COVID-19 - the new normal?

So, this is a weird time for everyone.  The whole world feels surreal and like a science fiction novel.  2 weeks ago started social distancing and extreme disinfecting and hand washing. Like everyone else, we are adjusting to this new normal. At times it seems silly and at other times terrifying.

The kids ended up with 3 weeks "off" school.  2 for teachers to get ready for distance learning and then 1 for spring break.  They start back at school 4/5 and until then, we are trying to keep them in a routine.

Tom is still getting paid but is on call and hasn't been called yet to work.  He's also trying to stay on a schedule and has doubled down on cooking amazing meals.

Tracys work is considered essential so she's been working a ton and going to the office everyday. Its full on crisis mode and she's loving working with others to solve these issues but...still wishes that they didnt have to.

We are trying to support our neighbors, friends, the nonprofits we love, local small businesses and keep our $ flowing so that people feel supported.  Thats the one amazing thing at this time, how many people are coming together to help each other. Its truly beautiful.

Here's a break down of what everyone is doing...

Tom - cooking, trying to talk Billy/Kay into practicing driving, there are NO cars on the roads so this is the perfect time.  Riding the new stationary bike we got!  Fixing things around the house and getting caught up on chores.  Making extra of every meal so that we can share with friends that are medically fragile (Tim, Kristin and Cyn). At the urging of Jim Fellows, he also started an Instagram called Murphyslaw where he'll upload recipes, etc.

Tracy - going to work each day and trying to get home before 7pm.  Walking the dogs, reading books,  date nights with Tom watching Erin Scwab on Facebook Live, thinking up chores for Tom to do.

Jimmy - his military fitness workout plan - running, pull ups, sit ups, weights, etc.  Until this last week, he was able to do his Republican Party internship from home, calling people back but...thats a little up in the air. Not sure if that will continue or not. Throwing the football with friends at the field, with proper distance. Extremely loud video games. He also got all his VMI paper work done and loaded to his portal. Watching church on Sundays and practicing drums.   He also completed a make up test.

Kay - super random stuff.  6 hours of missing homework one day (we can't figure out if she actually turned it in though) a different color of nail polish each day, homemade chicken pot pie, including crust, chatting with friends, sleeping.

Billy - he's been going to the dojang every day to workout and video workouts that are later loaded to Facebook. We are hoping he goes viral.  He's been driving a bit and nearly killed us one day when he didnt stop at a stoplight and turned right.  He is not a good driver and needs lots of practice.

Dogs - Maui has been terrorizing Nikki and chasing his own tail.  Walks and wondering why the 4 leggeds are around so much.

The house is clean, loud and will feel very small if this goes on for a long time. Tracy is worried about Tom and Jimmy. They need to be around people and this is going to be very very hard on them. Billy is in heaven as an introvert. Tracy gets what she needs from work and its hard to tell with Kay, she really does seem to be ok.  Time will tell I guess.

Here are some photos of this time. Its is a really really odd time to be alive and I'm sure this will have long lasting impacts that we can't even imagine.


Love, health and peace to everyone in this time.

Our friend posted this on Facebook and its good reminders

Kay was pretty proud of herself that she can now pick up Nikki

Our neighborhood wrote encouraging words on the sidewalk by the park. LOVE Golden Valley 

We started a new tradition of once a week Wednesday take out - week 1 = Pizza Luce owned by neighbor and friend JJ

Tom's version of mixed grill - it was amazing

the final product 

Getting set up to watch Erin S live on Facebook

SO FUN!!

We had martinis and heavy appetizers for Erin''s 1st show and were trying to create a "supper club" vibe 

That is if you could go to a supper club in your sweats 

Our new stationary bike! Tom is on it constantly! 

Our goals for each day 

We had a plus one on our walk this week, a coyote was very interested in what we were up to 

Tracy's command central at work 

This went into effect 3/27, they are saying it'll last 2 weeks, Tracy is convinced its lasting until August

Week 2 Wednesday night take out - Jungle Kitchen - pho, curry, orange chicken, so yummy 

Tracy was on TV talking about how her organization is still hiring

Social distancing happy hour at Kristens and Craigs - love our neighbors 

A friend dropped off new book ends for Tracy 

It was 63 degrees Friday so the 1st official bike ride of the season! Earliest ever! 

Make your own pizzas, including crust and sauce, in the wood fire store in prep for Erin S's 2nd show. Bunny watched from SC and Tracy was thrilled

Erin! Thanks for keeping us sane.

Happy St. Patrick's Day-2020, 19 years and year 1 of social distancing

The Parade must go on!

