Live from Tormville!

Defeated / Day 219

It's been a week. 

Everyone has one now and then, and this week, it was my turn. 

From adjusting to a new schedule, falling further behind on crucial deadlines, making hard choices, having an adverse reaction (as per the doctor, "I wouldn't call it an allergic reaction, but an adverse reaction") to the pneumonia vaccine that took me out of play a few evenings, racing to the store to get a new phone as my old one was dying a sure and sudden death in my hands, not even being able to find someone interested in my plus one offer to the game last night, capped off by last night's frustrating loss to Brighton, well - defeated is the one word that covers it all. 

I went into yesterday raw from the get go. As someone who has known me in the work atmosphere for three years already said, "Sharyn, this is the first time that I've seen you frazzled"   True. Frazzled isn't my go to, and it's not a good look  on me. I tend to thrive on pressure, and the week having already taken it's toll on me, frazzled was all I had left to give by the time Friday came.  Bring back the four day week, I say. 

All said and done, I did make an effort to shake off the week and get my head in the game for last night's match up against our rival. 

But I was raw. 

The emotion of having just a few more fans in the stands, the band back on the field, the Pom team finally able to perform, and the week still freshly stinging had me with tears just an nth from spilling over all night. In fact, there was a moment at the end of the halftime, where I had placed myself in the very thick of the drumline, flaming baton twirlers and screaming cheerleaders, that I was so very close to being completely overcome that I had an escape route planned to get to my van before I completely lost it. 

That bass drum gets me every time. 

But I made it. 
And I'll make it through this day, this week, this election, this year and this pandemic. (I'll be fine, mom) 

But not all days are easy. 

And with that, I'm taking two Benedryl for my lingering adverse reaction and crawling back into bed as it was at 2:30am that these thoughts had me tossing and turning. 

Be good, be kind. 

Plus One / Day 213

I hadn't originally planned to attend Friday's football game, being that it was an away game - but once I processed that my going allows me to get one more fan into the game (being a holder of a plus one pass) well - how could I not go?  Seats are coveted this year.  It was a fantastic game, I got another favorite shot for my files, I hitched a ride with my plus one, the weather was phenomenal (I didn't pull a layer over my t-shirt until the beginning of the 4th quarter) and we won!

The week caught up to me when I got home, and it was the first time I didn't get pictures loaded the night of the event, as I had nodded off in my recliner with my laptop in my lap. 

Every day I'm grateful to have the opportunity to take pictures. It feeds my creatively, keeps me active and out while socially distanced, and it feels productive. So perfectly me. 

My mom typically gets in free as a senior to the volleyball and basketball games that she enjoys, but not sure how that's working this year so she gets dibs on my plus one for now. I picked her up for the  Volleyball game this week.  While we lost in three, it was the best match to date - with one match going point for point up to 27 before Hartland took the win. 

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This week:

• Starting Week NINE of in-person school. The final week of the quarter!  Starting the school year, my prayer was for one full week. We've exceeded everyone's expectations. Has it been a lot of work?  YES.  Is it still a lot of work?  YES. But so worth it. 
• This is Mark's last week of Rec soccer. Playing on a team of 5th - 8th graders, he's the tallest on the team and has been holding back for fear of hurting any of the kids half his size. He's a gentle giant. This Saturday's game he apologized to the opponents several times. I do a LOT of counseling during my evenings/weekends. 
• Brian's Archery starts this week.  
• I also need to get him signed up for Segment 2. We've been piling on hours with our Sunday afternoon joy rides. Today we went pumpkin shopping. 
• I'm subbing a few days
• Volleyball
• Football
• Cross Country
• Wendy's birthday
• I still need to stop at the pharmacy and see about getting a pneumonia vaccine. 
• I also need to upgrade my phone before it dies.  I tend to push things right to their maximum. 

Here's to a new week! 

Be Good
Stay Safe!

Covid-Era Outing / Day 210

I was on the phone with Wendy, our daughter, the other day and she informed me that my blog has become boring. 

Sigh. It's true. 

It's always hard for me to maintain a writing schedule once I go back to work. The days are going quickly right now. 

