COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 281-285

 Day 281: 12-19-20 (Saturday)

Today is another Saturday where we all slept in. Delightful. Tyler and I got up and went for a walk. Tyler has to quarantine so we were trying to figure out what we could do that would be fun and still get the girls out of the house for a bit. We decided to go for a drive and then look at Christmas lights. The girls wanted to go to CDA and I also needed to check on the lake house. (It was Kirk's week). We drove out to the lake and all was well. The lake looked very pretty and the trees were a little frosty. My mom's cove is just starting to freeze over but the rest of the lake is open water.

The girls wanted to go through the drive thru at Crumbl (this spelling really irritates me!!) and we were going to do a three lake tour. Our next stop was Hayden Lake. Nobody was around and the light was beautiful so we got out and walked on the boardwalk there. It was so pretty. 

When we got back to the car, we got a notification that our Suburban's battery was low. Not cool. There was a Les Schwab less than a mile away. We drove there to get the battery checked. This was not great when Tyler isn't supposed to be around anyone. We couldn't even call Hunter or Reilly to come and get us if we were to break down due to their COVID situation. Nor did we want Tyler to have to be in close proximity to a AAA tow truck driver and have to get all of us back to Spokane. Les Schwab was our best option and we tried to take as many precautions as possible. They checked our battery while we huddled in the corner of the shop. Luckily it was almost closing time and there were very few people in there. 

The battery wasn't great and they replaced it but the suburban still wasn't working well. It is most likely the alternator which they don't repair so they encouraged us to try to get home (1/2 hour away) as quickly as possible. We made it home... thank goodness... but now we have to try to schedule a car repair around Tyler's heart procedure. Stress on Stress on Stress. I am so tired of living in terror all of the time. Now I am freaking out that Tyler was exposed to COVID in CDA. There are very few mask wearers in good ol' Idaho. So much for our no contact car ride and looking at Christmas lights situation.

We tried to make the best of things tonight. We made cookies and watched White Christmas one of our family's very favorite Christmas movies. Then we watched The Wizard of Oz. Nothing says Christmas like the Wizard of Oz. LOL. We also watched the high school Christmas concert online which was a Christmas "highlights" concert. So there were taped performances from 2018, 2019, and then 2020 had online Zoom performances. It was a good two hours long but it was fun to see Kameron playing in Jazz Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. 

It is so weird to think that those band days are behind us.

Hunter is scheduled to go back to work on Monday. Reilly only had mild cold symptoms for 24 hours and that has been it.

Day 282: 12-20-20 (Sunday)

We didn't go to church today and watched the livestream to cut down on being around people. It is "Christmas Sunday" so the program was filled with many pre-recorded musical numbers. The Primary had some cute performances. Each kid had to send in a video of them singing two songs that they put together into a video of all the kids singing at one time. Bryn did a great job! Tyler blessed the sacrament for us here at home. 

After home church we went for a walk. Today was also our big present wrapping day. Our kids exchanged stockings again this year. They draw names and fill the stocking of their sibling. Reilly has Kameron this year and sent him off a package. Kameron has Bryn (which Ty and I are taking care of). Ailey has Reilly and Bryn has Ailey. Several people from church dropped off things for us today. This is the first year that I haven't made cookie plates to deliver and we all miss it. We dropped off some prepackaged treats for our ministering families but that is it this year. I made more Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and Chex Mix and that was our dinner! We also watched another Christmas movie.

Day 283: 12-21-20 (Monday)

Today is Winter Solstice and the day of the Christmas Star also called The Great Conjunction.

Tyler and I dropped off the suburban off at the mechanics early this morning. Tyler again had to have *some* contact with people. Ugh. We were able to pick it up just before 5pm tonight (miraculous) and to the tune of over $500. Merry Christmas to us. We were super happy to have it back though!!

The sun came out today so we were hopeful to see the Christmas Star which is the merging of Saturn and Jupiter. Our meteorologists weren't too hopeful that we would be able to see it with all of the clouds and rain that we have had but the skies cleared and we were able to see it!

It was incredibly cool! The last time that happened was in the Middle Ages. Tyler and I parked along the ridge hoping to see it. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was pretty impressive. We drove home to get the girls! We had a good view of it from their elementary school. We love things like this!! My brother was texting me pictures from Utah too.

We had a couple of people drop off more Christmas things for us which was so sweet and we got a bunch of Christmas cards in the mail which is always so cheery. Hunter tried to go back to work today but didn't last long. His boss sent him home. Reilly still is asymptomatic. We video chatted with Kameron tonight as a family and he is doing good.

I had a good cry in the garage while I was painting tonight. I am looking forward to Tyler's procedure getting done tomorrow. The stress of it looming has been intense.

