It's the Last Day of School ---Sort Of

This year's school end seems so surreal. Any other year, I would spend the last day of school saying goodbye to my students (with plenty of hugs and tears) and cleaning out my room with "The Final Countdown" by Europe playing on repeat.  

I absolutely love my job, but would be looking forward to a life with a bit less stress, a bit more down time, and (of course) sleeping in!!!! 

In Wisconsin, summer would include trips to Upper Michigan to visit my parents, afternoons at the local pool, and days spent reading outside or mowing the lawn. 

In Florida, summer is spent putting in some hours at Universal, and once a week dinner out/Universal evenings with C.J. 

Today, I had no kids to hug...no room to clean out...and I've been sleeping in for the past two and a half months so nothing to look forward to there. 

While Universal plans to re-open June 5, I do not think they will be needing their seasonal employees this summer, so I'm not anticipating any work there. And since Universal will be working on reduced hours, closing at 6, there will not be any Universal evenings either. 

So what will the summer look like?  Hopefully I will be able to get extra hours at Huntington and C.J. brought up the great idea of having game nights in place of Universal. 

I would LOVE to go spend some time over at my parent's, but the air in their spare bedroom does not work so it makes sleeping difficult. 

For now, despite it being the 'last day of school', day to day life will not change. 

Week Seven (and Eight) - A Bit of Normalcy

This week brought about a slight change from the "new normal" of the previous six weeks.  A slight immersion back into society. 

On Saturday, we went to visit my parents for the first time in a couple months. I did a load of laundry, we played a few games of sequence, and then went to an actual restaurant, Manny's for pizza. 

On Sunday, we went over to C.J's. He ordered a pizza and we watched game 7 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals together. 






Huntington reopened this week also. Most parents are still opting for lessons through Zoom, but as teachers, we have to be in the center no matter what. I was there yesterday tutoring my student online and there were 3 students physically present. 

Also on Tuesday, I was at the Pierson Vue testing facility to take an exam that is needed for my professional teaching license. Let me just say, it should not be that difficult for someone with 30+ years of teaching experience to get a license. 

Wednesday evening I received a text from my mom that my dad had fallen outside, could not walk, and the ambulance had taken him to the hospital. Due to Co-Vid 19 rules, my mom could not accompany him. X-rays revealed a broken hip and surgery was scheduled for Thursday night. 

Broken hips have such a wide range of seriousness; especially in the elderly. The most severe breaks can result in extended hospital stays followed up by nursing home rehabs. Thankfully, my dad's was on the less severe side. He was released today already and physical therapy will take place at home. 

Zack and I were brave and ventured out to eat Friday for the first time in a couple months (besides Manny's). It was completely impromptu. We were out to do our grocery shopping, drove by Friday's, and noticed the huge sign  advertising their opening. Everything was very well controlled with tables marked for occupancy or unavailable due to social distancing, all workers wore masks, and hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes were readily available also. 

Finally, this evening was game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup finals.







We had to watch it on YouTube as our cable box stopped working this afternoon and we cannot get it swapped out until tomorrow. We are both sad it's over. It's been nice for Zack and me;  it's given us something to look forward to doing together........the Magic are doing the same thing with the 2009 season which I said I'd watch. But I really don't like watching basketball on TV and instead of winning it all, they lose in the finals, so might not enjoy it as much.

And the Beat Goes On --- Week Six

Today begins week 6 of "shelter in place". I know some consider it week 7, but since that first week I was still going into Huntington to tutor, it is week 6 for me. 

And today, Florida began what it calls a "gradual reopening". This means that restaurants and non-essential retail businesses may start operating at 25% capacity and follow the proper social distancing guidelines of spacing 6 feet apart.  But nail salons, barbershops/beauty salons, gyms, and movie theaters remain closed. The statistics derived from this "soft opening" will drive what happens next. 

For now, local theme parks continue to be closed and, if I had to guess, will probably remain that way for a while yet. I have all but given up hope of getting any summer hours this year. 

So, here's what week six looked like

- A Wednesday evening visit to C.J.'s to watch American Pie 3

Image: google

- Evening walks with Zack and Ollie. 

- Learning more Italian.  I am up to about 85 words now and 3phrases - - pleasure to meet you (piacere di conoscerti), how may I help you (come passo aiutarti) and my name is Judy (il mio nome 'e Judy).  

Watching movies. I finally got my act together and watched the Downton Abbey movie.


Was not disappointed in the movie as a whole, but was downcast when Lady Grantham revealed at the end that she was dying. 😢

Also reviving the 80's 


image ---google

image --google




Keeping routine and ritual going. Continue to set the alarm Monday - Friday and set myself up in the living room for a day of 'working' from home. 

See you next week!

Oh My

I was looking through a box Friday night in search of some paperwork and found some old pictures that bring back all the feels.