Closure and Depression :(

Many of you know I've been looking for jobs off and on, for a few years. I had opportunities that were close to happening. I had opportunities I had to pass up because I was under a contract.

I only had a few months to look for work during the summer time. Even then, the school I work for had me sign that contract, for the fall almost as soon as the summertime hit.

It was really hard to move in any direction, but straight.

We were told that we could work from home late March. Online classes were hard. I think I could get used to them, but it was different from what I developed before. I stayed up until 10 almost every night during finals time; working on tests.

Yesterday we had a staff meeting. It was just a few of us. My boss said that enrollment was already low, and got impossible when COVID-19 hit. They decided to close the school down, for this incoming class. Along with that went the full time instructors.

Was I surprised? Not really.

Was I sad? Yes. I mean I've been there, since 2002. Before I even had kids.

Was I panicked? Certainly! I had a bite of a job before COVID-19 hit. Well I emailed them again, and they picked someone else. I felt so good about that interview. To be honest I was more mad at them, than getting laid off. I really wanted that job. The person that interviewed me said she'd let me know as soon as a decision was made. They majorly dragged their feet in deciding. Now I'm stabbing at anything trying to get something. During a pandemic it's not really the time to be picky.

I just paid a $1,000 bill for Travis' endoscopy, Travis needs a crown, and I paid our mortgage bill.

I have tons of stuff on my work computer, because I've had it for ages. I don't have any of the Adobe Suit on my home laptop. Scrabble time!

Even though I'm sad, I'm most concerned about Isaak. There's days now where he just wants to lay in bed. Granted he's been going to bed late, but he seems depressed. I don't know what to do. It's not like I can drop everything to spend time with him. I'm applying to places.

If you don't see me much, it's because I'm on the hunt. The job hunt. Who knows maybe I will have to let off steam, and blog. Then you have to listen to me rant. Ha! Please be safe! Our hospitals here are filling up fast, since things have opened up. I love my blogger friends. I don't want to kiss you, but I love your comments, and friendship!

Peace and Love 

Random Tid Bits

1. Today is Graduation Day, for the college I work at. I'm kind of sad about it it. Usually there's a rented place, gowns, top portfolio awards, funny awards that a goofball instructor says, and a ceremony.
   
   This year it will be a Zoom video that will literally be just the Director talking, and a bunch of names read off. No speeches, no special awards, and no funny awards. Usually inside I roll my eyes at the funny awards, but this year I'll miss them. I am goofy, but I always felt like a graduation wasn't really the time, or the place for it.


2. I was invited to a past friends daughter's graduation. She babysat, for us once. Her siblings are in Mica and Isaak's classes. We've kind of parted ways. Not because we don't like each other. It's just that we all got busy, and their kids went to a different middle school, than our boys. Do I A. Send a card and money, or do I B. Just not do anything?
   
   Then our neighbor graduated high school. We literally only say, "Hi" and maybe a 5 minute conversation. We've invited them over early on when we moved to our house. The people across the street have had many neighbors over, invited them, and they never show up. We don't ever get a Christmas card. We weren't invited to anything. I only know their son is graduating because they have a banner in front of their house. Do I A. Send a card and money, or do I B. Just not do anything?
   
   I'm not saying I need to get something to give something. It's not like that! I just don't know what's expected, or is there a right thing to do? I don't really feel like I know these kids. If they had a party I'd show up. Then I'd justify giving because we went to the party. I'm leaning more towards giving anyhow. How much do you give to this kid you don't know? I think too much! Maybe I'm overthinking this because of the talk about us possibly going into another Great Depression. I have no idea what will happen with my job, when the fall rolls around.


3. Every year I look at my disgusting windows and think, "Man they need to be cleaned!" Travis is like, "Who cares!". Well apparently I do care. It really doesn't take that long, it looks better, and I feel better after doing it. He grinds metal below our 3 main windows. Boy do they get dirty!
   
