A Chip Off the Old Block

Today was our girl's first track meet! Honestly, out of all of the things that I thought I'd be most excited about as her mom, I wouldn't have guessed it would be this, but here we are!  She ran in the third heat of the girls' 100 meters.  I'm trying to remember, but I think the first heats are the slower runners, and the later you get, the faster the runners. You know, save the best for last.  

In case you didn't know, I ran track and cross country in high school, and I was good.  I was seventh in the state for girls' 800 meters and tenth for girls' cross country, and I had multiple scholarship offers to run in college, including one from Harvard.  Mandeville High School boys and girls track and cross country teams were consistently in the top five in the state. I believe the year that I placed 10th, our team came in first. Hey, I don't often brag, so this is my moment to gloat.

Her next meet will be at my alma mater so I'm sure that I'll take an even more in-depth trip down memory lane. Training year-round for a high school team is much different than for a short season for an elementary school team, but if she's inspired to take up running as a hobby, I'll be right there alongside her! Her dad and Merle will likely join us, so it can be a family affair.    

  

It's Halloween, Y'all!

 My favorite time of year is here!  We've got a very busy weekend ahead.  Yesterday at work was costume day, and I dressed as "new school Cruella".  If you haven't seen the new movie, you need to.  My parents even like it because of the soundtrack.  It was what we were all watching together right before we lost power when Ida blew in.  

Today was a Witchy Luncheon at Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse with girlfriends and tonight was Trunk or Treat at little one's school.  I was a witch all day.  At school, she dressed as Mal from The Descendants, and tonight she was a Saints cheerleader.  Tomorrow night we're trick or treating in a school friend's neighborhood and I'll be a bat. She's going to be Elsa from Frozen 2.  Actual Halloween night in our neighborhood I'll be Cruella again, but a different version and she and her dad will be Dalmatians.  Bonus that the weather will actually be fall like, and they won't sweat to death in their outfits.  

Costuming has always been my jam, but I'm extra happy that she and my husband get into it, too.  In fact, he's diehard family costume guy.  A couple of years ago, we talked about him being Willy Wonka, her being an Oompa Loompa, and me being one of the bratty girls from the movie.  He's still bitter that it didn't work out.  

The amount of candy that has already been accrued just from tonight and today at school is impressive.  I can't imagine how much the next two nights will bring.  We moved with leftover candy from past holidays between the condo and here.  So much of it was stale and should have been trashed long ago.  It just got finished like a month ago.  Never again.  If there's leftover candy from this Halloween, it's got to be gone by Christmas.  Then the leftover Christmas candy needs to be gone by Valentine's Day, and Valentine's Day needs to be gone by Easter.  No more saving it for months - that's disgusting.  

We're all looking forward to Halloween in our new house and new neighborhood.  Apparently, it's quite a party with everyone setting up at the ends of their driveways and handing out candy to the masses; like, supposed busloads of trick or treaters.  It's also been awesome to decorate inside and outside.  I had to throw away a lot of decorations this year because a glass globe full of glittery water broke in a tote (assuming during the move) and mold grew on just about everything stored in there.  Turns out, I didn't need all those decorations anyway.  This house is twice the size of the condo and I had plenty of décor to space around.  

Cheers and Happy Halloween, y'all! 

Love in the Time of COVID

I went to the same school in kindergarten as I went to fourth through sixth grade.  While I was there, my big crush was on David Mueller.  His dad runs the WWII Museum in New Orleans nowadays if you're looking for context.  My childhood friend, Noelle, and I would chase David around the playground at recess.  One day my favorite teacher "pulled us over" and gave us a verbal scolding for essentially harassing David.  She wasn't wrong; we basically were since we were so obsessed with him. I don't know that he really minded, though.  When Noelle and I were in college he came to visit and must have called my dorm room six times before I got home from class.  When I finally went over to Noelle's room to visit, he was all flirty.  Our moms were close friends all through our childhood so everyone was in on what was happening from day one.    

All of my life I was boy-crazy.  When I went to a different school for first through third grade, I had a crush on a boy named Jesse (sorry, don't remember his last name).  He was always nice to me, but he had a girlfriend named Joy.  I hated her and she was always snooty to me.  Lol!  Young love. 