Day 284: 12-22-20 (Tuesday)

Today is the day. Tyler and I were up super early this morning to head to the hospital. We had family prayer with the girls at 5:30 am and were checked in at the Heart Institute by 5:50 am. Tyler was the first procedure of the day. He went back early and got prepped for the procedure. After about a half hour I was able to go back to his room and wait with him until it was time for his procedure. We had a super nice nurse who put us at ease. We meet with Dr. Boulet, Tyler's cardiologist for the past 6 years, and talked about everything. The hospital chaplain came in and prayed with us which was really nice. It is horrible going through things like this and Tyler not being able to have a priesthood blessing before hand so we appreciated the extra prayers. 

Some people think that prayer is meaningless and useless...thoughts and prayers...blah blah. But if you have been the recipient of much needed prayers every single person that takes the time to pray for you or your family means the world. Just thinking about people taking time out of their busy lives to pray for Tyler and our family is so incredibly humbling and brings me to tears. It isn't nothing. It ABSOLUTELY isn't nothing. The cynics of the world are misinformed. Prayer has power.

We didn't have long to wait before they came back for him. I was able to wait in his room and not have to go to the regular waiting room which was so nice. I was totally CALM. That never happens. I was warm and felt oddly cozy while I waited. I was able to read...that also never happens. I usually can't concentrate. I pace. While I waited I read this book:

(That is a book discussion for another day!!)

An hour later Tyler was wheeled back into the room. He had come through the procedure okay. The bad news was that the area of his heart that was blocked 6 years ago was blocked again. This time it was a complete blockage. Terrifying. He should have had a heart attack. But the good news Dr. Boulet said is that due to all of the exercise that Tyler does he was able to form new pathways on the other side of his heart and the blood rerouted itself. Exercise builds new pathways for blood to flow in your heart. I literally had no idea. I knew it kept your heart healthier but I didn't know it would actually form new pathways for blood flow. Tyler has formed quite a few of these and that is where the blocked blood has gone. So while the blood flow was low it was still flowing. Thank heavens!! It is completely unnerving that Tyler had a 100% blockage and felt absolutely zero symptoms and had a completely normal EKG. 

The EKG was explained by the fact that Tyler's heart issue is a "plumbing" issue and not an "electrical" issue. How does the average person know they have a problem? Plumbing issues will show up on an EKG when they are dire... so what is the definition of dire? A 100 % blockage sounds dire! I guess those extra pathways were doing their thing. I think everyone should request a cardiac stress test with nuclear medicine!! That is literally the only way some people would ever know they were having life-threatening heart issues.

Tyler's cardiologist worked hard to try to re-stent the blocked area but couldn't get through it. He wants Tyler to come back in for another procedure with a specialist who will try to re-stent from both sides at the same time. So... not great news. But we are glad that we at least know what is going on and that there is a plan to repair the problem. The specialist in in our stake. He is also the dad of one of Ailey's best friends and his wife is Ailey's seminary teacher. We feel good about having Dr. Huber do the procedure.

Today they were able to go in through the wrist for the procedure so the recovery is quick. Thank goodness. We were at the hospital for several hours as they monitored him and made sure that his wrist artery blood was clotting. He was super pumped full of blood thinners so we had to wait for quite while as they gradually took the pressure off of his wrist. We were home late that afternoon. 

Tyler napped for a few hours and then hung out with the family and watched Christmas movies and ate dinner with us. He seemed pretty much back to normal. He can't lift over 10 lbs for 24 hours but that is about it. Pretty amazing.

Day 285: 12-23-20 (Wednesday)

Today I had planned for Tyler to rest and recoup. I was going to take the girls to do their Christmas shopping and chauffeur them around but Tyler had other ideas. He wanted to come along. As the girls were mainly shopping for us; we took them to several different places that they wanted to go while we waited in the car. 

We are both smiling but we are worn out and weary. I see it in our eyes.

Tyler wanted to go to CDA to get the Crumbl cookies with the girls that we didn't get the other night. We did that and then the girls and I went into Midtown Market and revamped my booth. I had sold a big piece of furniture and lots of Christmas décor so they came in with me and we got everything looking nice and did a little more shopping. We grabbed dinner to go and then headed home for another giant present wrapping session. 

Reilly came over and dropped off our gifts in the garage to sit for a few days and hopefully de-germ. She had them under a UV light and had wiped down and disinfected everything. She still is feeling fine thank goodness and Hunter is pretty much back to normal. We were able to chat from the porch for a little bit. I am so over these porch visits. I want family and hugs and no masks and gatherings!! It was so good to see her even from a distance.

Ailey and I did a memorable late night run to the grocery store. A weirdo came into Albertsons and caused quite a ruckus because not only was he not wearing a mask...he was not wearing clothes! He was was also only wearing a robe. Good grief. We also ended up talking to my dad on the phone for about an hour in the parking lot. 

