Teri Parris Ford's Blog

Happy Thanksgiving

Monika came down from Michigan, so I got some help to make a wonderful meal. Erika had to work but had a break at 2pm, so we timed our meal to eat when she could join us. Jessi made her own meal for the first time and had a couple of Navy friends joins her, so she wasn't alone. We missed her but knew it was better to be safe (although having Erika here, is a bit of a risk since she is working with elderly folk but she has assured us that they all don't leave their homes). 

I've had a calm week, trying to enjoy the down time without work. I'm eating too much and not exercising enough, but the facial twitches have subsided for a while, so the break is needed. It'll be back to work soon enough!

Cancelled

Friday night Jim and I cancelled our Thanksgiving trip to visit Jessi for the week. We really wanted to go, but with the CDC advising that people stay home and avoid travel, we just couldn't go. What really got me was Monika asking if I got sick because of the trip, would it be worth it and the answer was no. BUT the reality is, we could still get sick even if we stay home. Jim and I are being fairly careful but we are still going out for walks, for food and for gas. Jim had a dentist appointment on Friday. I am going into work and although no one else is there, I know it is risk. CBS had a story on exhausted teachers this evening and I thought, at least I'm not alone. 

Being home for the weekend allowed me the time to help Erika move out. She'd been too busy to get all of her stuff out, so I spent most of my Saturday morning loading up stuff and I took a truck load to her new condo. I took two truck loads of stuff to be donated. I moved one of my twin beds that was in the smaller bedroom into Erika's old room, which is quite large. She is leaving her desk and dresser behind, so we are turning it into a work space, which will allow me to work from home along with Jim if needed.  It was a productive weekend. I also went shopping for the holiday and picked up my CSA veggies and made butternut muffins.

She's a homeowner now!

2 out of 3 ain't bad

Erika and I had a walk through today and then a closing for her new condo. She was looking for apartments to move into after moving back to Wisconsin. I told her once my mom's house sold, I would help her buy something since she spent a year taking care of my mom but she didn't want to wait (my mom's house is still on the market). Condos in Madison are very affordable (more so than houses) so she started looking for something with a low HOA (some had fees that were higher than her mortgage would be). She needed my co-signature since she did not have a 6 months of real employment (even though I know she was working hard), but it's all hers really. It's a very exciting time for her, having just turned 30. She'll start moving out in a couple of days, since she has a full work schedule this week. I have a feeling I'll probably see her almost as much as did before. I most excited about not having to deal with her cat anymore!

Where's the stress?

I started getting facial twitches this week. I usually get eye twitching issues when I'm stressed out. This week, my face was twitching, not my eyes, more in my cheeks and under my eyes. It's unnerving. I've cheated a few times with cheese, but still am keeping most diary out of my diet (no butter or cream for my coffee). Jim has begun eating lean chicken or turkey, so I've had a bit as well, but not much. I don't think my cheating on being vegan is the issue. Work is stressful-- it is a lot like having new classes since I have so much prep and staring at a screen for such long periods of time is not good-- I do wear computer filter glasses which help. I just got a stand up desk this week to help my ass out (sitting for long periods of time can be painful). Erika is closing on her condo tomorrow and is moving out this week, my mom's house is still for sale, we're planning to visit Jessi for Thanksgiving next week and the pandemic is freaking me out. I tried my best to relax this weekend, get in a yoga class and try not to do too much work. I made chili on Saturday and enchiladas today. It's parent teacher conferences this week, so I'm in for a LONG week with LONG days... I need to stay off the chocolate and diet coke, but it won't be easy.

The 3-0!

Jim got free a meal for Veteran's Day. We offered to take Erika out for her birthday but she was busy -- going out with Kelly. She purchased a pumpkin pie for her birthday-- not my favorite, but it wasn't my birthday.  That did not stop Jim and I from getting peices of pie though! I picked up a set of dishes for Erika as a birthday gift and house warming for her new condo that she closes next week on. I picked up Chilie's for Jim and I, since that was one of the places where he could get a free meal. He got the pasta and I purchased a hamberger (so naughty). The week has been kind of stressful, there is so much going one (as is normal for this time of year) but, with the stress of Wisconsin being a COVID hotspot and trying to decide whether we should travel for Thanksgiving makes it even more stressful.

The Shrine

Today is Jessi's 26th birthday. It kicks off birthday week (although Balt's birthday was last week). I called her this morning and got to catch up with her while she is in TX enjoying some needed time off. I made a crazy collague for instagram to help celebrate her day!

After Jim put up his parents prayer cards in our cabinette, I made a card for my mom, so we could add her with my dad's card. Now it's a bit of a shrine. I wanted to make sugar skulls for them but didn't have the time, I hope to in the future. I contacted an artist to create 4 vases using my mom's ashes. There's no hurry, but I am excited to have them done by the spring. 

