Our school district is giving options for high school: (1) in-person, but required masks of teachers, staff, and students (and they will provide each one with one school logo gaiter), (2) blended with some masked on-campus, some virtual, and (3) all virtual. They have asked that parents contact them (by yesterday) to notify if they want options 2 or 3 for their students; otherwise, they will be registered for option 1. I imagine it is a logistical nightmare right now, but they are being transparent, working hard to make this work, and I have been impressed with their handling of all of this. My student has decided for option 2; doesn't want to wear a mask all day, but needs to be on-campus for afternoon classes. I can't remember what they are doing for the younger grades. I think middle school is about the same as high school, but I'm not sure. I haven't paid attention since I don't have younger kids. They sent out surveys and also held a couple of parent meetings (socially distanced outdoors), in order to listen to parental input. There are all kinds of protocols in place for "what we will do if..." Like I said, I've been impressed and pleased--it's not an easy road to walk, having to make these kinds of decisions, with some parents yelling at why are you making my kid wear a mask, and others yelling at why aren't you. ETA: By option 2, I mean that when you are on campus, you are masked; however, you will split the day between virtual and on-campus, in case that wasn't clear.

Well, I'm not a very good tea snob as far as steeping the proper amount of time in the proper way, etc., so this might not be satisfactory for you. But I have a drip coffeemaker that I use to make tea. I either put a couple of teabags in the filter area for a potful of tea, or I use a coffee filter and put in loose leaf tea (my preference as to flavor). Then it stays hot due to the hot plate below the pot.

I misread your title to read "flies." I was thinking, "That's pretty gross--I mean, I know it's hot and summertime in FL, but really?" 😜 Glad to know it's only files. 😃

This almost made me laugh--not unsympathetically, but because one of my dd's always did this to me. She would spill out all her struggles on me, and I would go around heavy and burdened; but she was fine then, because she had gotten it all off her chest! After awhile, I learned, and tried to listen but not get sucked in. Hugs, mama!

I'm now past that stage with ours, but things that were helpful (in addition to many suggestions above that we implemented): Have a daily routine, rather than a strict schedule. We do this, then we do that...It helped things run smoothly, kept kids feeling more secure because they knew what to expect, and was just easier if I accepted that life worked better that way. We usually started school about 9, which gave time to get the kitchen cleaned up, clothes in the washer, and so on, without being too rushed. Every day, include outside time (depending on the weather, it can be a healthy time for you as well, to spend some time reading or working outside), and quiet time. Quiet time , depending on the age, was right after lunch; younger ones napped, older ones read or played with legos or something in their rooms, and I either napped or read as well. I needed this time to make it to the end of the day. You might have to work on this for awhile with new ones, depending on their personalities. After naps, then snacks or tea time, then outdoor play, if that works for your family. Before I was at the "do your own laundry" stage, which is challenging timing-wise sometimes even with only two at home, I had a "darks" and a "lights" basket, and even very little kids could manage sorting their clothes that way. And I did at least one, often two, loads a day. Making it part of the daily routine was easier than playing catch-up. Clothes were brought in time for me to start a load before school. I did have chore charts that rotated, but there were times when everybody pitched in. And I had the great epiphany one night when I was frustrated that I should include "Help Mom with dinner" on the chart (don't know why it hadn't occurred to me before). That gave me individual time with one of the kids, helped me out, and taught them how to prepare meals. I tried not to just give them the boring stuff like making the salad, but also learning how to actually cook things. It paid me back in spades for the time invested, and prepared them for adulthood. When we were expecting guests, either for something like Thanksgiving or for overnight, I made a list of everything that needed to be done and put it in a central place. Then we would all pitch in, initialing which ones we would be responsible for, and marking through them when they were complete. It included everything from making tea to making beds, etc. We enjoyed having guests, so this was fun as we anticipated time with our friends. If you don't want to do assigned chore charts, you could implement something like this on a more frequent basis. Simplify meals. A large heavy stockpot (or two) is great to have on hand. I also have, and wish I had two, a large heavy stainless steel baking pan; picture 9x13x2, only about twice the capacity. I use it so often even now. It isn't real pretty, but it sure is useful. I'm not at home, or I would measure it for you. Great for lasagna or casseroles, roasting veggies, rolls, you name it. A hearty stew or soup can be made at your convenience during the day, and will then be ready whenever it is needed without worry about timing. If you include a variety of vegetables in it, and add some homemade rolls, cornbread, or brown bread, you have a pleasing, nutritious, and filling meal. In food prep, doubling and freezing half is helpful; not that much extra work, but then it's done for a future too-busy-to-cook day. If you are homeschooling, spend some special time with the littles reading and cuddling before you start headlong into the school day. It helps them then be less demanding and happier playing while you work with the olders. Start the day with devotions, read-alouds for pleasure, history, etc., with everybody, then split up into doing individual work. Each child has a checklist of their work for the day, and can immediately see what they will need to do. Simplify life. We did have music lessons, and sometimes sports for one or another, but we did not fill our schedule to the brim. It wasn't possible, and would have been too tiring and frustrating to keep up with. Organization is definitely your friend, and your own self-discipline in this area can make everything easier and less stressful for all, and much more freeing. It doesn't need to feel like it's run military-style, but (in my experience) when you accept that certain things must be done in certain ways, all goes more smoothly. For example, when I only had two and we didn't have a yard, I had to realize that whether I wanted to go to the park after naps or not, they needed it, and everybody was happier and healthier when it happened. When I had four, the youngest two twins, I had to realize that at least for a time, outside activities were not feasible, and it was neither lazy or selfish for me to simply keep up with things at home and not worry about anything beyond that. By the time I had six, my older ones were very helpful. My own lack of discipline had to be whipped into shape as the family grew, but then it made for a much more relaxed and peaceful home. My mother would say to other people things about my being so busy and having my hands full. But I would think to myself that I didn't feel as busy as she made it sound, because I deliberately kept our lives more simple and orderly. Btw, I had a cousin, middle of three kids, who used to think it was kind of funny how organized my mother was, because her home life was very sporadic and spontaneous. It was a happy home, but run in a very slap-happy way. As an adult who ended up with a blended family of six kids, she said she understood my mom so much better, because that was the only way she could keep up with life. Blessings on your growing family!

