My Cup of Tea: March 2020

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Quarantine Holiday: New Year's

Our first holiday of Quarantine: New Year's! Friday was our New Year's Eve, so Zac printed out some hat templates for the kids to color and Leah added the pompoms on top. I had ordered some gold-glitter party hats from Hobby Lobby that arrived on time, but were so so messy. There is glitter all over the house. We put the homemade hats on top of the party hats to keep them in place, which kind of contained the glitter. The sparklers were made from a patriotic banner from Hobby Lobby. I took the tassels off the banner and pushed them into straws. I found the 2020 Time's Square ball drop on YouTube, so we enjoyed some sparkly grape juice and fireworks. For New Year's day (today, Saturday), we had the traditional greens and beans with corn bread.

Next week: Valentine's Day!

Monday, March 23, 2020

One Holiday A Week

Due to our quarantine, I'm trying to get creative with ideas to keep the boredom away. It sounds spoiled to say "I'm so bored" while people are sick and dying, but I'm grateful to be bored and not sick. So, since I have four kids and they're already homeschooled and stuck at home most of the time, I decided to have us celebrate one holiday a week. We're starting with New Year's and ending with Christmas. I'm relying on YouTube for videos that follow each holiday theme, like fireworks or the Macy parade, etc. I'm going to print out crafts or coloring pages, we'll eat a food that matches the holiday, and I'll be sure to post pictures.

Friday, March 20, 2020

Update and tattoo

So early last week, I went and saw a doctor because I was having some random aches and pains that have been bugging me since Cole was born. I was already aware of my asymptomatic leukocytes, so I was told to continue taking a probiotic. The following day, I went and had an ultrasound done of my gallbladder, liver, and kidneys. My results showed a dilated bile duct, but my gallbladder and kidneys and liver were normal. They sent me for blood work to check for anything underlying, so I went and had that done Wednesday. I called this morning and guess what? Everything is normal. I'm fine. So, it confirms I've pulled a muscle in my back, probably from painting and building furniture, but it won't heal because I carry a 25-pound baby around on my hip all the time (but now he's walking, so there's less of that). I also sit a lot. Add my anxiety and you've got yourself a stress cake. So, at least I can find some relief that I'm not dying and Katie was right. They wouldn't find anything because I stressed myself out over nothing. I am considering seeking therapy. I follow Claire Bidwell Smith on Instagram and she's a grief counselor. I talked to her a little bit last year and she told me grief can cause anxiety. She actually wrote a book about it called Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief which I'm considering buying or at least downloading to listen to (multitasking) because I'm positive I've got some anxiety from losing Emily and Dad. Anyway, I'm glad there isn't anything internally wrong with me. I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, I forgot to post a few weeks ago that we went out to see Jessie so I could get started on my coverup. When we're able to go out there again, Zac and I will get both of ours finished.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Quarantine Days are Long Days

Odd things about me.

1. Do you put ketchup on hot dogs? No.

2. Choice of soda? I prefer tea.

3. Do you own a gun? Yes, but no ammo.

4. Can you swim? Yes.

5. Hot dogs or cheeseburger? Tacos.

6. Favorite type of food? Mexican.

7. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes.