   This year Mica helped. He helped reach where I couldn't. It was wonderful!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Mr. Mica has been acting like a third parent. Has anyone else's kid done this? I know Isaak's 12, a punk-a-monk age. Travis is back at work, and I'm supposed to be working here. He's like, "Mom you should be more strict with Isaak. He's getting away with this _______." The blank changes with the day. What he's getting away with, is the same stuff Mica did when he was Isaak's age.


5. I have about 3 doctor appointments coming up: Both boys have a check-up + Allergy Doctor for me. I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of not wanting to go considering how lackadaisical people have been in Omaha. Many don't wear masks at all. Do you feel this way, when you leave the house?

Random Tid Bits

1. I'm ready for the school year to be done, but am nervous when fall rolls around.
   
2. I know I can teach online, but my first year students don't get their laptops until mid semester. They are going to try and figure out what it would take, for them to get their laptops early.
   
3. Isaak hasn't shown any more signs, on being allergic to this little cuddly boy. I swear he sat on my arm under this washcloth, which he thinks is his blanket for 20 minutes or more.
   
   
   
   
   
4. My first year students are working on stationery sets, for a company they made redid a logo for. Their logos looked pretty good. Their understanding of stationery is questionable. I even made my own to explain it. One guy must of never looked at my examples. He had the company's address in the center, instead of top left. He used my info for the business card, when I told them to research the company its self. I just want to scream, "Look at my examples!"
   
5. Mica's officially done with his big health care model, PowerPoint, and Word file. He presented to the class, University of Nebraska - Omaha (they mentored the students), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Forward, and a small group from Multiple Sclerosis Society. He did really well. BUT while he was presenting he had a battery explode on his project. Thank goodness, he just had to show the project in his PowerPoint. It did kind of distract him, when he heard a big bang. 

Homemade Dandelion Bread #recipe

My kids are hungry all the time. They are a big judgy with food. The just don't like that I'm on a binge of making so many things with dandelions. It's the season. Dandelions are free. Travis isn't working right now, nor is the unemployment money coming in. I think they are good!

Today I made bread. The first thing Mica asked, "Are dandelions in there?" I lied and said, "No! Of course not." I think my nose grew like Pinocchio's. He had it, and it won him over.

It is really easy to make! I'm always suspicious when it comes to making dough rise. in the past bread was a pain to rise, for me. I decided to try it. 

Pick lots of pesticide free dandelions. I had Isaak do this, and Mica pulled on the rest of the plant, or what some might call weed. 

Wash the flowers well, trim them off the pedals with a kitchen shears. You need 1/3 cup! That's a lot of dandelions. I had them actually pick more, for me to make Dandelion Jelly - coming up, so stay tuned. 

Heat up 1 cup of milk on the stove in a small pot. I used 2%, but I think any milk will do. Add in the dandelions. Whisk, until it is almost at a boil. Then let cool, for a few minutes. 

While you are waiting for the milk and dandelions to come to a slight boil, get out a medium sized mixing bowl. Put in 1 packet of yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, 1/4 honey. Mix, and let set until it foams. That means the yeast is active. 

Add in 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 cup softened butter (I just microwave it for 30 seconds), 2 eggs, and the milk mixture. Mix! Start adding in the flour, 1 cup at a time. I use bread flour, but all purpose would do. It will get sticky. Keep adding a cup at a time, until you have added 5 cups. 

Put on a floured surface, and knead. Keep adding flour, and kneading until it's elastic and not that sticky. You will need more than the 5 cups of flour. 

Put in a large sprayed bowl, for 90 minutes or until it's doubled in size. I lay a damp tea towel over the bowl.

It happened! I doubled in size!

Split in 1/2, put it in 2 sprayed bread pans, I sprinkled the bottom of my pans with the flour on the surface that wasn't used. 

Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick is poked in, and comes clean! 

Let the bread cool. Slice and eat. 

I put a little honey on the boy's. It can be used for sandwiches, toast, or plain. 

