So here we are. We've arrived at the end of the Social Distancing Journal. It's kind of sputtered out, rather than being some grand finale. But, as Hayden reaches his two weeks post second shot, and the CDC label of "fully vaccinated" it's time to move back to some sort of semblance of normal life.
It hasn't all been bad. I've had a nice time relaxing at home, doing puzzles, binging TV, working on projects, playing games, making yummy food, and spending an abundance of time with the kids. We've saved money (and even made some- thank you stimulus checks!) We've found new hobbies. Hayden can play loads of stuff on the piano, I'm on a nearly 300 day streak on Duolingo.
But, it's time to get back out into the world. It might be a tough adjustment for this anxiety ridden girl, but I'm ready to work on it. So here we go: the last week of social distancing (although, admittedly we did start to come out of our social distancing bubble this week- a few days early from Hayden's two weeks).
Day 453: Wednesday June 9
Calib got himself a birthday present from Uncle Clint.
All kinds of Meade!
We had a good coupon code, so we had some Wawa delivered.
And, for the first time in a looooong time, I went INTO Publix. It was really weird. I know I went in on Peyton's birthday last year. But, I have some vague recollection of buying firewood in store over the winter.
So, this was MAYBE my third time in Publix in the last year. I was going in for a good reason though: Chicken Tender Subs were on sale!
We ordered them online, and then took them over to the pool.
But we didn't just have subs- we also had popcorn and candy.
Because we had movie night over there! (We have an old TV in the garage that's just been collecting dust).
It was our own personal 'Dive In Movie Night'.
So, what were we watching? The Incredibles! It was the last on the list of the Disney Movie Challenge Hayden and I had been working on all quarantine!
Day 454: Thursday June 10
Good news of the day!
June 10th also marked 18 years since I met Asa. Look at those two kids, we had no idea. This is the only picture of us from that summer, but I feel like it accurately portrays our time there. And, I'm positive there is a gameboy in that fanny pack that Asa snuck into the bathroom to play. He might have made a great husband nearly 7 years later, but he sure was a crappy Sneak Peeker.
.
Oh, and my Facebook memories from this date are just gold.
But, this one from 9 years ago was probably the best.
I did run out to Costco for some errands. And I ran into our old neighbors, Lonnie and Jan. It was exciting to see them, and Jan gave me the first hug from someone I'm not related to in 15 months (Not sure who gets the distinguish-ment of the last one.... Nate? Allison? Layla? It's one of them for sure)
No pictures of the event, but totally noteworthy.
Also, hey, good mail day!
We got all 10 Boo Bash tickets! Tickets! To something! It's been so long.
With all of this wrapping up, Hayden and I decided to make a little homage to the last 450-some odd days.
Mostly featured is our pictures from the Movie Mood clips (and Groundhog Day- the most applicable). But, there are some other goodies in there too.
And the door looks totally naked now with the Movie Mood gone!
I took this picture of a flower/weed that I loved.
We had lunch at the pool.
And, the big news of the day: Calib got himself a job.
I told him last week he could start applying places, thinking it would take a bit to onboard him. I was wrong. He applied on Tuesday night, had an interview on Thursday afternoon and was hired on the spot. A day later he was in training. So, Calib's social distancing journey basically ended here.
Day 455: Friday, June 11
The good news for the day!
And a big announcement from Disney. Not sure how I feel about it, but I get it. And you know, it might be nice not to have to wear a mask indoors everywhere for our anniversary trip!
Because the new mask rules go into effect the day we get there!
We did decide we should wrap this whole thing up with one last puzzle, and it's a puzzle Hayden has been asking for all quarantine. It's not my favorite art style, but I finally gave in.
One more for the road!
Our neighborhood has been having some food trucks come in, and we decided while it'd be expensive for all of us to order from there, we could get some sides and add it to some hot dog and brats on the grill. Asa went down to order, and I was left with the grill. But, I figured it out all on my own. Impressive, right? (This is a first for me!)
All the while the boys patiently waited in the pool.