Tonight we watched another favorite movie, A Christmas Story. There is always that one kid that goes around wearing a Santa hat everywhere. Bryn is that kid. LOL.

We all stayed up late tonight talking about our worries and fears... about a lonely Christmas, COVID, not having Reilly or Kameron here, and missing my mom. It has all taken quite a toll. We have all been apprehensive about Christmas and worrying that it will it be depressing. We can't do what we always have done and we can't see who we have always seen. We can't be around our friends and no Kirk and Meki this year too. Tears were shed about the unfairness of things sometimes and how there is no end in sight of this damnable pandemic and how defeating it feels. I am so glad that the girls were able to open up to Tyler and I and express their feelings. It's a lot to process. We all made a plan to do our best to make this weird Christmas special.

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 276-280

 Day 276: 12-14-20 (Monday)

Tyler took the day off of work today so that we (and the girls) could FINALLY finish up our Christmas shopping. While the girls had school we did a snowy morning walk at the park. It was so beautiful! After they were done we shopped all afternoon and into the evening. We had a lot of fun with the girls!! They kept us laughing all day!

Our favorite park is doing an Enchanted Lights drive thru. The lines have been really long but on our way home we were able to hop in line and didn't have too long of wait. It was really cool! I hope they continue to do this even after COVID is history.

The family video-chatted with Kam...and Reilly too. Our family chat took a downhill turn. It's not always rosie. Sometimes adult children forget that parents have feelings. I got my feelings hurt and spent the rest of the night upset. Normally the occasional offhand comments Reilly and Kameron say don't bug me but tonight I had a lot weighing on me. Tyler's upcoming procedure is all I can think and worry about. My mom's birthday is tomorrow. I had some unkind communication from an extended family member. It was a lot and it took a toll. Such a fun day ended on a very low note.

Day 277: 12-15-20 (Tuesday)

Today would have been my Mom's 72nd birthday. I'm feeling sad and mad that she isn't here. 

Tyler and I did a big snowy walk. I wrapped some gifts and put together a package for Tyler's mom and step-dad. I'm not officially sending out Christmas cards this year. I just don't have it in me right now with all that is weighing on me this holiday season. I am sending out a couple here and there but yeah...something had to give.

Bryn had to go to piano lessons today dressed as if she was going to her Christmas recital. Jodi filmed her playing her Christmas piece... Oh Come All Ye Faithful...and then she is going to put all the pieces together into a video for the virtual piano recital. Part of Ailey's symphonic choir made a video for their virtual Winter Music Concert. They sang Carol of the Belles and it made me tear up to think that they've missed half of the school year now. 

You can watch it here:

https://youtu.be/AKF2P4QNdMc

We celebrated my mom today by looking at the downtown lights, the Christmas windows (a tradition on her birthday), toasting her, eating her favorite snacks, doing some of her favorite things, and telling some of our favorite stories about her. I was laughing until I was crying and then crying until I started laughing again. My mom was such a character and did some of the goofiest things! I got some sweet emails from her friends today. It was nice to have her so lovingly remembered.

Speaking of the alleged Galactic Federation:

What the heck are all of those weird lights in the sky?? 😮

Some of my mom's favorite snacks.

I also had virtual book club. We read A Christmas Carol. It was a small group tonight but still a good discussion. This was the first time that I have read the actual novella. I really enjoyed it!

My dad got some sad news today. Gayle's son Stephen passed away. My dad definitely thinks of him as a son and a best friend. They were very close. He is pretty devastated. Gayle's family is reeling.

Day 278: 12-16-20 (Wednesday)

Tyler and I finished up what is hopefully the very last of our Christmas shopping. I like to bust it all out in one big shopping day or at the very worst a big shopping weekend. Trying to do bits of shopping here and there is awful! 

Tyler has to get all of his lab work done tomorrow and take a COVID test and then he has to go into even stricter quarantine. He isn't supposed to be around anyone other than the people that he lives with. Hunter is still improving but super tired. Reilly is starting to get some very minor cold-like symptoms.

Bryn had her interview with the bishop tonight via Zoom about moving up from Primary to Young Womens. It was a Hallmark Christmas Movie and Christmas cookies night! Candace Cameron Bure you’re our hero!!

Day 279: 12-17-20 (Thursday)

This morning Tyler and I went early to the Heart Institute for him to do all of his lab work. He was nervous about the COVID test. We have heard so many horror stories. He said the COVID test wasn't that bad. It was self-administered with the nurse right there supervising. We had both been super nervous so glad that it went quick for him and wasn't too awful. He had all of his test results by this evening. Everything looks good and he was negative for COVID.

