The Loud Americans: COVID-19 update #2

Well, we are a month into #StayatHomeMN and we have found ways to stay busy and keep a (somewhat) regular schedule. As highlights... we have 5 key goals for each of us and we talk about them at dinner … Did you....

Get outside

Do some work

Work out

Connect with Friends

Have Fun

And...for Billy and Kay …. Practice Driving....

Overall, I'd say they are doing pretty good! They are all keeping up with school and Jimmy/Billy/Tom are finding ways to work out (lots of new weight bands, etc). There are a LOT of video games being played but also bible studies (Jimmy), teaching the dogs new tricks (Kay) and long hair (Billy)

Notably, here is what we are trying to focus on...

Cooking!! Tom loves to cook and its his creative outlet and stress relief. We are trying to make something new at least once a week and so far, the results are amazing! Kay even joined in with cream puffs with lemon curd filling and mergiune

Supporting Local Business - trying to do a new take out once a week and each week, one of the kids gets to pick. So far, only 1 dud! We are also posting this on social media in the hopes that others will do it as well.

Generosity - We want to make sure we are connecting with friends and being generous just feels good. Right now we are sharing our wonderful meals with 3 key people - Tim, who had open heart surgery and a pace maker put in and is a huge foodie. He misses his favorite restaurants so Tom's cooking is a welcome treat. Cyn, she is a massage therapist and single so we are trying to bring fun new foods for her to try. Kristen and Craig, Kristen never considering cooking her favorite activity and now with brain cancer its WAY down on their list so we try to bring something over once a week, at least. Plus its an excuse to socially distance and see them.

Getting outside - We'd decided to explore MN State Parks, bought a pass and are meeting the Fosters at a new state park once a week for social distance hiking I LOVE it and Billy has been joining us.

Connecting with Friends - virtually - Erin Schwab (my favorite local singer) does a Facebook live concert every Friday night at 7:30, its a show tune, Bette Midler, request type sing along and its SO FUN!! Bunny even watched last week! We also did a virtual Trivia Mafia with the Thornes and Millers. That was fun but hard to hear. Finally we had a "round the world" India reunion on Zoom and had people from every time zone in the U.S plus Paul called in from South Africa.

House mini Remodel Stuff - Tom has been amazing. He's installed all new toliet seats, fixed all the wood scratches from Maui, rechaulked the bathrooms and is in the process of re-doing Kay's room. The house has never looked better!

Regrouping - Kay started Teen Intervene, chemical health 4 series of sessions and along with it, nicotine succession plan. Getting her out of the school environment seems to be paying off and we are hoping it will help give her some perspective on her choices and time for her brain (executive functioning) to calm down and rewire. I will say, living with a 16 yo girl who's going through nicotine withdrawal because of vaping is NOT something I'd wish on anyone but it might be a silver lining to this whole thing. We are proud that she self identified that she needed help and is doing what she needs to do to get back in balance. Plus, she seems to be rocking this distance learning thing.

We hope you are all safe, entertained, productive and healthy.

LOVE!!!

Our life in pictures......

At one point, it was warm enough for a bike ride, then it snowed