Shortly after 8 am, I was sitting up in bed looking at my phone when I realized my legs were shaking. Matt is visiting from Charlotte. I thought perhaps he was shaking my mattress as a prank so I told Matt to stop - no response. He was sound asleep downstairs so then I came to the next logical conclusion; that was the strongest earthquake I’ve ever felt (turns out it was 5.1 which hasn’t happened in NC for over 100 years). This is definitely 2020 and we already have a meme: Continue reading

The facility remains Covid-free, with all visitation prohibited. Mom’s status remains the same. She is comfortable, slowly eating what she can. (The attendants who spoon-feed and care so diligently for her are all saints!) Continue reading

Flooding. Power outages with downed lines. A deadly tornado. Lots of cleanup. We’re all fine. The category 1 storm moved quickly and wasn’t packing the punch it could have. Continue reading

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Recommendations in! Continue reading

I’m waiting for the results of the middle school ELA exam for licensure, but I also went back through my submitted materials to see if anything was missing. There was! They obviously couldn’t see the three teacher recommendations I had when applying for NC State, so I contacted each one last night and they are in the process of uploading their recommendations to the county. This should score some interviews, at least. Continue reading

I’m probably going to miss the days of “no waiting - no one else in sight” when we go out to eat, but more likely I’ll be happy to be with people again. I’m sure I won’t miss trying to get the kids to let me take their photos. I have pictures of baby Dave on the fridge, and he covered every photo with magnets! Continue reading

Long periods of waiting, canceled appointments, infrequent contact, rare gratification, remote learning. I’m up late as usual and somehow excited that our Produce Box arrives tomorrow. Mind you, I just threw away the entire contents of the vegetable drawer tonight because we didn’t eat any of it in time. Sigh. This week, I ordered all the fixings (we’re in the south) for BLT sandwiches so I predict little waste. BLTs are delicious! Continue reading

He doesn’t have any residual effects from the coronavirus which is a relief. Matt said he’s “the most happy to see Chloe.” She was glad to see the boy too, but she still slept with me! Continue reading

Powers That Be: ”The kids aren’t going to play with them.” I took the kids to the store to load up on food again, and so these captives could make their own choices. Claire forgot to bring her mask so I gave her a new gaiter-style mask I keep in the van for just such an emergency. Her antics gave me the best laugh I’ve had in ages. Continue reading

The world went crazy between the time I committed to a teaching career and the pandemic. I can’t blame my unemployment on ageism. I passed high school English licensure in the spring, but no hits on a hire. Low turnover — understandable. So I just sat for the middle school English Language Arts Praxis exam and (uncharacteristically) think I nailed it. I love working with middle school students, but no one seemed interested in bringing me on board. My results are supposed to be reported on Aug 21 which is after the beginning of the school year. I have the... Continue reading

Everyone has tested negative twice or more, still no visitation per the governor. Continue reading

She sent a photo of Mom. Thank you again, Claire, for sharing Bear. Continue reading

Katie is back in college and delivering food through DoorDash. It’s contactless delivery so she grabs the food from the front table of the restaurant, and leaves it on the porch/doorstep of the customer. I’m sure this will be a “thing” for at least the next year or two. Hopefully she stays safe and well. We’ve just gotten past the point where we can see Matt again since his recovery from COVID-19. Matt, when are you coming up? Claire’s boyfriend was just at the beach all weekend with his mom to celebrate his 16th birthday, but Claire knows it’ll be... Continue reading

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They still have a handful of patients who continue to test positive so they’re being careful and trying to get the building clear of it. “Absolutely no visitors” rule continues. I explained to the nurse that it’s been 4 months since we’ve been able to see Mom, and I requested a current photo. I’ll post it here if they send one! Continue reading

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This girl is becoming calmer as the years progress, but I will still spend the next 6 hours convincing Chloe the fireworks aren’t going to get us. Continue reading

Mom is eating and drinking well this week, they keep saying there’s “nothing new to report.” She’s the toughest Alzheimer’s fighter we’ll ever meet. Continue reading

We don’t really do anything to celebrate New Year’s Eve, but I have never been more ready to ring in a new year... Continue reading

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How she’s in this dire state and yet recovered from Coronavirus humbles me. Visitation is on hold indefinitely, but Mom just had her second negative test, and awaits the rest of the residents on the hall to do the same. She is “less interested” in fluids so they try every hour to get her to drink and continue to classify her hospice status as a “slow decline.” We’re in agreement on that one, but she’s in good spirits, has no pain, and best yet: She’s cleared to return for regular showers! That part made me cry tears of pure joy. Continue reading

Today we celebrated Mark’s (our) 26th Father’s Day. Thursday, we celebrated our 28th anniversary. Two kids have moved out, and we have two kids in high school. The years are flying past so quickly these days. Continue reading

I phoned Mom’s old neighbor in Tampa to keep her updated. We reminisced about how smart and funny Mom is, which was great. Then she shared a new story that Pat and Leon hadn’t. Mom had been diagnosed with dementia, but only the two of them knew and she was still driving. She came out of Walmart and couldn’t get her (in good working order Hyundai) car to start. She encountered a few gentlemen who agreed they would all go back to Mom’s townhouse to get her debit and credit cards (probably already in her purse so dementia helped a... Continue reading

I had a flu shot in the fall, but I was also exhausted from grad school by spring. I was sick for almost two weeks at the end of March so I was hoping I had COVID-19 early, built some antibodies while my family did the same, and could feel somewhat protected in the classroom this fall (hopefully in a classroom of my own, but possibly substitute teaching). No such luck. Maybe I can plan better and go to the grocery store even less. Continue reading