Suddenly September 2021

[Taitai]

Where did the summer go? How is it already September? I hear that the pumpkin spice latte is now available in the states. We never get it here, and as someone who loves pumpkin spice, I have to say I’m jealous!!

I just asked H if he thought he could figure out to make PSL lattes over here. His response was a muted, slow shake of the head. So, I’ll just have to be content with looking at pics:



Happy September O17! What is everyone up to?

[Taitai]

danvers Hope you and your students are staying safe at school, or at least as safe as you can. Unbelievable how some parents will put their own crazy ideology above their own children’s safety. I’m glad to hear that there are other teachers in your hallway who have been vaccinated and are wearing masks, and that your students will wear a mask if they come up to work at your desk. Exciting about the upcoming reno work! Being done by the end of October - wow! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out.

Oh, P.S. - good for you for not letting your MIL spout of ridiculous comments about masks. I STILL don’t get why it’s such a big deal in the USA! Wear the damn masks people!

duskymonkey I absolutely love the pics of those masks that you made! I am sure that your DS1 was proud to wear the awesome customized masks that you made for him! The ear protector thing is a great idea. I feel like my kids has callouses on the back of their ears now - seriously, from all the mask wearing over here, I think they might!

August Blooms Hoping that your girls are enjoying their return to school! How is COVID by where you are - what type of restrictions are still in place? We were under a very strict lockdown here until 1 September, when the government decided to let almost everything (except schools) open again. I am disappointed that restaurants and malls are open, but my kids still have to do online school. It just seems like the priorities are out of whack. Oh well, we will manage.

[danvers]

I blinked and it’s September! It always flies like this when school starts but this year feels especially crazy with all 4 of us at different schools!

Does anyone else’s kiddos watch Blippy? DD2 told us she got a “hexagon” as a snack the other day (a little Debbie zebra cake) and then later identified her marshmallow as a cylinder. When we asked her where she learned all this she replied “Blippy!” I mean, this is a screen-time win right? 😂

There is a school board mtg about masks tonight because our #s are so high. So many ppl on Facebook planning to protest. I wish parents knew how much there kids DONT care about wearing masks. It is a truly a non-issue if we ask at school. Lots of reminders about “over the nose” but no complaints in the 4th-6th grade hallway from the kids (unlike their parents who seem to be the ones with the real issue!).

[Taitai]

danvers Yep - my kids LOVE Blippi. Have you noticed that he’s now occasionally using this fake Blippi to do some of the newer segments? My kids didn’t notice the difference, but H and I do! Blippi outsourcing himself is hilarious to me.

Hope that board meeting goes okay - I’ve read stories about crazy, rabid parents who protest these things. It’s sad when parents bring politics into the classroom - especially when the kids don’t care at all. Sigh.

[August Blooms]

Taitai So right now in our area we are at 35 cases a week per 100 000. About 700 new cases a day in the entire province and close 80% are unvaccinated. Masks are mandatory everywhere indoors as is distancing. They are working on a vaccine passport and many business, gyms, theatre’s, sports venues etc are saying they will make it mandatory to present proof of vaccinations for entry. Most things are back to ‘normal’ except for masking and reduced capacity. School starts next week in person, class size for DD2 is 28 kids which is a bit high for kindergarten but she will be more distanced at school then she was at daycare with around 20 kids. Most large companies and the government are making it mandatory for employees to be vaccinated.

It seems like the decision makers are forgetting the kids when making policies, they aren’t even close to being vaccinated especially the ones under 5. It’s more than a little frustrating.

[Taitai]

August Blooms I think it’s a good idea that the powers at be in your area are trying to get vaccine passport program in place, and that employers are mandating vaccination too. The kids under 12 thing is hard, and I would hope they would give some type of exception for kids who are too young to receive the vaccine, provided they pass temperature checks and wear a properly fitting mask. That seems fair to me. But then again, I know how complicated these things are. Hoping that your DDs love their return to school!