Yesterday, I picked up my mom after work so she could join me on my run to the dentist, with a plan to do some shopping afterwards. As soon as I picked her up, I realized that I had no way to access any money to actually do any shopping - as my card had to be canceled after that last away football game. We swung by home, and lucky day my new card was in the mailbox waiting for me. Quickest authorization ever. 

So far, even though I'm throwing up a new blog post, Wendy is still going to say it's boring. 

BUT. It gets better. My Covid-Long tooth repair is finally finished!  The should have been filling that turned into a root canal + crown = DONE. 

We celebrated with a lap around 12 Oaks. I hadn't been there since last fall. Our first stop was Fossil. I had to replace a battery on Mark's watch. (Mark: Mom, I really need to wear my watch to school, because - sad to say, the clocks there? Well - they just aren't reliable")   I pulled an old person move at Fossil. 

Me: I actually used to be the manager of the store that was in this space back in the 80's. 
Two very kind, polite Fossil employees:  Really?  That's cool. What was the store?  

I went on to tell them about the store A.J. Cheers, the floor plan, the differences between now and then while they acted interested.  

Then, because this is now - I asked them how late the mall is open and what I should expect different - not having shopped in over 210 days.  Well. They said. It's hit or miss. Starbucks isn't open today but we don't know why, some stores are only open on the weekend, some stores are open until 6 and others until 7. I had gotten out of my dentist appointment just before 5. 

Okay then. While we walked, we noticed doors roped off so to wait for approval to enter, the line out the Apple Store (not new) was now across the hall, some stores were dark and closed, other appeared normal with the only visible change being the spacing markers and distancing reminders posted everywhere. 

My mom and I split up so we'd each be able to hit our stores, if they were open, before 6. Eddie Bauer for me.  I was hoping to find a new jacket for Mark and a birthday gift for Wendy. I found a shirt for me. They took the time to stress that their dressing rooms were open.  (Marshall's and Kohl's dressing rooms are still closed)  I know my size. I bought myself a shirt, and nothing for Mark or Wendy.  After discounts, it came to just over $10, so I dug out cash - and was told that it had to be exact cash.  I came within a penny and we called it good. 

We missed J.Jill by ten minutes. They closed at 6. 

We thought we'd check Cheesecake Factory for dinner, but they had a 40 minute wait, we were starved, and they appeared busier than either of us were comfortable with, even though it was only full to the currently allowed capacity. We headed to Red Robin instead, which was more suited to our comfort level. 

It was a very Covid-era outing. Including receiving the news, while sitting down at Red Robin, of another family friend suffering a Covid-related death. Pete played a huge role in our lives ever since I was a young girl. He will be remembered and missed by many. 

My mom has lost a few of her peers recently, and we've heard of others that are currently hospitalized, still fighting. My mom is remaining careful with her choices right now, keeping her circle small. While believing when it's her time to go, she'll go - but hoping to retain her quality of life without having to fight that battle.  

28 Years / Day 198

My husband asked me last evening if he should make a dinner reservation at a nice restaurant for our 28th anniversary. 

I answered him honestly with, "You know, I would 100% prefer to pick up fish tacos, have a picnic and go kayaking"  and he remembered why he married me. 

After a busy day of errand running, sports and household chores - we let the boys fend for themselves, we picked up our Aubree's fish tacos, a couple of cold Arnold Palmers and enjoyed a picnic in the park before tossing our tubs into the lake. All along our journey, I kept repeating "It is SO nice out"  "What a beautiful day!" "Wow, this is ideal"  Give me outside and hiking or kayaking over a fancy dinner any day, any year. 

We Played! / Day 192

We're now heading into our sixth week of in-person school, and our third week of a full sports schedule.  Prior to the last three weeks, we had xcountry, tennis and golf - but everything else was in a holding pattern and that portion of the calendar is filled with cancellations.  

I've been enjoying getting out to watch games as a way of supporting the kids, feeling like I'm part of the action and socialization while still avoiding crowds (for my own health) and to use my camera again.  Photography is my stress relief, but not posed/for hire photography. To me, that's stressful. I just like shooting what's happening, and we get what we get. No stress, just fun.  My photos get shared with the Public Relations department, and this year I'm sharing with yearbook as well, as yearbook 20/21 is a huge challenge for so many reasons.  

My goal right now is to get a many pictures as possible, while we can.  As for soccer, their yesterday game and Tuesday game have been canceled because the other team's school has been shut down/quarantined due to Covid-19. So. Challenges. 