Our girl had a "boyfriend" when she was in daycare.  He'll be referred to as "M".  They go to different schools now, but every now and then they'll see each other at a birthday party, or have a Zoom call.  The other day, she and I were getting home from school and she announced that her neighborhood friend that we'll call "J" was "so sweet and so cute".  Later that evening at dinner, she said that they give each other "kissies".  I had to ask what that meant - thankfully, it's kisses on the cheek and nothing more.  The weird twist is that J's dad and I were involved several years ago.  The kids don't know that, but my husband and J's mom know that.  It's all fine since they're young and innocent now, they just can't get together in high school.  😉 

Other than my crushes all through school, I didn't actually date until high school.  My husband, on the other hand, had all the little "girlfriends" from a young age like our daughter.  I find it entertaining but also a little baffling mostly because I don't want our girl to grow up too fast.  I was playing with Strawberry Shortcake, Cabbage Patch dolls, and Barbies at her age.  She loves her Barbies and Legos, but also seems to come out of nowhere with some outfits she wants to go play in when it involves J.  

I'm sure it's all fine.  Today they acted like street musicians and sat at a patio table playing guitar (him) and ukulele (her).  Other times they build forts and play house in the treehouse his dad built him. There's nothing I need to worry about, right?  She's got another crush at her school, too.  She said that she doesn't know which boy to marry!  Y'all.  Boy. Crazy. up in here!

Independence Day 2020

Happy Birthday to me!  Yes, today I turn 42 years old.  I always see a live fireworks show and spend time with my family.  As with everything else during this "unprecedented time" this year is a little different.  There will be a live fireworks show tonight, but since we're supposed to stay in our cars to watch it, I feel like we should just stay home and I'll watch the Macy's version on TV.  

Yesterday, we went to my brother's house and celebrated his birthday (April), my niece's birthday (May), my dad's birthday (June), and my birthday with an ice cream party and some small fireworks.  The cousins got to play together for the first time in over a month and we all got to have face-to-face conversations instead of text messages or Bluetooth phone calls while driving somewhere.  

Recent phone calls with friends have centered around the rapidly approaching school year (didn't one just end?) and what things may look like as far as distance learning and childcare goes.  While there is complete stupidity on the news with college students in Alabama having parties to see who can catch COVID 19 first, there is also unsettling local instances that the virus is at our doorstep.  

A team of workers at one library branch had to do home quarantine about a month ago, and now an entirely different branch has had to close because of exposure.  Last night, I found out that someone who works in my office building has tested positive for the virus, which made me very upset.  I don't think I have worked the same days recently, but how long are the germs lingering around?  Did I just unknowingly expose my entire family at our birthday gathering yesterday?  We were all outside the majority of the time, but we all hugged and ate together (saliva spreads it).  Should I stop going into the office and go back to only working from home?  Do I need to get retested myself to see if I am a carrier?  How many times will insurance cover one person getting tested?

My husband and I got tested a few weeks ago because of the "outbreak" in Hammond bars and one of his coworkers was ill for a few days.  Thankfully, no one actually had the virus at his work and our tests came back negative.  Our daughter has been going to summer camp since they opened in June and while young kids aren't the high-risk category you hear about on the news, there's no way to know how careful other parents are being at home even though the actual camp and counselors are taking lots of precautions.  

I hope this year has a sparkle to it in some way sooner than later.  Right now it's in the small things.  I had my birthday tradition of a custard fruit tart for breakfast with my immediate family.  Yesterday I spent time with my side of the extended family, and last night we started watching "Hamilton" on Disney+.  I slept pretty well, and plan on relaxing all day at home.  

Happy Fourth of July, everybody!

Phase 2

Summer camp has finally started!  Y'all, when the meteorologists kept talking up TS Cristobal I was hoping it was just going to blow over.  We see now that didn't happen, but when camp officially started on Tuesday, I'm sure I was one of many parents who rejoiced and relished in the uninterrupted quiet for seven hours. 

