Saturday, November 21, 2020

ScrapHappy Saturday - Wrapping it Up with a Bow

With the holidays right around the corner, the end of this disater of a year is near. I can not say that I will be sad to see this one go. At this point I am amazed that we have any kids left at school. We are marching them out for quarantine at an alarming rate. The first round has started to return though, so maybe we will reach some sort of equillibrium? I had 0 in person learners in my first period class yesterday. There is a post quarantine kid scheduled to return on Monday though, so I won't be all alone for long. I've been in to cover for other teachers and there are quite a few tiny classes out there. I am wondering how many will just decide to switch to e-learning after the holiday? I know of several students who have been quarantined 3 times. The kids are pretty good natured about it though, even though we have some pretty irate parents demanding for thier kid be allowed to come back. Glad I get handle the happy kids and not the grumpy adults! And truly, the less crowded the classrooms are, the safer it is for everyone. I have another top to quilt for a friend from work. It is adorable with machine applique cats. She has only ever done stitch in the ditch which she was afraid would mess up the design. I accidentally left it in my classroom on Wednesday night and had a nightmare that my room got quarantined and I couldn't get the quilt out which was making me frantic. Another of my coworkers had a dream the same night that all of her kids refused to wear masks and were hiding under desks taunting her. I guess we are all starting to feel it. Only two of my own students have been positive so far that I know of, but I'm scheduled for another COVID test this morning just to be sure that I'm OK. Obviously we are not travelling for Thanksgiving, but Ryan is coming home from UF. All of his classes are online, but he is able to spend time with his friends in clubs and such, so he still wants to stay on campus. Anna is home with us right now, her campus at New College is pretty empty right now and few of her friends are around. We will see what happens next semester. She might do a hybrid and just stay on campus a few days a week for lab classes. I don't want to be all doom and gloom though, plenty of good things happened this week.
There were a couple of rocket launches, including this night launch which was manned with astronauts headed to the ISS.   There were quite a few people out on the beach for that one. 
I saw a beautiful double rainbow on the way to work Thursday.   Ironically, Kurt also saw took a photo of a different rainbow the same morning.   
Then there was this group of chatty little birds in the grass at school with the one little oddball happily amongst them.   
Plenty or reasons to smile.   I am going to keep looking for more of those, 

15 comments:

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

What a time for teachers and students! I feel for you, Angela. Schools here in our county in Colorado are going to all online learning this week and continuing until after Christmas break. It must feel like whiplash at times with everything constantly changing! Hope you have a relaxing weekend, at least!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Double rainbow? LOVE!!!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I think we will all be so glad to have this year come to an end and so hope by spring we will be somewhat back to normal. Stay safe.

Mari said...

I think every teacher is having those dreams. It's just the stress. I hope it eases up for all of us sooner rather than later. I'm glad you are staying healthy!

Deb A said...

I always like to hear how things are going over at your schools. I do wonder what my kids school is doing different.... we have not really had quarantines. The kids are required to wear masks on school campus at all times except to eat. I think the school has the teachers wiping things down more than the district requires as well. An interesting scientific study would be to compare the differences.....
I hope you stay well and have a good Thanksgiving. Our kids are off next week for the holiday.

Julierose said...

What a nightmare of a school year for sure. My son and DIL (both teachers: she elementary-virtual and he, High School-in person...) are really exhausted --plus their two little elementary school girls are really feeling this whole debacle...their cases in MASS are rising at an alarming rate once again...
If only people would follow the rules, right??

Hope you will be able to get some rest over the long weekend coming up...
hang in there ;)))
hugs, from afar, Julierose

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

What a good idea, to keep looking for reasons to smile. Even when things are tough, there are always bright spots to keep us going. And your blog is a bright spot for lots of us!

Quilter Kathy said...

I agree with Sylvia... your blog is such a bright spot for us!
Glad to know you are keeping well. It's such a stressful time!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

It is just so strange ... hope your test is negative. and yay for dealing with the happy kids instead of the parents - watching the stuff happen this year - some of the parents reactions are worse than the kids... and I just think... hey! Calm down... Hope your Thanksgiving is VERY happy and relaxed and healthy!

Edith said...

Tough times for all right now. I think I'm coping, however find that my fuse is shorter than usual this year. Feeling for parents of little kids and teachers.

Katie Z. said...

We were able to catch the launch for the astronauts to the space station. My son loved it.

School is strange here too. Our positivity rate is one of the highest in the country (hello, Kansas, wear a mask!), but we continue to have in person school. I just pray my husband and daughter stay well.

Kathy S. said...

I'm thankful to the teachers that are still able to work. Although my son and I are still home, things are getting hairy here in Ohio also. Some of the schools are closing around us until December 1. I'm not sure if that's the answer. I don't think anyone has the answer... I just keep praying.

It was great to see all the happy news at the end of your post. I am also glad you posted the reality at school. I do wonder what other places are doing. I've been having weird dreams too. Weird...

Lesley Duncan said...

Yes it does seem to be all doom and gloom but thank you for a nice chatty blog post. Stay safe.

Stephanie said...

Your birds are White Ibis. Love their curved beaks. The brown one is just a teenager! Enjoy!

Lily Allen said...

What a time for teachers and students.beautiful photos
clipping path