Kinda getting to me!

Sakura Blossoms & Birds

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/sakura-blossoms-birds/ 

Today is the first day I kind of got restless! I am busy but I actually got a bit restless this morning. Had the house all cleaned and worked on some updates, etc. I have been taking a 2 mile walk every afternoon but decided to take off this morning instead. Have to bundle up because we are having cold, windy weather so it's not a lot of fun BUT it is good for me...so I do it. Couldn't find my husband before I started down the road so when our daughter stopped by with some donuts they couldn't figure out where I was until they saw my shoes in the middle of the kitchen floor! He was in the barn when I left and I figured no one would even miss me. So next time I will hunt him down first.

The country seems to be opening up, a little too fast if you ask me. I don't understand why anyone would take their life (and their family's life) at stake to go to a bar or out to dinner. It isn't very smart! 

I have been keeping UPS and our mail delivery lady busy by placing orders for everything we need. I hate depending on other people, even our kids for stuff. So I am helping keep the USPS and UPS ion business.

I think our world is going to be like this for awhile so I have been making some masks. Hope we never have to use them but if my old lady intuition is any good...I think we will need them.

I feel so badly for the Navajo Nation. They have been harder hit with this virus than any state, even New York. They have been treated badly from the time the first white man landed on our shores and they are not getting  enough help from Washington DC. Which doesn't surprise me but all the same....

Memorial Day is around the corner, virtually around the corner. We used to be loading the truck up and heading off with dirt bikes or ORV's, camping stuff and lots of food and family. Oh, well...

I wish you all have a wonderful week end and get to relax a bit. But please stay safe. And have a wonderful Memorial Day and remember the ones we have lost to make our country free. Also remember the ones we have lost from this horrible virus and the ones that are taking care of the sick. They are hero's too.

♥♥ STAY SAFE ♥♥

Into May

Fox in Light by M♥Donna

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fox-in-light-by-m-donna/ 

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted anything here. Being busy makes time fly.

We are still under pretty much lockdown, but if we want to get rid of this virus that is what we must do. Last Sunday we did go out to Costco, though. There were just too many things we needed...mostly supplements, etc. that I can't order on line from them. I have to admit I was very nervous. I had my mask on, ball cap, hood up, surgical gloves on and stood in line for almost 20 minutes. I didn't think my husband should go in so he gassed up the truck and got gas in cans for lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. They only let so many in at a time and after I got in it wasn't bad. Less time standing in line to check out. So we made it there and back. First time out since March 7th! Luckily the kids keep us stocked with groceries. 

I have had to order a lot of stuff from Amazon, Costco and Wal Mart though. Have to wipe the boxes down and everything in the boxes so it is a lot of work. But you have to stay safe.

The weather this week has been good and is going to get lots better through Sunday. My husband has been getting a lot of outside work done. The wood from the trees that were blown down last year is finally getting dry enough to put into the woodshed.

I have gotten three sweatshirts made for my husband and a bunch of masks made for us if/when we get out. I really enjoyed sewing again. Got me away from the computer, etc. My neck is very sore from the PMR I was diagnosed with late last year. And being on the computer makes it worse....looking up and down, etc. I have had to cut back on the prednisone to get weaned off of it and I can really tell it. But the prednisone is not good for you, even if it helps the pain...so they have to wean you off of it slowly. I am down to 5 from 20 and next week will go down to 2 1/2 mg. this week.

I fear for the people in the states that are opening everything up. It doesn't take a genius to realize that more people are going to get sick and the hospitals will start filling up again.You have to appreciate the Doctors and nurses that go to work everyday...putting their lives and their families at stake.

I really miss being able to be with the kids, grandkids and great grandkids, though.No more hugs, etc. That is hard.  

I am going to miss our big Mothers Day celebrations we used to have. When my Mom was alive we had everyone, sister, brother and all of our kids, etc. to our house.The lilacs were always in bloom at that time and the food...what is better than family, flowers and food? Not much!

  I may be 81 years old but I still miss my Mom! There is always something coming up where I need to ask her a question about something. 

I have mentioned before about our big rhubarb crop! We used to sell it to a company in town that made mead for his bar, but he doesn't need it now since he can raise his own now. So I figured I better start doing something with it. I went through a bunch of recipes that my Mom had when she passed away and we gave them to our daughter in law because she is the "cook" in our family. And I found our old rhubarb jam recipe so have made 6 batches of that and keeping rhubarb sauce in the refrigerator. We have given a lot of it away, too. And I am going to make a rhubarb crisp for our daughter & surprise her with it when she brings our groceries out this week end.

I hope you all have a wonderful Mothers Day and if you can't be with your Mom, call her! Send her a virtual hug.

Stay home when you can and stay safe.