We ran to Coeur d' Alene tonight for a quick vendor night and booth update. This is the last vendor night until after New Years. Tyler rode along but didn't come in. Reilly and Hunter continue to do okay. Hunter should be cleared to return to work on Monday.

We were back home in time for dinner and another Hallmark Christmas movie with the girls after Ailey got done with online Drivers Ed. One more day of school and then the girls are out for Christmas Break.

Day 280: 12-18-20 (Friday)

Today I had a little (actually a big) pity party. As Tyler's heart procedure gets closer my anxiety gets even more amped up. Today we are in serious quarantine until after the angiogram. My friends are all gathering to celebrate my friend Mary's birthday tonight...except for me. Everyone seems to be having a fun Christmas season despite the pandemic...except for me. Good things and great opportunities seem to be happening for everyone around us... except for us. Cue the pity party. I am overwhelmed and sinking with all that is going on. I try to be positive and to stay busy but it doesn't always work. Today it isn't.  People keep saying... "You guys have been through scary things like this before so you know what to expect..." and "You guys have a lot of experience with things like this..." as if just because we have been through scary (actually terrifying) health crises before makes the next one easier. Sorry. It doesn't work that way. Scary is scary. It doesn't get less scary.

And...the isolation is really getting to me. We are on day 280. Now we are in even stricter isolation.

The isolation is super hard in regular times but it is EXTRA HARD during really challenging times. In past hard times we have been blessed with a lot of support. This time it feels like we have almost no support. No family or friends around. No helpful ward members. No Reilly and Hunter. No Kameron. Friends offer and want to help but they really can't do anything. They can't come over. They can't bring food over. They can't give Tyler a blessing. They can't stay with my kids. It is hard. So is knowing that I'll be in the waiting room for several hours all alone while I try not to freak out with worry as the minutes crawl by. In the past for these types of situations I've always had my mom with me. When Kam had his heart issue I had Tyler with me. This time I will be completely alone. I am dreading it. 

I went for a walk and tried to work the stress out. Mainly I just cried. But the fresh air did me some good.

When I got home I saw that our amazing cheese that we ordered from a little dairy in Wisconsin arrived...so there's that. This is the world's best cheese. Hands down. We tried this on our trip. It was so good that our sweet friend Rebecca went back to the deli where we bought it and took a picture of it so that we could contact them and order some. LOL. Cheese does brighten my day. Pathetic I know.

We found out tonight that our school district is allowing grades 3-5 to return to in-person school in mid-January. Bryn is SO EXCITED thinking that 6th grade can't be too far behind!

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 271-275

 Day 271: 12-9-20 (Wednesday)

Tyler and I had a very misty walk at the park today. It was pretty. Getting outside every day is saving my life. I hate being cooped up inside in the winter and daily walks are helping a lot.

Tyler and I also did some more Christmas shopping. Unfortunately we were witnesses to a screaming altercation of the masked vs the unmasked. A masked person was screaming at an unmasked person inside the department store. I get it. I feel it. But to go insane in a store has me feeling despondent about the lack of humanity these days. When all of this went down Tyler and I were shopping in different areas of the store. When the shouting began I, OF COURSE, moved as far away as possible from the action and I looked around to find Tyler. Where was he? Front and center to the action and enjoying the show! Men...

While shopping and mere minutes after that exhibition, I got a teary phone call from Reilly telling us that Hunter had just tested positive for COVID. He is feeling awful. There is a huge outbreak of COVID at his workplace. Reilly was feeling fine but was on her way to get tested too. Since they live together I'm sure she either has it or will have it. Even with quarantining for 14 days (starting today) that will put us to Christmas Eve and Tyler will only be 2 days post heart procedure... so gathering for Christmas isn't looking possible right now. Soul sucking depression. Reilly facetimed us during dinner and was crying her eyes out about missing Christmas, being away from us, and worrying about Hunter. It is so hard because Tyler and I can't even help them. We can drop things off on their porch but it is really hard not to be able to be hands-on-parents especially when kids are sick...and could get dangerously so.

We SO NEED a Hallmark Christmas movie tonight! Come on Candace Cameron Bure! Do your holiday magic!!  

Day 272: 12-10-20 (Thursday)

There are some interesting happenings on our street these days. There are currently 6 houses for sale or sale pending. SIX!! What do they know that we don't??? Two of the houses belong to nice families that we will miss and another house belongs to a sweet woman from our ward who just got remarried. We will miss her too. The houses of the two nice families sold and the new people are moving in today. Fingers crossed for good neighbors.

I had my yearly exam today. Thrilling as usual. I'm glad to be done with all of this yearly stuff for 2020.

Reilly got tested for COVID but she will have a two day wait for the results. Hunter feels super crappy with a fever and most all of the COVID symptoms. Reilly doesn't have any symptoms and is still feeling fine. Can we dare hope that it stays this way?

