When the window needs a new curtain....

...and there is extra leftover fabric in the drawer, then you make one!

The old owners of the house left a few things when they moved out.  Two of those were in the sewing room.  The table was a welcome addition because it is perfect for my sewing machine and is roomy enough for me to push fabric around, stack the squares of fabric before I pin them together, and hold various sewing boxes with needed supplies.

The other thing?  Lacy valance and swag curtains at the only window.   Ugh.

I started to look in the drawer for fabric that might work.  I found several pieces that would work with the color of the walls (off white) and the carpet (gray like the rest of the house).  But I finally selected a piece that was left over from the sampler wall hanging that I made in the quilting class at Rossville Quilts two years ago.  The choices were actually a toss-up between a dark gray print or a light tan print, both with little yellow flower buds and green leaves and stems.  I finally went with the lighter color because I thought the dark might be TOO dark.

I measured the valance part of the lacy curtain and cut two 18" pieces of the fabric.  I joined those two pieces together with a 5/8" seam and pressed it.  Then I sewed a clean finish on each end of the long piece of fabric.  The next step was to run a 1/4" row of stitching on each of the long sides.  At the bottom I pressed a clean finish, then measured and pinned a 3/4" hem.  At the top I measured 3" heading, then stitched to the edge of the clean finish, then another line at the very top, 1/4" away from the edge.

One final pressing and it was done!

The lacy swags came off the rod.  The new valance went on.  Then I put the rod into the brackets and fluffed it out so it was evenly ruffled.

And it looks good.

 

I like it.

Cross that one task off the long to-do list!  The lacy valance and swags will be washed and put in the Goodwill bag.  Maybe someone else will love them!

Kepping Fit!

It's been nearly a year now since I saw the FB post from Miracles Fitness and Hilary grabbed my phone and sent a message to the owner asking for more information.

It's been nearly a year now since I have been going to the gym in West Lafayette, working in my small group of Vicky, Debbie, and Charlie, with Megan the Trainer.

Sure, I have missed a few sessions.  Sometimes it is really hard to get out of bed on a cold winter morning, jump in the shower, and drive the Heartland to work out.

Sometimes other things have taken precedence over that time when I work on squats, lunges, lift weights, and punch the bag.

But I haven't missed many.  And I do enjoy not only the sessions but making new friends here in our new area.

But what happens to going to Miracles Fitness three times a week, now that we have a 'stay at home' order to maintain our health and avoid the coronovirus?

If we can't go to Miracles Fitness, Miracles Fitness comes to us!

This has been the second day that I have joined Megan the Trainer and a small group, including Charlie, and worked through a set of exercises in the comfort of my own living room.

I can tell that I am a little out of shape since I have missed two weeks of sessions due to this thing that is keeping all of us home.

But I do feel really good at the end of the session.

We have been using a chair for balance, our own weights, and she is adapting the routines to fit what we have in our homes.  No fancy machines, even though we can see her set in her home gym (and it is quite impressive!).   Side note:  her cat walked through today.  We have heard stories about that cat since it came into her life a few months ago!

I am happy that the trainers are doing this ---keeping in touch with us through texts and emails.  I am happy that there are several time opportunities to exercise if I decide I do what to sleep in a little one morning.  And I am happy that I can keep more in shape during this time of being at home.  When the weather improves, I hope to  walk around the property and up and down the lane to keep myself active.

But in the mornings, working out with Megan is keeping me fit---at least more fit than I have been lately!

God Was Working This Morning!

This morning we watched the church service from the Francesville First Christian Church.  I watched last week on my iPad, but later in the day, Gary and I figured out how to access it on our tv so we could both watch it.  And that's what we did this morning.

First of all...it was refreshing to be back in our home church again.  Well, not really 'in' the church again, but there as much as we could be in this situation.  Listening to Jim's voice, seeing him preach, listening to the music in a familiar setting, just the regular schedule o the service...all of it was comforting to me, and I think to Gary too.

Before the end of the sermon, the power at the church went off, but the guys were able to re-gain connection.  So we were back with the Christian Church and finish the message, the songs, and the prayer.  It felt good.

Later we watched the service from the Delphi Methodist Church.  It was a good service, and one that we are acclimating ourselves to in our new surroundings.  Pastor Micah gave the message this morning, and it was a good one on The Parable of the Sower. 

As I looked at FB this morning, I saw (and I had posted a couple of these too) many pictures of online services.  Pictures of song services.  Invitations to join a service from many of my FB friends.

What does this say?  That God is working.  That God has a message for all of us during this time of self-quarantine, social distancing, time spent at home with family.

God is present.  He is in charge.  He is with us through all of this.

