COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 336-340

Day 336: 2-12-21 (Friday)

It's another day in the frigid teens. Poor-Minnesota-living-Kameron. This kind of cold is horrible.

On a happier note...Tyler got his yearly bonus today! This is always nice especially in a COVID-19 world. We are super grateful that Tyler's job wasn't affected except for working from home and no overtime being permitted. My heart goes out to those who took a much bigger financial hit. 

I got my hair done today! Yay! FRESH HAIR IS FABULOUS! I love the salon that I get my hair done at and I love my friend Lyndsey who does my hair. Added bonus...while I was gone my friend Arianne dropped off some Valentine cookies. That always makes my day!! 

Even though it was our usual date night...It was so cold and miserable... that Tyler and I decided to have a night in. He made dinner for us (delicious) and we started watching season 2 of A Discovery of Witches. Meh.

Day 337: 2-13-21 (Saturday)

We had some cookies door dashed to my dad as an early Valentine's Day surprise. He was THRILLED! 

Unexpected cookies really do bring joy! Just passing on the delight that I had yesterday! Plus I know that Valentine's Day is going to be especially difficult for him this year.

Today was the usual Saturday. Errands. These blog posts are riveting. Pretty much the same thing week after week. Snooze.

Oh there was something exciting that occured. Late tonight a knock came at our door and *someone* left Bryn some special valentine items from her secret admirer. This was high excitement around here. We have a security camera outside our house so we knew who it was...the cutest kid in our ward... love him! In the bag was a bluetooth portable speaker. So sweet.

In other news...Trump was acquitted.

Day 338: 2-14-21 (Sunday)

Today is Valentine's Day! One of my very favorite days of the year!! A day to celebrate LOVE!! So needed!! We slept in and then Tyler and I watched the first episode of Men in Kilts from our bed this morning. That felt lazy and decadant. We never watch tv shows in the MORNING!!

Reilly and Hunter came by this morning and surprised us with the absolutely kindest and sweetest Valentine surprises!! Wow... they are awesome! I can't believe how thoughtful they were.

Beautiful flowers!! I love them!

They aso brought us these fabulous French treats from our favorite bakery in town!!

They had flowers and candy for both of the girls too! We were blown away!

Delicous macarons the size of hamburgers!!

We livestreamed church today as a family and that was nice too! Tyler dropped the girls off for second hour and Bryn had a presidency meeting after that. Our ward's primary starts back up next week. Yikes. The logistics of this is a nightmare. We can only have 25 % capacity in a room and we have a huge primary. I am actually really glad not to be the primary president right now! Ha ha!

After church Ailey drove (with Tyler) and delivered our Valentine surprises to the ladies that Ailey and I minister too while Bryn was at her meeting. 

We also dropped off Valentine gifts at Reilly and Hunter's apartment too. We weren't able to gather as a family for our Valentine dinner either this year which is such a BUMMER!!

We didn't forget about Kam either. We sent him off a Valentine care package and his love notes earlier in the week.

As per usual... our family Valentine celebration was MUCH SMALLER than last year but I tried not to focus on that since all of the holidays this year are weird and yet they still turn out to be fun in their own odd way. This was no different.

Our menu:

Puff pastry wrapped asparagus

Homemade Pizzas

Steak (me)

Chocolate Drizzled Charcuterie Board (similar to the smaller one for Reilly and Hunter)

Brownie Bites, Strawberries, Cream Puffs

Specialty Sodas: Cream Soda and Black Cherry

We had candy and little gifts for the girls. Tyler had flowers, candy, and gifts for me and I had candy and gifts for him. He had surprises coming for me all week long. He is a definite romantic! During dinner we played a game about how well we all knew each other that was fun and cute. I gave one to Reilly and Hunter too.

We got to the bottom of the great Mrs. See's vs Mrs. Cavanaugh's candy debate! Hmm...which is better?

1.) 

OR

2.) 

Oh it's HANDS DOWN Mrs. See's!!

Remember these Valentines from the 80s? I had some in my booth and some extras. The girls were amazed that we had "little envelopes" too. Ha ha!

