The Kassel Family Project Life 365

It is the “great pumpkin cook down day” in the Kassel Castle. Four pie pumpkins are being made into 10 cups of pumpkin puree. I see lots of baking in my future.

That Santa Claus is a really great guy. Christmas came early for Andy and me! This beauty holds 54 bottles of wine. The only problem is that Santa did not bring enough wine to fill it. I guess I will just have to visit the store…

I hate watching my kids deal with remote learning.

Laura does well in any environment, but she misses seeing teachers face-to-face. I realize that is a bit ironic since she has never actually met her teachers having started Hickman High School this year. Every class is still an A, but it is not the same.

John would rather do anything than learn online. It is a constant struggle that we fight every day. He is constantly behind in his classes, which leads to a lot of time with me as he catches up. I was actually pleasantly surprised tonight when he sat down to work on an assignment BEFORE it was due.

I have yelled more at my kids since March than I ever have. I have actually hidden in my closet as I struggled to avoid saying those words that you can never take back. I have spent countless hours being frustrated because sometimes I just want to say to John, “BE LIKE YOUR SISTER! Just do your damn classwork during class!”

Yes, my head realizes this is the safest option, but my heart is another matter entirely. I AM NOT A TEACHER. I started WIU fully intending to be a teacher and that lasted a grand total of two semesters. I figured out after observing elementary kids in the actual classroom that teaching was not for me. I switched to English and History, and I walked out ready to take on the editing world. I have had to listen to so many comments recently about how parents like me are selfish because “school is not daycare,” or “you had these children, so you signed up for this.” It makes me feel worse.

Am I okay? Yes. I am just frustrated today. So, I poured myself a drink and talked John through homework. I am still not a teacher though, and I cannot wait until both kids are back in school. They miss it. They need it. I need it too.

Andy took a long ride today along the Katy Trail. It was time to himself to enjoy one of the things that he loves doing the most.

I forgot a picture today. At least, this does not happen often.

This is a fun fact. Apparently, when Instacart delivers you someone else’s order, you get to keep the food. So, we are now the proud owner of 20 pounds of potatoes. I am not so sure what the person who got my order will think though. It will probably be something along the lines of, “Who orders three gallons of milk at a time?!?”

On a side note, my order was shopped again and I received it within two hours. They also gave me a $10 gift card. It was a quick and easy resolution to what I am sure was just an honest mistake by the shopper.

It is binge time!