Truckee

Up early and waiting for our train.

The Golden Zephyr.

It's a lovely way to travel.  

The view was amazing the whole way.

Our first stop was a coffee shop. I had biscuits with sweet sauce.  Eric had bread pudding.  Omg.  Now I need to learn how to make better biscuits and figure out how to make creamed honey.  

We wandered around. Checked out back streets and enjoyed all the old buildings.

I had a bliss nap in the sun while Eric explored some more.

He found a spot to get close to the Truckee River.

Squeal!! Eric found a 1948 diner.  We ate lunch here.  It felt like being in a movie.  Picture perfect.

This diner has been on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  So fun.  Eric's favorite show. Dumb luck on our part.

I ordered a Thanksgiving Sandwich. This was insane. I managed a quarter.  Such a waste.

Eric's little cup of chilli looks so silly. We shared an orange cream.  It was ok.

Nap number two in the sun.

Then nap three on the train ride back ;)

We're settled into the room.  Virginia City tomorrow.

The Strip

We were up early and out walking.  Streets are so quiet in the morning.  The main strip is now one way.

We went to the train station.

And booked tickets for tomorrow.  Going on the day trip to Truckee, California.  We're both excited. 

I joined the online share scooters app and we played a bit.  Eric of course zoomed all over. The lady behind Eric was scrubbing her feet in hand sanitizer to kill the ants.  There were no ants. 

I did not.  Haha.  Expected.  It wasn't the joyful experience of the two of us laughing and zooming around that I had anticipated.  

The fellow walking here followed Eric and the second he parked the guy stole the scooter and took off on our dime.  I was able to lock him out before he made it a block.  Then we went and made sure it was parked in a scooter spot. Haha.  Reno's finest.

We did the Row. We had lunch at Silver Legacy.  Then wandered the long way back to our hotel. It was nice out so we put the top down on the car and went to Walmart.  I love shopping in other places. Fun just to see all the food items we don't get.  We got Eric a pillow because he just couldn't deal with the truck size ones in the room.  Then back for an afternoon snooze.  Which lasted all evening.  I actually overdid it today and had a wee crohns episode.  I'm up now, eating a bit and feeling like normal again.

Reno

We hit all the weather.

After hours of back roads with boarded up towns we finally found bathrooms and a late lunch.  

We're at the Sands Regency. In a brand new room.  Love it!  

Planning an outing to Walmart later to stock up our fridge.  Update, we ubered groceries in. We amused ourselves with tacos and slot machines while we waited.

I paid $5 extra for the view. I wasn't sure what they would consider the view, I was hoping for mountains in the background. Eric has been at the window with his onocular.

We're Off.

Obligatory ferry shot.

We took the G6.  Fun.  We've never gone further than Parksville in it.  So far it's a lovely little road trip car.

The driving was uneventful.  Just the way we like it.  Lots of rain.  We had a late dinner at a Dennys.  Now we're in a super crappy i5 route hotel.  It's Saturday night and hotels are full.  Eric layed down in his clothes and kept his shoes on.  I layed on my bed and slid right off.  Haha.  The double mattress is on a small frame.  Eric repositioned it for me.  It's shockingly quite comfortable.  We should be in Reno early evening tomorrow.  8 hours of driving left.

Slight taste!!

Today at lunch I ate blueberries.  I couldn't taste them but I could taste 'sour'. I could smell peanut butter today. Tonight I could almost taste cauliflower.  I'm hopeful. 

These two girls have barely left my side. 8 days of being in our room.  

We're packed.  Eric has gone over everything on the convertible he can think of. She's topped up, has a new battery and he washed her today. He stocked up on water bottles and bought trail mix.  I love seeing him so happy.  He loves a road trip.  

Lili and I created a meal plan and made the grocery list.  We've gone over times and details.  Fei is doing Luk's flush right now for the first time. My desk is all caught up. I changed our ferry reservation so we can leave earlier on Saturday.  We're ready now ;)

Cruise canceled.