Well, I think all the ones I was going to name have already been listed: Joanna, Susannah, Gloria Isaac, Gabriel (Gabe), Nathan

Lol, yes! It was like the objective me was looking aghast at the subjective me and saying, "What in the world is wrong with you??" And subjective me would answer, "I don't know, I don't care, now get out of my face!!!"

Yes, we did it too, in August a couple of years ago. It was the whole house. We ran fans as well, to keep the air moving.

I agree! I really like that. He's a cute!

Dh has an Air for work (he travels), but I haven't even really looked at it. Since it is for his work, I'm a little afraid to mess with it. That's a good idea on upgrading the specs. Good to know. I'd probably usually use the keyboard rather than the screen for most things, which might preserve the screen longer, but I don't know... In my low level of research I've done so far, there isn't a huge difference in price between them. That might would change if I upgraded specs on an Air.

My old pro is pretty heavy. I definitely want to go lighter, but I'm pretty sure they all are, at this point, lol.

I'd love it, but can't quite swing that one. It looks fantastic, though!

We bought my MacBook Pro in 2013. It still functions pretty well, but I can't seem to update the software or the virus protection anymore, etc. I'm not actively shopping for a new one yet, but am wondering if the IPad Pro would do what I want, or if I should go with an Air. I mostly use my computer for reading (this forum, for example), researching things, movies, and photos. I also like to write, and though I don't write prolifically, I need it to be fairly easy to type and store typed documents. I prefer a Mac, although I might consider a Chromebook if I have to buy something in a hurry. Those of you who have used both an iPad Pro and an Air, would you mind weighing in?

Yes, but you see, when you make cinnamon toast, after the butter, you shake on the cinnamon, then shake on the sugar. Then the sugar kind of crystallizes on the bread as it toasts, and it's so yummy. When the cinnamon and sugar are mixed ahead of time, that doesn't seem to happen, so...

All high school students in our public school district are issued a Chromebook to use all four years. It is checked out to them in 9th grade, and they keep it until graduation. The student brings it home and can keep it over the summers and over all breaks. When the pandemic closure started, there were a couple of days when the school had stations set up outside the school where you could deal with any problems you were having with it, in case you needed something replaced or fixed.

We mostly agree over the goals, but how to reach them is the stickler, and involves compromise. We are working on it, but have a long way to go to actually reach our goals.

You can always jot down ideas you have about things you want to include, so that you remember later. (If I have writing ideas and I don't jot them down, then they keep worrying around in my mind, which gets stressful. Jotting down the notes keeps my mind clear.) Then you can wait to flesh it out when you are feeling more yourself.

I think it is a sweet idea, but if you think your judgment is off due to your feeling so bad, it might be a good idea to wait until you are better before you write it. It sounds like you just need to rest right now. It will still be meaningful when he is a month or two old, and you can make sure you are thinking clearly, and less likely to say something that might be misinterpreted. Take care of yourself.

I saw he is the first state governor in the U.S. to test positive.

I was at a funeral yesterday where masks were required and on a stand at the entrances. And the family asked that people be encouraged to participate by watching the livestream on facebook. The family did not mix with others outside the family before or after, and the pastor who led the service told people at the end, that due to the virus, the family was waiting in a room until others dispersed, and would not be receiving/greeting people at this time. And thank you for being understanding. (Another older family member had died from the virus a couple of months earlier.) ETA: I was not actually in the same room as the funeral, but was more isolated because I was helping with one aspect of it that did not require me to interact with anyone. ETA again: I'm so sorry, both for your loss and that you are having to deal with this stress on top of it. I posted this before I read the second page, and it sounds like your MIL has already had so much interaction with others that this might not protect her so much as yourselves and others. Really, I'm so sorry about all of this on your behalf. And I'm sorry that all those who are suffering through grief during these days can't have the physical support of family and friends like one needs during these times.

I keep feeling frustrated by someone wrong in person...

One thing I keep thinking of is that I get headaches, mild sniffles, and a mild dry cough related to allergies pretty often. (I did check recently to see how easy it is to get a test here, because it is said that anyone who wants to get one, even without symptoms, should be able to. However, from the steps I took, I couldn't figure out how to make it happen.) Under the criteria, I would be considered to have symptoms. But I don't believe I have the virus, and am still going in to work, etc. If I do get it, then yes, I can look back and say I had symptoms. I won't stay home for weeks though, due to a headache, sniffles, and dry cough, because I keep those most of the time, and they haven't changed. At first, I was concerned, but I don't think I'm being irresponsible--it's just how do you make those determinations when it's typical for many people like me?

Hmm. Sounds like it might be more of a ploy than a plan.

She's adorable!

I think one of those see-through masks would be needed. In the language studies I have done, it was important to see how the mouth formed the sounds.