The missionaries in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Canada are participating in a Star of the North Initiative for Light the World. Kam's pretty hyped about it.

Did anyone else see this today?! The Galactic Federation? This is all over mainstream media. Can life get weirder?

Former Israeli space chief says US in contact with ‘galactic federation’ of aliens.

Ailey is about to finish up her second week of online drivers ed and has to schedule her drives. I REPEAT that I do not love this stage!!

Vendor night tonight was fun and I had a good chat with two of my vendor friends Tiffany and Juanita. Thursday nights are my only socialization these days and boy do I look forward to them!

Tyler and I grabbed Oska bowls to eat in the car for dinner and picked up cookies from the new Crumbl cookie place in CDA to surprise the girls with...they were super excited! My favorite was the Gingerbread with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Day 273: 12-11-20 (Friday)

It is snowing. I worked on inventory and business stuff all day. Yesterday was my payday which was nice! It is like I have a great show every month without having to do a vintage show! Love it. 

I also purged a bunch of books to take to Goodwill that I don't want cluttering up my bookshelves anymore. I talked to my dad. Gayle's daughter, Laura, who my dad was planning to spend Christmas with as they live in the same town now has COVID. He was pretty bummed about that. He enjoys spending time with she and her husband. I also talked to Kirk on the phone today. So grateful for him! He has been such a great support...as always...but particularly with my worry and stress about Tyler.

I took Bryn to the elementary school to pick up her study materials for the next week. The stake cancelled a leadership training meeting we were supposed to have in January due to so many in the stake with COVID. Tyler and I did a bunch of Christmas shopping! Still no COVID results for Reilly but she said that she is still feeling okay.

Day 274: 12-12-20 (Saturday)

We all slept in today! That is a nice perk of only having a teenager, preteen, and a lazy dog who all sleep in too! It snowed more. Blah. The girls made my mom's cut-out sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies and that necessitated that I leave the house. Those kinds of cookie baking projects make me crazy! Tyler decided upon waking up that he wanted to go to brunch. We drove to Coeur d' Alene and went to our favorite brunch spot... Le Peep. We ordered take-out and ate it by the lake. It was REALLY good!

We stopped by Midtown Market so that I could drop off a few things in my booth and the place was PACKED!! Yes!! I love it! After that Tyler and I did a 3 mile walk along the shore of Lake Coeur d' Alene. It was really pretty and really cold. 

We had to stop for hot chocolate half way through our walk. :)

The lake was so pretty and all of the trees were frosted over. We were trying to relax and enjoy a peaceful moment together. We were pretty successful although Tyler did receive a panicked phone call from the girls about an oven fire. Luckily it was very minor and their cookie baking continued. We ran a few more errands and then headed back home to work on some Christmas projects that need to be sent out. We have been working on two special Christmas surprises...one for Kirk and Meki and one for my dad.

Still no COVID results for Reilly. She said that she is still feeling fine and that Hunter seems to feel a little bit better today.

Day 275: 12-13-20 (Sunday)

We livestreamed church today. The girls finished up their monster sugar cookie and gingerbread cookie baking project. Hallelujah. They turned out great though! We watched not one but two Christmas movies as a family today.

These soft frosted sugar cookies were my mom's special recipe and this was her special thing that she did for the grandkids each Christmas. I think she would be very proud of her granddaughters who take carrying on her tradition very seriously. It brings me to tears.

Bryn had Temple and Priesthood Preparation Night at the church. This is the first one that I haven't had to plan in like 7 years! I didn't miss it. LOL. It was a combination TPP and New Beginnings/whatever the YM do. It was nice. Ailey was a speaker and she did a great job. The girls and I attended in person and Tyler watched on Zoom. I can't believe that Bryn will be in Young Womens in January!! I am so glad that she and Ailey will get to be in YW together for two years. I really hope they get to go to Girls Camp together this summer too.

Reilly finally got her COVID results today...negative. Thank goodness but will it last? Hunter continues to improve but he feels extremely tired and sleeps most of the day.

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 266-270

Day 266: 12-4-20 (Friday)

I got the sweetest surprise in the mail today from my friend Rebecca. I love this special ornament. She made this for me from a picture that she took of my mom and I at a vintage show. I love it.

Tyler and Ailey put up our Christmas lights on the house and it looks spectacular!! I packed up our bedroom and the girls and I moved out the furniture so that Ty can work on the new flooring tomorrow. We did a little bit of Christmas shopping because Kam's Christmas package has to arrive at the mission home before their big zone conference. Stressful.