In the middle of the night I saw the questions on the health questionnaire at the Port. We wouldn't have been able to board even with negative tests.  Our choice was to lie or cancel.

So, calls were made this morning.  I'm not going to lie, we discussed lying.  Haha.  

The universe doesn't want us on an Alaskan Cruise.

We are getting a full refund. Canceling was pretty easy.  An Expedia TA did it for me.

I had hoped to just rebook but if we cancel for covid we can't rebook for 90 days.  Which just doesn't work for several reasons. 

I've already sobbed.  A few times.

Road trip it is!  No decisions have been made.

Lunacy

With loss of taste and smell, does that mean the covid is actually getting worse?  I have ZERO clue if we'll get to go on our cruise.  We're moving forward and as if it will all work out.  I spent a few hours fussing the details today. 51 pages printed out. Hotel and ferry booked. Parking settled. Check in with Royal Caribbean completed.  Waiting for our vaccination records to be approved.  The cruise line requires an arrivecan app QR code before we can board.  Uh oh.  I went on a  long rabbit hole search trying to figure that one out.  Since my app is unhappy Lili isn't checking in daily.  I thought I was going to have to make a new account with Eric's name, email and phone number but I finally deleted my app and when I reloaded it let me start a new trip.  However RC was wrong, today was not the day to fill it in.  Tomorrow is.  5 days until the cruise.  4 days until I have to test negative.

If we have to cancel and rebook it will definitely be a lot of work, never mind the disappointment but at least round two will be easier to navigate.

Oh and eating with no smell or taste is insane. As I was thinking things like, why eat chewy things that are a lot of work? why eat greasy things if I don't like the feel?  Why bother eating at all? I'm hungry, so I'll eat but just enough to stop hunger. What is the point of cake with no taste?  I feel dehydrated and I just want cold and wet food.  Then I realized 😳 that these are things Jia says ALL the time!!  Daily.  Is it possible she doesn't taste properly??!!  This could explain SO much. Also when asked which is your favorite she responds with a shrug and says they're all the same.  When they're not.  I would discuss with Eric and Jia but I'm isolated.  Interesting though. Ok, Eric thought it was worth considering.  Wants to do blind-folded taste tests.  Jia says she can absolutely taste but acknowledged that she does eat oddly.  And she thought my idea was funny.  Mostly she thinks it's funny that I'm distressed by not smelling and tasting.

What is the point of a cruise with all that food and no taste?!  It's distressing.  A first world problem for sure.  I do know that.  Haha, Eric just told me the farmer is spreading poop in the field, I get to miss smelling that.

No smell or taste.

Tuesday covid update.

My fifth day of covid isolation after 1st day of symptoms is today.  The rules say I'm able to leave my room tomorrow.  But, as with the girls I will likely wait until I test negative so I really can't spread to anyone. Trying our hardest here to keep Eric, Lili and the boys covid free.

Fei tested negative this morning and is back in her program today.

I wish we had gotten disposable dishes/cutlery.  That would have saved so much time.

Now today...I can't smell or taste.  This is distressing.  Please, oh please, let this one be a short phase!!  Jia made me lunch today. It was warm.  Haha. Funny, not funny.

Eric took the boys to Queen Alexandra today.  Luk has his new orthotics and leg braces.  They went to May Gold for lunch and they brought home dinner for us.  Which would be super exciting if I could taste anything!  I just tried some noodles, they're oily with no flavour and obviously some spice because my mouth is burning a bit but I couldn't say what the spice is.  This is the worst part so far.  

Too cute.

Jia's art. 

Sasha.

Coco.

Finn.

In other news. I was just told that Kai's speech therapist is retiring. He has until the end of June with her.  It took us years to find a fit for him.  Frankly most therapists don't want to work with him. They don't feel they can help. Very disappointing news.  

Eric has to take Luk to Queen Alexandra tomorrow for an afo fitting. He's going to take Kai too since there is no one here to get him from school and I'll get to depend on Jia for food tomorrow.  

