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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 2, 2020 0:13:44 GMT -6
Gosh! it's already December and we're still in a crappy situation...or really crappier. Anyone feeling the holiday spirit yet?
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 2, 2020 0:30:01 GMT -6
codex320 glad to hear you don't have the BRCA gene. Keep us in the loop. I remember so many tests. Taitai thinking of your grand parents too. It's so hard for them at this age. In so many ways I miss my folks but honestly I feel they are so much safer back home. That's so crazy. I'll also trade you my all my TG meal mods with your Ramen! OMG! I haven't had ramen in soooo looonggg. I just want to cry. My sushi joint place owner retired and sold his restaurant to a new owner and no more ramen Saturdays. With the pandemic, it's absurd to go all the way to the city to just take out ramen at another Japanese joint which has authentic ramen. BTW I never thought of making Ramen out of turkey.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 2, 2020 0:42:05 GMT -6
Well I just looked at the calendar and there's only 3 weekends to Christmas! Just wild! I guess I better get to cookie planning asap with the kids underfoot my time feels limited. In a way I am excited that we aren't traveling for the holidays. Always so stressful especially with the kids. This is going to be the first time hubs and I will be staying put for the holidays which will be nice. We FT hubs family at Thanksgiving and will likely do the same for Christmas. CoachTsWife what appetizers did you make? Since we aren't going anywhere, I am going to need some ideas for the eve and day and I think the kids will love having little bites of this and that. We're going to have prime rib as our big center piece meal. DS got a little sad the other day when he excitedly announced that there's a special train at the Science and Engineering museum in Chicago he wanted to see for Christmas then realized we weren't going there this year and visit with grand parents. So I told him that since we were staying home we could make a gingerbread house this year. So like those gingerbread house kits you can buy, do you eat them after? |
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Post by mommabakes on Dec 2, 2020 5:41:09 GMT -6
I am so excited for Christmas. My kids are the perfect ages for all of the magic, and I love it! I've done my shopping already, and decorated the house. I'll have lots of baking to do, and wrapping the gifts, but thankfully our holiday season is pretty relaxed.
My family has been just trucking along. We are thankfully not too affected by Covid, aside from missing out families. We spent our summer kayaking and hanging out at the beach. My two older kids are in school 4 days a week now, and I've picked up a part time job at the library a few nights a week. I'm already planning my gardens for spring because winter is so depressing here and I need something to look forward to.
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Post by mommabakes on Dec 2, 2020 5:42:05 GMT -6
duskymonkey we do not eat the gingerbread house, but you totally could.
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 2, 2020 10:34:23 GMT -6
Hello!! I’m trying to pop in when I can but the days and weeks seem to get away from me. We close on the new house next week!! Finally. It’s so hard not being able to decorate yet. We are also hosting Christmas Eve, but I gave a lot of furniture away. 😬 so it may be a card table and folding chairs kind of night.
Otherwise it’s been business as usual around here. Still working from home with H and kids are in person school and daycare.
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 2, 2020 16:30:27 GMT -6
I have had zero motivation to cook lately here. Like, I can teach and take care of my kids and keep the house in some sort of order... but I can no longer find motivation to cook dinner.
We have done lots of sandwiches and “breakfasts for dinner” and other easy things (including way more takeout than we should) but my brain cannot do one more thing with pandemic teaching and kids.
So I hope children can be grow on PB and J. 😂
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 2, 2020 18:51:12 GMT -6
duskymonkey House is all decorated and I splurged and got someone to install exterior Christmas lights. I want more though, my area is really going all out this year. I did not get the treadmill, it was out of stock and is back in stock tomorrow. I don’t know if I’m going to get it, I’m afraid I won’t use it as often as I like since life is so busy. I also have to get my Christmas baking planned out. There is a GF bakery that has pre made dough and another that’s selling gingerbread kits. I’m working most weekends this month so no real baking from scratch this year. I’m also going to attempt making tamales for Christmas Eve as a new tradition to celebrate my husbands heritage. I feel like we don’t do enough of his family traditions and am working to incorporate more.