I am still working from home, but I'm also experimenting with going into the office a bit more this week just because I can now.  There is a quiz on either the state or the governor's website that is for anyone to assess whether or not they should return to work yet.  Unfortunately, no matter how many times I changed my answers a smidge (Hashimoto's (autoimmune) disease, my allergy symptoms), me having asthma continuously puts me at 'high risk' and I should still be working from home as much as possible.  Maybe I'm making a mistake, but I want to keep going into the office.  I think I probably shouldn't be running errands; like, my job isn't putting me at risk but going out in public in general is.  

I would like to take the antibody test to see if I've already had the virus. Just before this was about to become the weirdest time of our lives, my daughter and I both got sick.  I felt ill enough that I used a lot of sick time from work; however, I never had fever so I wasn't eligible to get tested back then.  My allergist gave me a new inhaler and my symptoms improved; although, the nurse at the office gave me wide eyes when I mentioned I was having trouble breathing.  My daughter had a very slight fever and a cough and went to the doctor twice, but never the shortness of breath.  Together, our symptoms would have gotten us both tested, but separately we didn't meet the criteria at the time.  Now I think anyone who wants to get tested can.  

Anyway, phase two has introduced the current and more hopeful "new normal" for us.  I am looking forward to a routine that includes being healthier mentally and physically.  Days that I go into the office - the ones that my assistant isn't there, my child is at camp, and my husband is at work - will be just like a pre-COVID life workday during the school year.  Days that I work from home can include a walk or a bike ride at some point in addition to getting my thoughts together without interruption.  One friend said that if their kid is awake, they're talking.  Mine is the same way.  We mean that lovingly, of course, but there is also a lot to be said for uninterrupted thinking. 

The next thing to decide is how many face masks does one need.  I mean, it is the new fashion accessory these days, and I'm all about accessories!  

Moving Right Along

There is something perfect about a rainy summer afternoon.  When it's as hot and humid as it's been a good thunderstorm like we experienced today restores balance.  It also means I don't have to go outside and sweat while staring into the sun playing catch, or getting attacked by mosquitoes while we attempt whatever other sports in the yard.  Yes, that sounds terrible and also like I don't enjoy sports or being outside.  Quite the contrary, but I do not like the heat.  Once temperatures rise to the mid-80s, I tap out.

Today we took a fairly big step in the right direction concerning moving.  Actually, the day that hubs got a new real estate agent for his place in Scott was even bigger than this, but today we got a mini-storage!  We've only been talking about it for over a year...

I've mentioned previously that our daughter's bedroom was my former art studio.  When I bought the condo we live in, I was single and it was the perfect "starter home" for me.  Our now almost six-and-a-half year old needs more space, and I don't have a great spot or the time to do many art projects anymore.  Plus, having extra storage is forcing me to truly purge and organize what I truly want to keep.  For me at least, one of the blessings of motherhood is having a better grasp of what I spend time caring about. 

It's a family trait on my side to hoard and half finish projects.  My dad, my husband, and my sister-in-law all have to put up with their partner's ADD and clutter - but we're all creative and resourceful!  Seriously, though, and as odd as it may sound, I am glad to have the fire lit under me to really get this organizing and moving process, well, moving along!  And what better time to do something like this than a long weekend and while  I'm still mostly working from home. 

As we're likely all learning in one way or another during this unprecedented (hehe, nod to Jim Gaffigan) time - baby steps.  Everyone doesn't have to happen at once and the more we can slow down our thoughts and actions the more we can be in the present and see what is truly important. 

Persevering

We are now in week seven of this crazy new life.  I have since become a grumpy, (more) judgy, germaphobe compared to my old self.

I do think that part of my mental state is what it is because we are already cramped in this condo.  If we had a real yard and more square footage to spread out in, I think I'd lose my cool less and likely be feel more relaxed.  That's how I feel when I have visited my parents at least, and their house is almost three times the size of where we live.

After a week-long spring break, we're back to virtual classroom learning. Thankfully, there are only a few weeks left of school. The other night I registered her for summer camps, assuming they'll take place.  Of course, now with the extended stay at home order, I wonder if they'll happen at all. If not, this is going to be a very long summer.