Day 267: 12-5-20 (Saturday)

Today is our bedroom floor day!! Tyler and Ailey are amazing! Ailey is doing much of the work herself now with Tyler watching, double checking measurements, and cutting. The new floors are going to make such a big difference! Both Ailey and Bryn's rooms look fantastic! I made Kam's fudge and the dough for the cookies that I will make tomorrow. I need to send his package off on Monday or by Tuesday at the very latest! 

Day 268: 12-6-20 (Sunday)

Today is Fast Sunday. We are doing a special fast for Tyler. The girls and I went to church in person and Tyler watched the livestream. Ailey and I delivered Christmas hot chocolate to our ministering sisters from the RS presidency. Ailey drove. There is a reason that Tyler is the parent to teach our children to drive! Yikes.

Ailey: "I can't drive with you in the car because I feel like you are always JUDGING me!!"

Me:  "I AM!!"

God bless Drivers ED teachers who LITERALLY put their lives on the line to teach teenagers to drive!! They don't get enough credit or respect!!

Tyler and Ailey finished our bedroom floors and they look fabulous!! I can't get over the difference. Now our house's flooring is half done. The other half will have to wait until after the holidays and after Tyler's heart procedure and recovery. 

We made Kam's favorite chocolate crinkle cookies:

I am not a cookie person so these babies are a once-a-year treat! LOL.

I had to attend a ward in our stake's virtual Temple and Priesthood Preparation Night via Zoom for my stake calling. The house was extremely loud with Tyler and Ailey working on the floors; so I had Bryn join me and we watched in the car. LOL.

Tonight we also watched the Church's Christmas Devotional. My dad was watching too and really enjoyed it. Being involved and active in the church again is bringing him a lot of comfort.

Day 269: 12-7-20 (Monday)

Everyone had a busy work day today. The busier we are the less I stress about Tyler's heart. We moved all of the furniture back into our room tonight.

I love it!

Tyler and I did a little Christmas shopping. We are so behind. We shipped Kam's Christmas package which has to arrive before December 17th. We video chatted with him too. They are still in lockdown. The one change is that they can now see other missionaries. He was pretty thrilled about that!  He likes his companion but it is nice to interact with other people too. Their ward mission leader and bishop asked them to make videos introducing themselves to their ward and they are super cute! I'll post them when I can figure out how. Their investigator is still on track for baptism on December 26th.

We watched another Christmas movie...it is our new coping mechanism. Tyler has joined back in for the last two. LOL.

Day 270: 12-8-20 (Tuesday)

Today it was sunny and in the 50s! I love it!! This is my kind of December! Bryn had piano lessons today. I got to have another car chat with Steph! I'm so glad that we have these weekly chats!!

I had a stake primary presidency meeting tonight. It was in person but I had to participate via video. Our stake has had so many outbreaks of COVID and one of our presidency has been in close contact with a mutual friend that currently has COVID so I didn't feel safe attending in person. With Tyler's heart procedure approaching we have to be so careful. I am so sick of COVID!!!

COVID-19 Quaratine: Days 261-265

Day 261: 11-29-20 (Sunday)

Today we are still out at the lake. We slept in and had a nice relaxed morning. The sun was shining on the water and there were all kinds of water fowl swimming by our dock...Canadian Geese, Loons, and all kinds of ducks. Very serene. We watched the live stream of our Sacrament Meeting and Tyler blessed the Sacrament for us.

The girls finished their cute gingerbread house. I organized several lots of my mom's things to be drawn for and divided up. It feels like we are finally getting to the end with this process at least. Tyler and I worked in the yard. It was really nice to be outside in the warm sunshine. We left around 3pm.

When we got home we brought in all of Bryn's bedroom furniture in from the garage now that her floors are all done. It looks so pretty! We ate Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner, watched another Hallmark Christmas movie, and ate pie. I think this is our new tradition!

I forgot to say that yesterday was "Small Business Saturday" all the vendors had to put a sign in their booth about themselves and their business. Ailey made this for me that I framed and put on a dresser in my booth:

Day 262: 11-30-20 (Monday)

Ailey's official learner's permit finally came in the mail and she was thrilled! Now she can chauffeur us all over! She has been disappointed that she is so behind her peers in getting her drivers license but our niece Kaiya (who is Ailey's same age and cousin BFF and lives in Utah) got her learner's permit today too so they both felt fine about it! LOL. She and Kaiya are always right in sync with each other and I love it!

Tyler and I did a nice late afternoon dark park walk. It is now dark at 4pm. Ugh... but there were Christmas lights up and it was feeling festive. Tyler is on hold with the peloton until after his heart procedure. Walking is still okay... thank goodness.

Tyler's doctor put him on two more meds and set up some lab work for him that he will have to do four days prior to his procedure. He will take a COVID test too and then will have to completely isolate for the four days leading up to his procedure. No visitors (including Reilly and Hunter); no going to the store; no nothing. :(

We talked to Kam tonight and he was in good spirits. He is enjoying his area and staying much busier! He and his companion are getting along great! They have a good ward and one of the individuals that they are teaching has committed to baptism on December 26th so he was really excited about that!