I told the kids about how in elementary school I would pick out just the right valentine for the boy I liked that said just the "right" thing. Then I would strategically sort and pick out the conversation heart candies that said just the "right" thing for him and then hope that he would realize my secret love for him and that he also secretly loved me. LOL. The girls asked Tyler if in elementary school he ever paid any attention to what was written on the valentines he received and he was like "Nope. I would check them for candy and then toss them!" Boys.

Tyler comes from a family who had a stay-at-home mom and she had her kids always make their valentines for their classmates. I came from a home with a mom who worked outside the home and we always bought our valentines. Our kids have always bought valentines! Hats off to the mothers who had the time and patience to over see handmade valentines in addition to helping their kids make their valentine boxes! I am so glad that we are out of that stage. A perk of online school and the last kiddo! 

A fun night was had! And...then the girls mocked me for my hairstyle. Lol. HEY... sometimes you need those fwoopy baby bangs out of the way!!

Day 339: 2-15-21 (Monday)

Today there is some CRAZY weather all across the US. Arctic cold, snow in Texas and the South, ice storms, and windstorms. I am so glad that all we have is very cold weather and some snow. We don't need any more wind!!

I also feel like I have a slight cold. I'm really hoping that this doesn't progress into anything more. I feel like such a hypochondriac. Remember when waking up with a cold was just annoying and not terrifying?

I had my weekly phone call with my dad. He is doing well and super into indexing. I love it! I put away all of the Valentine decorations and all of the beautiful flowers are still making the house look festive. Today the governor has allowed restaurants to open back up for indoor eating but only at a 25% capacity. I guess that is something.

We are packing up everything in the living room this week so that we can do the living room floors this weekend. I can't wait!! I've wanted to get rid of the carpet in our living room since we moved in!

My presidency is also preparing for ward conferences to start this Sunday. I will have to attend all of them. Next week I will also be the stake representative at our ward's first day of Primary.

We video chatted with Kameron tonight. He's doing okay. He has transfers this week. He thinks he will be transferred out of Blaine. 

Day 340: 2-16-21 (Tuesday)

Today is Bryn's last day of distance learning! We got her all prepped to go back to school. She is feeling a mix of emotions about going back. She has missed school the most and yet is a little apprehensive about all of the changes and about how she will be back at school but it won't be the same.

Tyler and I did a snowy walk and it felt good. Finally the temps have come up a bit even if it snowed the whole time that we were walking. Bryn had piano lessons and I made chili and cornbread tonight. Perfect for a snowy evening.

I attended our RS activity via Zoom on Emotional Resilience. My friend Annie, who is a counselor, led the discussion and it was really good. Tyler gave Bryn a father's back-to-school blessing and Ailey did Bryn's nails. All of which helped her to feel better about things tomorrow. Now she is pretty excited! We are too! A sign of things returning *somewhat* to normal.

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 331-335

Day 331: 2-7-21 (Sunday)

Today we livestreamed church again except for Bryn who had an early morning BYC meeting. After that we did our Come Follow Me lesson. I am really loving those lessons. They are so good and stimulate great conversation with the girls. Kam messaged us a talk by Elder Bednar that he wanted us to read. Good stuff.

Today is also Super Bowl Sunday. Our favorite... the Kansas City Chiefs... are in it again. Last year it was awesome when they won ON Tyler's birthday! That was such a fun Super Bowl Birthday Party! A full house and such a fun time. Today was different...as everything this last year has been...but also enjoyable in its own way. Tyler still wanted his birthday celebration to be a Super Bowl theme as is his tradition. 

This year he decided to forgo his usual Mexican feast and went with an assortment of appetizers: Brie, Barefoot Contessa's Sundried Tomato Dip with veggies, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Guacamole and chips. He requested virgin margaritas to drink and homemade Tiramisu. It was my first time making Tiramisu. I used the Joanna Gaines recipe. Fantastic! Her recipes are delish. I have both of her cookbooks. I use both of them a lot. Now I've made several recipes from her cooking show. Out of all of the things that I have made the only thing that I didn't like was her Green Beans Almondine. That's pretty good record!

Brie à la Chiefs colors...half raspberry and half apricot. This turned out so good that I may do this every time I make it. Especially as half of my family prefers the raspberry and half prefers the apricot and we have to alternate which variety we make each time. LOL.

