Thursday, August 12, 2021

Really Random Thursday, 8/12/21

Every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning's end

(Lyrics from "Closing Time" by Semisonic)

As Christa stated, it's been 517 days since normal school.

Along with countless others, today is a new beginning for these four:

Second grade.
Fourth grade.
Eighth grade.
Tenth grade.
Along with this new beginning for them comes a new beginning for Mark and me. For an entire year, we were known as Wienskler Academy, West Campus, as the kids were here all day on Mondays and Thursdays for virtual school. It had its ups and downs. I have already forgotten the "downs," but we had many "ups"--transportation back and forth, lunch around the table two days a week, with much laughter, lots of time for bonding... As grandparents, those times are priceless.

I'll be honest here and say that I'm having a tough time with the transition. I got used to, and looked forward to, having them here twice a week. Now I have to figure out again what to do with those two free days. I was used to being a steady part of their lives. Kids are busy. I feel like I'm mourning the loss of those times together, but I do know that we will make it a priority to schedule individual and group time together. They need to be in school. They need to be with their friends in person, not faces on a screen. We made it through a year unlike any other. I'm so happy they are back in school and I know they are as well.

We did go back-to-school shopping the other day. It was hot but fun, and I think they are mostly outfitted for awhile.




I thoroughly cleaned my sewing room and sold all this fabric. Yay. Now to get back into that room and start messing it up again. :)

I was able to visit my father today. His hair is so long! I've never seen it like this before.
He told me it was because he is now the only person living in skilled nursing so they don't have anyone to cut hair. *sigh* Memory is a hard thing to lose...


And that's it for this week. Stay cool.

7 comments:

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Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I feel for you missing time with the grands. You and Mark were so creative about the home school routine. Just think of how much more quilting you can do now though with two more days and a clean slate in your studio. How did you ever part with fabric? I'm purging here and there in my studio but haven't even touched the fabric. I really want a new storage system for the fabric but that may never happen. Requires too many other shifts in the room, so I'm not sure it's worth it. Love this week's memes. Keep them coming. They are my weekly laugh.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said... #

You’ve got all those great memories of the kids spending scheduled time with you and Mark. It will be an adjustment but you’ll wiped it out.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said... #

WORK not wiped

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said... #

Congratulations for being such great grandparents. Those kids will be able to tell stories to their kids about the wonderful year of school they had from grandma and grandpa I thought you were creative with the learning. There i nothing like in person classes but you were a very close second. I'm sure you will find way to keep in touch with them.

Robby said... #

Change is hard, but goodness you had a chance to make so many extra memories last year. I'm sure you and Mark will continue to make time to be with the kids, you did before. Loving the meme about the cable repair guy. Our internet went out and the process of just reporting it was terrible, ending with an appointment between 8:15 and 4:30 on Thursday (we reported it on Saturday! We were discussing it over dinner and decided to skip dessert so we could run over to the competitor's still open location and compare service plans. Within two hours we had a new service plan and had the new system set up. Felt pretty smug with ourselves when we canceled the service call, too.

Needled Mom said... #

From the sound of things, you may be back to teaching! Let’s hope not. You guys did make their year so much fun. I love the cable guy’s time response.

OPQuilt said... #

I think this is a wonderful journal-type entry, with reflections on why this change has been a challenge for you. While it was a bit difficult, you and Mark made the best of it, and have grown closer with all those beautiful (but older!) grandchildren.
Great memes as usual, and even though my Dad doesn't have memory problems, his hair is really getting long, too. Don't know why, either, as they've bribed the stylist to come and cut their hair in their kitchen so they don't have to go out to the salon anymore.