Proud to be American

Here in Madison, there was celebratory air about. I was hanging my Xmas lites when I heard neighbors banging pots and pans, blowing wistles and dancing outside. I had a feeling something exciting had happened when I got a notification from the New York Times and then a text from Monika.  I decided to put my flag up for the first time. I purchased the flag pole to hang the pride flag in June, but I have never put up an American flag since I got it until today. It's been a while since I've felt good about being American. I smiled through the speaches of Harris and Biden this evening. 

It was a beautiful Saturday with perfect weather. 

Wonderful Weather!

It got into the 70's this week but I have so much work, I haven't really been able to get out much. Grades were due on Wednesday and I had so many kids turning in stuff all weekend and late throughout this whole week. I'm very comfortable in my classroom-- maybe too comfortable. The heat finally came on at school, so it's toasty warm. I often have to force myself to get and stretch and jump around. I'm wearing glasses to help block out blue screen light to help with eye strain and blurry vision. It helps tons. I'm enjoying most of my classes now but am feeling overwhelmed in waves of having to prep so much. 

This week with the election, it felt kind of stressful. Luckily Wisconsin pulled through to turn blue, still see the results makes me see how vividly I live in a liberal bubble that does not help me to see how others think outside our small world of striving for equity. But even in our liberal bubble, COVID19 is baring down hard with outrageous numbers keeping Jim and I trying to stay safe, wearing our masks even on our outdoor walks now. 

• Today is Balt's birthday! He's 70 in dog years old and dealing with an ear infection.
• Erika closes on her new condo in 10 days. She's starting to pack.
• I got a "planning to retire" email from the district that got me thinking and I decided that I will not retire this year for sure.
• I've gained 5 pounds eating Halloween candy and need to lose it so that I can gain it back for Thanksgiving at Jessi's
• I really miss my mom but posted my first post on FB that I knew she would be upset with since she passed (not my first ever-- as I've posted plenty of things that have upset her)

Time for the Holidays!

Jim and I went to Costco this morning right when it opened to try and beat the crowd. Jim picked up a new pair of glasses he ordered. I showed him a Baby Yoda on sale that I wanted to buy someone for a xmas gift but didn't know who and he encouraged me to get it for myself. I brought it home and set it up on our tv stand just in time to enjoy the 2nd season of the Mandalorian this month. I do miss having young people to buy toys and clothes for sometimes! Anyway, it was a fun outing. I spent the early morning catching up on grading since I had a slew of kids turn in late work before the quarter grades get posted. I told them all I would post them over the weekend but had so much grading to do, I didn't have time to finish and will have wait till tomorrow to post. I also worked on next week's presentations. Jim has been spending a lot of time working on historical election research as he will be commentating on a local tv station in Minnesota election night. The Rochester tv station asked him weigh in on the news when the president got sick with COVID and he was featured on the news. I guess they liked him a lot because they have asked him many times to be interviewed now but he has said no to everything since except election night. He's driving up Tuesday night. I wanted to go along so I could watch him live but I've got to work, so I'm hoping I'll get to catch it after on the website.

Happy Halloween!

Hurray for the Dodgers!

The Dodgers won the world series and while I did not watch the games, I made sure to follow along with the series and even watched game summaries on Youtube. There are not a lot of Dodgers fans here in Wisconsin. I borrowed Jim's hat to wear to work today since I had zoom meetings all morning. The meetings were all about anti-racist curriculum work (using the abolitionist framework). It's not easy and makes for interesting conversations. 

I met with Joe, who came into the photo lab today. We talked photo 1 for quarter 2, caught up and then got interrupted with a fire drill. I went home for lunch, made a sandwich and warmed up some old soup and finished up my work day on the couch with my feet up. Working from home is a mixed bag-- comfortable but distracting. My classroom is cold, but the lights are bright and there is nothing to do but work. I get a lot done. Jim and I went to Costco to order him new glasses and pick up a few items (more dogfood, vitamins, etc). I finished the evening watching episodes of Schitt's Creek on Netflix working on a new camera slideshow for photo1.

Halloween Week!

Jim and I have been going nuts with Autumn themed decor and Halloween fun. I'm decorating all of my school slideshows with Halloween stuff and even creating a Day of the Dead project for my art experiences class with sculpey. I made pumpkin scones over the weekend and Jim cut up some pumpkins to make jack-o-lanterns, and made pumpkin seeds. It snowed on Sunday (very lightly), so we really got feeling like the holidays are just around the corner. I sent out Thanksgiving cards to close family with prayers cards that I made for my mom. Jim had a display with prayer cards of both of his parents and my dad, so I had to make one for my mom in order to complete the set. I'll have to post of a photo of them soon.