Did we watch another cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie tonight? Oh yes we did. Tyler bowed out of this new tradition. I guess four Hallmark movies were enough for him. Ha ha. Now the girls and I pile onto our bed, snuggle up, and watch. Enjoyable.

Day 263: 12-1-30 (Tuesday)

Living Room Christmas Tree

Today is the first day of December and we are still in quarantine with no end in sight although a vaccine is in the works that may be available to some groups by the end of the month. Promising. 

We started doing Light the World today. 25 days of service in December! I absolutely love this tradition and the extra joy it brings to the season. We watched the broadcast from Temple Square tonight too. Ailey and Bryn have never been to see the lights at Temple Square so it was kind of fun for them to watch the broadcast. There were two sister missionaries doing a little tour. We go to Utah a lot but never around Christmas.

Tyler started doing a new experimental looping system for his diabetes. It is a closed loop system that coordinates his insulin pump, CGM (continuous glucose monitor), MacBook Air, and iPhone. It functions like an artificial pancreas. Tyler "hacks" his insulin pump with a single board computer called a RileyLink. Basically he has to create an app every Tuesday to keep this system going. The app takes his CGM values, runs them through an algorithm which automatically adjusts the basal insulin delivery on his pump. Automatic closed loop insulin delivery systems are one of the most exciting advances in diabetes technology. The problem is that the FDA still hasn't approved this technology even though the research and the data is THERE!! Hence it being an experimental DIY technology. You do NOT want to hear my rant about the FDA!!! Diabetics are sick and tired of waiting and waiting for this technology and have taken matters into their own hands. It's a pretty complicated process and you have to be very tech savvy which Tyler absolutely is...thank goodness. Tyler's endocrinologist has several patients doing this system and fully supports doing it if you have the technological knowledge to do so. Already it is incredible! His doctor is really excited to see his A1C and other stats in three months. Hopefully the FDA and device manufacturers get on board in the next year or so. Until then... he loops this way.

Bryn had piano lessons. Her piano teacher may do a virtual Christmas recital. Ailey had a YW  presidency meeting tonight and practiced night driving on icy roads. (Kids learning to drive is the worst.) Ailey has Drivers ED online via Zoom for the next 8 weeks Tue-Fri from 6-8pm. After she was done we, yes, watched another Hallmark Christmas movie. I liked it... the girls not so much. LOL.

Day 264: 12-2-30 (Wednesday)

Light the World is going strong around here. We are having to be a bit more creative with COVID. I talked to my dad. He is loving church and the people. He is really enjoying the whole process.

All of the Minneapolis missionary parents got an email from the mission president with his apologies for the short notice but all Christmas packages need to be at the mission home in 10 days for the missionaries to get them by Christmas! Yikes!! Thank goodness most everything we ordered for Kam online this year has arrived at our house. We still have a couple of things to get and he requested two homemade treats: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and homemade fudge that I need to make and pack. I thought we would just be sending his package to his apartment but the mission president wants it all sent to the mission home to then be handed out at their zone conference. Time to get cracking.

Ty's looping system continues to work well. He talked to one of his best friends in Utah today who is also a diabetic and they were sharing info and technology. We walked at the park in sunshine and frost...my favorite combo.

Ailey and Bryn made dinner and Ailey had drivers ed. Today I was asked by a local author if I would be willing to read and review his book (on several forums) for him. Uh...yeah!! Book reviews are my jam! That was pretty exciting!! And yes... we watched another SUPER cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie. Goodbye reading a Christmas book every night as a countdown to Christmas like we did when the kids were little (well actually up until this year). Now we watch a Christmas movie every night instead. Flexibility is my mantra with adult/teenage kids and traditions. I am learning to be flexible... slowly and painfully. Most of the time I absolutely hate it but in this case it has actually been kind of fun.

Day 265: 12-3-20 (Thursday)

Nothing too exciting today. We walked at the park in the sunshine. It was vendor night in CDA. We tried a new Mexican restaurant for take out. Not impressed.

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 256-260

Day 256: 11-24-20 (Tuesday)

I am doing my best today to keep my anxiety under control. I'm not succeeding. Tyler and I went for a big walk and just as those exercise/outdoor endorphins were kicking in the hospital called to schedule his angiogram. December 22. Boom. Anxiety is through the roof again. It seems like a long time to wait especially if there is an issue. 

I had a good visit with my friend Stephanie from our cars at piano lessons. It was much needed. It was good to be able to talk her about what is going on with Tyler. She is a good support. She is also a nurse.