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 2, 2020 18:51:29 GMT -6
If everyone could cross their fingers for me, I put my interest in for a lateral move to another work area. It’s not shift work and will be partial work from home for the foreseeable future. It’s been impossible for me to escape where I am but my area has seen a huge downturn and they are moving people to where the work is. This job would be such a good fit for me, I don’t want to get too excited because my work is full of nepotism and not the most qualified.
Other than that not much going on, my DD1’s school had a COVID outbreak declared (4 cases in total between 2 classes of the same grade) our local public health mobilized and tested the classes and 2 asymptomatic cases were discovered. I know it’s around but it’s creeping closer and closer. I’m just hoping we can get to the spring. My sister got some more bad medical news, she spent a few days in the hospital and they released her until surgery on Monday but COVID hospitalizations are surging so she may have to have her surgery cancelled even though it’s considered emergency.
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 2, 2020 18:53:04 GMT -6
danvers I also have decision fatigue when it comes to dinners. I started making plans first thing on a weekend morning while drinking my coffee otherwise the fatigue gets to me. My kids are currently on a heavy diet of grilled cheese, chicken nuggets and French fries.
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 2, 2020 19:12:08 GMT -6
duskymonkey my husband made fancy sliders and nachos. I made bacon wrapped pineapple and bacon wrapped dates. Def nothing out of this world. We were dedicated to making the day relaxing and not about spending all day in the kitchen. I'm with you danvers. 100% struggling with meal planning. I don't feel like eating much lately and just cannot find the motivation.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 5, 2020 1:00:47 GMT -6
August Blooms I am amazed that you found time to decorate. Did you start after CN Thanksgiving? I started clearing out a space in the LR cabinets so I can move some books and kids art stuff there so I can clear the alcove to put up the metal tree. Usually there's a large vase there but I have been using it as DS' "school command center" because it is out of reach for lil fella or DS' excuse for not turning in school work will legit be my brother destroyed it. So I can at least start there. Also I am sorry to hear about your sister. Will be thinking of her and hoping it'll calm down sooner for you all so she can be taken care of. I am also glad you're able to find joy and stay positive despite work so I'll definitely keep my fingers crossed! 
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 5, 2020 1:18:42 GMT -6
mommabakes great news to hear you've not been impacted with the pandemic. Also come share your holiday spirit with me. I need it desperately this year! Our library has only opened for pick ups which works out fine with us. The kids do miss going there to see the train display. Lil fella finally stopped asking to go in every time we go drop off and pick up books which is weekly. Also August Blooms help me get into the decorating spirit. I'd love to see your holiday decor if you're so inclined to share. curmudgeon you've been on my mind too! How exciting about your house, do you have a move date yet? Glad to hear that you're all doing well too. danvers, I cannot imagine having a FT job at the moment with both boys in the house and having to keep on top of him and help him with school work. August Blooms, CoachTsWife you just gotta do what you need to do. The kids are happy and loved and fed and it's all good. I am so accustomed to cooking and planning meals and sometimes I still get tired of coming up with what to cook. Anyhow let me see if I can find and post some super easy 1 pot kinda meal for you all. Nothing fancy and simple ingredients you're bound to have in your pantry.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 5, 2020 1:20:47 GMT -6
duskymonkey my husband made fancy sliders and nachos. I made bacon wrapped pineapple and bacon wrapped dates. Def nothing out of this world. We were dedicated to making the day relaxing and not about spending all day in the kitchen. I'm with you danvers . 100% struggling with meal planning. I don't feel like eating much lately and just cannot find the motivation. Ooooo....those sound so delicious! I think I'll steal them. The boys are sure to love nachos and DS will be all about sliders. He's suddenly gotten into hamburgers. |
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 5, 2020 9:53:20 GMT -6
duskymonkey We don’t do Christmas decor until after November 11th here, it’s a bit of an unwritten rule. It’s seems, I can’t find the word, but a bit disrespectful of the day to have happy fun stuff up. I’m not usually the kind of person to do it this early but 2020 needs more sparkle glitter and twinkle lights. Here’s some of my stuff, tapatalk is not cooperating. The kids moved a lot of ornaments since we put the tree up. 