[duskymonkey]

Taitai pumpkin everything is popping up everywhere now. Seems too early? but maybe I am just behind. Hubs always asks me to make him pumpkin spice he sprinkles on his lattes so maybe you can try that. Personally it doesn't appeal to me. Peppermint mocha is more my jam. I didn't get a chance to respond last I logged in. I am so sorry your DS will be starting G1vistually just like mine, virtually and it really really sucks when you have to work and be their teacher and mother and everything else. I couldn't do it and I realize we are very fortunate that I was able to stop working for a period of time. danvers I don't even know how to access Blippi but know about it. I am really really hoping lil fella will be able to go PS/PK in October? He unfortunately just missed the cut by 1 day so technically isn't eligible to be in K next year. Hubs and I discussed it and decided to potentially send him to private K and hopefully he'll be ready to go to G1, if not we'll just enroll him in K at the elementary school. I don't even know what I am doing, we just learn play and read a lot I guess. He knows his UC and LC alphabet and can count to 20 and knows all the colors in the rainbow. Can spell his name. Now that DS is back in school, I really want to try teaching him to read and so far he can read simple words like Cat, Hat, pig, big so I think that's a start right. I think at this age, DS was able to count till 100 which may not be typical? Taitai I don't even know how lil fella would do in a "virtual" school setting; I imagine not great.

[duskymonkey]

August Blooms , Taitai , danvers the anti mask people are something else. Did you guys read about the crazy parent calling the school board demons? WTF!

[duskymonkey]

August Blooms totally agree that parents with littles like us are basically just being left in our own lifeboats and expected to float around and until we find that elusive island to land on. I read that the next round of vax will be for the 5-11 group and hubs and I are like Ugh! Hurry up and wait some more! Honestly the littles can be safe if enough of the adults and the older siblings are vaccinated but we've got an alarming number of these selfish anti vax assholes keeping us from controlling the virus. It's really frustrating. There are a few anti-mask parents at DS' bus stop and I've made myself know to them that I do not tolerate their selfishness by expressing my concerns rather loudly when talking to another parent about their selfish Freedumbs. I have zero cares at this point and honestly I don't want anything to do with them period.

[duskymonkey]

Guise, I became the parent with that sick kid this week. On Monday, the school nurse called and told me he puked in the bus on the way to school. I felt super bad because he complained of a little headache when he woke up so I gave him Motrin. I knew he had a molar erupting and they all have given him headaches. I think all the jostling on the bus made him nauseous so he upchucked in his mask! Luckily he sat with his 2 little germ pod friends so I called the parents to let them know what happened and they know he doesn't have Covid so at least there aren't any worried parents calling the school and complaining. He was all perky and back to himself when I went to get him. He was also brave and didn't get upset or cry and didn't even say anything ( because bus rules ) until the bus arrived at school and he was getting off and STILL KEPT HIS MASK ON!!! Poor kid. He didn't have a fever or anything so the nurse kinda knew he wasn't a potential Covid case plus she lives around the corner from us and knows we aren't Covidiots plus he sees her often enough with all his nosebleeds. Oy!

[duskymonkey]

I feel like all my posts have been about Covid crap. Sorry! Well then I'll share something fun the boys and I did a few weeks ago. It was my birthday and DS asked for a strawberry cheesecake this summer and I never got around to making one so decided to make one for my birthday instead of cake. It was blisteringly hot so I was excited to try a no bake version and it was really good! It isn't like a traditional NY style cheesecake but holds it's own nonetheless. The boys had heaps of fun smashing the biscuits for the base and the freeze dried strawberries. I gave them a rolling pin and they went to town! They also decorated the top with strawberries from the garden. It was a hit. If you want to know, it's of course another Stella Parks recipe. link

[Taitai]

Happy birthday duskymonkey !! That freeze dried fruit cheesecake looks amazing. What kind of spice did you end up using with the strawberry? Did you try the Chinese 5 spice? I really love that one, but I feel like I’d screw up trying to incorporate it into a dessert. Hmmm…just even thinking about 5 spice makes me remember the days I use to go to HK regularly for work. Sadly, with the pandemic and all of the restrictions, it’s just not possible anymore.

I’m also so sorry to hear about your DS1 getting sick on the bus, but wow - what a trooper! My kids would have most definitely screamed bloody murder if they’d puked on the bus, into their own masks no less. Poor guy. Glad he’s doing okay and that he was sitting with friends whose parents would not get too upset. Bummer that there are so many anti-mask/anti-vax people by you. I just don’t get the selfishness. That would behavior would honestly be unthinkable over here.

Hoping for your DS1 to have a successful bus ride today. Thanks for that recipe too! I’m going to try it out!

[CoachTsWife]

Happy belated birthday duskymonkey! That looks delish!

I do not know why, but I am having a terrible time keeping up here! Life, man.