I felt with Jia getting a negative result that there was at least  a glimmer of hope for me to test negative next weekend.  So I booked a ferry reservation.  We're not packing.  So if we actually manage two negative tests on Saturday morning it will be a mad scramble.  That will be fun.  

Visitation Granted

Unfortunately he just wants to play. Coco is off playing with Esmei. Sasha has tapped out with Finn so she's off sniffing. 

Jia has tested negative.  One less prioner/patient for Eric.

Not much to update.

Yesterday was so nice out. I texted Eric and asked if it was warm.  He went out and did a bug sweep of my deck. Ah.  I spent hours out there.  Sasha, Coco and Esmei my constant companions. Fei even joined me for a bit.

Fei did another test today, it was still positive.  Testing daily until she is negative to get back to her practicum. Jia doesn't want to test.  She's living her best life. Alone, cozy and fed. No socializing, school or chores required. Her room is a disaster zone. She's been very busy in there!  

Late night snacks with Jia. We don't ever eat in bedrooms so this is just creepy weird.

I miss the boys and cuddle baby Finn.  Eric is run off his feet trying to do all the regular things and now making all the deliveries for three of us.  But I still sort of want to request he bring Finn up for a bit. Finn can't seem to remember how to do stairs. Trying hard not to be too demanding.  This is hard for all of us.

Last night was uncomfortable for me and I barely slept. Coughing has really aggravated my surgical hernia.  By noon today I thought I might need to seek help the pain wasn't bearable. Advil helped.  I'm not supposed to take advil though.  All good since then.

Lili brought me covid tests so I could test Jia when she got up.  Then I got it my wishful head that I was actually dealing with crohns and allergies together. Haha. So I did a test. Surprise, it really is covid.  I hear we have Monkeypox in Canada now too.  And a flesh eating bacteria at the ocean killing dogs in our area.  It's a lot these days.

Locally, in Chemainus, someone had their little dogs taken out of their fenced yard.  I was pleased today to read that they have been returned.  

Tik Tok has kept me amused during my prison sentence but my algorithm is messed up.  I'm getting all syndrome and terminal kids and medically challenged dogs.  I used to get all Chihuahuas, monkeys and rural cooking in China.  How do I reset to more joyful subjects?

Shannon and I did get resort sites booked for labor day weekend. So Kai's bday is taken care of.  I do hate paying resort fees.  Can't stand being charged by the kid and pet. They only allow two pets.  Bit of a problem, Lili and Fei said they'd come home and watch them. We will have power and water and wifi. The river spot looks lovely and we'll be with friends.

Alive

Well, I certainly can't say covid is fun.  I'd advise you all to avoid getting it.  Perhaps made worse by the underlying auto immune disease.  I feel semi normal today. Fever is gone.  I can open my eye again. Face and eye pain is greatly reduced. I'm coughing periodically but it's minor still.  

I think Fei and Jia get to be released from their prisons.

I can't belive we're home on a May long weekend. 

oh no

A friend just checked on the girls and asked about our camping.  Here was my response:

I'm covid. Eric won't leave me. No need to test, full body attack. Came on lightning fast. Nostrils on fire. Random nose bleeds. Hurts to open my eyes. Face so swollen that my upper teeth are stinging. Pee smells weird. Leaking pee a bit with the fever.  Fun. Dizzy.  Walk like a drunk, no equilibrium. This in insane.  I'm in my room.  Door closed. Sasha and Coco won't leave.  They're both trying to get in my mouth. Weird.  E just brought them kibble since they won't leave. I just had chicken noodle soup and toast so nausea is under control.  Oh, girls not complaining. Fei says she's fine. Jia still coughing. Dry. Mostly clearing her throat.

I'm not really coughing too much yet.

Awake

I went to bed early.  Now I'm up at 12:30. The house smells like cake but I yelled down to ask if there was cake and Lili phoned to say no. So the sniffer isn't working.

