holding up my regular pace. The distractions of having everyone at home, as well as the obsession with knowing what's going on has really overshadowed my 'free' time.
5. I keep watching all the negativity and finger-pointing and blaming. Everyone is criticizing other's choices. And I'm included (obviously. LOL). It's like COVID-19 is in a war with us all. So we're rocking the fight-or-flight thing, but there's no one to fight with besides the other victims of the virus. It sucks. It's an instinct that isn't doing much to save us from anything. That being said, I'm just being liberal with my 'unfriend' button. ;)
6. So thankful for the friend who finally told me that Disney+ isn't a channel, it's its own app! So we downloaded it just like our Netflix and our Hulu, and the kids are THRILLED with lots of Disney content to watch. Tonight we get to see Onward (that kind of made the decision easy, since we'd been trying to decide on when to see it in the theater before this all went down).
7. Have you watched any of the Ryan Reynolds' interviews or videos since quarantine started? I like him even more. Here's the first one, reminding us all to stay at home. You need to listen to all of his commentary :)
8. The other population really being inconvenienced is house cats. They are no really cool with this much company. Just sayin.
9. I'd love to say something not about quarantine, but it's sort of taken over our whole lives, amiright? I talk to a couple people from time to time on the phone, and it feels like that's all there is - no plans, limited memories, just getting through each day, together yet apart.
10. Wishing you and yours peace, good health (both physical and mental), and a pleasant, stress-free time away from the regular pressures of normal life.

10 Random Things for Friday

Happy Valentine's Day!!

1. Well, the snow has remained manageable (a blessing and a curse, in that we haven't had any more snow days off of school), but the cold has bitten suddenly. My car said it was flat out zero degrees on the way to work this morning. Ugh. Poor Maggie is with a choir field trip today visiting a couple of elementary schools. Getting on and off that bus will be a hustle!
2. They finally hired someone for the position I've been subbing for. So I only had two weeks or so left of that sub assignment. But then poor Jack ended up feeling under the weather; he missed two days of school, and I went ahead and told them I couldn't sub for the rest of the week. So I don't know what happened at the end of this week, but I'll go back next week so they can focus a little better on training again. I felt awful to leave them in the lurch like that, but my family comes first. Obvs.
3. It truly does take a village - big shout-out to my kids' baton coach who found rides (and one day drove) for my daughter to be able to do her activities (theater and baton) and get home without me having to drag around my other kid while he was sick. Yay!
4. What are your Valentine's plans? It's Friday, so the kids and I are in for pizza and a movie, of course. I think hubs will be around too. Before that, I'm volunteering in Jack's second-grade class during their party. 
5. This weekend is also hubs and my 14-year wedding anniversary (on Sunday, February 16). Look how far we've come :) I think we're planning on going to brunch somewhere, but today he said he's feeling a bit under the weather, so maybe we'll wait and do something another time. Whatever. A lot of life gets built in 14 years, and it gets harder and harder to plan around.
6. Ugh. I just remembered it's payday (yeah, that is good!) and I'm supposed to be paying the bills right now. I'll get to it, I'll get to it. I'd rather write this post, and then I'd rather go read some more of the book I'm in. But no. I'll pay bills first.
7. I miss writing reviews of restaurants and such! I seriously have not been anywhere in 2020 that I haven't been previously. So I want to review something, but not something I visit regularly and reviewed ages ago. 
8. I plan on making some Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies this weekend for the girls' battle of the books team celebration. Coach suggested we could add those cool Valentine's m&ms. Is this really a thing? I looked at Target today and couldn't find any, but their Valentine's stuff was pretty packed up and switching over to Easter.
9. In the back of my mind, I keep hoping that Jack's doing okay today back at school. And I hope his awful sounding cough passes quickly.
10. What's your best reading snack? My very favorite is Better Made White Cheddar Popcorn, but they also have a Movie Theater Style one at Target, so today I got both. Yum! I need to hurry up and finish paying bills so I can go snack and read a bit before the party in Jack's class :)

10 Random Things for Friday

Has this not been the longest month in history or what?? I end January busy, and get a bit busier in the first week of February - yikes! Try to keep up, eh?