Spring Quince

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/quince-bydonna/ 

🤦‍♀️ Social Distancing 🤦‍♂️

SpringSummerSensation

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/springsummersensation-madonna/ 

How is everyone doing with this social distancing? We haven't been anywhere for over a month! Our daughter is doing our grocery shopping for us. We normally keep everything pretty well stocked, but some things have to be bought fresh. Luckily our governor locked us all down early. Although I think he should have done it at least one week sooner. The weather has been great this week so it makes it much easier to be at home. I have started walking again. I didn't do any during the winter. I just can't take the cold so it is so good to be able to get out. We live on a dead end road with lots of space to walk and not be around anyone so it is really nice. 

My husband got my artisan table all finished. And he made it all from wood that we had around here. He split some old cedar fence posts to put on the front legs and I told him I wanted barbed wire on it because he has made picture frames with barbed wire in the wood. And I have several of those hanging plus some other decorations made from barbed wire on the walls. We did have to have a grandson bring a piece of wood from his barn so he could make the back legs. Anyway...we had quite a time trying to figure out the finish for the top without going to town for anything and I had some old furniture polish/scratch cover and he spread that on and wiped it off. We got our big old stereo and speakers out by ourselves and the table in. You can't ask for help when you aren't supposed to be around anyone so we prevailed! Good thing we are both pretty strong. So I will post that picture of it I promised.

 We made the birch/pine cone candle holder that is on the table, too. 

We had a little scare this week with  our youngest great grandson. He has asthma and was pretty sick so they took him in and the virus test came back negative but he got worse and his oxygen levels were down so they had to take him in for chest x ray. It showed it was in the upper lungs so it was bronchitis and he is doing better today. His oxygen levels were up so we can relax a little.

It is kind of scary when you think you or someone you love might need to go to the emergency room because who wants to get even close to one right now? I am feeling blessed that the troubles my husband went through last year are over and he is healthy again. But you can't help but worry a bit. I am 81 and he is 84 so getting up there!

Our 63rd wedding anniversary was Sunday and it was a cold, windy day but we were all settled down in the afternoon to just read and take it easy. Then...our daughter showed up with our groceries and told us to go to the sliding glass door! So we did...and here all of the kids were out there with a huge anniversary card that was 3 feet long and 2 feet wide,  a bouquet of daffodils, a cake and cookies and a trailer load of fire wood! It was so special. We ended up and went outside in the cold and social distanced and visited for a bit...but it was a really cold northeast wind so we didn't stay out long. I broke down crying because it was so unexpected and so sweet.

All 3 of our kids are considered essential workers so haven't been laid off. But you worry because they are working. 

Our governor wants us to wear masks when we are out among people so I found a great pattern on line and have made 3. I am going to make another one for my husband next week but we don't plan on going anywhere and we are shut in until May 4th anyway. So there is no hurry. I did get him a couple sweatshirts made last week while he was making my table. 

I can't believe how busy we can be. Neither one of us get bored. It seems there is always something that needs to be done or something we want to do.

I have been trying to place a Costco grocery 2 day delivery order and they are out of everything. I can't understand why people are going crazy with the food buying. If they would just buy normal then everyone could get what they want. It really makes me angry. I have been trying to get things we normally use for 4 days now and if one thing is in stock then another is out...just enough so I can't get the $75 free shipping! Will keep trying.

I hope everyone is staying home, and if you can't at least taking great care when you are out. If you are "stuck" at home try wearing bright colors. I think that will make you feel as bit better. Just something to try anyway. 

Going to sign off now and start dinner. Have a great week end and a nice Easter. I hope you stay home, rather than go to church because it is just not worth the chance of getting sick. 

Just Checking in!

Little Bird

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/little-bird-by-m-donna/ 

Just thought I would check in and see how every one is getting along. This is a very trying time for everyone. If you are an essential worker, you worry about catching this horrible virus and bringing it home to your family. And if you aren't working...well that is another whole worry. How to pay your bills and feed your family...and for people that aren't used to being home together so much and getting along! Plus everyone is worried about family and friends getting sick and what to do. We certainly can't seem to depend on our governments keeping us safe. Our Federal officials have not given us a lot of hope since they ignored all of the reports and information that was given them. They just screwed up royally! Luckily some states are shutting things down. Our governor shut our state down but I think he should have done it a bit earlier since we were the first ones in the US to be hit with this virus. It us up to each and everyone one of us to do what is recommended and follow through. Which is what we all must do. Look out for yourself and yours. If it is possible to help out a neighbor safely, do so. 

I saw in our local paper that one neighborhood in town decided to have a "HAPPY HOUR".  The sun was shining yesterday so they took lawn chairs out in front of their houses and had a drink! They were far apart physically but could still visit and drink! Clever. The weather reports for our area is rain for the next week or more so that probably won't happen again for awhile. Rain doesn't always make you feel "up" so that isn't great. 