We got some crab fries (and regular fries) from the Charm City Eats food truck, and they were pretty good. The timing was a little off on my food and the food truck though, so next time we'll order ahead on the apps.
Lovely evening for a cookout and a pool trip too though (Hayden is showing off his new water socks here- he says he needs his 'equpiment' to swim, including goggles, ear plugs, and water socks- to prevent him from any ear aches, eye irritation, and blisters. This kid.)
Worth noting: the pool is getting real warm these days. Nearly 90 degrees in the evening!
Day 456: Saturday June 12
So, Florida is a far cry from Vermont, who became the first state to hit 80% vaccinated (good for them!) But, we're doing better than I thought we would.
But, there is also this. So, you know. We are *still* Florida.
We did swing by Panera to pick up some tomato basil bread for lunch, another quarantine find. You can buy whole loaves at Panera, who knew?
And we worked on the puzzle- which was deceptively difficult.
And for dinner, Asa made us all Five Guys. He can duplicate it pretty well, at a fraction of the price!
Down to the paper bags.
Calib swung by the mall for some work shoes on his way home. Note: he's taking the Fit! We took it off sitting insurance, and got a new battery (turns out if you don't drive a car for a year you ruin the battery), so that's another sense of normality.
We've gone through a lot of game kicks this quarantine. Ticket to Ride. Donner Dinner Party. But, now we're on Catan. The winner from the night before gets to put together the board. Hayden came in second one night, and complained he'll never get to put together a board, so when I won I gave him the option to make it.
Calib was not pleased. I called it "an adventure", and Calib quipped back with "a crappy adventure. Like going on a road trip to Ohio."
I didn't think it was too bad.
Asa, meanwhile, likes to play statistician while we play to let us know the outliers on the dice rolls.
So, no threes. It's basically a way everyone can complain why they didn't win.
Keep the vaccine train going, everyone!
Dipper helping Hayden with the puzzle.
We finally busted out the crepe maker and made ourselves some sweet AND savory crepes!
And Asa made us one more Moroccan Orange Cake.
This weekend E3 has been announcing all the new games, which everyone is intently watching. This is such a big deal, things got put on the calendar, people!
And inbetween all that we finished up our last quarantine puzzle.
Day 458: Monday, June 14
Day 459: Tuesday, June 15
Notice something, though?
In all of our puzzles- we've never OFFICIALLY been missing a piece (ie- we always found it). But, not in this one. This piece is just gone. Somehow I feel like it's fitting. And, I'm going to frame it anyway.
I was up for the Catan board, and tried to make it as fair as humanly possible. (People STILL complained).
And Calib (in red) cut me off hard. He built SIX ROADS IN ONE TURN, just to screw me over. I was less mad, and more proud.
Also, you guys, my suit case is going somewhere for the first time in 20 months! The bad news: I had to dig it out from my closet. Apparently in one of the three closet purges I've done, I put my suit case way in the back.
So where am I going? DISNEY WORLD! A Disney that's looking closer and closer to normal.
But, still gives you the giant Covid warning all over your emails and apps.
Day 458: Monday, June 14
Almost there!!
All quarantine I've talked about making our own pasta. So, it was now or never.
We worked on kneeding it.
Let it sit and then cut in in four.
Rolled it flat...
And then rolled it into noodles.
And it was delicious. A lot of work to save a buck, but it does taste better for sure. And it wasn't too hard to make either.
Calib, back from work in his new work outfit.
To celebrate our last dinner in quarantine together: Monday dinner at Moes (we've been saving rewards)
By the pool!
And then some swimming.
And lots of rough housing!
Asa did our Catan board last night (He called it "the great divide".
And finally, confetti. Because after FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT DAYS we DESERVE confetti.
(Biodegradable and enviromentally friendly, of course).
Asa and I are about to head off- after the Nintendo direct. But, Hayden still has two days left. So, while he builds some more antibodies--- I'M FINALLY GOING TO DISNEY FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY! (It's been TWO YEARS!)
So, that's it guys. 459 days of living socially distant. Onward to normal life!
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