I'd never shot tennis before. For this, we shoot through the fence.  I'll have another go at it, hopefully, this coming Saturday. 

Cross-country is competing at the high school this year, which is convenient as they run right by the tennis courts, so a 2 for 1 for me. 

I brought my new camera (Canon 7D Mark ii) to volleyball. I've still got a lot to learn, but it's the kind of learning I enjoy.  

And Friday night football!  

Only two guests per player allowed, a few key players out due to the last quarantine sweep, stands hugely empty, no band, no halftime show - but they played. I felt like I was holding my breath right up until the moment the game started, as every day seems to bring new closures and new cases resulting in more quarantine sweeps. It's a six game season, with three games at home. Fingers crossed we can play all six. 

Random: Over the years, I've occasionally suggested football to Mark. He doesn't know the game at all, but he's got his size and he understands defense. He was looking at my football photos and when he saw this one, said: Yeah. I think I'll pass on football. My kangaroo abilities aren't that great. 

Coming up this week, hopefully: 

Mark's soccer practice
Volleyball
Women's Swim and Dive
Varsity Soccer
Dentist (me) 
Marching Band Practice
Tennis
Cross Country
Mark's Soccer
& Happy 28th (!!!) Anniversary to Greg and I 

A New Week / Day 185

Looks like I'm back to once a week posting now that we're back in school. 

Tomorrow we head into week 5, and our first full week. It's going well. I finally took my camera out during lunch and recess last week and got started on yearbook photos. LOTS of smiles. 

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This week brought me a new camera. I ordered it last weekend during Labor Day Sales. It got put on the porch the day before my refund check from mine and Brian's canceled New York trip was put into my bank account. Timing!  I finally took some time today to pull the camera out of the box and play with it. After much research, budget crunching, and wondering how much I could realistically justify, I went with the Canon 7D Mark ii. It's an upgrade from my old camera, so some things are the same, but there are enough new and changed features, that it's going to take me a bit to get used to it. I ordered a book to lean on.  

I'm back to shooting high school sports, and I'm hoping to feel comfortable enough to use it at volleyball and football this week.  (This past week I shot jv soccer, varsity soccer, tennis, men's cross country and women's cross country) 

What I haven't told you is that my old camera was dying. There have been several times recently when it would just stop. 

One time was when I was taking the full class photo for Brian's Confirmation. That incident still gives me the shakes. I don't know that anyone even noticed me extra sweating in that heat, stalling, popping my battery in and out, sweating some more, and wishing it to work for just a few more shots. As near as I can tell right now, it seems to dislike two of my lenses.  It works fine when I put a prime lens on it. Now that I have another one, I can send it in to get cleaned/tweaked. 

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Today was the first day of Sunday School. 

Mark knows we always ask who his teacher is, but he rarely gets a name. He doesn't know a name this year, either, but gave me these clues to go on: 

1. I feel like you and dad know him. 
2. It seems like he'd be a really good minister [because he had a lot to say about the lesson and he conveyed it well] except that he uses the words awesome, cool and like a lot. 
3. He has a receding hairline

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On deck this week: 

Mark - Soccer: practice and game
Me - Photograph Volleyball and Football (Excited!) and candids at school
Boys - Dentist
And see how much I can purge before Purple Heart comes on Tuesday

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Be good! 

 

A New Week / Day 179

I enjoyed my four day weekend.  

There was a part of me that wished I had planned for an adventure. That I had gone to Minnesota to visit Wendy, or packed a bag and headed out to spend a night in the woods. 

But then I remember that I hate holiday traffic. 

I did thoroughly enjoy the relaxed pace of the weekend. I caught up on a few things at home, went out for lunch with my mom, had Brian get some drive time in, brought Mark to the lake for his laps - several times, got in a few walks, hiked the trails at Kensington (above photo), did a little work related stuff (because you know me), took advantage of a few Labor Days sales from the comfort of my recliner, chatted with Wendy on the phone, did some yard work, took my husband's head shot for his job, and cooked smores over the fire pit. 

The only thing that I hoped to do, that I didn't quite get to, was to go for a bike ride. I'm not even really sure why. 