Keeping busy is very important. I am trying hard to do so. I gave my husband a project! I have been wanting to get rid of our old, huge 3 piece stereo system and I wanted a tall wide table to put on that wall. So I did a Google search to get an idea of what I wanted and I found one! Only $1400.00! Well that is wayyyy above our budget. He made all of our end tables and coffee table so I knew he could do it. And I like a rustic look for our house. He went into our wood shed and barn and found some wood and is working on it. I guess he is pretty well stopped because he has to actually buy a couple boards and that looks like it will be awhile before he can get somewhere to get any. When he gets it finished, which will be awhile I will post a photo of it.

I think it is also important to keep yourself up and not just sit around in your jammies. Get up at normal times on weekdays and get yourself dressed and shaved or make up on like usual. You will feel a lot better about everything if you look in the mirror and see neat and clean instead of looking like a hippy or whatever! I mean it. It doesn't hurt to let yourself sleep in and sit around once in a while but sticking to a half way normal schedule will make you feel much better about everything.

I haven't done a lot of sewing for years but my husband needs some new sweatshirts and he doesn't like boughten ones. He thinks they are too stiff! So I am going to make him a couple new ones. I actually sold all of my fabric at a garage sale a couple years ago but luckily my daughter hasn't so she is going through hers to find some dark fabric and drop it off at our door. So I am looking forward to that.

I have been trying to go for a walk as much as our weather permits. It is hard because of the rain and wind we get. It doesn't sound like I will be able to do so for several days, though. I am still riding my exercise bike every morning and feel much better afterwards. It seems to give me more energy. I don't do it on week ends and I certainly don't have the energy I feel as I do on week days.  

Don't forget to keep you phone clean. Wipe it off several times a day and keep it clean and safe. That is something you don't think about doing because we use it so much and only clean the screen off when it gets looking pretty sad. But wipe it down...

Will sign off for now. Have a great day and stay safe and healthy. 

 Mount Rainier Sunset

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/mount-ranier-sunset-by-m-donna/

Blue Mountain Beauty

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/blue-mountain-beauty/

Staying Busy and Safe!

Sakura Pink Bird Blue

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/sakura-pink-bird-blue-m-donna/ 

Thought I would write on my blog a bit more today. My way of keeping in contact, I guess. 

My husband and I are staying in place as I mentioned before. And we are doing it just fine.Keeping busy. That is very important and actually keeping to a routine. I have always had a routine or schedule and I actually get nervous or upset if I can't keep it. So some of you may have to start a whole new routine if you aren't going out or to work, etc. It helps and makes you feel like there is a bit of structure to your life. We have always been "huggers" but I think we are hugging even more than usual. My hubby is able to get back to working on our yard and buildings since the Dr. gave him the go ahead so that is helping him a lot. Although he is tired at night and muscles that haven't been used awhile are getting a bit sore. I am trying to get some cleaning done that I let go over the winter. Outside windows have needed cleaning for months but since the sun was out today I got most of them done. I have to do so many at a time because of the Fibromyalgia and PMR. But I will get them done! Over time.

Good news on the bathroom leak problem we had after Bath Fitters did our tub, etc. They have been very good about getting everything back to normal. They had to take up 2 layers of flooring and even the sub-flooring was wet. So we had to have heat lamps and heater running in that bathroom for 3 days to dry out. Thank heaven we have 2 bathrooms. But they came yesterday and finished up by going under the house into the crawl space and replacing the insulation that had gotten wet. But now we have a bathroom with a beautiful new floor even...which was a plus we hadn't expected. But the flooring was ruined so it had to be replaced.

I have been listening to a lot of radio/television keeping up with our upcoming election. I try not to insert any politics into my blog but I am quite political and concerned about the future of our wonderful country. And hope it continues to be wonderful. 

I am going to go out and finish up the windows since the sun has moved enough so I can clean the last one. 

Have a good day/night. Keep in contact with loved ones. If you have an older person that is pretty much self quarantined, give them a call and see if they need anything. You can always just drop it off at their front door. 

Stay safe and keep washing your hands!

Old English Summer House

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/old-english-house-by-m-donnah2/ 

 

Checking in!

Grandpa's Spring Farm

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/grandpa-s-spring-farm-m-donna/ 

Is everyone hunkered down and keeping away from people? We are trying to. It is really hard for a lot of people to not be around others. Luckily we aren't like that. And are pretty well self contained. Hopefully.

