Shelter In Place 2020

 The past week has been an up and down of emotions. Being an introvert who could usually hold up at home all the hours I don't work....I felt this Shelter in Place order would not be a problem. My children and I did that most of the 1990s. I home-schooled through the public school. We had no technology and the kids would get packets every two or three weeks from their teachers. That was 20 years ago and life has changed so much with technology. We were too poor for sports and there was a period of five years that we had no home church. The library and grocery store were our main outings.
     Now my daughter with two young ones has been experiencing a similar time of life, but they have Disney+ and a big screen TV. They are blessed with a park down the road and a wonderful library. However, this week when the Shelter in Place went down she had to wipe her calendar clean. I have been so proud to see the different ideas she has followed through with each day.

Ellie Anne at 15 months old doesn't mind the Shelter In Place

On a nature walk, they put velcro on their wrists to collect leaves and flowers

Emelia is doing very well

 Today they made 💗💙💚💛

Abbie remembers what it was like when we stayed home after 9/11. Her husband is in law enforcement and has been in the National Guard until last year. Keeping life normal for the littles is a hard thing for everyone. Not being able to see friends and family is hard. Thankfully, we all have the video chat on our phones and photos daily.

New Room Mate

Meet my new roommate Molly

 By Friday the Shelter in Place began to get to me. My Dad is 87 and I go see him every few days to make sure all is well and take groceries or whatever is needed. But I really missed my littles from school. I house sat for people with pets so much last year and had Pier1 during summer break. I saw my own children and had just enough interaction with people to not be considered a hermit.
But after my first Thursday night with no class at Simpson I was shaky. We had a 4 hour video class with interaction, but I realized how much I like seeing people in person. Over the past 2 1/2 months we have all bonded as we spent four hours together on campus in our classrooms. The Shelter in Place order came through during our final break and I got a message from Pier1 that the doors were closed and to remain closed until the governor removed the Shelter in Place.

She is a 6 month rescue cat

Friday morning I called my daughter, Mary and asked where she got her shelter cat. R.A.I.N. is a shelter in Shingletown that is connected with a second hand store. Molly had been fixed, had all her shots and was de-fleaed. When I walked in the door Molly adopted me. 

We have been setting some boundries. When I go see my Dad or go out for a walk, she has to stay in the bathroom. I finally left my name down. She let me know that was her spot now. The glass wishing well has moved too. She hasn't bothered any of my knick-knacks. Her favorite toy is a foam apple stress ball that I got from Simpson University. She bats it all over then picks it up in her teeth to leave it under a chair.

She knocked over Henry and likes to play with his eggs

Henry is a Pier1 rabbit from last year. His basket is full of styrofoam eggs (scatter). Molly has a few of the eggs scattered around in her own special way of decorating. She helps me keep things clean. No dishes left in the sink. Nothing left on the bathroom counter. All surfaces wiped down like they keep saying to do on the radio.

 Flowers Along the Way

I am taking daily walks around my neighborhood. As I loaded these pretty blooms I realized that I had every color.

My son's girlfriend is in the medical field. One son-in-law is Law Enforcement and one son-in-law works at a Costco. Two daughters are raising their littles and one daughter is a diesel truck mechanic. My son is a  graveyard shift security guard. I could not be a prouder Mum at this time in our countries adventure with Covid-19. 

My handsome guys

My Dad has been doing very well since his wife went to be with the Lord in November. He and his little dog Duke are learning to navigate Youtube and watching church at home. He met his Great grandson ,Judah in September. I hope we get to see them again soon.

Dad and Judah last Fall

Cu-Ti-π , Judah is 7 months old

This guy must be due for a hair cut. Mum has the clippers and the shops are all closed.

Upcoming Events

All my children, grandchildren and spouses (including future spouses) were suppose to have a photo shoot in Chico this weekend... I was going to see Judah and family on the coast in April during my Easter break... All outings are postponed.  Abbie and family bought a house that closed escrow on her birthday, March 9th. As soon as the Shelter in Place is lifted we will get together for her to get boxes from Mary who just moved into a new house too. 

New Home of the Little Schmenk family

For now I try to balance the need to check on my Dad with the need to follow the governor's guide line. I am healthy, all my family are healthy. My son-in-laws are doing the important jobs along with Miss Lucy. 

Finally, update on University Classes

In January I began classes at Simpson University for a bachelor's degree in Education. My first class was a History of Art that everyone said was one of the hardest of all the ASPIRE classes. I had never written University level papers and the teacher graded very hard. I got a "C" and was just glad I had passed. My next 6 week class was Math and amazingly, I got an "A". This class also had two university level papers and the professor told me that I did very well on my papers and my presentations. Well that averaged out to a 3.0. Last week we started a class in Earth Science. I am having a lot of fun with that class. This week I glued little bead all over my globe where the volcanoes are for a presentation on week 4. The other class we are taking during the entire semester is World History. So far I have an "A" in that one too. Along with 170 continual days of  the Doulingo French app on my phone, I am feeling pretty happy about my studies this year.

If you read down this far. Thank you. Keep safe and healthy and write a letter to someone. We all love snail mail. Postal workers are still out there doing a great job for us too.