Happy Sunday!  How is everyone doing today?   I swear it feels like it was just Monday.  Another week at home doing lesson plans and activities as well as spending time with my cats.  🙂  I guess I shouldn’t really complain about it.

I ran 3 days this week.  It is finally warmer here which made the runs more pleasant.  I love running in shorts.  

I signed up for Deborah’s RunBet Challenge so I had to make sure I got out there!  Did you sign up as well?Did anyone see this?  It was tempting to sign up until someone told me it is 612 miles.  To date I’ve run 139 miles.  No way can I run 600 miles in 4 months.  Or can I?  🙂    I know I’ve mentioned that it is nice to run with no pressure, but how long is that going to last?  I doubt any “real” races will take place this year so I am looking for some motivation.

Early in the week we got an email from the Principal that she was putting together a schedule so that we could go pack up our things in our classroom.  Someone did inquire if masks, cleaners, would be provided for us.  We were told to bring our own mask.  I don’t know what happened but then another email was sent letting us know that that project was postponed.

Our last day of school is June 5th.  I am not sure if we’ll go till June or stop on May 29th.  I finally have my routine set up and am liking it.  My favorite part is when my students log in to talk, read or discuss a book.  Due to some restrictions set up by the District, I cannot see them but they can see me.  I look very different than when I am in the classroom.  Most days I do comb my hair.  🙂

In February I applied again to teach Summer School.  For sure I thought that it would be cancelled.  Nope.  It will be done remotely.  Now that I have no idea how it would work since half of my students now either turn in minimal or no work at all.  I am trying really hard to be patient but honestly I am getting tired of it.  I have about 3 that do almost all of the assignments – one has submitted all of them.  I am thinking of buying a prize for him (maybe a gift card).  Thoughts?

My uncle’s funeral was on Friday.  We did not go but thanks to my cousins we did see it on YouTube.  My mother felt as if she was there too.  She still cannot believe that her brother is gone (no one can).  She hasn’t been sleeping well but I will check with her doctor to see if she can take a sleeping pill.  I worry because she takes medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  Check out Lola also watching the funeral with us.

Are you excited it is May?  Any goals for May?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

I felt so much better this week.  Sunshine is good for the soul.  I ran 4 days this week and it felt so good.  I set out again to run each day longer than the previous day.  

This week I set out to do Judy’s challenge.   I did good but had a hard time with indigo.  

Green, orange, and red.  Is the corn blue or indigo?  I’ve been to this restaurant a few times and the food is delicious!

Violet, green, and yellow.

Yellow, orange, and green.

Blue and red.

Our Governor extended the stay at home order for another month.  Now it is till May 30th.  I don’t like it one bit but I know it is for our own good.

I sent another letter to my students.  Most likely I will send 2-3 more this summer.  Who knows if we’ll even go back to school in the Fall.  I’ve read that eLearning/Remote Learning might continue to the Fall.

I finished watching “Unorthodox” and “Dirty John”.  They’re both SO GOOD!  Now I am watching “Person of Interest”.  Who remembers that show?  I remember watching a few episodes but didn’t watch it every week.  

Our family got some sad news on Saturday.  One of my uncles, my mother’s brother, died on Saturday from COVID-19.  It is so weird when almost every day you see on the TV screen the number of deaths from the day before and now my uncle is part of that number.  His wife also has the virus.  I hope she gets better soon.  I cannot imagine her sons losing both set of parents.  We are also very sad that we cannot visit and hug them.

And to end on a happy note, here is a photo of both of my cats sleeping.  It is very rare that they both sleep like that with me.

How was your week?  Have you done Judy’s Rainbow Challenge?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

Hey everyone!  I almost did not write this post because I was a little down this week.  Honestly, I think this was the worst week for me since I’ve been home.  I didn’t want to do anything but just stay in my pajamas. 

No running for me this week.  I know no one really likes to talk about the weather (here in the Midwest it changes every single day) but last week was just bad for me.  I think it was sunny maybe one or two days?  It is weird how a few years ago I ran a lot outside during the Winter when I was training for the Illinois Marathon.  I ran in the snow and in freezing weather.  That is when I learned so much about the proper gear for Winter training.  Now if it is in the 30s then I want to stay inside.

Most of you know I am an introvert.  I was loving it the first couple of weeks.  Now?  I am bored and tired of staying at home.  I know I shouldn’t complain because I know staying home is the best thing to do right now.  I am grateful that no one in my family is sick.  At least now it will be warmer to enjoy some time in the balcony.  OK, rant over.  Moving on.  🙂

Has anyone watched “Unorthodox”?  Wow!  I want to see more.  I mean I want to know what happens to her and what she is going to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVhRId0BTw

I did 2 Peloton workouts.  You know it was with Cody!  I think I would freak out if I ever meet him in person.

Monday was the beginning of a new work routine for me.  Before I was available 2 hours per day for the students and to collaborate with my coworkers.  Of course I was putting in more hours planning lessons, uploading, etc.  Now our work day is from 8am-2pm.  I have office hours from 9-10 am and 1-2 pm and am available for my students from 10 am-1 pm.  Oh and I get one hour for lunch.  🙂  I take my lunch hour in the morning so I can start at 9am.  I mean where exactly am I going to go for lunch anyway?

On Friday the Governor announced that classes were cancelled for the rest of the year.  I had a feeling that was going to happen but it is a different feeling when an official announcement is made.  I was sad because I miss my students.  I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to them.  I am sad for my students because I know they are bored and tired and would rather be at school than all day at home.  It will be very interesting how things will be the next couple of months.  I am assuming summer school will be cancelled.  I wonder when and if we’ll get a chance to go pack up the stuff in our classroom or if we will leave it the way it is till the Fall? 

