Week 50

Welcome back and happy Tuesday.  We are done with our self-isolation period and back to work.  No one else had any symptoms or tested positive so were thankful for that and happy to be back to a regular schedule as there is really not enough space for all of us to work from home efficiently.  Regardless, we still had a full week continuing to enjoy getting ready for the holidays in between work meetings and tasks.

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 342- Monday 12/7/20

What are the pets up to these days?  They are happy to be able to relax in a home with no more construction.  Our sweet Bella girl usually naps in the home office which is the only place downstairs with carpet, but for the past couple months that wasn't possible since the cat, his food, and his box all had to be housed here. Now that the cat is free to mostly live elsewhere, Bella can pick back up on her naps in here.  Rusty is happy to roam wherever he wants, and as soon as we put the lights on the tree he was all about resting right under there.  This will happen nightly until we add presents that will leave no more room for him.

Day 343- Tuesday, 12/8/20

I was looking for "beauty in the bare" while on a walk with the dog for a photo prompt.  I took these two pictures of bare winter branches against a pretty blue but cloudy sky and bare roots that spread out from the tree is an artistic way.

Day 344- Wednesday, 12/9/20

On Wednesday's I'm usually working in the lab but because of self-isolation I'm working from home on the couch since the office is occupied by John also working from home.  At least I have the better view and more comfortable seat.  Later after work was done I continued to get things done in this spot by working on things I need to get done for the holidays.  This picture was also used for a photo prompt about making lists.

Day 345- Thursday, 12/10/20

After finishing an online school day Brandon wrapped the gifts he's giving to family members and is excited to get them under the tree.  This glittery blue reindeer is also his ornament and we decided together it would be the one I use for a photo prompt about holiday sparkle.

Day 346- Friday, 12/11/20

TGIF! We made it through self-isolation with no ill effects and have both tested negative again so we can return to work next week.  That is cause for cheer!  We're celebrating with a sparkling Christmas fruit punch and looking forward to our last full work week before the holidays hit.  The second picture is for a photo prompt about a prized possession and this Christmas plate is mine.  It was hand painted by Grandma Shook and given to me when I was 7.  I only know the age because she signed and dated the back which is almost even more precious than the gift itself.

Day 347- Saturday, 12/12/20

We've decided that because of the pandemic and safety concerns we are are not giving out cookie plates to the neighbors this year which is really sad for my boys, but we'll still make a few of our favorite treats every few days for us to enjoy as a family.  Today Tyler, Brandon, and I made buckeyes which was John's choice. We'll take turns picking which treats to make. Later the big UCLA vs USC rivalry game was on and it's the first time Tyler has been home for us to watch with him. He also just so happened to be wearing his UCLA sweatshirt which was not planned since he didn't even know the game was today. It's so strange to see no fans in the stands and to not hear of all the rivalry pranks that usually happen this week leading up to the big game.  What  a sad sign of the times, but also fun to have this alumni home to watch with us.

Day 348- Sunday, 12/13/20

It's finally raining!  We've had quite a dry spell so this was really needed and we were happy to see it poured today.  It was also cold and super windy out so we all hunkered down and started a new series on HBO Max.  I thought this would be different like a comedy so I was kind of shocked when it took a dark turn in the 1st episode but it's still good and interesting.  In other news the 1st shipment of vaccine went out today (photo credit USA Today). Let's hope and pray this is a game changer and helps us all get back to the real normal.

OK! That's all for this week.  Check back next week for more holiday fun with a little work thrown it.  

Week 49

Hello and welcome back!  How many days until Christmas?  Not enough!  I'm making good progress, but it still feels like there is so much to do.  We're also back to shelter-in-place mode so that makes it a little harder to get stuff done. Pray for the package delivery folks this season. So much will fall on them even more than ever.  I'm so done with this pandemic and really hope the vaccine helps us turn things around and soon. Until then we're trying to stay positive and enjoy the holidays as best we can so you will see a lot of festive pictures here and maybe they will help spark your holiday spirit as well.

