COVID one year later

I keep finding myself wondering how have we been living in COVID reality for a year AND how has it only been one year?   It seems so much longer in many ways.

This week March 12 makes it one year since COVID became very real (and close to home) for me in ways that the Houston Rodeo closure, NBA games stopping, and all the national headlines can't match....

It was Thursday of Spring Break for my university, and all staff had Friday off.

We had a last minute 4pm meeting to discuss what it would mean to extend spring break a week and shift all classes online, they needed input from all perspectives. It was a surreal meeting to be having, and I remember that a few top level folks were out or off-campus that day and had to try to call/video call in (if you had told me that was how all my meetings were to be conducted for the next year...I don't know if I'd have believed it). 

The meeting went late, and I met my hubby (on his spring break) for dinner, and just remember trying to make sense of it all. After dinner I went to try to buy some extra food before everything closed. I went to a Target right next door and was not expecting to already have hurricane-prep level bare shelves.

One year later, I am really fortunate to be able to say that my family is still safe and well, and definitely missing time together.    Video calls help, but they are not the same.    

I also know how fortunate I am to be able to have kept my job, and found some good things about working from home -- though I do hope to one day make my dining room a dining room again....

We are not at the end of it, but knowing that we have hit 100 million vaccine shots given gives me hope.

Table

   

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Over Labor Day weekend, we got Kevin a table for his office - it will give him more desk space and he can use it for studying/playing chess since he's gotten back into chess again...I don't understand it, but he loves it.

We were really pleased to find a used table that will work really well - it is even adjustable height! - on facebook marketplace, and it just fit in our big SUV.

He had been using a card table, that I can now use for jigsaw puzzles (I had used our formal dining table but it is now my work desk).  I am more excited about being able to puzzle again than I probably should be

We are trying to make the best of being at home so much due to COVID.  

It was really not the Labor Day weekend we had envisioned, but we are trying to do what is safe.

Back to School...2020 edition

The first week of the semester is always busy for both of us, since we both work in higher education.  We knew this year would be different with COVID (we are both still working remotely full-time - Kevin's classes are all online this term), and then 2020 added an extra layer of craziness by having us need to watch not one but TWO storms in the gulf (and right at the 3 year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey).

Marco ended up fizzling out, but Laura became the storm to watch and we nervously waited and watched.  Houston was lucky that it went east of us (as a CATEGORY 4), but it made for a nerve-wracking week, and my thoughts are with those who were impacted in Texas and Louisiana, including some members of my family.   Everyone is safe, but dealing with damage (and a delayed baby arrival!)  I also hate that part of me is relieved when a storm goes to another area, and not us.

We had a few days off because of the impending storm.  With my 'office' literally steps away (I took over our dining room), I actually did quite a bit of work (our busiest time of year is fast approaching) but enjoyed the fact I could work on a projected uninterrupted (no meetings to log into and email responses could wait) and work when I want, take time away from screens when I wanted.

I have been dealing with hurricanes my whole life, and don't think I ever get used to them, and some of my hurricane prep is a bit random.  I do what I can - car is gassed up, have some cash on hand, plenty of food and meds for us (and the dogs), flashlights, batteries, catch up on laundry just in case we lose power, etc.    I also do somewhat silly things that make me feel more prepared - for example, I was trying to use up some random freezer/fridge things in case we lost power, and this week I baked cookies so if the power went out we had cookies and not raw dough (desserts are needed!)   They were delicious :)

Taking a trip -- Pandemic edition

We are taking a trip...I'm not sure if it's a good idea or a bad idea (in the middle of a pandemic) but we are working to be safe and it will be a physically distanced trip. Work has been tough this year, so I think the time away will do me good...even working remotely it's good to have time to unplug...I'd argue even moreso since everything is done on the computer...having to schedule a zoom session or phone call instead of popping into someone's office, and none of the informal interactions that break up the workday. I know I am fortunate to be able to work remotely, and still be fully employed but its tough... I am unsure how much I will put on social media as I don't need the judgement and really just want to unplug and reconnect...yes I know I am with my husband 24/7, but a lot of times we are working in separate rooms or just occupied with the new "normal"....

Happy 1st Birthday!

Our youngest niece is a year old!   We celebrated virtually since we couldn't be together.   I was sad that we couldn't see her in person (and eat some homemade cheesecake!) but glad we were able to participate in her special day.

Her smash cake became a take every tiny piece and drop it on the floor (her mommy and daddy got a few bites into her mouth), but she certainly had fun doing it!     Sister was smart and put a tablecloth down under the highchair, for easier cleanup.  Even doing that some of the cake got on the carpet, and a few pieces on the wall!

I am so thankful for video messaging so we can see her as much as possible, she's no longer a baby but a full out toddler.  We even saw her walk around in shoes yesterday!    She can walk, and kinda run.  

We love you and look forward to celebrating future birthdays in person!