I have started a couple of posts since Summer got home… But frankly, I knew she valued her privacy and would have little tolerance of me documenting her day-to-day while home. That said… She did get a little sad that she did not have more visitors when she was home this visit. I will take some blame for this as I was sure she did not want the fish in the aquarium experience she got before heading to St. Jude. It’s a hard balance, and I apparently am not good at it! 
This past weekend, Summer was going to come home with Nate to hit Christ Orchard for our annual pumpkin patch. Everything was going to plan until Summer texted me on Friday morning to tell me that Nate was not feeling well… And his COVID test was positive. “What should I do” was roughly what she texted me next. “I think you need to get away from Nate this week!” was my response. Love you Nate, but we are scheduled to be back in Memphis on the 17th for Summer’s 2 round of treatment. We cannot afford to have her, myself or Angela get sick this week.
I ran to Decatur “with a quickness” and retrieved my covid-free kid. How is that possible BTW? She has been hanging out with her roommate and boyfriend all week… And they both got it… She didnt. Aiden was headed down from Wisconsin all the while to meet us when Angela got off work. It all “kind-of” worked out but wasn’t the same without Nate this year. Summer and Aiden played like little kids at times and I snagged some fun pictures as has become tradition. Afterward, we went to Gil’s, as we always do, and had dinner. Summer broke tradition by not having a pumpkin fritter. She chose a side from my dinner and ate some applesauce while we kept to script. Half chicken as always for me.
Since we are avoiding the COVID gremlin again… Summer is stuck with us for the week. Much to her chagrin. I will be running scrimmage this week making sure she has a full agenda. Saturday I did some yard work while Angela, Tammy, and Summer went shopping. Today, Summer hung out with Dawn this afternoon. She will be seeing my Mom and her sisters this week as well. I am glad for it. I want to make sure she can’t say she was stuck on the couch for her final week of freedom.
We did talk about sneaking to a National Park later in the week, but I am not sure we can pull that off. (yes there are a few national parks within driving distance of central Illinois)
I have to give massive credit to my boss for helping out with the internet at the house. Mr. Fort has a Starlink for his RV that he had not been using. While Summer has been home… He let me set it up the Elon Musk Space-based internet system at the house. It must work. NOT A SINGLE COMPLAINT has been filed by my child while she has been trapped at the house! In all my years of being a parent in rural Tazewell County, that has not happened!
Now, I have some reservations about the long-term viability of Starlink… But I will not complain about it one bit while it is helping out our current situation.
Angela and I bought a dry-erase wall calendar to start keeping track of our weeks in Memphis. It’s going to get interesting after the first of the year. We have volunteers for November and December that will
help greatly. We also have some question marks for the holidays. I am not getting my hopes up. That way, my low expectations can be pleasantly surprised when we get an opportunity to come home. (if that happens)
Our goal, if possible, is to find 1 week every month where someone else can step in and help in Memphis. That way Angela and I can see each other for a week every month, and then we will alternate 1 and 2-week sessions every other month.
We are hoping that Christmas break for Aiden will allow him to see his Sister as well.
I must be storing up some anxieties. I have been chewing my nails.
I have not bit my nails since our vacation to Scotland a few years ago. I purposely quit and was very conscious of it and took some pride in the fact that I was using nail clippers like a mature adult. That streak is gone.
I also have been lax about eating well. Salads every day have not been the norm as they were before… And I am definitely drinking too much coffee.
I wonder if it will get better or worse when we are cycling our time in Memphis. I think the obvious answer has to be worse. But it really is hard to say. Food options in Memphis are actually pretty good. I am more worried about eating poorly when left to my own devices here at home.
I am aware of it… So I guess that’s a positive??? The first step is acknowledging the problems.
Memphis kicks back up next Monday… Wish us luck… Prayers are always welcome. Once we have a new address… We will share it and hope to see some postcards and letters to keep us all entertained!