Here's a downloadable recipe with the instructions: 

Homemade Dandelion Bread by AlissaSpiehs-Apel on Scribd

Have you ever ate dandelions before? 

What ways are you trying to save during this pandemic?

Random Tid Bits

1. I decided to get a bunch of design things done, that I wanted to get done. Now my scratch disk is full. I've even deleted a bunch of other things off.
   


2. All my students have been good through all this COVID-19 stuff, except for 2. I have had others not participate much. That's to be expected. I'm talking attitude.
   
   I had one tell me I wasn't a good person because I didn't grade her boyfriend's stuff. I missed his attachment entirely. I counted...that day I had 42 emails from the students. I apologized to him. Explained I'm human, and that it would help if he worked in the order of the assignment. Then I emailed the girlfriend telling her that I'm human, and it's not really her business. If he has a problem, he should contact me.
   
   I had another student that's having web issues. She keeps giving me her old file. Somehow that's my problem, not hers. She's had issues all through school. When the Director told me that she's had issues with the online learning, I think she just has issues in general.
   
3.  It snowed 6 inches last week. Now it's in the 60s. Hello Nebraska! What's the weather like where you live?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. I've messed with our weatherman some more. I really like him, so it's all for fun. He was talking about it being cloudy. I asked, "Is it cloudy with the chance of meatballs?" That was a few weeks ago.
   
   This week he kept saying his favorite word, "Spectacular". I told him the boys were outside digging in the "Spectacular" dirt. He reads the comments out loud, and often chuckles with mine. 
   
   

   

   
   
5. Isaak has a group chat with 3 or 4 girls. It makes him happy. Mica cracks up over it. Says he has too much drama in his life. 

Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall #covid19 @nexoutlets

I just want to cry about this. Nebraska reopens an outlet mall in the middle of numbers rising - during a pandemic!

Source

According to our governor Pete Ricketts, the mall was never asked to close in the first place. He of course isn't going to tell them what to do. He just wants us to be mindful, and take precautions. Basically have common sense.

The mall stores will have thermometers, people are asked to wear masks, and only 10 people can come in at a time.

One argument for them - How is this any different than a grocery store being open?

My argument against them - All these stores have online websites. If people want to shop, shop online. I do realize that there are people needed in warehouses, and package deliverers. But it still is less interaction than a variety of people shopping in stores.

Money shouldn't matter more than lives. Our numbers are rising, durning this pandemic. Stay home, if you can.

In the U.S. I feel like too many leaders have the mindset that money matters more than lives. There isn't a lot of talk about the people that suffer, the families that lost a loved one, how fast this is spreading. Instead it's bump in the economy!

This outlet mall opens, so we can conveniently spend our government check! People are bored. Let them be! Find a hobby! The land of the free has become the land of I can do whatever in hell I want to. We have a moral obligation to protect the workers that have to be out, weak, and elderly.

I really felt pissed off when I found out that the owner of the Outlet Mall is Rodney Yates. He's a Trump supporter big time. Ok, support who you want. I don't care what party you are for. It just seems to me that money to all that's mentioned in the post matters more than lives. Trump has backed the way Pete Ricketts has handled Nebraska. "Use your common sense Nebraskans." - Ricketts

Source

Ok, I can back that common sense thing. I have common sense. I will stay home because I now can. I want to protect those that have to work, elderly, pregnant, and sick with something else people. Not everyone is doing that, nor do they have common sense.

What really bugs me is that this outlet mall is case study, for Trump, Ricketts and Yates. Seriously read here.

Look at the history of New York. So many people got the virus because they are in a tight area, where they travel out, and back in. This outlet mall sits in between Omaha and Lincoln. Two of Nebraska's largest cities.

I'm hoping each store chooses to stay closed. I, like many people need to shop. Mica's grew, and his pants look short. I'm holding off, and if I have to I'll shop online.

