Coronavirus Quarantine Week 1: March 15-21

Contactless delivery. Tip on cc or tape cash to mailbox. Leave the food on the porch chair.
  I was trying to get Makai out on walks every day. We saw this moss growing under the train tracks.

We also often pass by this memorial bike where Carla Aiello died on Milwaukee and Kilbourn.

We kept passing by this. We sent the photo to dad and found out it’s milkweed.

In our Chicago office we were told to go home on March 12 and not come back for…… at least through the end of March. In Chicago, we got the official order to stay at home starting March 21, but our family started on March 15. My first work station was too close to the refrigerator. 

This is what happens when you put me in charge of quarantine grocery stock up.

We played a lot of games.

Subway.

I had a mental breakdown when I saw this school schedule on top of my incredibly busy work schedule.

Luckily, Makai’s teacher, Mrs. Benedict was completely understanding.

Can’t go to restaurants, so I had to hire a personal chef.

A lot of companies and people all over the world were doing a lot of cool things virtually. Access to museums and parks and animals and all kinds of things. People had a million ideas of how to keep kids occupied. Keeping kids occupied was not my concern. I did not have the time to direct activities while I was working. It was all TOO MUCH.

Scootering at the park.

I was feeling quite good about getting in a walk over lunch and then I tripped and fell and skinned both knees.

One of the kindergarten moms did virtual story time.

Exercising.

I needed to set up office space. We had a spare room in the basement that was just stuffed with junk and boxes from our move (1+ years ago). I ordered and set up a chair. It was a start.

More virtual storytime.

Trump is such an idiot. I really do miss Obama.

Looks good to me!

FaceTiming with school friends Penny, Sawyer, Ben, and Otis.

Quarantine fish. His name is Baby Luigi.

Snotsy + Baby Luigi.

Any limitations around screen time basically went out the door.

Virtual storytime + germ experiment


The IRS doesn’t want their money? This must be serious!

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announcing school is closed until April 20. (It ended up being the entire school year).

For real happened. Lots of TV some days. I tried not to beat myself up about it, but it was hard.

Some people really thought Coronavirus had something to do with Corona beer.

Governor J.B. Pritzker announcing “stay at home” order

Makai and Otis used to trade Pokémon cards every day at school. Now they talk about Pokémon on video chat.
Alton Brown’s recipe. They’re amazing. And we can’t share

Playroom exercises.

My boss’s boss, Chuck, keeps getting visited by his cat!

Virtual piano lessons with Ms. Katie from Upbeat Music via FaceTime.

Sara drew coloring pages for Makai!

When I look back at this photo I remember the feeling I had when I took it. I felt like a failure. In almost every aspect. And I felt like I was big time failing my kid. Things could always be worse, but I still felt an enormous guilt that we couldn’t hang out with him or keep him properly occupied while we’re both working and he couldn’t comprehend completely what was going on.

I bought a desk and Dallas helped me assemble it.

My little office looks like it’s coming together nicely as long as you crop the photo right.
 Family movie night. Onward was released straight to our homes on Amazon Prime Video since movie theaters are closed. Potentially a long-lasting change to the movie industry?

Stores closing. Only essential stores could be open.

We approved of how JB Pritzker and Lori Lightfoot were handling things. We eventually had to agree to put our trust in them in order to settle different points of view and arguments in our home.

Homemade Granola

A while ago Alpana recommended to me Alton Brown’s recipe for homemade granola. I got around to making it and I might never buy granola in the store again! It’s so delicious. Not overly sweet, a a slight taste of saltiness, crunchy and completely customizable. And so easy to make. I’ve been eating it on my Greek yogurt every morning. I’ve heard it’s also good as a snack by itself or as an ice cream topping!

Alton Brown’s Granola
From: Food Network

Cook Time:1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 servings

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds (I used whatever nuts I had in the cupboard – pecans, almonds, pine nuts & walnuts)
1 cup cashews
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins (I used a mixture of raisins, golden raisins and dried cranberries)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.