The Yin and Yang of a Week of Covid

We’ve just been through a week of covid. It was a time to think, rest and feel better.

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This past week was going to be one of our busiest weeks of the month. On Sunday morning, at church, Dick was liturgist and I taught Children’s Church. We both enjoy doing these things. I had my two grandkids with me, which made it extra fun. They had spent the night with us, on Saturday night. They are like two peas in a pod. I love how they play together! They were both going to go home, right after lunch on Sunday.

I believe every school district in Texas must have scheduled Grandparent’s Day at their schools, for that week! We had one scheduled to attend, in Waco, for our Granddaughter, Libby. That was on Wednesday. But first, I went to the Dentist, on Monday morning, and that evening, I went to Bunco. When I returned home from a fun night of Bunco, Dick and I figured out what time we would leave for Waco, on Wednesday. It’s an hour and a half drive, so we were going to leave about 9, with a stop at Buc-cees for a gift. Not only would it be her school’s Grandparent’s day, but the next day would be her birthday.

Tuesday afternoon, I gave my two piano lessons. One is a beginner, and is quite enthusiastic! This day, she brought four of her stuffed animals to listen to her lesson. One of these, she sat on the edge of the piano, because he had “a big, fat butt that would sit there nicely.” Yes, yes, I know, my child. We can barely fit on the piano bench, for duets, because of my big, fat butt.

That evening, Dick was sitting in his recliner, with an afghan wrapped around him. Now let’s be completely honest here. I am Woman, He is Man. He always complains about how freezing cold it is in the house. I thought he was trying to make a point. I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t THAT cold! But then, later, he told me he had the chills. Hmmmm. Didn’t sound good.

Wednesday morning, we are 15 minutes from leaving for Waco. Dick said he felt like he was coming down with something. Uh Oh. I suggested we both test for Covid. We had heard, by then, that six other people from church had covid. Dick’s test came back positive. Mind came back negative. I banned him into the bedroom, which also has a couch, the master bathroom, and let him go into the office to watch the news. While he went and laid down, I made phone calls and sent text messages. Here’s most of what I cancelled: My other 10 piano lessons for the week; the Grandparent Lunch with Libby; Choir Practice; the once-a-month Cleaning Lady; Dick’s sister and hubby coming to stay all night with us on Thursday evening; going to my grandson’s (Isaac) Grandparent Day at his school; and heading to OK for the weekend, to celebrate Dick’s sister’s 80th birthday at a big party. There had been a lot of plans for that week!

So, we both stayed home for the week. Dick was feeling sick for several days, though not severely. I used my Freezer Meals, watched TV, and thought about doing yard work, but that thought passed. When Dick was feeling better, past his 5 days of isolation, I had him change out some pictures for me. I got out the decorations for Fall, and have been slowly decorating. We’re slowly venturing out. Dick has gone swimming, and rode his bike for 30 miles. My piano students are back this week. That’s good! Not only did I miss them, but so did Bill, our Black Lab. He LOVES piano lessons!

Sometimes we just need to slow down. We had packed so many things into last week’s plan, that I was wondering how we’d get it all done. I’m sorry we missed out on the activities. But I enjoyed the rest. Kind of. I don’t think Dick enjoyed it. Bill was bored.

And so, God said, “I have given you rest. Now, GET WITH IT!”

Have a good day. Happy Fall.

Grandma Sherry

Birthdays and Projects

The Pandemic Summer is almost over! It’s really hot and dry, here in Texas. We are in North Central Texas and we are not close to the coast, or to the hurricanes. That’s something to be thankful for , and we are praying for all of those who have been affected by that tragedy. There are so many things happening around the country….hurricanes, fires, riots, covid and politics. And now the kids are heading back to school. It’s a whole new world out there, for teachers and students. I’m glad I’m no longer teaching. My grandchildren are negotiating these changes and so far, they are doing well.

August was our big month of celebrating birthdays. We went to Kansas, to celebrate my brother’s birthday. His wife has been quite ill and he has been her caretaker for the past year. My sister, my hubby and I, and my niece went for the day and had a great time. I had not seen my brother or sister since January. All of us have been carefully avoiding crowds . So it was fun. We had Mexican food, and tropical decorations…ok..we didn’t quite coordinate on that! LOL My niece had brought a tropical cake.

The birthday boy, Mike!

My husband, Dick, and my sister, Toni.

They have pulled out every blanket and pillow, and multiple toys. Lots of cleanup, but they have so much fun!

I bought this apron at The Merc.

Two weeks later, we celebrated my grandson’s birthday, mine and my granddaughter’s. They came to our house, and we had cake and gifts, and the grandkids had a great time playing together. Love it when my kids can be together with us. My granddaughter got a tea set, and we had a tea party. My daughter, Jessi, and my DIL, Crystal and I were invited to the party. My daughter was the Prostitute, my DIL was the Church Lady, and I was the Socialite. So fun!

Feeling perky!

It was a popular cake!
The birthday ‘kids’..Sherry, Isaac and Libby

Projects…oh, I have many that I need to do. Some of the few that I’ve done lately, include cleaning out and organizing my freezer, cleaning out the medicine and toiletry shelves in my closet, and recovering my breakfast nook chairs. That was a new experience for me. I’m not very good at the corners!! But they look better.

Before
During
After

old chair

New Chair covers.
The messy freezer

New freezer containers
Organized with new containers.

I haven’t felt very well lately, due to lower back and leg pain. The Dr. put me on Steroids for a week, and I’ll start physical therapy tomorrow. The steroids gave me a lot of energy. That helped me get some things done. Yeah for steroids!!!

I hope you are doing ok during this trying time. Actually, I’m becoming a homebody. But I’m tired of cooking all of the time. I usually get take-out for lunch. I need to see my friends!! But we are blessed to have our children and grandchildren fairly close. We are so much better off than so many people!

Have a great day,

Grandma Sherry

A Week Of Entertaining and Fun!

The last week has been a whirlwind of entertaining and fun.  Isaac turned two and we had a party for him.  My highlight was having all grandkids and kids here at once.   Isaac’s dad and Grandpa Nielsen were in charge of decorations.  They did a super job, but some of the decorations stumped them, as to how to unfold them.   It was pretty funny.  I finally modeled some of the decorations.  (Hide your eyes if you’re offended by this!  LOL)

 

There were lots of people, lots of food, and lots of gifts.  It was a fun day!

Isaac painted his first pictures with tempera.  We’re going to frame it .  We have a framed picture of Liam’s, that he made when he was about the same age.  We need to have Libby paint us one.

Later in the week, Isaac helped me cook.  We made Snickerdoodle Bread…a recipe I found on Facebook from The Cookin Chicks.  Yummy!

Also, I had a new cut and color job.  I feel so much better!!!   These side horns drive me crazy.

My sister, Toni Wood, from Kansas City, visited us over the weekend.  We went to Uno’s for dinner and then to the Jubilee Theater for their Blues Show.  So fun!!!   Yesterday, we went to Grapevine, to eat at Cafe Italia.  I miss my sister so much.  It was great to see her!

Tonight is Ladies’ Poker.  Oh boy!   First I’m going on a Mystery Shopping Job.  This week is also going to be a good week.  Lots of things are happening this week.

What’s going on in your life?   Do you have kids or grandkids starting school this week?   I miss teaching, but I like being retired even more.

Press Like if you liked this post, and leave me a message about what you’re doing.

Grandma Sherry