Unfortunately the Chiefs lost this year; our party was small; and I cut my self twice with all of the cooking. I never do that! First, I cut my finger cutting the rind off of the brie. Yes, I am picky about that (I think it is disgusting) and then I somehow cut my WRIST cutting green onions. What?! Other than that...and missing the older kids... we had a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday Ty!!

Day 332: 2-8-21 (Monday)

Today was a good day for working on Sisters Creed projects. I had a lot to do today after selling quite a few big items this last week. I had my phone date with my dad. He is doing well. He was asked by his ward family history specialist to help do genealogy and he is really excited about it. He talked to Tyler today and asked him to help him find a better computer monitor. Ty got him all set up and a new monitor ordered for him.

Ailey had to register for her senior year today (WHAT?!) and Bryn registered for middle school. Sigh. The kids are growing up so darn fast! Tonight Tyler and I had to watch the school district's parent webinar for the elementary school kids returning to in-person learning.

Here's how Tyler watched.

I had a nice check in with my friend Jennifer. She and her family have had to quarantine pretty seriously too and we look forward to getting our families together again! We also video chatted with Kam as a family tonight. Always fun!

Day 333: 2-9-21 (Tuesday)

Things are starting to heat up and get busy once again. All kinds of plans being put into place for the kids to return to school. Bryn is definitely getting excited especially as things are becoming more *real*.

Tyler had his yearly physical with his general practitioner. He is on their list if there is any extra unused vaccine. It blows my mind that he doesn't qualify. He also got his eyes checked. They were fine.

I had another good day of catching up with friends. I had a great chatty phone call with my friend Caroline.  I will say that COVID has brought back the chatty phone calls in my life, even with my local friends, and it has been fun! It feels like 1999. I also got caught up with my friend Rebecca too.

Ailey driving us around as she gets in her driving hours. It is still a surreal experience but now a slightly less terrifying one.

Tonight we had to watch multiple back-to-school videos with Bryn. All about the different protocols in place for the elementary school and one about middle school since she just registered for her classes for next year. 

Tyler and I are still enjoying the Peloton. I feel like I am definitely building up my strength and stamina. Yay! More ridiculousness with siblings. The lull was nice while it lasted. I was able to peddle away my irritation!

Day 334: 2-10-21 (Wednesday)

It is currently 23 degrees but I don't care... THE SUN IS SHINING! Tyler and I took a great walk! Refreshing! LOL. I worked on projects all day to get ready for my booth re-do tomorrow at Midtown Market. 

I had a Stake Primary presidency meeting tonight at my friend Katie's house. It was good to see Jen, Katie, and Mary Ann IN PERSON! It was also really nice to be in a friend's home again and laughing around her table. (The things we used to take for granted!) We all wore masks and took precautions...but still...we were together and it was nice!

I love the tulips that Jen gave me. So cheery!

Day 335: 2-11-21 (Thursday)

Ailey went back to dance team today! Woohoo! They had an early morning practice. One girl fainted from dancing in her mask. I guess she had a very thick fabric one that her mom made. Yikes. But Ailey had a great time!

Tyler and my dad are becoming good buddies. I heard Tyler talking to him on the phone this morning and he was laughing like crazy. Who knew? We also scored a bunch of great furniture today for such a great price from one of Tyler's coworkers!! Four big beautiful pieces that I can't wait to get working on and get into my booth!

It is so cold today. In the teens with an even lower wind chill. It is literally painful to be outside. I have much greater sympathy for Kam now!

Kam on a frozen lake.

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 326-330

 Day 326: 2-2-21 (Tuesday)

I pre-ordered a book for the first time and I can't wait. When you pre-order you get all kinds of extras. Very cool. My book arrived this afternoon. I wrapped up in my electric blanket and read. Perfect for a cold wet day!

Bryn had piano lessons this afternoon and Ailey had her final drive with her instructor. It was the dreaded freeway drive. She survived! And... she did a good job! Now she has to take the written driving test. We heard tonight that the high school kids ARE going back to school on March 1st.

My dad was able to schedule an appointment for his second COVID vaccination. I talked to my brother for quite awhile tonight and I sold a big piece of furniture. Sweet!

Day 327: 2-3-21 (Wednesday)

Today is Tyler's 50th Birthday! We got here fast. I met him when he was 22 and it doesn't seem that long ago. The girls made him breakfast. Tyler worked for most of the day and wanted Jimmy Johns delivered for lunch. After that we headed to Coeur d' Alene and checked into the Coeur d' Alene Resort for several days of rest and relaxation!!