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 6, 2020 8:25:12 GMT -6
Hey everyone! I have been meaning to pop in, but for some reason Tapa wasn’t giving me notifications for this thread. D’oh! duskymonkey The turkey ramen was soooo good - the broth was really excellent. We chopped up the turkey carcass and slow cooked it with water in the Panasonic rice cooker for like 8 hours. Then we strained it, seasoned it a bit (really didn’t need much, it think just a tiny bit of salt) and then kept it in warm for a bit longer. Then, we bought fresh ramen noodles from the Japanese grocery and threw them in. Really, really good - you should try it next year! I also need to get myself in gear and make cutout Christmas cookies. Time is flying, and I just can’t believe Christmas is coming up so soon. I am happy that you all don’t have to travel this year, although I am sure your ILs will be said and everyone will miss seeing family. You have a good attitude to look on the bright side of things. August Blooms I love the idea of tamales for Christmas. Hmmmm....I miss those soooooo much. I haven’t had a good tamale in ages - it’s just so hard to find food from that region in Southeast Asia. LOVE your holiday decor! Your mantle is just my style, and the tree looks wonderful! I hope you get that position you applied for a too - please keep us updated. Finally - sending T & Ps for your sister  CoachTsWife Those apps sound really tasty. I loooooove bacon wrapped dates so freaking much. I also like it when there is Gorgonzola cheese stuffed inside the date. Yum. I think we might do apps for Christmas Eve - I will take a page out of your and duskymonkey’s books! danvers I can’t even meal plan during normal times - that is not my forte, so I hear you. Have no suggestions, but just know you’re definitely better than me in that department- don’t feel bad about it! curmudgeon Yay for closing on the new house! Can’t wait to hear once you are moved into your new place. I know it’s been stressful for you to be in a temporary situation these past few months. mommabakes Great to hear from you! I love libraries and I think it’s so cool you are working at one. That is something I would love to do some day - part-time. Do you enjoy it? I’m such a big fan of books, and I like being organized. I feel it would be a good fit for me. |
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Post by Taitai on Dec 6, 2020 8:32:04 GMT -6
Well, good and bad news on my grandparents. My grandpa is doing really well, and he is nearly recovered - back to walking around and should be released from the rehab facility in 1.5 weeks. My grandma, on the other hand...her body is physically recovering, but not her mind. She had very slight signs of dementia (but nothing very severe - just occasional confusion) pre-COVID, but now she is just really out of it. Doesn’t recognize anyone (except Grandpa, most of the time), is almost always confused, has more anxiety, and her short term and medium term memory is terrible. It’s so sad to hear, as it might be the case that even if she is still around when we next come back to the states for a visit, she probably won’t recognize me and the kids. I wish I had known when we visited in 2019 that it was the last time I’d probably have a coherent conversation with her in person. I would have told her more how much I’ve appreciated her and looked up to her all these years. Sigh. I am hoping and praying that her memory will come back, but from what I’ve heard - she seems to be one of those cases where COVID really attacked her brain. Very sad. I am thankful that she and my grandpa are still around and physically improving though, and hopefully her brain will heal.
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Post by mommabakes on Dec 7, 2020 6:07:08 GMT -6
I have had zero motivation to cook lately here. Like, I can teach and take care of my kids and keep the house in some sort of order... but I can no longer find motivation to cook dinner. We have done lots of sandwiches and “breakfasts for dinner” and other easy things (including way more takeout than we should) but my brain cannot do one more thing with pandemic teaching and kids. So I hope children can be grow on PB and J. 😂 I really feel this. I used to love cooking and meal planning and now I'm just like, eh how about another night of pancakes. Lol |
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Post by mommabakes on Dec 7, 2020 6:11:34 GMT -6
Taitai I do like it! I have always wanted to work at a library, I'm a big reader and it's perfect. I am so sorry about your grandma. ♥️
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 8, 2020 9:50:40 GMT -6
Taitai sorry to hear about your grandma. From the sounds of it, my grandma is experiencing similar. My mom talks to her every day on the phone and mom keeps reporting how confused she is. She was confused from time to time previously, but it's pretty frequent now. I hate this.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 8, 2020 18:44:40 GMT -6
CoachTsWife I am so sorry that your grandma is going through the same thing too. It’s so sad and just...not fair. Our grandmothers were doing everything right - not going out, staying put, limited visits, and then they still caught it. I hope the confusion and memory loss isn’t permanent for both of them. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 9, 2020 8:52:51 GMT -6
Taitai CoachTsWife I’m so sorry about your grandmothers. Hopefully this is just temporary and they can recover.