1. As my mind runs in circles, I'm afraid all my random posts begin to overlap. I apologize if I'm boring you by repeating the same details about my life over and over. 
2. That being said, I'm cold! LOL No, seriously. I'm usually feeling cold.
3. A friend on Facebook the other day shared an article that stated not everyone has an internal monologue. And I'm like...what??? It's so noisy in my head. Although I figure out a lot in here. I wonder what the correlation is between the internal monologue and external fidgets. Because since I'm talking to myself anyway, I'm frequently wondering completely random research correlations.
4. My urge to correct posts on Facebook lately is increasing. Especially incorrectly used 'your,' 'you're,' 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're.' And then I remember it would only get people to hate me. Oh, and that reminds me. 'Then,' and 'than.'
5. For the first time ever, I know when the Iowa Caucus is. And I'm interested in hearing about the results. Let's just leave that right there. I have been an election inspector for more than 25 years, and I've been mentally preparing a post especially for Michigan voters. Nothing political, but what to expect and how to be polite to election inspectors. The primary election in Michigan, by the way, is March 10.
6. I am noticing more and more when people comment on restaurants I haven't been to, and adding them to my mental list (again with the busy brain!). This also goes hand in hand with the fact that I want to get some new reviews up on Yelp.
7. So, one of the positions I've been covering for has been filled! The new person will start in another week or so, and then I'll just stick around for another week or two so the new person has a chance to be trained without being responsible for half the kitchen. Then, I'll start subbing at another building until their position is filled (unless it's filled before the existing team member leaves?). They asked why I didn't take one of the positions for more hours. I told them I don't have to - I can sub every day practically, and I can say no when I want to.
8. My reading so far for 2020 is on track with 2019, but there's a high likelihood that I'll finish the book I'm reading now (The Third to Die by Allison Brennan) before January actually ends. It's definitely a page-turner, and I can't wait to see if they figure out who the bad guy is before there's another victim! I think I've solved it, but we'll see.
9. The kids are excited for pizza and a movie tonight. I rented Maleficent: Mistress of Evil from Redbox, and we're picking up pizza from Hungry Howie's. But first, we need to finish baton practices. 
10. Tomorrow is a major nothing day. Considering making cookies to share at the Battle of the Books meeting on Sunday? And read. And keep warm.

10 Random Things for Friday

F  R  I  D  A  Y

1. Have I mentioned that I'm ready for spring? Of course I have. I'm cold. I'm always cold. So I'm always ready for spring. Ugh.
2. And to add insult to injury (or whatever), they're forecasting a big ole blizzard for tomorrow morning. My plans for tomorrow now include staying home, inside, reading (thanks for the idea, Jana & Steph!)
3. This was the school's second week of five days IN-A-ROW! It's tiring, apparently especially for kindergarteners, who were dropping their full lunch trays left and right! I don't know how many ways I can say, "Hold on with both hands!" before people hear me.
4. I was all excited to sleep in for three days in a row (with school closed Monday) until I got an email this morning reminding me of the dental appointments I made. For 9am. On Monday.
5. My husband may have laughed at my other wonderful project idea for this weekend. We have a corner next to our kitchen table where I used to keep my gorgeous aquarium and fish. Now it has a pile of art supplies. Regardless of my plan, the art supplies are moving. But I'd like to get a little table or bookshelf and put a cd player and some of our cds there. We must have several hundred cds downstairs, and I haven't stopped liking the music they play.
6. Have you seen any good family movies lately? The kids and I like to do 'pizza and a movie' on Fridays. We pick up a pizza at Hungry Howies, and a movie from the nearby Redbox. But it just seems like there haven't been many good family films coming to Redbox lately...
7. I've finished six books so far this year/month. I was thinking that was pretty good, but last January I finished 11! The month feels almost over - I hope all the hours I'm working don't detract too much from my reading time ;)
8. Honestly, it's a very un-winter winter here. There was snow in November for what, a week? While I hate feeling cold, I am very relieved to not feel trapped like I do when the roads are slick and snowy.
9. I am so grateful for my job. And I love the fact that I feel less pressured since I'm only truly committed to working two hours/day, but can always work more to make more money. Which I always do (work more hours, I mean). Knowing it's my choice is kind of empowering and keeps me from complaining (too much?) about all the hours I work.
10. So tomorrow we ride out the snow, Sunday I have a middle school and an adult battle of the books meetings, and Monday is the dentist and a MLK day ceremony that Maggie's choir group is performing in. What's on your schedule?

Random Things for Friday

1. Yes! Payday! The best way for me to tell that it's actually Friday, when I haven't been in a school building in  days (and still have two more days off!!).
2. With no snow again (we got a couple inches over break, but it's gone already), I'm getting more nervous to make plans. Like if I do commit to my friend's birthday painting party, it increases the chances of a blizzard. Ugh. Anxiety sucks.
3. Super excited that our first trash pick-up with the new township-required company went well. This is seriously such HUGE drama in our little town. And starting the new company officially on January 1, 2020, means it was a holiday week and all pick-ups were delayed one day. Seems like a simple announcement, but then they sent out the trucks yesterday anyway to 'test' the runs (that's what a garbage truck driver told one resident)?? If only everyone would do what they say, and say what they'd do...
4. Now that it's actually 2020, I'm feeling a bit more stressed about paying for our Disney trip. Like, it's THIS YEAR now. Deep breaths and lots of work hours, right?
5. I'm super enjoying the book I'm reading right now. I got The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman from the library on my kindle. It's the prequel to the book/movie Practical Magic. Practical Magic is one of my favorite movies. I just recently read the term 'magical realism,' and that is totally my jam. Now I want to go research more on the witch trials and stuff. It is fascinating to me.
6. I'm debating whether I want to take down the Christmas tree ASAP, or wait until January 6. But school goes back on January 6, so it's way more practical to take it down sooner, and I might be using the 12 days of Christmas as an excuse, as I'd really rather the tree just be down and me not have to take it down. LOL
7. Tonight my daughter is having a friend spend the night, which of course my son feels left out of. But she said he can hang out with them til everyone gets ready to sleep. So we're in for pizza and chick flicks! 
8. As long as the weather is holding out, maybe the kids and I should take advantage of our zoo annual pass and go visit the animals this weekend.
9. Did you make any 2020 goals or resolutions? I made a post with some, but I've come to a point where my life is what it is, and I don't see myself trying to change it much. Does that make any sense? I just want to succeed at adulting, take care of my kids and my house, and read books. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's all.
10. I hope you can look back at 2019 and have good memories and a sense of accomplishment. If nothing else, we made it through, right? Best wishes for you and yours in the new calendar year, even it's an extension of just more of the same. 