When my husband got home from work today I just broke down and cried. Now I'm having a glass of wine. So many things and people needed my attention today, I feel like I've been playing an all day game of Twister and it's exhausting.

The longer this stay at home, live with all these restrictions goes on, the less I see a silver lining. Yes, I'm depressed and deal with anxiety regularly; however, I also am not able to imagine when or how things will go back to what they used to be. Honestly, I don't think they'll ever be exactly how they used to. Part of me is okay with that, but the not knowing what to expect at all is what's making me crazy. Practicing yoga - staying in the present moment - and getting enough exercise (which is not happening) will help, I know. Thankfully, I am able to do zoom yoga through work once a week. It's the only program I have going right now.  Planning a completely virtual summer reading program for the library is not easy since we supply everything that's needed for patrons, but I think it will all work out somehow.

Changing how our brains work that is the hardest part of all of this.  If anyone has any suggestions on how to balance the demands this is making on so many of us, please share. I'm sure we can all use a different perspective.  In the meantime, cheers!

First Disney Trip: Disney for the non-Disney lover

There are the diehard Disney types who can go over and over again and get just as excited as a kid going for the first time, and then there are the, “What is the big deal?” types who have been a couple times and don’t have it on their top 10 places to go back to.  I was definitely in the second camp.  I’m sure you noticed that I said, “I was”.  Here’s what happened. 

My parents took my brother and me when we were kids – he was 5 and I was 10.  Our grandparents had been and brought us stuff back and we liked our presents.  I had seen all of the princess movies that were out at the time, and owned some Lisa Frank Disney binders for school and some Disney Store things from Lakeside Mall.  That was the extent of it save the senior trip Mandeville High students got to go on, which was a whirlwind tour of three parks in a weekend.  At the time is was Blizzard Beach one afternoon, Magic Kingdom afterhours for Grad Night, Epcot and MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios).
 
Each time I’d been to Disney, we traveled by car.  I do love a road trip as an adult if we can sightsee along the way or if it’s a short drive, but I generally prefer to fly places if it’s affordable.  Well, my sister-in-law is from Florida and she grew up going to Disney on the regular.  Her love of the parks really became apparent to us when she and my brother started having kids.  Honestly, my parents, I and my husband wondered what the deal was.  We know it’s not a cheap vacation, and we just didn’t understand the allure – kids or not.  They have been annual pass holders multiple years and drive there every time.  Turns out, my brother is a fan now, too. 

Cousins on both sides of the family have been and some of our daughter’s classmates, so even though we weren’t pushing it at home or watching more than “Parent Trap” or “Mary Poppins”, our girl was learning about the current princesses and the classic characters like Mickey and his friends.  Sister-in-law started suggesting that our girl go with them on a trip to try it out.  We agreed without hesitation, knowing she would be in good hands and that we’d likely not be planning our own trip for a few more years.  That idea morphed into, “Hey, do you want to do a girls trip?” and since SIL is a Disney travel agent, we got a nice deal that we thought would be silly to pass up.   

The first week of April, we loaded up our three girls – ages 5, 4, and 2 – in the backseat and my SIL and I in the front and headed to the parks!  Since I hadn’t been in over twenty years and my daughter had never been before, we considered ourselves first timers and the trip was planned so that we would catch the highlights of each park.  Animal Kingdom didn’t exist when I went before and Hollywood Studios was known as MGM Studios.  Both Magic Kingdom and Epcot have both gone through some changes in the span of time between my visits as well.  Fast passes and possibly meal plans (although I was a kid so maybe I just wasn’t aware they existed) were also new things to me this go round. 

The road trip was fun – the girls had the best time singing, coloring, playing games and watching movies.  SIL and I got to catch up and have an adult conversation, which rarely happens during holiday dinners.  Her navigational skills obviously helped a great deal, and her knowledge of the parks and planning skills in general also played a huge role in this trip being a success.  Did the girls get tired of each other?  Of course.  We all got hot and tired, and mine wanted to live at the hotel pool while the other two were more inclined to shop or meet characters.  Overall, though, it really was a nice trip. 