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 9, 2020 19:09:41 GMT -6
Continued thoughts to everyone impacted by Covid. I’m so frustrated by the lack of leadership and oversight that could have prevented some of this, especially Taitai and CoachTsWife |
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 9, 2020 19:15:47 GMT -6
We got the girls an Elf on the Shelf..... it was a crazy moment of weakness in 2020. 😜
They love it but DD1 basically radiates sunshine and unicorns from her little soul so I knew she would. We don’t do the naughty and nice binary stuff of Santa anyway. The elf just comes to our house to do silly things to take a break from toy building.
H likes to remind me at night that not only did I commit to moving the dumb thing every night for the next two weeks, but also the next 6-7 years or so.
*****I have 4th graders who love to tell me about their elf each morning at school. I don’t think they necessarily believe in the elf itself, they just love the silliness and magic of season. The joy of these kids at school is actually what convinced me to get on for the girls at home.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 9, 2020 22:32:43 GMT -6
CoachTsWife, Taitai I am so so sorry to hear about how it's affecting your grandmas. Hoping as they continue to recover and grow stronger each day, their memory will improve. I am so sad for you and your families and yes, it's just awfully unfair.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Dec 10, 2020 7:16:13 GMT -6
Thanks for the comments about my grandma everyone. It means a lot to me - you are all so kind.
Things over here are trucking along - one more week of school and then the kids are on winter break for 3 weeks. I’m excited for our beach vacation later this month, but I need to figure out some activities for the kids to get into the other two weeks. Maybe we will go up to the mountains a bit after the new year as well.
Everyone’s Christmas shopping done? I’m so behind this year!! I have my nephews done, and I sent out cards, but I need to get stuff for my parents, H, and a few more things for our kids. Gotta get cracking!
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Post by codex320 on Dec 10, 2020 12:14:12 GMT -6
Sorry to everyone being personally impacted by covid. Such a terrible situation. Virtual hugs.
As you may have seen, we are prepping for a FET. I've been on lupron since last week and my dang cycle hasn't started yet so we are a bit delayed. I forgot how much lupron hurts! Only for a second but ouch! I was really hoping to drop the dosage (only to add other meds) today but not yet. Fingers crossed it starts soon 🤞🤞
I'm mostly done Xmas shopping. I think we are focusing on our little family and just getting little things for the nieces/nephews. What a weird time.
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Post by codex320 on Dec 10, 2020 12:15:52 GMT -6
Thanks for the comments about my grandma everyone. It means a lot to me - you are all so kind. Things over here are trucking along - one more week of school and then the kids are on winter break for 3 weeks. I’m excited for our beach vacation later this month, but I need to figure out some activities for the kids to get into the other two weeks. Maybe we will go up to the mountains a bit after the new year as well. Everyone’s Christmas shopping done? I’m so behind this year!! I have my nephews done, and I sent out cards, but I need to get stuff for my parents, H, and a few more things for our kids. Gotta get cracking! Don't know why but going to the mountains sounds so relaxing. I know your mountains are different than mine but probably has a similar effect. |
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 11, 2020 10:19:18 GMT -6
My sisters surgery went as planned, it was looking a bit dicey for a few days as the ICU’s are reaching capacity where she is. She’s feeling good and hopefully will be on solid foods starting next week.
I’ve been mostly done my Christmas shopping for a few weeks. I just have to get some treats for the girls stockings, I’ve been putting this off because it requires me going into stores to read labels for my little celiac. I’m going to try next week in the early morning. We don’t have to buy for many people but it’s still a relief to be done.
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 11, 2020 14:11:01 GMT -6
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