This week is the last one of the quarter, so I'm focused on grading. I have two practicum students from the UW joining me this week as well, so I'm hoping they will do more to help rather that take away time. I had a couple of dentists appointments to get a crown put in. It's been more painful than I'm used to. I made an appointment for a colonoscopy to kick off my winter vacation! What a year.

Vegan Pumpkin Scones

I have been making pumpkins scones for years and have used a recipe that I have played with, making them gluten free, with real pumpkins, etc. This morning I made them vegan to fit into our new all plant based eating. 

Vegan Pumpkin Scones
1 cup Flax meal,
1 cup  Almond Flour,
1 cup of Gluten Free flour mix,
1 cup of sprouted wheat flour,
1/2 c dark brown sugar
2 t real vanilla
1/2 t ginger
1 t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 c vegetable shortening
1 c dried chopped dates (optional)
1 c chopped pecans (optional)
1/2 c coconut milk
15 ounce can of organic pumpkin

Divide the dough into two balls. I use cornmeal to keep from sticking to counter as I knead into a flatten round. Use a sharp knife to cut dough into 8 triangles and bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes until golden. 

Wonderful Weekend

I am really enjoying my weekends again now that I'm back at work and actually going in every weekday. I just finished my 6th week. They announced we will be continuing with virtual learning until the end of January. I mean, we all knew there was no way students would be going to back to school with the COVID numbers in Wisconsin out of control but it was a relief to know for sure. I wondered around the school on Friday, dropping off kits for kids to pick at the front, and then checking to see who all is around. Admin stays locked in their offices so it is not always clear if they are around. There is one person (an SEA) checking in anyone who drives up to pick up supplies. There is another SEA at a different entrance for those who are having computer issues and two techs in a large center ready to fix anything that comes in. I chatted with everyone to find out how busy things were and of course it ways comes in waves with lunch time being a very busy time typically. Once a week there is a large truck that delivers a week's worth of lunches to any family who wants to swing by for that. I rarely see any other teachers in the building, only Patty who is in the art studio with me but stays in ceramics, while I stay in the computer lab. I always wear my mask if I venture out of my seat. The principal gave me several school masks with pockets for filters and Patty gave me several vacuum filters to use that she cut up to fit our school masks which was really nice, so I wear them to the grocery store as well, since I feel like it's safer than just my fabric ones. I rarely go anywhere other than store. 

 Jim has the condo quite decorated for autumn, which is quite festive. He's home most all the time working but goes on long walks, which I try to join him when I can but because I am at work, miss out typically during the week. This afternoon I made sure to join him. I spent my morning grocery shopping, picking up CSA veggies and then cooking up a large Thai Coconut lime stir fry for lunch. Jim had an army weekend, so was pretty busy while did cleaning and laundry and watched the new season 3 episode 1 of Star Trek Discovery for a second time. I made a fire and will try to stay away from doing too much school work this evening.

Wednesdays give me room...

/Our weekly schedule for school goes periods 1, 2 & 5 on Mondays and Thursdays, periods 3,4, 6 & 7 on Tuesdays and Fridays with all day Wednesday for PD and prep. Wednesdays make the week livable. I have prep time on Mondays and Thursdays as well, making those two days pretty nice but my Tuesday and Friday is non stop all day and I have a club on Tuesdays that keep me late. It's kind of crazy. Today after PD meetings in the morning, I spent a couple of hours working on art kits to hand out next week. I left work early to get lunch and eat with Jim. He's been asked to work on Election Night at a local news station in Rochester so he's been studying up on his election history. It makes for fun conversation. I made a fire and worked on school work for the rest of the evening, even though it wasn't very cold out, I still felt like having the cozy fire going.

Panorama

I have thought about writing several times this week but it has been busy. My mom used to call me if I missed a day just to see if I was okay! I'm okay. I started working the box of emails my mom left me and got through all of my old "Ford Criers", and now am left with just the personal emails I wrote to her for a couple of years. She never printed out her emails, just mine, so it is only my words. I think she printed them off for my dad but I am unclear why every email I ever sent her for several years are printed. It ended up being quite a gift. I have spent some time sorting through them wondering what to do with them. Most likely I will create a printed journal for the girls. The year I was in Germany was included, so there is a lot in there and it's mostly about the girls as babies. 

We are having an amazing autumn with glorious weather. My mom's house sold for great price and the same day Erika bought a condo for herself. So the transitions just keep happening. I am excited to remodel her bedroom into an office for virtual teaching. We have decided to hold off on buying a house in Minnesota since Jim doesn't need to be there and the market is so crazy fast. We just don't have the time to look, and decide in such a quick turn around (like Erika did). This week Jessi went to Maine for training, Monika will go to Virginia to cat sit for her and work virtually. Erika will take over the following week. I love that the girls are working together to take care of each other. (photos below: Jessi in Maine, Me with Josh and Patty at work, Monika with her chainsaw).