Random Tid Bits

1. I've had these sitting on my desktop, for awhile now. I've been amused by any meme that comes up for the Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. I don't know that much about her, other than the memes. They just crack me up! I'm right in line with her. A few things I had to look up.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   I didn't know what "Bugchasing" meant. It's seeking out sex with someone that has AIDS.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I've had so many people here try to tell me COVID-19 is no big deal. With having blogger friends that live in places around the world, I knew otherwise. I'm not trying to be a person that's like, "I told you so!" It's more, "Please be safe, for yourself, and others around you! This is not a joke!"
   
   
3. I finally started working from home on Monday. The Governor of Nebraska basically said, "If you can work from home, do so!" My boss listens to the Governor, so I emailed to get the ball rolling. It worked.
   
   It's gone ok, except for the boy's fighting, Isaak doing nothing/being lazy, and them playing on the PS4 for their cousins. They forget how loud they talk.
   
   
4. Isaak's getting his with puberty. I remember Mica just being an ass when he was about to turn 12. Isaak turns 12 on May 19. The moods are strong with this one. Isaak's a different than Mica. He's slightly ass like, but very entitled baby like. They all go through it, so I'm not trying to pick on him. It's just hormones.
   
   Who knows before too long the family will have to put up with my hormones. I'm sure I'll go through menopause before too long. I'm mid 40's.


5. Isaak had a some days of waking up with his eyes all crazy like. Last night it was his lip that swelled. Say what?! I was thinking the eye was just environmental allergies. Now I'm wondering if he's allergic to Sunny - the Gecko. He washes his hands frequently, but sometimes not right away. I don't really know. What's something odd that you're allergic to?
   
   
   
   
   

Happy Easter!

We stayed home for Easter, which is where we belong right now.

My parents were nice, and brought cinnamon rolls over yesterday. They literally set them on our steps, texted Travis to come grab them. I didn't have to make the coffee cake I planned to make.

I did a scavenger hunt, despite Travis feeling done with such nonsense. I think as long as the boys enjoy things like that, I'll do it. Usually it's Mica that struggles with the clues. This year it was Isaak that struggled with them. The first was, "5 blue eggs are hidden where a spin cycle happens." Isaak's like, "A spin cycle?! I don't know what that is." Mica's like, "The washer has a spin cycle Isaak." I was vague with some clues on purpose. The last one ended with a pun, "You'll have to weight for your last clue." All the remainder eggs were hidden by the weights.

Truth be told I got 3 different types of M&Ms after Valentine's Day. At the time I felt cheap, now I feel it was really practical.

We spent the majority of the day watching Stranger Things 3. We don't have Netflix, and that's one show we love. I got it around Valentine's Day, for them to get it for Easter.

After we were all done watching Stranger Things 3, we had a quick make shift lunch/dinner. 1/2 a baked potato with cheese, fried ham, and a dollop of plain Greek Yogurt, green beans out of a can because I was out of fresh ones, Travis made a dip with chips. Poof the quickest meal made ever. 

We had a zoom meeting with my sisters and parents at 7. 

That was Easter. What did you do for Easter? Who did you spend the day with?

Random Tid Bits

1. I really wish Nebraska would take this virus really seriously! As of right now our governor talks about working from home, keeping social distances, and using common sense. I think he's forgotten that many do not have common sense. There's no order to stay at home. BUT the mayor of Omaha did put in an order to close all the parks. That doesn't include places with trails. Places with trails have been so busy.


2. Someone that used to work with me made a parody with his family. I love it! Go give it a thumbs up if you like it too!




3. I started wearing a mask in public. It's just hard because I struggle from breathing anyhow. With fabric and a coffee filter over my face it makes it even harder. I remind myself that it's better than getting COVID-19!


4. I started thinking about my sister that's pregnant. She's due in August. If COVID-19 is still very powerful, it might be awhile before I get to hold my future niece.


5. In Omaha a distillery had to shut its doors. In order for the owners to stay afloat they decided to turn the place into a hand sanitizer distillery.
   