The outlook for this week looks good: 

SPORTS!  
I'm excited.  I've got my photographer pass for the season, and I'm hoping to capture soccer, tennis and cross country this week. 
The first football game is next week. 
I was hoping we'd get to move into our new office this week, but when I stopped in yesterday for a quick minute, my hopes were a bit crushed. Maybe they worked today? 
I am getting rather attached to my temporary office though. The location is good - near my student files - and I get a lot more done when people can't see me. 
I have a few meetings this week. 

In fact, the schedule for this week gives the illusion that things are closer to normal. 

And yet, they're not. 

Not yet. 

Day 179

 

Wanna See My Shields? / Day 176

A question that I'm often asked by those who have known me my whole life is, "How are YOU doing with the whole mask thing now that you're back at work?"  

I'm not. 

At least not for extended periods. I have masks and I do wear them, but not for all day every day. I'll tell you though, it's very very difficult to take pictures with a shield on, so when I make my way into the building to capture some yearbook photos, I will pull out a mask. 

I did get called out by a student this week. 

Student: Why are you wearing a shield and not a mask?  You know the little germies (waggles fingers) can get up under there and still get in you. 
Me: Well. You know how you're sitting in my office right now because of [medical condition that shall remain confidential]?  Well.  When I was your age, I got pneumonia ALL.THE.TIME.  The result of that is permanent scar tissue on my lungs and I don't breathe as easily as other people do. My doctor said it's not a good idea for me to wear a mask, so a shield it is. 
Student:  Oh!  

I don't mind getting called out, but it did get under my skin a little bit when I got called out by a nurse at a training just before school started. I asked her if she needed to see my doctor's note, at which point she backed down. 

Am I afraid of the little germies that will get up under my shield?  NO.  I'm honestly not.  
I'm tending to kids when they come to the office, but our contact is minimal. We are together for less than 15 minutes (typically less than a minute, in fact) and hand washing - still deemed a great defense - is instant and easy.   (Side note: The end of week 3 and there are still some misunderstandings in regards to sick kids and/or quarantine. The rules are still the same as what I put together in this post: Clerk Work) 

But - back to shields. 

I've got three different styles. 

• Instashield was the first shield that I bought back in June. It came in a five pack, and I'm still using the first one. It's the one on the left in the photo, and it attaches easily to my ball cap. I keep this one in my van, and use it to get in and out of the school and for quick trips into places like the post office, gas station, etc.  I used it at work during those two weeks before school started when there were only a few of us in the building. I'd pop it on my head if I had to step out of my office and walk down the hall or into the copy room.  I'd buy these again.  

Using it that two weeks of summer working, I soon realized that it would not be the ideal shield for answering phones once school was back in session. I needed a flip up shield for daily use at my desk. 

• MATCC Safety Face Shield was the choice I made (the one on the right). It comes with 1 frame and 10 shields. I'm still on my first shield. I was so happy with this one, that it's the same one that I bought for Mark. I've since noticed that it's also the one that's being used by our family's dentists and doctors. 
  I can flip it up and down with one hand while I'm on the phone with the other, it's easy to adjust the sizing on the back and I only had that phantom hat feeling for one day.  The only real negative is that my hair kind of poofs up over the top sometimes. 
  Mark hasn't worn his yet, so I can't give you his review. He's still trying to figure out, through context, which of his teachers might be afraid of the little germies that are sneaking out under his shield. 

The third shield I bought from Etsy at the same time as the one above, just to be sure that one of the two would work for what I needed

• Fog Resistant Face Shield  Honestly, a piece of crap, and I rarely give bad reviews. There was a string of bad reviews on this shield that same week that I got mine, so I'm not sure what happened - but it seems the reviews have improved, so maybe there is a chance that the seller took what was being said and improved upon it.  I couldn't tell you.  For me, it wasn't usable. The glare was awful, the sizing band didn't come with a way to hold it in place - so I would have had to finish making the product myself in order to use it, and it didn't go up and down as easily as the other one I ordered. 
• There was one last shield that I got from the district, but it doesn't flip, meaning it's not conducive to my job and my needs. It's also not adjustable and doesn't fit well over glasses. If you wear glasses - I definitely do not recommend this one. I also don't like how it's labeled 'face shield'. Why does it need a label? I don't wear shirts that say shirt or pants that say pants. Do they think I'll forget what it is? They meant well. 

