Just Like That

And just like that, the weekend is over. I’m not really sure where the time went, but we all got a variety of activities in which is likely one reason the time went so quickly. I got in a couple walks with friends as well as with T-man. And Marshall and D-man each got some time on the course. We played virtual trivia on Saturday night while the boys hung outside with the neighbor kids playing hoops, messing around and listening to music under the disco ball lights. They were playing country songs - one of which was “Fishing in the Dark.” I told them about dancing in the parking lot to this song and they couldn’t understand why. I explained that there wasn’t anything else to do - kind of like playing hoops in the dark with a disco ball.  Simple pleasures.  

We had our weekly trip to a state park with Arby’s for lunch and a nice hike around one of the lakes (T-man forgot the batteries for his remote control boat so no boating). Marshall went grocery shopping and I got the porches cleaned off and some yard pick up done. 

A hodgepodge of events, but nice to have some variety of things to keep us busy. 

St. Vrain State Park 

Throwing rocks 

Lots of birds 

We didn’t get a great pic, but so happy to be quarantined with these folks 

Trivia - party ball! 

The lights from inside showing outside 

The boys taking the party ball outside - with nothing to do, they made their own fun 

Desperate Times

Call for desperate measures. Getting the rabbit ears out to watch the draft from the bedroom (we canceled Dish a couple weeks ago).

Rabbit ears in the hallway 

Connected to the TV in the bedroom

Working on Mindstorms (LEGO programming software) - not a lot of interest in the draft for T-man 

Coworkers

Love how T-Man has personalized his space. Inspiration can come from so many places. 

Love the Star Wars helmets on the side 

A Day Off

The boys didn’t have school Friday and Monday. These days that doesn’t mean much, but they didn’t have school work so they headed out to another state park and also grabbed lunch.  They hiked around one of the lakes and tested out backing up the boat down the boat ramp. T-man built the trailer for his boat and was excited to hook it up to his remote control car. There were definitely some adventures with the boat and both boys stated this was their favorite state park of the three they visited. 

Glad they were able to enjoy the beautiful day together. 

Launching the boat 

At the lake 

Weekend Warriors

I’m not sure what we are warriors of this weekend, but we made it through. We had house cleaning chores and online trivia and took a Sunday drive to Boyd Lake State Park. We also attempted to see the Air Force fly over, but gave up too soon. Even so, it got us out of the house for an hour while the boys made up silly games to entertain themselves. We played pitch online and in person. Here’s to week six - may we can continue to fight through. 

Not a great pic, but several people wait to catch a glimpse of the fly over 

Waiting.....

Saturday night trivia 

The horns during trivia - haha 

A trip to a state park meant two stops at Runza - one for lunch and then one for happy hour ice cream and fries. And Runza did make it all better today. 

Heron on Boyd Lake 

Back at the RC boat - took awhile to find a launching spot 

Cuz we are funny 

Finding Beauty Everyday

After a long week at work and lots of snow, it was move to get on a walk at then end of the day (after a couple games of online pitch with my parents and D-man). The life slow down we are in makes you look at things a little differently and appreciate things more. 

Our tree on Friday morning - so pretty against the blue sky 

The golf course covered in snow still 

The tracks from sledding/skiing. Neighbors enjoyed the jump the boys made yesterday 

A lonely snowman on the golf course 

During the Covid crisis, the golf course cement paths are open for walking which has been really nice 

Friday night take out - including to go margaritas 

My theme this week 

Moments

When the days are the same day in and day out, you have to cherish the little things. The boys ate their ice cream and snuggled in together to watch some funny videos. They are also teaming up to conquer the LEGO Star Wars game. And watching a marble race every night for 5 minutes is their only spectator sport, but they are doing it together. 

❤️

Another door of snow (the other already melted). And more snow means another sledding/skiing adventure (which was much better today) 

Give me a Hand

I’m currently on week 10 of my hand therapy. I’m mostly out of the brace which is great, but still managing some pain and getting in the habit of using my hand normally. I’ve stabilized the thumb, but I’m still working on strength. It is amazing how many specific muscles there are in your hand and the individual exercises needed for each muscle. 

On almost all tests, my hand strength matches between the two hands (the right hand should be about 15% stronger but I’ve made great progress). There is one pinching move that is still quite weaker so I continue to work on that (it’s specifically a muscle in the palm of my hand/base of my thumb). 

The good news is that I love my therapist who happens to be a native of Plainview, Nebraska (another northeast Nebraska transplant). And like me, her parents and a sibling are still in her hometown. Small world. Let’s just say I’m likely one of her favorite patients - ha!  

My exercises 

Recent Happenings

Even though much of our days are the same, we are still trying to keep things interesting. 

I am super impressed that we have only had one repeat dinner in the 4+ weeks we have been home thanks to careful planning by Marshall, some creative cooking and strategic shopping and use of existing food. 

D-man worked to get one more day of skiing in on the hill up the street (it didn’t go well) while T-man got in some sledding, but it got them out of the house for 2 hours or so on Monday. 

We have covered our dining room table in puzzles and have tried to keep the evening activities varied from cards to Wii to movie night. We’ve also continued to play cards online and do virtual gatherings (tonight was trivia for Marshall).

Continuing to feel fortunate to have a wonderful home, the ability to go outside and be quarantined with people I love. While an interesting time, I hope the boys will remember this time somewhat fondly when they look back at the situation. They have certainly become more important to each other through this and for that I am thankful. 

Our menu planner for the last 4 weeks

Continuing to find the laughter in our daily lives 

Lay down loaner to end the nightly card game 

Snow

Manhattans for happy hour after a long day at work

Ski clothes hanging to dry 

Puzzles and more puzzles 

Easter Sunday

As I write this at 6:00 P.M. on Easter Sunday, it is still snowing a bit. While the snow is not typical, it’s also not unheard of at this time in April. And while for many, their Easter activities look much differently this year, our activities are pretty much the same. 

One change was the lack of an egg dying kit so we used tumeric and chili powder to color our eggs this year. Another change was adding in a Karlen family game of charades over Zoom. Otherwise. We looked for eggs, ate eggs and sopapilla cheesecake for breakfast and have relaxed all day. No one really wanted to rally and head outside and we are all ok with that. 

There has been some puzzling, some pool and some movies. We’ve got chili in the crockpot for this chilly evening. Happy Easter all. 

Saturday night backyard frisbee before the snow 

The national anthem before the marble race the boys have been watching online (with no sports to watch......)

Homemade dye 

Wondering how this will all work 

Snowy Easter morning

The loot 

Worked out ok!

The final egg 

Barr Lake

We took advantage of the nice weather today and headed to a state park about 30 minutes away. After eating a yummy breakfast prepared by Marshall, we picked up sandwiches and headed out. We picked a park with a lake so T-man could put some time in on his remote control boat. We then hiked a bit around the lake, enjoyed our sandwiches in the car (all picnic areas are closed) and the ran the boat one more time. 

It was a good trip (as D-man stated as we pulled into the driveway). It was nice to be able to take a little adventure and get out of the house. Definitely a last minute decision that worked out well. 

Check out the boat! 

State park ready for Easter