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 335- Monday, 11/30/20

We busted out the decorations over the weekend so we can slowly transform the house this week.  I'm also joining a another photo class centered around holiday magic. This first picture was taken for a prompt about holidays pasts, and we were encouraged to find a filter to add a little magic so I used the app Lumii to add some twinkle lights around a picture of John and I taken on our first Christmas in our first owned home before kids. I display it every year to remind us where we started from.  In other news, weekly COVID testing continues at work in the campus recreation center.  They actually have a very streamlined process that is quick as can be with more than enough socially distanced stations.

Day 336- Tuesday, 12/1/20

Happy December!  No one else wanted to pose with the monthly marker so it's me and the kitchen pig. LOL! I'm also sharing the before and after pictures of the boys' bathroom now that it's completely done.  Love how it turned out and the highlight with 3 grown boys in this house is the turbo flush toilet.  HaHa!  The older toilet was so weak!!!  For me it was getting rid of the shower glass doors which made it near impossible to clean the tub and shower in such a small space plus the shower curtain helps add a nice pop of color. The master bath pictures are to follow.

Day 337- Wednesday, 12/2/20

What a day!  It turned out to be my last in the lab for the next couple weeks.  I was tested for COVID on Monday and was negative.  Justin was also tested at HSU Monday and got word late this afternoon that his test is positive.  ACK!  Good news is that he is asymptomatic.  Had a little tummy issue Sunday night and Monday morning but that's it.  No fever, no cough, or anything else.  Thank goodness or I'd be freaking out about him being so far away.  The bad news is now we all need to self-isolate through next week since he was here over Thanksgiving break.  We're taking it in stride and will just see how this all pans out.  Tyler as an EMT was told to keep working unless he has symptoms, but the rest of us will work from home.  Brandon and John this evening watched Frosty together while also doing homework.  Life goes on!

Day 338- Thursday, 12/3/20

The pets are very interested in Tyler's lunch.  Since he's working night shifts this his usual time waking up for the day around 1pm.  I got the stockings hung and used this picture for a photo prompt.  Brandon was pleasantly surprised to see this done when he came down from ending remote classes for the day, and I loved seeing the smile it put on his face.

Day 339- Friday, 12/4/20

Speaking of that smile, he's been happily working his way through the advent calendar.  We even found ones for the pets this year from Trader Joe's.  Now I feel left out so next year I'm getting me a wine and cheese one.  LOL! Later I took Bella for a walk during the golden hour and snapped this shot of the bare winter trees in the park and also used it for a photo prompt about a winter landscape view--best I could do with no snow here.  Afterward I settled down by the fire to relax enjoying a festive drink to kick off the weekend and celebrate the start of the Christmas season.  Justin is still doing well with a nurse checking on him daily, and no one else here has any symptoms either.  One more week to go before we're in the clear.

Day 340- Saturday, 12/5/20

We got the tree today and John put up the house lights with Brandon's help so it's starting to look a lot like Christmas around here. I took no more pictures today so I'll share the before and after of our master bathroom even though we're still waiting on closet doors.  You can also see in the mirror reflection that I updated our bedding as well.  Everything feels and works so nice, plus I like the lighter and brighter look of it all.  The best part was getting rid of the carpet on the bath floor.  Why on Earth was that in there in the first place?  I'll never understand.  I'm also equally happy to be rid of the mirrored closet doors directly across from the shower.  Hated those.  The new ones will be barndoor style with frosted glass panels to help break up the wood a bit and give them a more modern look.  I'd be nice if they made it before Christmas, but I'm betting they won't arrive until just after the new year.

Day 341- Sunday, 12/6/20 

Today I had a slow and peaceful Sunday morning enjoying my coffee by the newly lit tree.  It smells so good in here with the fresh pine.  We also have our advent wreath out on the dining table to be lit nightly during dinner, and it's sitting on a holiday quilted runner my mom made for me years ago.  This picture was taken for a photo prompt about a table setting and the point of view was to be from the top looking down.  Can't say I would have ever shot it this way, but love how it turned out and grateful for the challenges that push me in new directions.