Each day we visited a different park.  The first day we went to Magic Kingdom and while we were there, they happened to have extra Magic Hours, which helped us do more rides than we normally would have.  Turns out, my girl loves rollercoasters!  We ended up in the first car for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and it hardly phased her.  Every ride we did she wanted to get back in line to do again!  Side note: I love New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parades, but the artistry and professionalism of the Disney parades is truly magical and very impressive. 

The second day we went to Animal Kingdom.  It was a good laid back day, which we needed to recuperate from all the walking we’d done in the Magic Kingdom the day and night before.  Another side note: it was a nice park, but to me, Audubon Zoo is so well done that it’s hard to top even with the special rides and characters.  However, the Mickey and Minnie visit was the best there out of the entire trip.  They were so sweet and spent so much time with my girl I nearly cried.  Maybe that’s when I started to drink the Kool-Aid. 

Our third day was at Hollywood Studios and it was rough.  The park itself is fine, but we were so exhausted from the two previous days that we probably could have all benefitted from a day at the hotel by the pool.  By the way, we stayed at Pop Century.  The cafeteria, the pool, and all of the things to explore and participate in while you’re there can be a vacation in itself.  We did enjoy a late lunch at Brown Derby, however, and got moved to the VIP section to meet Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, and BB-8 because my nieces were dressed so cute.  We skipped the fireworks show that night, however, because we all just needed a break.  We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening by the hotel pool and watched the featured movie, “Ralph Breaks the Internet”. 

The final day of the trip was spent at Epcot.  I’d say it is still my favorite park, and now that I can drink my way around the world (and have a more experienced palate) it’s even better.  It rained and lightninged that night, though, so the fireworks show was canceled.  The Flower and Garden Show was beautiful, and the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt was an added bonus for the girls, as was the princess meet and greet in Norway.
Now we’ve made great memories, seen what it’s all like these days, and can go back after saving up for a while.  There will be other vacations in between.  We still aren’t going to be Disney all the time people, but I can say that I have a much better understanding of my SIL’s love for it, see that an adults-only trip would be a lot of fun, too, and there is certainly a park for everyone.  The trick is convincing my husband why it’s worth it.  Thankfully, Star Wars and The Muppets will help a lot with that.  Also, I could never have planned this trip without the help from my SIL.  I don’t know how people go without a planner to be perfectly honest.  It’s overwhelming with so many options for everything – from the places to stay, fast passes, meal plans, and getting around and to and from the parks. 

Hot Mess Mardi Gras

Two years ago, my husband and I both had food poisoning from eating bad prosciutto.  He actually went to the ER for it on Lundi Gras that year.  Last year it was pretty cold because Mardi Gras was early.  This year, my husband has been working the graveyard shift and I have a sinus infection and tummy issues.  I just want to be healthy, for him to have a flexible schedule, and all of us be happy and ready to parade at this time of year.

I've already got next year's plan made - which also means it will get messed up.  Nyx and Muses will be half days of work, and Flyday and Lundi Gras I will be totally off .  We'll hopefully have someone we can use as a babysitter for the night parades, and the rain needs to stay away.  Mardi Gras is going to be early in 2018, which I highly dislike, so it could be chilly.  Of course, with this whopping two weeks of winter we've had this year, it could just as easily be 80 degrees again - at least it's sunny.

Last Friday night, we ended up cancelling our open house party for Eve because of rain.  Actually, most people cancelled themselves.  Tonight we were going to do the same thing for Orpheus, but with my issues and my husband's schedule, we decided to call it off.  Plus, there's pretty major road construction on our street right now, which could prove to be a pain in the butt even for walkers.

It's just not meant to be for us this year.  If I feel better, tomorrow our three year old and I might join some friends heading uptown for a couple of morning parades.  Sunday we'll be at a friend's house with tons of food (but no parades), and Monday kind of depends on the weather, but could be a buffet lunch with some other friends.  Things aren't terrible, I just hope I can enjoy all this food, but next year I would really like to parade a bit more.

Happy Mardi Gras, Y'all!  Stay safe, and have a great time!