Summer of Fun-Week 1

Hooray- we made it through SY19-20.   The ending was certainly not anything I would have ever predicted.  So, here I sit on the first day of summer vacation-already dreaming of returning to school in August.   Maybe that's because we've been working from home for 9 weeks already.

Oh well- time to dust off my summer series of Saw-Heard-Did...a weekly review that I started 2 summer ago.

SAW

Prior to March, the plan was for us to load up the RV this past Saturday and start heading north to explore the Canadian Rockies.   Reservations were made, routes were being plotted- but all those ideas came to a crashing halt with the pandemic.   We were 90% sure our plans would be interrupted and this week we saw that hunch confirmed.   The border remains closed through the middle of June, the national parks we hoped to explore remain closed to camping and the provincial parks in British Columbia are limiting visitors to just those who live in BC.  Three sure signs that Canada-2020 is now officially cancelled!

Fortunately for us, we have plenty of mountains and trails to explore right here in our beautiful state.   So, that's the plan for our summer- stay local and explore places we've not been before (while still being mindful of the value that comes with physical distancing).

HEARD

Thing 2-moves home!

Hearing that little voice growing to a roar all of us could no longer ignore- it just doesn't make solid financial sense to maintain two households in this area (our house in the 'burbs and his apartment downtown, close to campus).     His university is still unsure what Fall semester will look like in terms of online vs. in person learning.   Toss in that he's lined up a summer job- with his employer being closer to our house than downtown- well, we all agree it was time to head back home.

But first we had to do a little re-shuffling of the household space  and room assignments.  

 The kid gets what was my craft room-and I've moved into the front bedroom-and rebranded my space THE HEN DEN.   I'm using this time to reflect on what to keep vs. what has served its purpose and it is time for me to let it go.   While we both still have piles to sort through, I'd say we are both well on our way to Decluttering V.2020. 

DID

Still not much "doing" going on these days.  Yes, the governor continues to lessen the restrictions-but I'll be honest, neither Hubby nor I are eager to be in that first wave to test the waters (well, with the exception of testing some of the national forest campgrounds that we hope will open up later this week).

I helped return student supplies last week and was so impressed to watch my District's food distribution in place.  The staff and the families had such hearts of gratitude.   And, they even shared some of the extras with us- Talk about a Happy Thing 1 when I came home with this giant bag of fries!

I am participating in a 4 week webinar hosted by Oprah.   Yeah, I know-she has a certain reputation, but I have to say, the older both of us get...I find she delivers her messages in a softer tone-reminding me that Today-I am healthy, I am well-and I am OK.   My mind has struggled to sort through the "what next" and "when will this be over" mindset- so this free webinar has been a great thing for me to do as I wait for those answers to become clear.  

The summer to-do list looks very different than years past.   But that's ok- I am looking forward to exploring some hidden corners of my state, playing in the Hen Den- and hopefully-coming up with some more Pinterest-WINS like this one I did for our exiting students from work.

Until next time....

COVID Crisis Weeks 4-5-6-7-8.5

Time continues to fly and drag all at the same time as we  remain either at home or close-to-home depending on who's mandate you may be following.   So much for routine blog updates- but let's see if I can refresh my memory on what's happened in the past month

SAW-HEARD-DID

SAW:   We've watched the number of cases grow exponentially, and yet fortunately, some of the data suggests that the curve has started to flatten-with fewer cases requiring hospitalizations and even death.   More cases, but at a rate that the health care system can keep pace with.   That is the goal of the stay-at-home measures.   I personally have found it is best if I minimize the watching of the news, some things I can't avoid hearing through my weekly state and district level health briefings.   

Moving off from the worrisome news, let's talk happy sightings...

Well- 2 of my favorite AZ snow-birders made their appearance in CO.

 First to return to the nest was Hubby- who spent the month of March and first week of April enjoying the solitude of the southwest- Arizona and New Mexico.    I believe he spent close to 60 days in the desert- split between January, March and part of April (February was spent here in CO-with home renovation projects and jury duty)

 Then, later in the month, my dad stopped by on his road trip back to WI, having spent his winter season in Sun City AZ.   

                                                  

It was nice to see both doing well- and yes, encourages me that once we get the Things to fly the nest, I too may be able to join the snow-bird trend that looks more appealing with each passing year.   And of course, while Grandpa was here-we had to pause those 6 ft. apart warnings and let the Things snuggle up against Grandpa and his belly!  :) 

 

HEARD:   It has been a little less quiet these days- as my days are filled with at least one zoom meeting- some days one too many.   It feels like I go to more meetings now than I did in a traditional work setting.    Professional growth meetings, team meetings, planning meetings and briefings- way too much to keep track...grateful for Google Calendars that let me know where I am supposed to be and on what platform.

One thing I have heard over and over is the need to take care of ourselves during this time of uncertainty so what did I DO in the name of Self Care?!

DID:    All in the name of self care

Connected with the college kid...

Stalked my co-worker...

As I was craving a hearty dose of her infectious laugh...

Crafted a bit...thank-you Pinterest for the inspiration..

Walked a lot...trying to work my way through an epic read for our book club...

Sought the solitude of the country...and dreamed of retirement with land of our own...

With this handsome fella as my guide

Paused to smell the flowers- both outside

And inside...

And mostly- I continue to  remind myself on a daily basis how much truth is in this sentiment!

Until next time- do what you can, enjoy what is right there in your path-and try not to worry about all the rest of the stuff that gets in the way of joy...