That is all for this week which was a lot! We're still all good including Justin but will continue to keep our distance from others as best we can until after our isolation period is over.  The rest of the state is currently back in lockdown so I guess the timing is good.  Thanks for checking in and I'll see you next week hopefully still healthy and back at work in the lab.

Week 48

Happy Tuesday!  I hope everyone had a great holiday and stayed as safe as possible.  It was a good week here with a lot of yummy food and family fun.  Now on to the next great holiday as we start December and prepare for Christmas.  I have so much to do and work is crazy this time of year, but I'm trying to take it all in stride and not stress too much.  At least COVID is keeping the rest of my life more simple--no basketball season in the midst of December craziness.  Can't say I miss that.

At any rate, here are last week's pictures:

Day 328- Monday, 11/23/20

I walked Bella this evening during the golden hour over a bed of golden leaves.  It's cold but calm out and the sun feels good.  The second shot was a photo challenge about a small holiday detail.  We traditionally pick up these See's chocolate turkeys to place at the Thanksgiving table for the boys each year.  Three turkeys for three boys, and they still look forward to them even as emerging adults.

Day 329- Tuesday, 11/24/20

The shower glass went in yesterday but we had to wait 24 hrs before we could finally use our new and improved master bath shower, so today was they day and everyone gave it a try with rave reviews.  LOL!  Now we wait on the closet doors which will still be 3-5 more weeks!  I guess COVID hit their factory hard and they are playing catch up so we're not totally done just yet.  In other news, with all the boys home we are watching season 2 of the Mandalorian together and loving it.  The third picture was another photo challenge picture about fine China so I took a shot of the China we use for the holidays that was passed down to me.

Day 330- Wednesday, 11/25/20

Today is a prep day for tomorrow.  I made the brine for the turkey to soak in and the cornbread for the stuffing while Justin worked on a pumpkin pie.  Later I also made our traditional cranberry orange muffins we'll reheat for breakfast tomorrow and marveled at how good Justin's pie turned out.

Day 331- Thursday, 11/26/20

Happy Turkey Day!  Even in this crazy year there are still so many blessings to be thankful for, and I am most thankful to have everyone here to join us for this amazing feast. John did a wonderful job as usual with the turkey and a ham plus pulled the stuffing together.  Then after we rested for a bit to let all that wonderful food settle we enjoyed pie--pumpkin, apple & boysenberry--YUM!

Day 332- Friday, 11/27/20

I had to run into work today because my cultures don't take holiday breaks and needed to be fed, but it was a quick trip in and I was happy to take the 5 flights of stairs up and down to help me burn off some of that food I ate too much of yesterday.  Later we continued watching a new Netflix series we started over this fall break that continues the Karate Kid story following them and their families as adults.  It's actually better than I thought it would be with some good humor and throwback music.

Day 333- Saturday, 11/28/20

It's a road trip day back to Humboldt for this kid.  We arrived just in time for lunch at the new In-N-Out and we were both really hungry for something other than turkey so it hit the spot even though we had to eat in the car for safety reasons.  Since Justin left the county over break he is now required to quarantine in a new room for 14 days and made out!  This place is beautiful.  He has a whole apartment to himself, and the living area has the best windows with the best view.  I'm not sure he'll want to go back to his original room after this.  The view there looks out to a staircase. Haha!  We'll see him again for winter break in a few weeks.

Day 334- Sunday, 11/29/20

I'm not sure where these huge leaves are coming from but we have a bunch that were blown into our front entryway, and this one really caught my eye because of how the afternoon light was bringing out it's little details.  It won't be long before all the leaves are gone and winter sets in. December is just a couple days away.  My how time flies, and with the colder, near-freezing temps our cat is a pro at seeking out the best sun spots and just planting himself there to soak it all in.

Wait!  One more:

November's Family Photo

Of course this was taken just as we gathered for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a great meal to share with the family and we are happy to have so many good leftovers--the best part of Thanksgiving 😉

OK, all done!  See you next week as we start to decorate for the joy of Christmas.