Amidst all the minute by minute changes wondering the coronavirus, we decided to go on the party.

Just to be clear when we made the decision groups of 250 were still ok. We had several people cancel because of ties with elderly or people with compromised immune systems which we totally understand and completely agree with.

This year was the parade the Saturday before the actual day it was on Tracy's favorite day of the year 3.14 ( Pie Day)

It started off as a tad bit cool and cloudy but by parade time it was a sunny and not cold not warm day. The usual fanfare occurred, lots of wearing of the green, several new as well as old faces and as usual a great crowd.

This year Billy wins the prize for the most guests it was like all of North Junior High was here.  Several of Tom and Tracy's co-workers came and had a blast. Kay made a cameo and left with her friends not returning until after most of the people had left. Jimmy and his other family the Kim's hung out awhile mostly indoors and away from the laughter.

Kai was given the responsibility of taking care of Maui, the second year in a row and its probably the only reason she even comes to the party. The food which now has become tradition, smoked pork shoulder, homemade bbq sauce, blue cheese coleslaw on a bun was fabulous. This years veg option was home made mac and cheese and seemed to be a hit so let's see if it makes back onto the menu next year. In order to help fight the virus we had several disinfectants available, potato based, fruit based and yeast and barley based for everyone to use :)
We even had one friend party remotely and send us her picture, awesome.
The party roared on until about 9:30 with just a few hanger on's having a you tube sing along/dance battle it was quite the sight....

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone, stay safe and keep calm and pie on...more to come

And...now its taekwondo season!

We just wrapped up gymnastics and now are headed, full force, into taekwondo season. Of course Billy trains 6 days a week, all year long but tournaments (and travel) starts in earnest in February with state tournaments and the US Open.

This year, he's on the MN Star Martial Arts team out of Coon Rapids with Master Franklin. Its a small but mighty team and its been fun to meet new kids and new parents. There are a few kids at his skill level, along with some bigger kids so he getting good experience. Master Franklin is funny and many of the kids are Billys age so that makes it fun too.  They have also been doing a great job of hosting sparring scrimmages so, that's also helped Billy's skills.

In January, they had a small tournament in Wisconsin and a sparring scrimmage in St Paul. In February, they had another scrimmage and then Iowa State and the US Open in Orlando. He fought well at all of them but didn't do as well as he'd like. He takes a while to "warm up" in his sparring events but then gets better after each round. Plus, he's in such good shape that he's worn his opponent out by the end of the match. However, they come out of the gate harder than he does and he's not always able to make up the points.  If matches had 5 rounds instead of 3, he'd win every time! He is fun to watch and you can see him being strategic and just how absolutely athletic this sport is. 

Grandma and Grandpa H drove down to Orlando to see him compete and, even though he lost, it was still fun.  We managed to also see Kennedy Space Center, which was pretty cool. I eave dropped on Grandpa telling Dadu about it and he thought it was the best thing he's seen in a long time. So grateful to have the time with them and Billy. Billy was engaging, funny and smart. As he always is;)

On top of all this, Billy has also been working towards his 1st section in his 2nd degree and, after a physical test and technical test in January, passed!  One more step towards his 3rd degree.

Billy also helps at Lil' Dragons, Family class and Beginner class with Master Lemon in St Louis Park.  Sometimes he even gets paid to help with a birthday party or parents night out. I think he's got more money stashed away than any of us!

He's in killer shape and can do push ups almost indefinitely. In fact, he kicked Jimmy's butt in a push up contest recently.

Up next?  The Waterloo tournament and AAU MN state in March.  Kansas City and Illinois USAT state in April and Brainerd in May.  Nationals for USAT is in San Antonio the week of the 4th of July and nationals for AAU is in Las Vegas  the week after the 4th of July. We'll have to figure out which one he'll go to.  More to come on that front.

Billy is so relaxing and zen to travel with. We have our quirky traditions of science and history TV shows, greek food and swimming in the hotel pool.  I wouldn't trade it for anything. I just wish the others could go with us (Tom, Kay and Jimmy) but they are so busy with their activities that its become nearly impossible.

I'll post a midseason update in April and we let everyone know how the road to Nationals is coming:)

Love you to bits Billy!

 

Spitting in a cup for 2 hours on the way to Iowa in order to make weight. Gross

 Practicing forms with moms

cutie

Way to go Bill!

1st and 3rd at Iowa

THE team.

On our way to the US Open

Kennedy Space Center with Grandma and Grandpa

It was windy

The launch pad

The worlds largest large doors - they take 45 to open

Very cool

A rocket

With Master Franklin

Juniors Tyler and Bill