And that's that. 

For now - the sun is shining and I'm looking at four full days of no masks and no shields.  What to do first......

Masks and Noses / Day 175

We've just completed our third week of in-person school. 

At the secondary level, students and staff are wearing masks all day long. 

Enter today's evening conversation with Mark: 

Mark (13): So, mom. In class today we went outside for a mask break and to play a game where we all took our masks off so the teacher could see our faces and then she had to try and remember all of our names when we didn't have our masks on.  And you know what?  ------------ had a nose that was surprisingly bigger than I expected. 

And I laughed. 

This year is so weird. 

Clerk Work / Day 171

I'm four weeks into working the 20/21 school year so far. 

We have completed two weeks of in person schooling for those that chose it. (Our district offered a virtual option as well) The first week was three half days, the second week was four full days and due to the Labor Day holiday, these next two weeks are four full day weeks. 

It's going well. 

One of my duties, as clerk, is to keep a close eye on attendance and to understand the policies in regards to absences, illnesses, communicable diseases, and reporting to the health department at the end of each week. 

I have three manuals on my desk that cover C19, as well as a handy dandy flowchart pinned right above my computer. Four weeks in, I finally feel like I've got a pretty good grasp of the guidelines as they stand at this moment in time. I had posted on Facebook a few of the common misunderstandings, and I thought I'd go ahead and share here as well. 

SICK KIDS

There are two common misunderstandings when it comes to sick kids in your own home

1. If Mark were to wake up tomorrow morning with a fever, he would stay home. The common misunderstanding is that all kids from the same home need to stay home. NO.  If Mark wakes up with a fever and Brian is fine - Brian may go to school.  Mark may return to school when he is 24 hours fever free, as is the normal every year procedure. 
   Can parents choose to keep their other children home out of an abundance of caution? Certainly. But it is not required. 
2. If Mark were to wake up tomorrow with a fever and/or any of the other symptoms. I must immediately go and get him tested.   NO 
   If Mark has recently had contact with a positive case, then testing is the recommendation. If Mark had recently had contact with a positive case - he wouldn't be in school anyway - he'd be quarantined.
   
   In a nutshell: If the student has a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, sore throat and/or an uncontrolled cough: Keep them home and monitor symptoms. They may come back to school when they are 24 hours fever free (without that aid of fever reducing meds)/diarrhea free/vomit-free, the cough has improved or they have had 2 doses of antibiotic for their strep throat. Like every other year.  
3. If Johnny comes to the office and has a fever, we're going to send all of Johnny's siblings home too.  NO  

QUARANTINE

A common misunderstanding in regards to Quarantine

1. If Allan were to come home from work tomorrow and inform us that he's been informed that he's been in contact with a positive case and must quarantine, we must all quarantine.  NO 
   If Allan, our lives at home again oldest, comes home from work and has news that he's been in contact with a positive, then he is the only one in this home that must quarantine. We would do our very best to keep him separate from the rest of the family. Brian would move into Mark's room, Allan would have the second bath to himself for two weeks, etc.  If Allan were to start developing symptoms, he would get tested at that time.  If he ends up being a positive, the health department would decide how well we did with isolating him and inform us who else would need to, if anyone, quarantine within our home.  My assumption is that we'd all have to quarantine at that time as we have a small home and isolating is hard, but that's for the health department to decide. 
2. Same thing with my school kids.  Let's say Brian, our 10th grader, tested positive and had been in school that day. 
   Due to the block scheduling, he only has four classes each day. 
   At that point, it will be up to the health department and established school personnel to determine who was within 6 feet of Brian for over 15 minutes (accumulative) on that particular day.   Does the whole band class have to quarantine?  Highly doubtful. Brian is nonsocial anyway and sits nowhere near, say, the flute section.   

Anyway. I hope that helps.  All of this can be found in the Return to School Parent Toolkit, with the flowchart being on page four. The one I have above my desk is only slightly more detailed, but with the same end results.
As both a parent and a staff member, I know that I was overwhelmed by the amount of communication, information, and how to process it all as it pertains to me and our family.  And, of course, to the school for which I perform clerk duties. 

Now that I've got it down - it'll probably all change tomorrow.