Sunday, May 24, 2020

Week 10: Quarantine Blog

This week was pretty rainy with the tropical storm coming up from Florida, so we spent most of it inside, plugging away at school, baking, watching our new favorite show, "Survivor", and preparing for the end of the week when "Phase 2" began... We've been through a range of emotions this week as we try to get out a little more, but weigh it with the concerns of rising numbers, and keeping ourselves healthy and safe. How are all of you hanging in there? Are you on the "Coronacoaster" too???
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This schedule is quite funny, and for those that may not understand it, it is based on a TikTok dance that Emily does ALL DAY LONG... So I couldn't not put it in :)
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While the trends in the US overall are mostly seeing a decline in cases, North Carolina seems to be struggling... 
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Emily decided to take this quarantine by storm and she went for it with a bottle of red hair dye!
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I've been doing Walmart pickup orders for groceries so I don't have to go to the store unless it's necessary, and each time I go, there is always some mix-up and I end up with several "extra" items! Since food can't be returned, we've been advised to just keep it, but each week is like a mystery to see what we're going to score! This week was a haul! They clearly need to work on their system there...
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We see people all over the news getting creative with their social distancing, and I loved this one I came across!
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There has been a lot of talk this week about the new proposed school schedule for next year and what school will look like... A lot of it is still speculation, and I'm choosing not to worry about it yet, since I'm sure it will change another couple hundred times before they go back, but this is where the current conversations are going...
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The new schedule includes an earlier start date, slightly longer breaks in the winter, scheduled remote learning days and more...
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I hope most of these things won't be necessary for school to return, because if they are, I may have to consider homeschooling for some time...
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Remote learning isn't going that badly... Ben is flying through math, and I'm shocked at some of the questions he has gotten to!
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Speaking of math... remember how we were playing darts for math lessons in the beginning??? Well, I finally hit my first bullseye on a basement date night with Brian! I still totally lost the game, but it was exciting nevertheless!
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Puzzle #7 (???) is finally done!
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Despite our horrible rising numbers and getting an "F" on our social distancing report card, apparently the governor was still pushing for a Phase 2 reopening on Friday, although due to the numbers, it was revised a bit...
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According to the document that explained what was required and recommended for restaurants to follow, I will not be heading there anytime soon! My head is swimming just reading through it all!
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This is my feeling on this matter... But we will be safe and do what we are comfortable with...
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We will also load up on our vitamins and immune boosters as we get ready to slowly and cautiously take on the world again...
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There has also been a lot of controversy about whether you should or shouldn't wear face masks when you go out... I share Governor Cooper's statement on this, that it signifies strength and compassion for others... Why are we still arguing about it so much?!?!?! 
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Ben "conquered his fear of social distancing" (as he put it) after a long heart-to-heart talk one night... He learned all about viruses and the things he could and couldn't control, and woke up feeling so much better! He found the courage to wear his mask and go to Target with Brian to pick out some new Legos as a reward for his bravery! I'm not too comfortable taking the kids to the stores regularly, but this was a much needed social experiment for him, and he rocked it!
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We fully embraced Phase 2, as our neighborhood opened our pool this weekend. We nervously signed up for a 2-hour time slot, and we were pleasantly surprised how quiet it was and how well everyone could still have fun while social distancing outside. It was a great way to start our Memorial Day weekend, and feel a little bit "normal" again!

There are a lot of new rules for the pool:
-Online Sign-up ahead of time for two, 2-hour sessions per week
-Attendance must be under 100 people at a time with only 50 in the pool
-You must bring your own chairs and not move any tables
-The lazy river and slide are closed at this time
-Staff wipes down all tables and railings each hour
-Bathrooms and common areas are closed
-Separate entrance and exit and 6 ft spacing required when waiting to get in, with only one family allowed in at a time
- Must leave 15 minutes early to allow a full cleaning before the next group enters

There are so many new rules, and it still feels so weird to have these guidelines, but they did help us to feel safe while we got to enjoy a little bit of the start to summer...
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Parting thought for the week... Hoping for more opportunities to be in the company of others more this summer, and in the meantime, we'll keep on Facetiming and staying in touch! Stay healthy and safe!
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