Thanks to all for the well wishes for my mom. She has recovered from her fall fairly well. She got temporary fixes for her teeth but those broke over the weekend, so hopefully she can get the permanent fix soon. Otherwise she is doing well!!

DH's district called an emergency board meeting tonight to vote on masks. For some reason they opened it to the public and are allowing people to speak. Dumb. There is a petition floating around trying to get the Superintendent fired for "following the rules of the CDC and other entities instead of listening to parents and the community" and we are just..........shaking our heads and < blinking guy gif >. So far the district is not masked or social distancing so I'm really hoping they pass the mask mandate tonight. Everyone in DH's building is old enough to get vaccinated but it is a very anti-mask, anti-vaccine community. Ugh. DS1's school is also unmasked. It is a much bigger district and I think they will force masks when numbers get high enough. He's doing really well wearing his mask, though, and I'm very proud of him.

[Taitai]

Sorry, I just have to say…WTF America. I’m speechless by all the anti-masking stories I’m hearing here.

CoachTsWife I’m glad your mom is recovering well, and I hope she gets a permanent fix for her teeth soon! Fingers crossed on your DH’s school’s mask vote, although I am sure I will be disappointed.

Again, WTF America. How have so many completely lost the plot?

[CoachTsWife]

Taitai , DH's school passed the mask mandate. Sounds like the board meeting was very heated (from the community) but the board voted unanimously to bring the mask policy back. A parent actually got detained by police outside the school following the meeting (the husband of the person who wrote up the petition). Super embarrassing. It is a nice community/school. There is a lot of support for the administration/school/teachers but the people who are the loudest are those against the mandate for political reasons. Pretty typical.

[danvers]

duskymonkey as always, your food looks delicious. I absolutely love cheesecake. We must have the exact same cut-off date for K here because we are contemplating private K for DD2 next year since she too misses it by one day. These silly Oct 2nd babies 😜

CoachTsWife we had an emergency board mtg for mask too. The vote went through but was a much closer (still contentious with parents though too!). My students at elementary and H’s at high school are all unfazed by masks and very good about wearing them. It’s hilarious to read a parents crazy FB comments and then see their own kid in class be like “whatever” and wear it without a complaint.

Taitai I am not a pumpkin spice coffee kind of person but I do love things like “pumpkin cheesecake” and whatnot. I have also not noticed fake Blippy but that may be because DD2 loves the same episodes of shows over and over and it makes DD1 crazy when it comes time to pick a show.

August Blooms I cannot imagine a time where my area would ever go to proof of vaccination but I would love it. I keep feeling like H and I did our part but now why?! We still do the takeout-stay at home kind of life because vax #s are under 50% here. I hope your DD2s kinder experience started well!!!!

[danvers]

We visited my my parents for Labor Day. H and I were able to see a couple movies, including the new Marvel one. We found a big chain theater that actually had some nice precautions with spread out seating and all so we felt pretty good about it. We even went out to eat in a restaurant!

The girls were at my parents house the whole time with both of my parents, my brother and his wife, and my grandma and they did not want us to come back each night. 5 adults at their every call so mom and dad seem pretty boring by comparison.

[curmudgeon]

Taitai could you try and make the pumpkin cream cold foam at home? That looks fairly simple and it’s so good!

[Taitai]

Sept 9, 2021 12:24:05 GMT -6 curmudgeon said:

Taitai could you try and make the pumpkin cream cold foam at home? That looks fairly simple and it’s so good!

We do have pumpkin pie seasoning from Penzy’s (it’s a spice company in the Midwest…not sure if it’s popular everywhere in the USA)….maybe we can make this happen!

[duskymonkey]

CoachTsWife so glad to hear your mom is recovering well and will continue to do so. I am also glad to know your H's district board is putting forth safety and science over senseless politics and angry parent mob. I know a bunch of us have an older kiddo who qualifies for the next vaccine age drop which leaves our O17 littles still vulnerable. I was having a conversation with someone about it and I pointed out that if enough of the population is vaccinated and when Covid is under control ( unfortunately this now will take years, more globally ) that the youngest of young ( infants ) can be safe and protected until they are eligible for a vax. The crucial point is getting enough people vaxed. How this escapes the logic common sense of the anti vaxxers is totally mind boggling. Taitai the plot started deteriorating back when US interfered in the Gulf war and it percolated after 9/11 for 20 yrs. Frontline has a really good episode on this matter. Very interesting highly recommend watching if you can get access to it.

