Isolation and Quarantine

 A lot has happened since the last post; also not much happened for about two weeks.  A few days after Owen's wrestling tournament in Lebanon and Gracie's tournament in Springfield, Nick started to not feel well.  By the third day he really needed to go to the doctor, and urgent care was the best option.  Of course they tested for Covid and flu.  Covid was the winner!  It certainly took a toll on Nick, but no one else in our family ever developed any symptoms, nor did we get tested.  Nick was out for a solid week feeling pretty terrible, and the kids and I stayed away working and doing school from home.  Fortunately they did not end up missing a lot of school due to weather.  Southern Boone cancelled a total of 6 days of school while the kids were quarantined.

We went through that two week period of quarantine in mostly negative temperatures.  It was awful.  We tried to make the most of it. No activities, no school, no friends, no going to the store, work, or anywhere. 

BUT...

A shirt my boss purchased for all of her staff...just trying to make it through the year.

I did do other things...

• I used HyVee aisles online for the first time... twice
• We cooked and ate dinner together every night
• I actually sat down and watched two movies on two different nights (by myself) that were my choice.
• spent a lot of time with Gracie and Owen!

I caught this sunrise when the temperatures started to warm up a little bit.

Nick was not available for over a week and Owen had to resort to wrestling his mom.

Owen was not impressed with my wrestling skills.

I think I was laughing the majority of the time.

Gracie was a little better

He actually asked for her after his disappointing experience with me.

This is what I do.

After over two weeks of treadmill workouts, I finally got a semi-long run outside.

Keep up with that, Owen.

This was day 13 of our quarantine and finally temperatures above freezing, with roads not quite as snow-covered.  I was so happy to get outside.

Nick and I will finally have a headboard.

After 18 years of being married this is our first, and Nick built it (prior to getting sick).

I stained it, but still need to put a coat of varnish on.  I love it!

I just need to buy new bedding, too!

Before

After

We finished a puzzle during quarantine.  It was mostly me, but Owen helped a little.  Gracie was not interested at all.

I think this took about 3 days.  I was working during the day, though.

Another cold, beautiful morning.

This was after it snowed for an entire day.

Frozen Pond!  I don't think this ever happened last year.

Gracie wanted to be the one to drill the holes.

It took about 4 days of sub freezing temperatures to get to 4 inches depth.

Luckily it froze before it snowed a lot, so the kids were able to skate.

After it snowed, I tried to scoop it off, but it got a little slushy on top.

Checking the depth was not an easy task without Nick available to help.  I do know how to use a drill, but finding the right bit and attaching it, that's another story.  Owen thought he knew what he was doing, but failed to get the right bit, too.  Nick finally drug himself out of bed to help the helpless.  Ironically after we were able to drill through the first time, it wasn't quite deep enough, so we waited another day or so to lace up the skates.

Then finally, some ice skating!

Gracie had to use the skates that Nick usually wears since hers broke last year, but I think they had fun anyway.  I think Owen could have stayed out there for hours, but it was just so cold!

This was still on the first day of skating.  Watch out Gracie!

Owen and I went out and cleared it again after it snowed (again) the next day, but it was just too cold to stay out there for more than 20-30 minutes.  I only was able to stay warm because I was shoveling snow.  Owen's facemask was getting wet from his breath and then it froze.  His cheeks were so cold they were turning white when we got inside.  I'm so glad we came in when we did.

Shoveling more snow and playing with Ruby.  She seems to love it!

So, about the chores...yep the kids and I did this everyday while Nick was unable.

We were even able to clean Thor's stall!

Finally after almost two weeks, the temperatures reached the upper 20's and we went for a walk down the road with Ruby!  Love the sun!

Nick finally started feeling better about 8-9 days after his symptoms first started.  Like I mentioned, we took him to urgent care on a Wednesday, about day 3, and they encouraged him to get an infusion to boost his immune system.  This took about 3 hours at the hospital on a Wednesday evening, but I believe it was worth it.  He never had any breathing problems and we avoided going to the hospital again for further treatment.  It just took time to run its course.  When our neighbors found out, they were so great and brought over dinners on the weekend.  We are lucky to have some awesome families for friends.

I'm not going to lie; it was rough.  But things could have been so much worse.  There were a couple mornings that I just woke up angry and frustrated.  Lack of sleep could be partially to blame; I had been playing musical beds for about a week, going from the couch to a mattress on Owen's floor, and a couple nights slept in Gracie's bed.  The basement "bedroom" wasn't really an option because it was so cold down there.   After 10 days, Nick felt ok enough to work from home, and then we all returned to work/school on February 22.  Then it was basically 100mph again with work, school, and activities.

Practices and competitions resumed and we had a full week and weekend.  First, Show-Me State Games for basketball.  Gracie played at 8:30pm Friday night, 4pm Saturday, and two games on Sunday afternoon.  They were 2-2 over the weekend and placed 2nd.  They were beat by the same team twice, but the first game was so close... They only lost by 2 points.  Our friend Kathy was there and took some pretty good pictures.  These were all from the game that Nick and I missed to watch Owen wrestle.

District wrestling

Owen decided to do the state series this year which include districts, regionals, and then state; three weekends in a row.  He went into districts coming off quarantine and needing to weigh 100 pounds.  He learned about mindful consumption last week.  He was at 101 pounds at his first practice after quarantine.  I guess his trainer at home is not as good as the real thing.  He made it though and weighed in Friday night at 97.6lbs.  Just need to maintain for a couple more weeks.  I am so happy that I got to watch him on Sunday, even though they were pretty short matches.  He won with all pins. He moves on to Regionals in Kansas City next weekend.  The top 4 from each regional qualify for state and there are 9 in his bracket.  

Waiting for his match

Notice the shoes...they are not Owen's.  Owen has been wearing his pink shoes he earned for raising money for "Pin Cancer" last year.

He forgot those at home and had to borrow on Saturday.  Neither parent was impressed.

More waiting and encouraging other wrestlers.

I went live during all of his matches, so I tried to get a couple screen shots. 

They're not very good pics.

Pretty blurry.

Owen and his coach after his final win of the day.

Hanging out with his wrestling buddies after.

Maybe he worked hard?

Not sure if this was an earned nap.

This week will continue to be busy.  Owen is also going to try soccer this spring with some of his friends and baseball will eventually start.  He will finish out wrestling in a couple more weeks.  He is currently undefeated this season and his most challenging tournament was in Lebanon at Missouri Nationals.  Hopefully the next two weeks go well for him!

Gracie will continue to have full weekends, as well.  Between basketball and softball, we won't have much down time... yes, softball!!!  Her first indoor tourney is just over a week away!