Quarantine Journals - Update

The president finally mandated that teachers get priority for vaccinations.

Two counties in Texas have thrown out the prioritization for the most part and are just inviting everyone to register and get vaccinated.

Brandon is looking into getting his appointment scheduled in Mineral Wells because they have a lot of shots and aren't enforcing strict requirements.

Meggan drove down to the Corpus Christi to get her first shot.

The TEA is requiring that STAAR testing happen in person this year.  It does not affect us because it starts in 3rd grade.

My dad is looking at over 20K in repairs to his pool after the freeze. Insurance is not covering any of it.  He and Brandon are going to do it themselves.

Because of the income requirements for the stimulus being based on previous years or including his PTO payout last year, my dad has to pay back the stimulus check he got and is not eligible for the next round. He also has to payback Social Security.

Eric is finally wearing a mask at work after refusing, getting in a verbal fight with Debbie, and stomping out of the office.

Richard is back working full time. We didn't really discuss this, and it is still a sore spot, but I don't have anything left in me to fight and I don't want anymore tension between us.

Penny's teacher mentioned to the class that more kids were returning after Spring break and the zoom schedule would change again to most likely doing all classes in zooms instead of having only a few and then pre-recorded material.  Penny is really anxious, and when I contacted the teacher for more info, she said they hadn't actually decided anything yet. Unclear why she is discussing it with the students then.

I am constantly working on the website. I don't sleep and I am exhausted all the time.  The world is bored of this pandemic and pretending like everything is okay enough to cause anxiety attacks multiple times a week.  The mask mandate is gone and spring break is approaching... I am filled with dread.

I miss my dad. I miss him so much it hurts. The idea of facing this entire year without him is crippling.  I can't bring myself to ask Richard if we will even get to see him, but I suspect the answer is no.  It's bullshit and I hate it.  The kids are tired of being here. Tired of the backyard. Nothing feels like enough ever and I feel like I am working harder than ever just to give them mediocre results.

Here is a picture Oliver took and Penny's yearbook picture that I took. 


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