The farmer cut his field today. Haying day is always rough for my allergies. Now paranoid ol' me is convinced I have covid. Could be allergies.  Ahhh.  Hate freaking covid.

The decision was made for five of us to leave for camping tomorrow.  I might be stuck back at covid house. But this means Mr won't be here to bring me trays of food while I'm convalescent. 

I did get an online grocery order spot for tomorrow afternoon.  I have Luk supplies packed.  Just need clothing gathered.

Did I mention we lost another tree in the storm?  The picture is Eric's car and trailer. He took two loads of tree to the dump.  We don't have enough trees to be losing them. Mom had one blow over at her new place too.  Eric was wiped out today. He was on the go all day. He's up still doing laundry. Long days.

Arrivecan

Arrivecan has been emailing me daily since we got back reminding me that if anyone in our party is required to quarantine we have to go to the app and fill in a health questionnaire daily.  We are all vaccinated.  No need to quarantine.  We were not selected at the border for random testing. So I just delete them.

The app keeps asking for Lili's daily health check.  I figured it was an app glitch and just said daily that she didn't have a fever.

This morning I got an email saying anyone selected for random testing must do their day 8 test tomorrow. None of us were selected. So I deleted it.

The app then reminds me Lili must do her test tomorrow.  Uh oh.  Might have to deal with this.  Sigh.

I called the number at the bottom of the email. Explained the situation.  He tells me she has been randomly selected and must do the test.  I read him the blurb off the Canadian travel site about what should have happened at the border and explain again that didn't happen.  He says test must be done at the border.  I didn't keep my cool at this point.  Told him in no uncertain terms that we were not taking a ferry to go to the border for a test we weren't even randomly selected for.  He is adamant it's our only option. 

I made it clear I would be reporting this problem and insisted on an email or address.  Guys....this is the email to complain:

phac.emergencyorder-deccret-durgencecovid19.aspc@phae-aspc.gc.ca

Could it be any longer?!

Hahaha.  Try getting that all written down when you're furious and the fellow on the line is meek and quiet and frustrated with me.  

At this point I have to get Lili to the Peace Arch on the Friday of a long weekend.  Imagine how delighted I was.  Grrr. Absolutely unbelievable.

He also gave me the number for lifelabs, who are in control of border testing.

I called life labs who tell me this glitch has been happening since mid April.  She thinks we should do the test. She agrees we shouldn't have to test but there is no way around it.  There is no border testing on the island.  We must go to the border.  Big sigh.  That's NOT happening what are our options? She can mail us a test, we'll be late in getting it and in doing the proctored test.  She did confirm we should have been notified at the border and should have had a test administered at the border at crossing and given a test to take home.  She has me call Health Canada.

And finally a voice of reason.  We are told to ignore all other emails and app alerts.  Do nothing.  When and if an agent calls we explain she is vaccinated and boosted and we were not selected at the border. 

Here's the thing though...I suspect that Lili was probably randomly selected by the computer at the border but in the middle of the border drama (having to get keys from the erratic guy with the missing girl) the border guard likely didn't see it or was ignoring it to get us out of there.

Head smack, I just can't fathom two separate people in BC telling me to go back to the border!!  The world has taken the covid thing too far.  Pure insanity today.

I told Eric today that if we actually make it through the next 9 days without covid and test negative on the 27th and actually get to go on our cruise it is a certainty that arrivecan will flag us coming back to Canada.  

How are you all starting your day?

Our covid girls have been amazing about staying in their rooms.  No complaining.  No changes in their health.  Seems so ridiculous to be going to all these measures for an illness that isn't an illness.  I do realize not everyone is so lucky. So far the rest of us are all symptom free.

We're not exactly sure about camping this weekend.  But the front runner idea is for the 5 healthy family members to go and leave the 2 covid kids home to fend for themselves.  They're still sleeping so we haven't been able to run that idea past them.  They need to stay isolated until Saturday.  Funny part: Lili is so determined to avoid covid that she is willing to camp with us and the boys.  