[duskymonkey]

danvers Shang-Chi!! My GF told me it was brilliant and she took both her teenage boys to see it in a near empty theater so that made it even better. I am so happy to hear you and your H got some time to yourselves. I cannot imagine the stress you both must be in; hopefully less now that your district is implementing masks at least. So yeah...putting lil fella ins private K is going to be expensive meh but if he's ready, then there's no reason to hold him just for missing the cut off by 1 day. I think it should be at the discretion of the parent if the child falls within a week or so of the cut off. I dunno... Anyways if you so happen to attempt that cheesecake, don't expect the typical NYS cheesecake. It's a bit different but really good IMO.

[duskymonkey]

Sept 9, 2021 12:24:05 GMT -6 curmudgeon said:

Taitai could you try and make the pumpkin cream cold foam at home? That looks fairly simple and it’s so good!

Is that how they make the PSL? very interesting. Taitai BTW since PSL is regional, what flavors do they have out there instead?

[danvers]

My inlaws took the girls this weekend so they could have a sleepover with their cousins and all I did was sleep. Like, went to bed early, slept in late, then took a long nap just a few hours later…. Glorious uninterrupted sleep followed by lounging in sweats all day and being lazy.

It was wonderful.

I’m not sure why I was so tired this weekend but I actually felt ready for teach this morning.

That’s all the excitement I got here. House addition isn’t slated to start till Oct. 1st and Covid cases raging through the schools like crazy because a mask ordinance one month into school wasn’t going to save us.

Nothing new here - just lots of sleep 😂

[Taitai]

danvers I love your weekend full is sleep! That is probably what H and I would do if we have a weekend away from the kids as well. Naps….glorious naps…sleeping in….what are those? Lol. Exciting that your home reno is happening soon! Good luck weathering the Covid surge at your school too - man, too little, too late indeed.

duskymonkey That RN in the video you posted is certifiably insane. I really hope that no healthcare provider is employing her. My gosh. Very excited for your little one to start K, and I agree, if he only missed the cutoff date by one day, they really should have some wiggle room if he is ready to enroll. I am sure he will love private K a lot, and it’s great that you will have some more flexibility during the day too!

In terms of local Starbucks flavors over here, we always get some fruity ones - like Yuzu or berry Frappuccino’s…and then other ones like cookie crunch or coffee toffee or s’mores or other holiday ones around Christmas. They’re okay, but I still wish we had PSL, lol.

[curmudgeon]

Sept 11, 2021 23:46:36 GMT -6 duskymonkey said:

Sept 9, 2021 12:24:05 GMT -6 curmudgeon said:

Taitai could you try and make the pumpkin cream cold foam at home? That looks fairly simple and it’s so good!

Is that how they make the PSL? very interesting. Taitai BTW since PSL is regional, what flavors do they have out there instead?

Not the hot PSL but the pumpkin cream cold brew is equally delicious. You could add it to hot coffee too. I’m going to make a note to try and replicate it myself this year. I hardly ever venture to Starbucks.

[curmudgeon]

We got somewhat of a surprise hurricane last night. It was small (Cat 1) but those winds were no joke! We all expected a typical storm with some street flooding and then it jumped to a hurricane right before it landed. Thankful we never lost power and neighbors have minimal damage if any-reports of some fence posts down and a runaway trampoline. On the plus, superstition says whenever we get a hurricane we get snow that year too. So here’s hoping for a white Christmas.

[duskymonkey]

curmudgeon I too rarely go to SBX and none at all these days because we still don't go anywhere haha! You've peaked my interest with your recommendation so now I am trying to figure out when I can go and give it a try?
danvers I would give a kidney to get the most glorious sleep and quiet house lol! The boys are like vibrating jumping beans from sunup to sundown. So happy you had the opportunity and felt rejuvenated after. Girls probably loved it I am certain. Much deserved happiness all around. A very welcome thing these days. I really hope you all can continue to stay safe until our kiddos can get vaxed. Word on the street is 5-11 by Thanksgiving and the littlest soon after possibly by Christmas! I cannot wait!!! Certainly much much better than late winter next year. Must share before and after pics of your home reno if you are so inclined to.
Taitai How are you hanging in there with the kiddos virtual schooling and having to work. I am so so sorry you have to go through this stress. The repercussions of the pandemic will echo for a long time. I am also perplexed with the sheer number of actual insane people? or senseless? I dunno how to describe them. Hubs and I concluded that this pandemic can be such a powerful life long learning opportunity to teach the next generation to be selfless and compassionate however others have chosen to do the opposite which again boggles my mind completely.
I never replied to your 5 spice flavor profile. Sadly I am all out of 5 spice. My mom brings me a fresh batch annually from home and my stock is long gone. Even without it, the cheesecake was still bursting with strawberry goodness. I have never made anything of SP which I dislike or was meh about so I really do trust her flavor profile and don't doubt it.
August Blooms how are the girls being back in school?