8. What do you drink in the morning? Water, orange juice, coffee.

9. Can you do 100 push-ups? Not anymore.

10. Favorite time of year? Autumn.

11. Your favorite hobby? Crochet.

12. Tattoos? Technically 11 since one's been covered.

13. Do you wear glasses? I'm supposed to while driving.

14. Do you have a phobia? Yes.

15. Do you have a nickname? A few. Mom, Sweet, Babe, Amy.

16. Three favorite drinks? Sweet tea, herbal tea, spiced tea.

17. Rain or snow? Rain.

18. Can you change a tire? Yes.

19. Favorite flower? Daisy.

20. Can you drive a stick? If I knew how, sure.

21. Ever gone skydiving? Nope.

22. Kids? Four here, two not here.

23. Favorite color? Orange.

24. Employed? Nope.

25. Can you whistle? Not anymore.

26. Favorite vacation? Disney World.

27. Siblings? Two older half-sisters, one older half-brother, and I had a younger sister.

28. Surgeries? Tonsillectomy.

29. Shower or bath? Baths.

30. Last song you listened to? I can't remember. Something hiphop.

31. Broken bones? Nope.

32. How many TVs in your home? 3.

33. Worst pain? Grief.

34. Do you like to sing? Yes.

35. Are your parents still alive? Mom is.

36. What do you enjoy binge watching? Friends or The Office.

37. Pumpkin or pecan pie? All pies.
38. Steak or seafood? Neither.
39. Italian or Chinese? Chinese.
40. Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla.
41. Pepsi or Coke? Neither.
42. How old are you? How old do I look :P
43. Ever hit a deer? No.
44. Rode in an ambulance? Yes.
45. Ice skated? Yes.
46. Rode a motorcycle? Yes.
47. Stayed in a hospital? Yes.
48. Last phone call? Zac.
49. Last text from? Pastor.
50. Sunrise or sunset? Sunset.
51. Ocean or mountains? Mountains.

Monday, March 16, 2020

So um... How 'bout that virus?

I know zombies aren't real. I know they aren't, but with this coronavirus going on, one would think we're finding ourselves in a Walking Dead situation. Streets are empty, shops are closed, grocery shelves are empty of many things. It's surreal and a little scary. While I'm prone to anxiety attacks and feel sick to my stomach if I dwell on bad things too long, I'm trying to stay calm and remind myself that this is a treatable, low-fatality virus. My family and I tend to dodge the flu season every year, though we do catch a common cold now and then, but I'm on top of my germ game and am going to do my best to avoid people. Not like I don't already as a stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, and introvert. My only errands are hanging out at Target and Hobby Lobby and I haven't been to either for a few weeks. I can't really go out as it is because pollen is everywhere. I'm trying to stay away from panicked news and focus on hanging with my kiddos, playing board games, reading books, and watching shows. When I do check the news, I look at recovery rates and healing and pictures of alpacas.

Stay inside, don't panic, and wash your hands.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Monday on a Tuesday, go figure

I'm fairly certain today was the most annoying day I've had ever. Maybe not ever, but definitely this year. So, this morning I was up around 7:30. I had to take a Benadryl last night because the pollen index is fucking bananas. I passed out before 11pm. Zac worked with Cole, getting that turd to sleep because he was adamant that he would miss something super important if he were to sleep. I got up, got dressed, woke Jac to help with Cole, then headed out as soon as Mom showed up.

I haven't been to the doctor since I had Cole, and even then, it was an OBGYN and not a regular doctor. Mom recommended hers, Dr. J, so I went to him. I explained that I've got pains in my body that aren't severe pains, but are more like aches that come and go. Most of the time, the aches are on my right near my kidneys and gallbladder (front and back side). Sometimes the aches go to my shoulders or lower back. Much of the time, the aches go away when I move around, which makes me wonder if it's muscular pains. I lift Cole wrong, bending instead of squatting. I sit often because I can't stand and crochet, or I'm having to teach or I'm holding Cole while he's sleeping. I have what feels like a pinched sensation in the front right part of my abdomen, near my gallbladder, but it's the same place I pinched when I leaned forward months ago. I wonder if it's trapped air from being a vegetarian and relying on a lot of beans for protein. I definitely have mild bloating. Anyway, my blood pressure was normal. Dr. J poked around my sides and applied pressure to the locations I pointed out. Nothing felt off to him. I asked for a urinalysis and as I thought, I still have bacteria showing up. I explained it's asymptomatic, so he is having it cultured to determine if I should be on antibiotics. He scheduled me for an ultrasound tomorrow morning so they can scan my gallbladder and kidneys to find out what else might be going on. I'm hoping it's only muscular, but I'm having anxiety about receiving bad news.