In other news, iep meetings for the boys were yesterday.  I forgot in all the covid drama and we had to zoom in. Meetings were OK overall.  Luk is doing great.  However his teacher had to make a point of telling me how great he is in dodgeball.  This is a sore spot.  It's in his iep that with a head shunt and a chait tube he shouldn't be doing anything that would involve them being hit. Like dodgeball.  So the more I thought about it the madder I was getting last night and was starting to write my letter to go on file and Luk tells me he LOVES dodgeball.  Oy.  So sucking it up.  Also it's clear that in general they still do not understand paralysis exhaustion and are happy Luk is participating more in gym.  Ya', great except he is DONE by the time he gets home and can barely move.  

Kai is reported to be doing well with everything adapted all day.  We see his work and it's clear that his ea is really good at grade five assignments.  I believe he is absolutely in the wrong place but we haven't found a program better suited for him yet. 

Covid Update

Jia's cough is better but still there.  She's hungry. No other symptoms. 

Fei had to let school know.  She's ok to go back next week.  I can hear her voice is froggy but she reports feeling perfectly fine.

Both girls are in their own rooms, doors closed.  We're bringing them food/drinks and picking up dishes.  They come out only to use their own bathroom.  Eric and I are wearing masks and the girls mask up when we deliver food.  

The girls all get their own food normally so this has been super weird for all of us.  No complaints yet.

The bigger issue today is the wind storm and power outage.  Yikes.  Our phones are dying.  Eric just brought in the big fancy battery from the moho.  We can use the generator for the freezers but we have a couple hours before we have to make a move in that.  The house got crazy cold really fast.  

Covid Strikes.

Oh no!!  Jia and Fei have tested positive.

Lili is negative. Kai was sick a couple weeks ago and he didn't care for the test.  He has no symptoms. 

Jia has a cough. Minor. Fei had a sore throat, also minor.  It came fast.  Now we just hope they don't develope worsening symptoms. And we PRAY hard the rest of us avoid it.

Our cruise is in jeopardy.  Of course we can rebook but wah, wah, wah, I don't 'wanna.

So tired.

There was a bit of excitement at the border home.  A car two back from us was erratically driving back and forth over the border, apparently his girl was missing.  Our booth guard was a woman and visibly scared.  She called for backup because she had to get his keys.  They were concerned obviously and there was a passenger in the car they were worried about.  Then her back up called for more back up.  We were asked where we lived, did we have anything to declare and waved on.  We'd all like to hear how that turned out though.

I have slept a lot since home.  Big naps. Asleep early on the couch last night and stumbled to bed at 2am. Travel days are exhausting.

Jia has a skating bday party to go to today. Eric and I thought we'd take the boys swimming since the pool is right next door and neither boy can or should skate.  Luk is cleared to swim!  However, Luk has declined this offer and won't say why.  We're assuming he's scared.  Question is do we give in to his fear or push him through.  Which one is healthier for his mental health?  I told him he could stay home with Fei and we would take Kai swimming.  Kai actually loves swimming.  Hates water for hands and despises baths but swimming is good.  ?  Luk's eyes flashed black so he was clearly mad about this option.  We aren't leaving until 2.  No clue how our day will turn out.  

I came home to this super sweet surprise.  On our wedding trip we had t shirts made up.  The one on the left is Eric's original one.  Mine is missing.  His is yellowed and the letters are cracked.  While we were gone Eric had new ones made up for our cruise, the ones on the right. He also found a big long plaid pillow for my new camping couch.  

Uh oh Coco.  Not cool. 

The pups were so excited to have me home. Sasha isn't leaving my side.  Coco was grinning with her teeth showing.  Finn was standoffish for quite a while.  All three are wanting to play more than usual.  

Fei starts her practicum on Monday. Lili is back to work today.  I have work and appointment calls to catch up on.  Jia has a hearing a test tomorrow.  We're camping this coming weekend. Life is so busy.