   Another place in Omaha makes leather aprons. They noticed their sales plummeting, so they decided to start making filter masks.
   
   I noticed a place in Maryland is collecting old breast pumps to convert to respirators. They only have drop off at the facility right now. I enquired about it because I still have a pump from when the boys were babies. I've kept it because I didn't know what to do with it. I heard one can recycle them, but I never knew where or how. I still have it. If I could follow the engineers directions on how to convert it to a respirator, I would. Ya know for me, if our hospitals get crazy!
   
   Another good thing happening...people staying home = less pollution in the world. I wish they'd get the memo when they go to stores, and leave their nasty gloves in the parking lot.
   
   Good things are happening. Problems are being solved. What is something good that's happening around where you live? I believe when there's a storm of bad, something good has to come. 

Random Tid Bits

1. I kind of feel like I'm loosing my mind. It takes me longer to prepare for my classes these days with the change of everything being online. Then certain students don't respond at all.
   
   At some point they have to take responsibility. I don't like the system as much as them being here as well.


2. I splurged and got the boys some things for Easter. I didn't buy any clothes. Let's face it, they live in PJ pants, and their robes these days.
   
   What I got to keep them busy during COVID-19 Stay at Home Days:
   
   
   1000 Piece Puzzle
   
   They both like galaxy like stuff. Mica I think would do better with his own puzzle, but I know they are only going to do this once. I don't want to spend an arm and leg on something they'll do once.
   
   
   
   
   
   Stylus Pens
   
   For their Kindles.
   
   
   
   
   The 5th Book in the Series of Horizon: Liferaft
   
   Isaak asked for another Dav Pilkey book, but I think they are way too easy for him. I don't mind him reading easy things, but I don't want to buy them.
   
   
   
   
   The Copper Gauntlet
   
   Mica's much more realistic about what he wants.
   
   
   
   
   Stranger Things 3
   
   We all like Stranger Things, but we don't have Netflix. I got this awhile ago. It's not the nice set I've gotten in the past from Target. Oh well...it will do.
   
   
   
   
   
3. I always make a coffee cake for Easter morning, so I'm still doing that.
   
   
4. My Mom texted me and my sisters telling us that my Aunt is in the hospital again. She had a surgery to remove some skin, because a wound wouldn't heal. Then she had some small hernias to fix. Boy has it been a difficult surgery. In and out of the hospital way more than we thought. She's been to the ICU a few times. This last time she tried to call a cab to take her. She doesn't want my Mom or Aunt's to get COVID-19, so I get it. My Mom was upset. I don't know the extent of visitors she can have considering we're in the middle of a pandemic. She's single with no kids.
   
   
5. The next day my Mom texted me and my sisters telling us that my Uncle is in the hospital getting yet another unit of blood. This has happened over and over again, since Thanksgiving! He has an internal bleed from radiation he had.
   
   Of course they said on the news that we're lacking on blood, basic antibiotics, O2, masks and gloves. YIKES! What do you worry about most if you or someone you know gets COVID-19? For me it's O2.

Random Tid Bits

1. Do you ever get that feeling that something bad is going to happen before it happens? I feel that way today.
   
2. It started last night. The boys go to two different middles schools, yet in the same district. It's the biggest district in Omaha. Omaha is the biggest city in Nebraska.
   
   At 6 I got a call from Mica's school listing off times to come get his stuff. It was like a 5 minute voicemail because his middle school goes from 5th to 8th grades; they didn't want them all showing up at once. I had to listen to it 3 times to get his Thursday, Friday, and Monday times. We landed on Thursday, but his Healthcare Teacher mentioned she wouldn't be there until Thursday night, so Friday it is.
   
   At 8 Travis gets an email from Isaak's school saying that we had to fill out a survey to come get Isaak's things by 8. The email was sent at 6. Say what?! A two hour window of time around dinner. Families are supposed to see this. I check my email all the time, but not then. We filled it out, and sent it by 8:30.
   