 

$1K Day

This morning I had a a 7am dentist appointment to get a temporary crown put in. The permanent one will get put in later this month. While I was at the dentist, Jim dropped Balt off at the vet for dental surgery with a few other procedures while he was sedated (x-rays and toenails trimmed). Between the two procedures, I put over a thousand bucks on my credit card. Years ago, I could write about these types of bills and count on a card from both Jim's and my mom with help to offset the expenses. With both of them gone, I know there isn't anyone out there anymore who will feel sorry for me and send a check but I still can't help but complain about it!

It was a pretty crazy morning. After getting my initial shot of "sleepy juice" my lips did not go numb and I kind of freaked out. The dentist came in eager to start drilling and I started shaking afraid of the pain. I was nervous coming, feeling a bit afraid of exposing myself to COVID, so it wasn't just about getting the crown. My dentist gave me a second dose and then a third as well as giving me nitrous oxide to help me calm down after beginning to have a panic attack and hyperventilate. It all worked out fine, but took a lot longer than expected and I was late for my 8:30 class. But the school district's hot spots were all down, so tons of kids were contacting me with technical difficulties and many did not realize I was having my own difficulties.

It was a long, busy day. We had a special staff meeting afterschool to discuss the technical difficulties as well as the high COVID numbers in Wisconsin (the state is bright red on the NYTimes map). I went home and made a vegan grilled cheese with left over vegan potato leek soup, put my feet up and enjoyed winding down.

 

Weekend Update

My weekends are back to being pivotal days of rest and relaxation but also, time needed to catch up. Also this weekend, after a month from my mom's passing and more than 2 months after she moved out, her house is up for sale. Of course I am eager to see all the photos since I can't be there to see the improvements in person. Just seeing the photo on Zillow I was able to see the patio furniture gone. 

I got my flu shot yesterday. I had to set my phone settings to allow my provider to see me coming. It was very interesting to get a pop up on my phone on my way there noting they could see I was almost there. And then once in the parking lot I got another notice to stay in my car and a nurse would get me when they were ready for me.

I made vegan enchilada for lunch (stuffed tortillas with cauliflower rice, peppers, onion and soy chorizo). Jim and I went for a long, 2 hour walk in the woods after a quick visit to Starbucks. I made a fire once home, put my feet up and enjoyed Star Trek and Amazon prime. Sunday morning I made pumpkin scones, worked on curriculum, watched the news and enjoyed a fire. I'm back to LOVING everything about my Sundays instead of feeling like Sunday is just like every other day.

 

Finding a New Normal

Week #4 is in the books and as I worked this week on progress reports, I find myself feeling like I was finding a new normal. Coming into work everyday adds a bit of a risk but the payback mentally is huge. I often go home to use the restroom instead of using them at school. I spray down my desk area every morning (just in case) and use hand sanitizer every time I walk in my classroom since I have to unlock the doors. The few others that work in the building offer some connection, but I know they serve as a risk as well. Patty typically stays on her half of the studio while I stay in my computer lab, but we yell back and forth often. Today while I was yelling at a kid who wasn't responding to me on zoom, Patty answered back! It was pretty funny. And yes, I often get kids who get onto zoom with my class but then don't interact at all and I'm not sure if they have fallen asleep or walked out of the room. 

Tuesday night was Back to School nite so I stayed at work all day into the evening (a 12 hour day). Wednesday Jim and I drove up to Rochester so Jim could pick a few things at the University and get his car looked at. We went out to lunch and relished in the scenic drive with autumn colors. This week the temperature took a nose dive so I have been enjoying a fire in the evenings and I needed to take a space heater into work for my feet.

I continue to chip away at posting old "Ford Crier" emails from 1996 and 97 into this blog. Eventually I will get them printed. I'm trying to work out every morning (Beachbody) but have not had time to get many walks in. Jim and I are staying vegan except when we go out to eat, then we will try to keep things vegetarian. 

Welcome to Week #4

Dear Mom-- Loosing you the day before school started makes things weird, oddly connected. Forever your death will be associated with this school year. All of my friends at work knew you were sick and that I was spending my summers in California to be with you, so when I see people at work (which id seldom) I typically will mention your passing. I can't help but talk about you when I see people for the first time after a long time. 

After my only class for the day, I spent the rest of the day prepping for the week since I had not prepped nearly enough over the weekend. It was like a regular work day, only without kids, and on my butt most of the time. Monika went camping over the weekend and called me on her way back to her place right when I got home. She sent over lots of amazing photos of the UP (upper peninsula). I think about how adventurous my girls are and how worried you'd be about them if you knew what they were all up to, while I know dad would have been impressed and asked about the roads they took going to all the places they go to. Monika recently had work done on her car, a Mitsubishi,  and all I could think about was how I wished I could talk to dad about it. The older I get, the more I realize how much more I had in common with dad's disposition and how little I was like you, esp as you aged.