The Corona Diaries Week 40 - Busy Days

Busy busy week. I have a paying gig which was very nice in terms of money around the holidays, but then it kept me so busy that I had to pile a ton of stuff into the weekend, so the weekend was not about relaxing at all. Not complaining, just tired. And it's Monday and I'm up early to blog and meal plan two weeks of food plus holiday meals. I'm doing the shopping today (double masking and going as quick as I can - glad I know our TJ's as well as I do) so we don't need to go again for two or three weeks. The numbers are not great here in LA. (Understatement of the pandemic.)

Today I need to do more work on the paying gig, but hopefully not a ton. I'm waiting on feedback, etc. I have last minute packages I need to send via the Post Office. I know it will be busy there, but I'll try to time it for mid-morning when it tends to be not as jammed and if it is, maybe I'll go to the postal store near Whole Foods and pay a little extra. There are library books to return and one order at See's Candy waiting for pick up. Holidays are still busy no matter what, even with curbside pick ups and direct shipping.

Harper had her last week of school. It started with art class. I had the kids made half-face self portraits. Here are the ones Harper and I did. I have a couple ideas for the new year, but need to plan a bit better. It's hard to think of things you can do over zoom, that doesn't make a huge mess in the kid's homes and also doesn't require buying a lot of stuff.

Harper also had her nine year check up at the doctor's office. BONUS: No shots! BUMMER: still had to do a blood test (finger prick). We love our pediatrician - turns out he's a major Star Wars fan so every year we talk about the latest SW movie or The Mandalorian.

(Amazing to think 9 years ago she fit into that tiny scale on the window sill!)

She was rewarded with a traditional lollipop and then an evening of DRIVE THROUGH CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND!

Polar Bears

And Mr and Mrs. Claus were there to wave us out.

Harper was hoping/expecting a lot of candy, a la the Halloween thing. Alas, she had to content herself with a mini stocking and a bag of mini toys and candy. But she had a good time nonetheless! And driving while looking at lights is always a favorite activity in our house.

Friday was her last day of clay class for the year. They made winter themed things. Igloo. Polar bear. Icebergs (the blue things) and a santa hat...

...and a tiny heart with the tiniest of little santa hats.

Saturday was a busy day as expected. After being on the job all week, I had a lot to catch up on.

Harper will ask for a fried egg for breakfast sometimes and I'm happy to make it for her. But Saturday morning she was watching tv and she yelled:

MAMA! CAN YOU MAKE ME A FRIED EGG ON TOAST??

It made me laugh. So I made her a fried egg on toast and some apples and a drink and served the princess. (I love these cafeteria trays I bought earlier this year!)

Then she drew a card for our hair stylist and it's kind of hard to see, but there are scissors, a blow dryer and I think a drink with a straw and something else...the stylist came over to do more hair work for me on Saturday and we gave her a holiday gift.

But first, Harper and I made candied nuts as xmas presents. (Oh and a big pot of squash soup in the FG).

Hair time.

Harper was having a zoom with a friend so she hung out in the "waiting area" while zooming.

In process.

Finished! Nice and light for the winter.

After that, I chilled for a few minutes to watch The Mandalorian finale again. We had watched it as a family the night before, but I wanted to watch again. Such a good show!

After the relaxing, I got to work in Santa's workshop and wrapped gifts. The boxes had been piling up in the closet for a while! Most were for Kurt and Harper, a few to mail off. It always surprises me how much work it is. But it will all be worth it on Friday morning.

We received a gift that came with dry ice so off we went to see how that works in a bowl of water! (When I opened the package, I grabbed up the ice bags to take to the sink, not realizing it was dry ice. As I carried it I thought, "Wow, this is really cold-ow ow OW OW OW!" I didn't get burned but a couple spots on my fingers hurt for an hour.)

Mussels were part of what was in the dry ice box so we had them for dinner! YUM

Another package arrived earlier than expected - our big gift to ourselves. Merry Christmas to us!

And Biscuit. Sweet Biscuit having a long winters nap.


Random: Have you watched Ted Lasso on Apple TV+? I love it. I just love love love it. It's hilarious and smart and is about an optimist who does good and succeeds. Refreshing! I'm going to watch it again next week.