After my appointment, I came home, got the kids started on their lesson, fed the boys and got them ready to go back out to their dental appointments. A few months ago, I confirmed Jac and Leah's appointments but called and asked if Elias could be added on. They removed Jac's and added Elias'. We were late arriving because halfway there, Leah informed me she forgot to put her shoes on. I turned around, grabbed her shoes and we were 20 minutes late. The receptionist let me know bluntly that we'd be lucky to be seen. Whatever. Leah went first, then Elias. Then we waited... and waited. An hour went by and the receptionist asked if we were waiting on anyone. I asked about Jac. He wasn't in the system. I made an appointment for Cole tomorrow, so went ahead and added Jac. Before we left, another customer came in and was so very rude to the receptionist... apparently she didn't read her email or listen to her voicemail so she was unaware she had to call to confirm appointments. She was acting like it was the receptionist's fault and gave her a hard time. Once I got the kids in the car, we headed to Brandon to get Burger King. I was about halfway there when I suddenly realized I didn't put the stroller in the van. I freaked out and used a few choice profanities, called the receptionist and let her know, then headed back. Luckily, I had my purse in the van with me, so had anyone stolen my stroller, they'd have a nice little diaper bag backpack with size 4 diapers and some wipes. Not a huge loss, but OMG. I got back to the dentist office and the receptionist had my stroller. Bless her. We headed back to Burger King, by now it's maybe 5pm. Zac's getting off work. I go get the kids their Impossible Whoppers and head home. I was going to hang out with Jena, but I didn't know the dentist would take so long or that I'd be a scatterbrained dumbass. Zac got home right after I did, then we headed to the church to vote. I'd never voted before, but I'm glad I did. I'm disappointed in my state's polls, but I'm the change I want to see. Jac kept the boys and Leah, so we grabbed some coffee and had a little time just us before coming back home. I didn't mention Leah didn't even finish her lesson because this entire year has been a complete struggle with her. Like, I'm *this close* to putting her in the oven or sending her to public school.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping the day won't be so nuts. I've gotta wake up at 6:30 and get my ultrasound done. Mom can't keep the kids, so Zac's going to stay home and go into work a little late. After that, I'm gonna have a nice herbal tea, then take my bookend boys to get their teeth cleaned. It'll be Cole's first dental appointment, so that's cool. Ugh, I'm just nervous about tomorrow. BS anxiety through the roof. I'm hoping I'm just overreacting.

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Park

It hasn't rained in maybe two days... ? It's been off and on mud puddles for over a month. The sky is always grey, it's cold or not warm enough to go without a sweater. I can't start a garden yet because there's no sun. We missed church because of Daylight Savings, so we slept in. Zac whipped up the best brunch and brought me home my favorite Starbucks Frappuccino (caramel ribbon crunch). After food, we went for a walk to enjoy the not-so-cold afternoon. Jac, Leah, and Elias all fell off their bikes/scooter at some point, but only Leah had the scraped knee. Meanwhile, Cole dozed off and got snuggled under Jac's sweater.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Busy Weekend Revamp

Over the weekend, we decided to finally paint the kids' rooms. We have a small, three-bedroom house where Jac has a loft bed that Leah sleeps under on her mattress on the floor. She had one of two bunk beds (we gave the other to Rachel for Payton to use), so her sleeping arrangement was temporary. Elias was using his convertible crib as a toddler bed and Cole is still sleeping in our room in his bassinet or our bed. After some pros and cons, we decided to put Jac in his own room with Elias' bed (now a crib) for Cole, and let Leah and Elias share a trundle. We ordered her bed, two mattresses, some bedding, and chairs. Meanwhile, we started painting. I picked white because the grey was just way too dark. Below you'll see some before, during, and after pics. Unfortunately, Leah tossed her mattress to the curb before I could get a picture of it beneath Jac's bed. We still need to buy some screws for Leah's shelves, but I'm super happy with how everything turned out. I may also need to switch out the light bulbs. The pics are showing an orange hue.