We booked a suite that has two balconies...one with a private hot tub... and overlooks the lake on two sides. It was FABULOUS! We have been thinking about this and planning it since we were were in the thick of things with Tyler's heart procedures. This is what we promised would be waiting for us on the other side of it all. We were so happy to have it come to fruition. Plus with COVID we aren't traveling anywhere to celebrate Tyler's big 5-0 and this was still pretty fabulous!!

So pretty!!

It was just what we needed. Room service, a walk on the board walk on a gorgeous crisp night, we facetimed with each of our four children, stayed up late, looked at the stars and the beautiful dark water, and enjoyed the hot tub! It was a lovely romantic night! Paradise.

Day 328: 2-4-21 (Thursday)

This morning was bliss! We slept in and enjoyed a leisurely morning. Tyler ordered us a fabulous breakfast via room service that arrived just as I was waking up. 

We ate and then put on our workout clothes and did a fantastic four mile walk. The lake was gorgeous!  It was cold but beautiful. We walked all over. While our room was being cleaned we went on a little adventure and found the house that my great-grandma Nelle and her sister my Aunt Ladye used to live in. That was fun! Whoever lives there now is keeping it well maintained. We got lunch from Pilgrams Market which is a lovely Whole Foods type store. We got a vegan olive dip and nut crackers along with some healthy flavored drinks and sparkling waters. We also grabbed some English Toffee because we aren't insane. It was so good! Then we headed back to the hotel and back to our hot tub overlooking the lake. Fantastic food for dinner from Dockside and a long lingering rainy night. So needed.

Gorgeous!

Day 329: 2-5-21 (Friday)

We woke up to a gorgeous sunny day with the lake sparkling like sapphire. Another morning of room service and soaking in the hot tub. I could really get used to this lifestyle. It felt so good to finally be able to relax and unwind after months of stress. It felt so good to decompress. Great conversations, alone time, good food, and fun! 

We stopped in at Midtown Market to put a few things in my booth. I sold another large piece of furniture today!! We did some clothes shopping for Tyler. We found him some great things. He never likes to shop for clothes so this was a rare experience. LOL.

We had so much fun and we hated to leave! It was the perfect get-away and we enjoyed every minute.

Tonight we came home to a clean and organized house and homemade cookies and homemade ice cream! Whenever mom is out of the house the girls start whipping out the desserts!! LOL. We went for a family walk at the park with the girls and Beverly.

It's official...Bryn goes back to school on February 17th and Ailey goes back on March 1st. They will be on a hybrid schedule. They are both on Track A that goes to school in-person on Mondays and Wednesdays and alternating Fridays. We also facetimed with Reilly and Hunter tonight.

Day 330: 2-6-21 (Saturday)

This morning started bright and early with a text from my friend Lynnette saying that our homemade chocolate cream cheese danishes and chocolate almond fudge danishes were ready. My friend Lynnette has a pop up baking business. She picks a month and decides that she will make certain items every Saturday for the month. This month she is making danishes. Tyler and Bryn went to pick them up this morning and they were HEAVENLY! Warm from the oven. Wow.

Today is Kirk and Meki's anniversary. They are an awesome couple. I am so glad that they found each other!!

Bryn had a traumatic winter hike with the YW today. The weather was nice where we are but once they started hiking they hit ice and snow. Most of the girls were wearing tennis shoes and weren't in winter clothes. Bryn was warned by us before she left and ignored our warning. She took one heck of a fall on the ice. One of the adults fell and twisted her ankle and had to be helped off the mountian. Tyler picked her up and she burst into tears as she got in the car. I think she learned a valuable lesson. Kids!! Why don't kids like to wear things like winter coats, boots, gloves, hats? It baffles me. But it looks like they had some fun up at the top!

Today I got multiple hilarious messages from Kam with the current weather temps in Blaine MN. -8 (feels like -27) was one and then the temps just kept dropping and dropping and droppng. LOL and Brrr... It's making him hardier! 

Favorite Memes: #14

 1.) 

2.) 

3.) 

4.)

5.)

Me and Ailey both.

6.)

7.)

100%!!

8.)