We had planned on going in Saturday morning to Winco to get our regular groceries and our grand daughter found out about it and called us. She said we could not go...we just couldn't. She had talked to a friend that is a nurse and said that "Grandpa is high risk" and that I could pick it up if I went and bring it back to Grandpa...I swear she could read my mind because when she said it, I was thinking, "well grandpa can sit in the car and I will go in!. So she talked me out of going in and I sent the grocery list to our daughter since she was going in early Sat. morning. She got to our local WinCo at 6:30 and sent me a picture of the line up to check out:

 It took her 3 hours to get our shopping done and checked out. She brought our groceries out...minus some of the stuff they were out of stock already. And we were only getting the normal stuff we usually got! It is so sad that people are over buying and probably won't use half of what they get. Hopefully they will share with others that can't get to the store. So right now we are depending on what we have, which we normally have a full freezer and cupboards so are OK. But I will sure miss my yogurt granola lunch when I run out. Since we are in the high risk group because of our age, etc. we will be hunkering down at home.

My husband had his final appointment with the urologist regarding his kidney surgery last Thursday and got a clean bill of health. He can do what he wants now...so I am not pushing the wheelbarrow full of fire wood in anymore! His last words to us when we left was: Stay home!

We were hoping winter was over but we had a really cold northeast wind again last week and over the week end. I am hoping that is the last of it. I tried to go for a walk yesterday but the northeast wind was less but still too cold and only went a half mile! Managed farther today but will be glad when I can get back to normal walk.

Normal? Will we ever get to go back to normal? Or is this the new normal? I am hoping that the smart people that figure out what will kill this virus are working hard and manage to do so quickly. I remember when polio was rampant. I was about 11 and they didn't know what caused it. At one point I remember they thought it might be something that was brought in on bananas! So no one would buy them. But it was real scary. Seeing photos of people in iron lungs, etc. 

I am still working on updates and making more themes. I wonder if I will ever get them all updated!

Stay safe!

Daylight Savings Time and Virus!

 Kinkade Red Barn

 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1-kinkade-red-barn-by-m-donna/

Sunday we turn our clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time! Last year in WA state we voted to stay on DST all year round but the big shots in DC have to "let" us do it! And not much is happening there right now...but I am hoping this is the last time we have to change time on our clocks. I still haven't gotten my sleep habits normalized from the last change so I am hoping this will help.

As you have all heard WA state is the pretty much the center of the Coronavirus here in the US. It is quite scary. I feel so sorry for the family members that have elderly patients in the Life Care Center in Kirkland where the virus seems to be percolating through all the residents. I can't imagine how they must be feeling about their elderly family members. We went to Costco on Sunday and it was packed and people were certainly purchasing staples, toilet paper, etc. We keep our home pretty well stocked with food so aren't worrying about that. But certain fresh foods and dairy...not so much. I have to have my yogurt for lunch so am trying to stock up on that since it lasts much longer than the use by date says. But we aren't going out much and when we do...we are using the antibacterial wipes a lot! I just read that VP Pence is coming to WA state....that is sure to help a lot....

We are having a beautiful spring day today so I am planning on going for a nice walk this afternoon. 

Have been working on updates as usual. And making some new themes, too. Have to keep working...

If you have certain themes that you like...holidays, etc. I have put most holidays into a collection of their own..like Easter, Valentines Day, etc. so they are easier for you to find.

In January I wrote in my blog about the mess in our bathroom from the leak after Bath Fitters did our tub, etc. Well, they are taking care of everything and fixing it so far. They had to tear out the bathroom floor clear down to the sub floor. And it was so wet under the flooring that they couldn't finish up until the wood dries. I have had a heater and heat lamps going 24/7 since Monday. So our power bill is going to be quite high and we always try to keep it down! They are coming in tomorrow to put all new subflooring, new floor, etc. in. So I am hoping it will be dry enough. When they were here Monday I was going through the hall from the office to the kitchen. They had a bunch of wood, etc. in the hall and I was trying to get through the mess and my foot caught on a piece of wood and fell flat! Luckily I have good bones so didn't hurt anything badly. My arm muscles are really sore from catching myself and one finger got injured but...my husband keeps telling me I move too fast so I should have taken more care... It has been an inconvenience though...We just can't use that bathroom until they get things back to "normal." But I have to say, they have been very good about fixing the problem.

Had my 81st birthday last week. Don't feel any older but I guess I am! 

Our election is getting very exciting. I am not going to say how I feel about anyone but I was happy with the results from last night!

I don't remember if I mentioned the pathology results from my husband kidney surgery! Three different Doctor's. told us it was cancer...But it wasn't. They can't biopsy a growth in a kidney without removing it so we just figured it was cancer. We are thrilled that all the Doctors were wrong so he doesn't have to have any further treatment. He is healing very well and slowly getting back to a normal life. 

I think I am gonna quit the computer and go for a nice long walk. 

Enjoy spring, wash your hands a lot and take care of yourselves.

 

Natures Abstraction

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/natures-abstraction-m-donna/