On Saturday I did my first Zoom meetup with my blogger friends.  I got the time zone mixed up and joined in late.  🙂  It felt good listening to them.  I enjoyed the adult conversation with different people.  Plus it was great “meeting” them even if it was via computer.

And a photo of my babies.  They fight (Mateo is the instigator) but sometimes they do get along.

How was your week?  I hope it was more exciting than mine.  

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

How was everyone’s week?  This week I ran 5 days and did one Peloton workout on the bike.  Pleased of how it went.  Tomorrow it will be one month since I’ve been in school and seen my kids.  These past couple of week have been interesting and challenging.

Mother Nature couldn’t make up her mind because the weather was just weird this week.  It will chilly one day, 70s and humid another day, and then cloudy and also sunny days.

On Tuesday it was warm and humid.  I ended up running in a tank top and shorts.  Later that day I went to school to get a few things from my classroom.  It felt so weird being there.  The hallways were empty and had an eerie feeling.  The best thing I picked up was my calendar so I could hang in my office.  Now I can see it everyday and know the day of the week.  <

Thursday run didn’t go well.  I set off to run 4 miles but the wind was just too much for me.  I went home.  I think I was just emotional because as soon as I turned around to go home, I started crying.  Nothing wrong with it but not sure if it is because of everything that is going on or because it is that time of the month. 

Later that day I had a PD day/meeting with my coworkers.  The Principal talked what is expected from us for Remote Learning.  I also had separate meetings with my team.  At the end of the day I felt even more anxious and overwhelmed.  It feels like we have more work to do for school now than when we were in the classroom.  The biggest change for me is making office/work hours and sticking to them.  I want students and parents to contact me for any questions but I cannot be writing to them all day.  Beginning tomorrow the District requires us to have 5 hours available each day for parents, students, and to collaborate with my team.  I have also posted a message in Google Classroom.  Let’s hope it works out for everyone and that it goes well.

Have you seen those pictures and videos of teachers participating in a parade for their students?  We did that on Friday.  I will admit that I was on the fence about going.  But I knew it would feel good to get out and do something fun.  It was so much fun.  There were so many parents and students waving at us.  I did see a few of my former and current students.  That made me very happy.

By Friday I had had enough of Facebook and I deactivated my account.  I had already deleted the Instagram and Twitter apps from my phone.  I got tired of many people being judgemental and posting mean comments.  Everything is either an argument or political.  Yes, I could have ignored everything being said but it was just too much for me.  

Saturday I ran 6.10 miles for the Uncanceled Project.  Ugh, I have no idea how I got my numbers mixed up but I needed .10 miles for a 10k.  It still counts right?

Copying this idea from Catrina.  Oh, and what do I hope for?  Here’s my top five list: 

♥ no one else gets sick.  There are just too many right now.
♥ that there is a vaccine available soon so more people don’t get sick or die.
♥ soon we can meet up with family and friends like before.
♥ that I will see my students one more time before the last day of school.
♥ that I can stop being so sad and angry and continue to be my half self.  🙂

The next theme is a fun one.  It is “Humor”.  With everything that is happening right now, we do need more things to make us laugh.

You’d think that being home now I have more time, right?  I have no idea where times goes.  I am doing my best to read as many posts as possible and to respond to each comment.  I get it done even if it is on Friday or Saturday.  🙁

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

Whew!  What a week it was.  How is it that it is again Sunday?  The Governor announced that schools will be closed until April 30th.  I doubt we will go back to school for the rest of the year.  The Superintendent sent an email letting us know that for Monday-Wednesday it will be the same schedule for remote learning but that on Thursday we will have PD from 8:00-1:30 and then we will be off on Friday (Good Friday).  We’ll see how it goes.

This week started off with me feeling lazy and not wanting to run.  Then I remembered that I signed up for The Un-canceled Project.  We had a few gloomy days and on Friday it was warm and sunny.  I went out about noon and was HOT during my 4 miles.

I took my first Peloton outdoor running class and it will probably be my last.  I was annoyed with the constant talking.  Remember, I am one that dislikes hearing runners talk nonstop on a run or race.  I think maybe that is one of the reasons I like running by myself.  Well, I would run with you as long as you don’t talk too much.  🙂

I ended March with 35.10 miles.  Still pleased with how it went.  I mean it is better than no miles.

My Peloton didn’t get much use at all this week but Lola likes to sit on it. 

April Fools’ Day come but it felt just like any other day.  At least to me it felt like it.  The days go by fast and they all blend in together.  Sometimes I don’t know if it is Tuesday or Wednesday.

My cats were lazy as usual.  Nothing new there.  Mateo loves to sleep pretty much anywhere in the house.  He LOVES to cuddle with my mother and she spoils him too.

Thanks to some YouTube videos I learned a couple of new things for eLearning.  My coworker and I did some assignments on Google Slides and Drawing.  We are ready for the upcoming weeks.  On Friday I spent some time cleaning my desk.  I’ve been using the kitchen table but now I need more space for my computers and my papers.  Looks like I will be working there till June.

For the first time ever I wrote and mailed letters to all of my students.  First I called those parents that I haven’t connected with via Remind.  I left messages for a few and others did not answer.  I did speak to a student and it felt so good to hear him.  When I was done I went to my room and cried.  I know many of us have probably cried a few times already.  

Anyone else watching “Money Heist”?  Season 4 was on on Friday.  There are 8 episodes and I am on season 7. 

How are YOU?  How was your week?  Are you also participating in The Un-Canceled Project?  

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.