25th Anniversary

Although we've been celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary for almost a year, the actual day was celebrated during Covid19.  I'm so glad we enjoyed a few trips leading up to this or we'd have been disappointed in cancelled plans.

We celebrated with Moe's takeout, first because the kids requested it, and second because we wanted to take a break from cooking and support local restaurants.  We even had "to go" margaritas from another local Mexican place that was on my way home from work.

While I was at work, Eric picked some fresh roses from one of our bushes and put them in his & hers jars.  

Since we had BBQ at our rehersal dinner, Eric picked up BBQ kolaches for our breakfast. I had to take off my face mask at work to enjoy it!

Our special dessert that evening was a German chocolate cake that Eric made, then the little one helped me whip up some homemade chocolate buttercream frosting.  The pecan-coconut frosting on top was still store bought, but we'll try that homemade next time as well.

It was a wonderful celebration with all the kids home to join us.  We wouldn't want it any other way.💗

Quarantined, Part 2

We've now been quarantined a month with the SC "stay home" order.  Schools are still virtual and they have completely closed the UofSC campus for the remainder of the year.  All of VCom is e-learning now as well.  

I have to admit, though, it's been nice having everyone home.  We'll go on family walks in the evening and wave hello to neighbors outside.  Yards are looking really nice!  We have to pass other walkers/joggers on the opposite side of the road to maintain at least 6 feet.

Luke decided to build a ramp so that our riding lawnmower and the dirt bike are easier to get in and out of our shed.  He did a nice job!

 I've been catching up on baking.  This is blueberry scones.  Yum!

The stores are out of basically everything.  In the picture below you'll see the glass freezer is almost empty of frozen pizzas.  They also have "one way" signs for the aisles so that customers aren't too close to each other while shopping.

And toilet paper, my goodness!  Why are people hoarding this stuff?!!  I stopped by daily for two weeks throughout eight different stores, but I came back empty handed each time.  Good thing we still have a week's supply at home.  

Eric decided to grow some fresh lettuce with clear tubs we had sitting around.  It was a little early yet for a garden because our night temps are occasionally dipping into the low 30s, so these tubs act like a greenhouse.

It's working really well!  We trim the lettuce almost every day and add to our other salad mixes for extra greenery and taste.

Luke is still wanting to join the Army, but this coronavirus has put a halt on his ROTC progress.  In keeping up his fitness levels, he decided to do a ruck.  A ruck is a long walk (10-12 miles) with a 35lb ruck sack (backpack).  It was a gorgeous day, so I wanted to go with him.

Our route was 10.2 miles.  I only had an 18lb backpack, but he decided to do 40!

Our goal was to walk 5.1 miles to Bojangles and get some iced tea, then walk back.  So excited when we arrived!  Since there weren't many cars on the road, we pretty much stayed on blacktop the entire trip.

Easter Sunday was definitely different.  The neighborhood colored pretty crosses on their driveways and put lighted wooden crosses in their yards.  This was our chalk art. 

With all three kids home, they each got a basket.  I tried to find something special for each one, but most had essential items we no longer take for granted... cans of beans, undies, and toilet paper.

The Easter meal was delicious and very special.  We were grateful to have all the items we wanted to accompany our tradition.  After our tummies were full, we watched Easter Mass on YouTube from the Diocese of Charleston.  It's so hard to celebrate our faith during isolation.  I'm looking forward to having things back to normal soon.

Quarantined, Part 1

Well, a lot happened while we were gone.  When we floated into Charleston, that was the last vacation for a while.  All cruise ships are docked for at least 30 days, the airlines have stopped international service, and leisure travel has come to a halt.  I have to say that I was impressed with the cleanliness on the ship...Carnival took great care in keeping passengers safe and healthy.  Before we could board we had a medical form and our temps taken, the buffets were served by gloved staff members only, and you couldn't get drink refills without a fresh cup each time.  Handwashing and germex stations were everywhere.  Still, we were mandated to quarantine for 14 days.  Good thing we were prepared.

The quarantine was made easier by a declared national emergency.  All employees are encouraged to work from home.  Schools and universities moved to electronic learning for the rest of the semester.  All field trips and sporting events were cancelled.  A new term "social distancing" is mandated which means you have to keep a 6 ft length of space around you.  Gatherings can be no more than 10 people. 

The first 24 hours of managing our home bandwith was the most difficult.  Each of us was trying to pull the needed data to access web portals and messaging boards as well as conducting virtual meetings.  It didn't help that during breaks, these two would play Call of Duty.

We gradually adjusted to a "new normal" with many services closed.  I gave Eric & the kids hair cuts (or those who were willing to let me).

We attended a virtual Mass, courtesy of You Tube.  One nice thing is that we could start church at an odd time like 10:48am or when everyone was ready, even if we're in sweats or PJs.  We could also pick a different priest each week depending on who gave a great sermon.  Our own diocese was having technical difficulties, so our favorite has been the Bishop of Raleigh, NC.