[duskymonkey]

The last few weeks, too many things happened. Here's a quick rundown.
1. We angered the water gods/goddesses - our master shower is leaking. has been for a while unbeknownst to us into the basement. Still crying over that.
2. Couple of weeks ago our ice maker kaput during the night ( why always when one is away or at night!! ) freezer was like a frozen waterfall which proceeded to leak all over the kitchen. So much that it dripped into the basement. So much that the floors are buckled.
3. Kitchen faucet also went beserk but not as bad as the above and hubs got parts and got it almost fixed.
Today DS forgot his ipad so I decided to bike it to school hoping to intercept his bus because the main roads in town are being torn up and the detour is mad and crazier during school drop offs. It's honestly so much faster than driving during normal times. I turned a corner on the bike path into town and a strip was torn up ( wasn't before ) so rocks got stuck to my road bike wheel and I stopped and didn't clip off properly so I fell into a dense thicket of rag weed which I am highly allergic too. Yay! I am ok, didn't crack a hip just bruised and some rashes. Hah! and that folks is life man! CoachTsWife , it hits you like a gale when you expect it least. How are you hanging on during this crazy time?
DS went to his first cub scout meeting ever tonight! He was excited about it and I think he enjoyed it. Will find out tomorrow as I was just putting lil fella into bed when he came home bursting into the room and I had to shoo him out lol!

[CoachTsWife]

Oh my goodness duskymonkey, that is a ton of stuff all at once. I am so sorry. I hope everything can get fixed soon and your rash doesn't cause too much discomfort. Sending many good vibes your way!

Glad the hurricane wasn't too bad curmudgeon. FX for a white Christmas for you guys!

I am hanging in there. My van broke down last week (alternator). I coasted into our driveway, just barely, after picking up the boys. We got it to our mechanic and he had it fixed in 24 hours. In the meantime DS2 and I walked DS1 to school and DS2 stayed home with me because his DCP lives about 15 minutes away in the country. Thankfully my mom came to help with DS2 so I can work, and helped with pickups and dropoffs. Then she helped me go pick up my van because DH is quite literally swamped with school and football (mostly football) and home mostly just to sleep these days - at least during the week. Mom saved the day! Football season is going well - we are 3-0 right now and that's pretty cool. We beat our long-time county rival last week on their homecoming! They have a history of beating us and it was a really great game!

[Taitai]

Oh my gosh - so many crazy things happening!

duskymonkey Sorry about all water-related things going bezerk in your house! Wil you be able to fix your floors? I hope the damage is not too extensive and that everything in your basement is okay. Sorry about the bike spill too. On the bright side, how cute about your DS starting cub scouts!!! I’m so jealous - I wish we had something like that over here. I am sure he will love it. Also, that is wonderful news to hear about the kid vaccines. I really hope the timing works out for us to get both boys vaccinated when we are back for Christmas this year. Fingers crossed!

As for the online school - yeah, it’s really, really getting old. Someone said to me the other day that we ar won our 35th week online since the pandemic started, and I’m just like, don’t remind me. It’s nice that we have help here, but that said - helping with online school is something that requires fluency in English and tech acumen, which our nanny doesn’t really have, so DH and I have to split the kids - he takes DS1 and I take DS2. When they are both back in school full time and I can work an uninterrupted 8 hour day will be amazing. That hasn’t happened since like…March.

curmudgeon I’m so glad to hear that you made it okay through the surprise hurricane and that you didn’t loose power. The thought of a runaway trampoline has me cringing - would not want to get in the way of that!

CoachTsWife. Bummer about the car, but it’s nice that your mom was able to help out so much! Yay for things going well with your H’s football team too. I bet his athletes are so pumped to be undefeated!!