   I started thinking...why the rush? I get they probably want it done, but why not let us know earlier in the week? Then I was thinking too much per usual. Maybe the district knows something I don't know. We could have a state wide lock down really soon. 
   
   My husband thinks I'm nuts in thinking that. But nothing is too wacky right about now right? Have you had a lock down? We should have one. There are pockets of people that think this is still nothing to worry about. Maybe because our leader started this out saying it was a Democratic hoax, maybe they see our leaders all up close during press conferences like it's no worry, maybe it's because no one they know has gotten it, or maybe they figure what happens happens. Whatever the reason, they are careless.
   
3. All this is getting to Mica. He saw a picture of a bunch of kids from his middle school on his insta feed. They were laughing and playing. He said, "See this is what's wrong! These morons go to my school. They should be social distancing themselves. They are going to make it harder for me to go back to school!" He's right. He can't stand when people break the rules.
   
4. One thing is for sure, the US has some cocky people. They think we're way better than virus that will kick their ass, along with all their family and friends. Great! Not! The land of the free makes some people think they can do anything on US turf. I love the US. I hate cocky people.
   
5. I know things could get worse. Let's hope they go up. I do believe in the yin and yang. When bad things happen, something good has to happen to balance that out.
   
   
   
   
   

Crazy Days

I was worried about COVID-19 before it came into my state. Our world is inner connected. I do feel like there are people in the US that think they are way above everyone else in the world. We've for the most part become a cocky nation. We have the best of everything, but do we? We point blame, when we should at times point the thumb. Outsiders are human.

We're learning really fast that we're not above this virus. I believe that there is something to be learned from everything. Wherever there is bad, there's good too. The good might seem untouchable right now. Somewhere, out there it exists. If anything, maybe we'll have a place where more empathy exists, than it did before. Maybe our economy is oh so low now, but will bust at the seems when this is all said and done.

School:

I learned Thursday, towards the end of the day that we (as teachers) were supposed to offer our students online learning as well as keep our doors open for those that wanted to learn in the classroom. We have less than 50 people, so the bossman decided to stay open.

At the end of the day I found out the students wouldn't be back. The school's decision is purely based on how many people the gov. suggests we can be around. At first it was said 250 people, then it went to 50 people, and now it's 10 people.

If it were my decision, I would have closed the doors right after spring break. Offer classes in an online fashion only. I'd give teachers the training to do so.

I had class, for the first time after spring break was a thing. Only two kids didn't show up. Those two I communicated with via email. I set up three blogs, so I can add text, videos, PDFs and so on, for my students. It's not easy with the instructional videos. I show examples. YouTube would take them down in a heartbeat because of copyright laws. They are too big to keep adding, and sharing with Google Drives. I'm still trying to figure out the kinks in my system. I'd love if my work would go with Google Classroom. As is I don't have the space to upload everything on Google Drive, and keep getting emails from students, with their files.

The boy's school is off "indefinitely". They will reevaluate every two weeks. They get 10 min of homework every day, but it's not graded. Mica's school - they can call to meet up with the principal to check out a laptop if needed. There's no word of that with Isaak's school. Same district, different schools. I think they don't grade the work because there's no guarantee that kids have a laptop, or internet.

Mica's Reaction: 

"I'll check my email, to see if any teachers gave me anything to do. This is serious stuff. I can't believe it's happening. It seems like pandemics happen in the 20's." He rattled off a bunch of things that have happened through time.

Isaak's Reaction: 

"This is so odd. I just don't even know that much about the Corona Virus. I guess I'll get to stay in my robe for another week." He was upset when he learned that school would be closed possibly for the rest of the year. He's like, "I'll never get to see my friends, or talk to them." We reminded him that he's lucky he has parents that can provide for him.

Restaurants, museums, and other places are closing. Where you live, is everything closing down?

Are you worried about the lack of numbers, for hospital beds and medical staff?