To help us stay active, we'd go on walks, bike rides, and do push ups or sit ups.  Our son had a hard time finding a gym open to lift weights, so he started lifting us on his shoulders and doing squats.  My favorite comment: "Wow, mom, you don't weigh as much as I thought." Yes, I'll take that compliment!

Oddly enough, this came in the mail today..our 10-year Census, the constitutionally mandated count of the US population.  We are not supposed to count students who are living outside their home base, but we are allowed to count those who are planning to be regularly in the home on April 1st.  With the pandemic crisis and schools shutdown, we'll be 100% accounted for at home.  😁

We have more family time too, which is great.  The restaurants are take-out or delivery only, so we're eating at home a lot more.  And with this beautiful weather in the 70's, we're taking advantage of the time to fix up our yard, plant the gardens, and enjoy the deck.  Of course, it's still allergy season, so I have to be careful when I sneeze or rub my eyes.   

Since our oldest child wasn't on the cruise, she goes to the store for us.  We might have spaghetti and salad on the list for dinner, but because of the scarce availability in the stores, she comes home with salmon and califlower.  We're just grateful for whatever we can find that's fresh and nutritious. Even toilet paper is scarce. There were signs everywhere limiting purchases to just 2 can of beans, 1 loaf of bread, or 1 jar of peanut butter.  

The youngest decided to make homemade muffins.  They were delicious buttermilk spice with toasted walnuts.  Yum!  Fortunately, we had all the ingredients at home.

As we walk the neighborhood each day, we're staring to notice some really good chalk art.  This one is our favorite.  

COVID-19, or coronavirus, you might win temporarily, but we will come back stronger as  a community, as a nation, and as a global synergy.  Until then, my friends, heed the message from our president below.  Take care.

The Bahamas

Our day and a half at sea landed us in Nassau, Bahamas with turquois water, warm temperatures, and lots of sun!  Instead of the typical excursions, we opted to roam around ourselves and get some exercise.

Our first walk took us to the "Queens Staircase". It's 65 steps that you can see in the background and is a major landmark.  The steps lead up to a fort that protected the water's inlet to the city.  These steps were hewn out of solid limestone rock by slaves between 1793 and 1794 and were later named in honor of Queen Victoria, who reigned in Britain for 64 years from 1837 to 1901.  

Interestingly, Columbus first landed here in 1492, so there are statues of him in the city.  However, it became a British colony in 1718 when the British clamped down on piracy.  The Bahamas gained independence in 1973, but their British heritage can still be seen with portraits of Queen Elizabeth II in several buildings.

Sugarcane is abundant here, and so is rum.  Our walk on the island took us unexpectedly to a chocolate factory where they had rum shots in an edible chocolate shot cup.  The price was $8 for one, or 2 for $10, so we decided to get two.  Our 20 year-old son didn't hesitate to step in.  Following this, we found a rum factory that gave free tours (and samples).  Yep, we decided to do that, too.

Having our fill of rum, we decided to relax on the beach.  The younger two played in the sand and water while the oldest one took a nap.

When we drank up all the water we had packed, we sent our son to buy some rum punch.  Cheers!

No island trip would be complete without a fresh coconut.  The magnesium and fiber would be good for us.

The little one wanted her picture with the cocount by the blue water.  Eric stepped in and had to show off.  

Back on the ship, it was dinner time.  We were eating later and later as we fell victim to island time.  At 8pm, we were just beginning our 3-course meal.  This is why I gain so much weight on cruises!

Last Cruise

Although our co-workers and friends thought we were crazy for going, we decided to keep our reservations on a cruise out of Charleston for spring break.  There was a pandemic looming on the other side of the world, and cruising was a hotbed for spreading the disease.  With our oldest quarantined at medical school, the four of us opted for a balcony room in case our 4-day vacation was extended to several weeks.

I have to say... being isolated from news, spending time with family, and having an endless buffet of amazing food was worth it!  There were also fewer people on the cruise than usual, so we never had to wait for machines at the gym...

and the ropes course allowed unlimited turns.

The pool tables were fun, if you could hit the cue ball before it rolled with the ship's sway.

The weather was just gorgeous!  We stayed on the top deck for a while to burn off our calories from breakfast and 1st lunch.  Then there's 2nd lunch, snack, and finally dinner.  

In mid-afternoon, the guys decided to attend a craft event.  These were mini-canvases that we painted with water colors and stamps.  When the guys were not taking their art skills seriously, the girls had to get in on the action.

Our beautiful artwork on the outside of our cabin door.  Guys pieces are above the room number, girls pieces are below.  The top one is abstract, apparently.

In the early evening, Luke tried his luck at the blackjack table.  I've never seen $20 go so fast.  (Ha ha)  But he had fun.

Our formal night had photographers everywhere.  Since their photos are quite pricey, we took this selfie.

After our 4-course dinner, we relaxed in the ship's library.  I found a good book while Eric and the little one entertained themselves with board games.

The long day at sea was pretty fun.  It was time to rest up for a busy day in the Bahamas.