And to top it all off... our fridge stopped working with all our Thanksgiving groceries inside. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Thank goodness Tyler was able to fix it and get it cooling tonight. 

I had book club via Zoom. It was also much needed. I almost didn't attend. I felt beaten down and not up to *socializing.* My friend Arianne knew what was happening with Tyler but it wasn't common knowledge yet. I did NOT feel like talking about it and thank goodness I didn't have to. I'm glad that I attended though. It was good to be able to talk about books with friends. We read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and we had a good discussion. 

Day 257: 11-25-20 (Wednesday)

The girls are out of school today for Thanksgiving Break. We let them sleep in until 10 am. Tyler only had to work half day too. The sun is shining. Good. I need it.

I am finishing up projects that I will run to CDA tonight. This weekend is Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Midtown Market is also doing a customer appreciation storewide discount on Saturday and Sunday. I need to have my booth packed full! Ailey and Bryn are coming with us to help lug things in with me so that Tyler doesn't have to exert himself until we know what is going on with him.

Kam transfers to Blaine today. I hope it all goes well.

Day 258: 11-26-20 (Thursday) 

Today is Thanksgiving but we aren't celebrating until Saturday. We thought it would be easier to move our Thanksgiving dinner to the weekend then we don't have to compete with Hunter's family's Thanksgiving festivities and both Reilly and Hunter are off of work that day.

Reilly stopped by this morning to chat and hang out for a bit. She is making my Christmas salad to take to Hunter's parents house for their Thanksgiving dinner and needed to borrow a large serving bowl. It was good to have some time with her today. It sounds like Hunter's family will be eating in small shifts and wearing masks while indoors.

Tyler and Ailey worked on replacing Bryn's flooring all day. They are a great little work duo. They are quite the team and Bryn and I tried to stay out of their way and let them work their magic! 

Bryn's floors before: 

Her carpeting was really disgusting with nail polish, paint, markers and who knows what else on it.

I cooked all day prepping for the weekend. I made 6 pies and my mom's famous apricot brie as our family's treat to eat today. 

We heard from so many people that we love. It was really nice. We had an unexpected video chat with Kameron. Awesome!

The missionaries were given permission to call their families. He said that the transfer went well. He likes his new companion who is from American Samoa. Some kind ward members dropped off a big Thanksgiving feast for them. So whew. 

Late tonight we all watched a thoroughly enjoyable Hallmark Christmas movie and ate pie at 11pm. Not a bad day at all!  

Day 259: 11-27-20 (Friday)

Tyler and Ailey finished Bryn's floors today! They look so good! Our bedroom is up next! Tyler's cardiologist's office called and his doctor put him on two new medications and scheduled a bunch of lab work that needs to be done prior to his procedure on December 22nd. 

The Thanksgiving cooking continues. Today it was homemade noodles and two kinds of gravy. Not a great day for keeping my anxiety at bay or even under control. It was pretty relentless. Ugh. Things got better tonight. We all watched another Hallmark Christmas movie. It wasn't that great but it was still somewhat enjoyable and it took our minds off of things.

Day 260: 11-28-20 (Saturday)

Today is a sunny and beautiful day. We headed to the lake for our family's Thanksgiving celebration. 

Tyler ran into one of his co-workers at the grocery store in Rathdrum and it was really nice for him to see one of his work friends! The lake looked beautiful. No snow... pretty much perfection.

We finished our cooking and decorated for our celebration. 

We are doing things super low-key this year. Simple is the theme. We are using paper products too instead of real dishes which is something my mother never did but...2020.

The girls started working on their gingerbread house.

I had a quiet private moment of perfect peace out on the dock as the stars were beginning to come out. I felt calm and full of gratitude. It put me in the right frame of mind for our Thanksgiving celebration.

We ended up having a really fun Thanksgiving dinner despite our small group. 

Our simplified menu included:

Pecan Patties and Mushroom Gravy (no one wanted turkey)

Mom's Killer Mashed Potatoes

Mom's Liquid Gold Gravy for the potatoes

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Roasted Butternut Squash

Nana's Noodles

Reilly's 7 layer dip

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Cherry Pie

Fancy dinner's over and the real kids come out:

Right after this some crazy Christmas karaoke and dancing broke out! LOL!

We had brought from home a bunch of our old family videos of the kids when they were little that the kids requested. It was fun to watch but melancholy too. Time goes by so fast. After that we played games, ate pie, and watched Christmas Chronicles 2. Reilly and Hunter stayed until late. After they left  we watched The Santa Clause, which is one of our favorites, and ate more pie... and mashed potatoes! That is an Ellersick tradition. Pie and mashed potatoes at midnight is pure MAGIC! And...despite really not being in the mood to celebrate Thanksgiving... I am really glad that we did. It turned out to be a pretty great celebration!