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Looking for a dreamy fun holiday job? How about watching Hallmark Christmas movies? Yup! Check out the link to apply. Good luck!
2. Have you seen Toy Story 4 yet? We got it from the Redbox yesterday, and neither me nor the eight-year-old actually sat through it. Glad we got it for free with Redbox points!
3. Ski season is starting early in our part of Michigan! Hubs is quite happy to have a lesson request for tonight, so he's off to work. Happy spouse, happy house, right?
4. OMG. Jack got his last birthday gift today. He's been waiting til today to use his last Nintendo game credit and get Pokemon Shield (it just released today). I don't think he'll need anything else from me for days now. LOL
5. I'll admit the snow is kind of pretty, but I'm already tired of the cold. And the ice takes forever to get off the roads when it's this blasted cold. We're into the 30s again now, but I hear there's another 'polar vortex' scheduled for next week. Ugh.
6. I'm finally ready to start our holiday shopping. I'm doing the same things for our family as last year. Buying each person something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. The kids also get one more from Santa. It really helped us focus on not just wasting money to put things under the tree. The kids also get more gifts from relatives. Last year we also added in a water park trip, but this year I'm scraping all our coins together for a trip in March to DisneyWorld. 
7. I feel like starting school is practically its own season. It is so expensive! Now we're all enrolled and entered in things til at least the end of the calendar year, and ready to refocus our resources. I may even grab a chance to catch my breath in between. Maybe.
8. With the holidays coming so soon, I'm also getting ready for my traditional 12 Days of Christmas posts, where I list 12 gift ideas for people to get me. Hahahaha.... It's a great idea in theory, but I've found that the people who buy for me don't usually look. Oh well. It is fun to browse and build the list, anyway.
9. Mom bragging time - my daughter is so excited to be the newest member of her middle school choir's acapella group! The choir director picks seven kids total from the whole school - 6th, 7th, and 8th grade - to form this elite performance group. They'll be doing their first song at the holiday concert in a few weeks. Can't wait to watch them!
10. Hope your fall is settling down as your winter picks up (at least that's how it feels here!). What's the latest can't miss item for gift giving (or dreaming to get)? I'd love more ideas!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. While I haven't been doing a lot of writing here, I have caught up on a LOT of reading! Now I just need to take the time to summarize the books I read in September. I'd also like to start cross-posting some of my reviews. So if you like reading, be sure to check back ;)
2. Fall is decidedly beautiful. While I don't mind a bit of crisp-ness in the air, I hate feeling cold. So my enjoyment of fall is tempered by my dread of winter. Ugh.
3. I've broken into the Halloween candy already (okay, a while ago!) and now I want a giant box of just Bottle Caps. These things are so good!!
4. We've planned a busy weekend! We've got the Halloween party at our local Aqua-Tots pool tonight. Jack has a friend's birthday party tomorrow. If the weather is nice on Sunday, I want to check out the train ride and Halloween party at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad. Hopefully everything falls into place for our fun weekend plans.
5. Next weekend starts our baton twirling competition season! Our first event is next Sunday in Grass Lake, Michigan. Maggie will do all the events she usually does (but she's been really improving her routines lately!), and Jack will compete in a first contest for his basic march. 
6. I'm so happy that the elementary and middle schools in our school district have a half day on Halloween, and November 1 off! Yay!
7. I can't wait to see Zombieland! I didn't try to attend the screening, as it was the same night as Maggie's choir concert, but I have added it to the list of movies I definitely want to see eventually.
8. Is there anyone else who just hasn't gotten their brain to switch to an online calendar? I tried, honestly, I did. And now I actually maintain both, as hubby wants it all in an online option, but I just need to write things down and see them in my paper planner. 
9. Know what I forgot to plan tonight? Dinner. For anyone. Hahahaha... The kids have extra baton twirling practice, which starts right after school for Jack. I suppose we'll have to grab something to eat between practice and swimming. Wish us luck!
10. What's your favorite part of fall? I think I like all of it, and the excitement of Halloween! I'm so glad I got their costumes taken care of early, so now I can sit back and enjoy it. Maggie is dressing as a zombie VSCO girl, and Jack is Ashe Ketchum, the Pokemon trainer.