And just maybe... this is just what we needed to happen to us, our families, our country, our world.

Now....we are listening to the Ball Brothers, our favorite Christian group, sing some of our favorite songs.......

Does Anyone Know What Day It Is?

I am confused on days, and I know it is going to get worse!  Good thing our phones and the computer keeps track of it. 

Highlights of the past few days:

• Working on a Disney puzzle.  This one is a 300 piece of Goofy.  The edging was easy.  Not so much after that.  I put together a few little sections of the same colors the other day and found places for them on the big puzzle yesterday.  The pieces are small, and that isn't fun for me!  I may work on a different type of puzzle for the next adventure, once this one is done.

• Sewing - Tessa and I finished the square sandwiches the other day, but she wanted to 'take a break' so that is as far as we went.  I pulled out fabric that we had bought in 2015 for a quilt for her bed, so I am working on cutting squares for that.
• Reading - I finished a book called  By Invitation Only the other day- started it on Saturday and finished it on Sunday.  I had another book by the same author, Queen Bee, and I started it, but I haven't read much. 
• Cooking - more cooking happening here.  Yesterday I felt like Grammy.  I fixes a big pot of chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and strawberry jello with pears, plus I baked the rest of the box of chocolate chip cookies to make room in the freezer for the beef we will be getting n a couple of weeks.  Why did I feel like Grammy?  The rest of the family was outside, cleaning up the lane, and I was indoors making lunch, had the table set, and the food ready when they came in and cleaned up.  As Gary said, that wasn't a bad thing.  It was a good memory.

That's all for now.  This was just a check-in, and I will be back later on with more news.  The thing is...I think "I should write about this in my blog" and then when it comes right down to it, I draw a blank.  Maybe my creative writing juices will flow better later.

Day 10

You know, I always have such good ideas about what I want to write about in my blog, but when I sit down and open the page, all of those ideas evaporate.  What happens?  Maybe I have a better understanding of what some of my students might have felt as they sat down with a blank page on the computer screen in front of them as they were trying to work on a writing assignment.  Not quite the same, but similar.

Yesterday - a day of sewing.  I wanted to finish the table runner I had started for Amanda's birthday a couple of years ago.  I had found a pattern for it, then decided that I should make one for her in Cubs fabric.  I also bought Coke fabric to make one for Jill and Chris as a wedding present (they will be married two years in June).  Yes, I know.  I am slow sometimes.

But yesterday I had a challenge.  The table runner top was finished and it had been put with batting and the backing, basted together, and all it needed was stitching o the machine to hold it together.  Machine quilting?  Not me!  But I could, after the suggestion from my friend Karen in Michigan, do the classic 'stitch in the ditch' with it and make that work. 

I remember someone telling me it was always best to start in the middle and work my way out.  So that is what I did.  I stitched the long middle line first, then the two on each side of it.  Next I turned the runner to the shorter verticle lines, started in the middle, then worked my way out on each side.  Finally I sewed a running line around the perimeter of the runner to hold the three layers together. 

Cutting the fabric for the binding wasn't hard.  I used some of the extra pieces that I had cut off when I finished the perimeter sewing, then only had to cut one extra strip to make the length needed.  Sewing on the binding was incredibly easy after the last adventure I had with the queen sized quilt.  I needed Tina's help on that one!  Hand-stitching was easy also.  I sat upstairs in the dining room and visited with Karen and Clay, then Blaine, then Blaine and Hilary and the kids and finally finished it all before they left for home.  I even frosted the German Chocolate cake between stitches.

After everyone left (and everyone ate cake so half of it vanished), I started a new book, By Invitation Only by Dorothea Benton Frank.  It is a fluff reading book, but it has kept my interest and it is fast reading, which is what I need right now.  Nothing too heavy. Nothing too thought provoking.  It is a little predictable, but I like that in this particular book.  I can somewhat identify with the mother of the groom.  Being looked down on by those who think everyone who lives in the country is a hillbilly or a country bumpkin.  Yep.....been there.

Other highlights were today's church service.  I watched the live feed on YouTube from the Christian Church.  I really enjoyed it, and I texted E. Anne that listening to Jim was just what I needed today.  I realized just how much I have missed our old church and the services there.  Delphi Methodist just isn't the same.  But it isn't supposed to be, is it?

Catching up on my daily devotions, checking on email, and more reading will be on the agenda for the afternoon, since it is already 2:00.  I want to spend a little time in the sewing room to look for the rest of the fabric for the rag quilt Tessa is making for her doll.  I need to cut more squares so she can sew them and finish that quilt.  Good project for this time of quarantine.

Day 8 of Self-Imposed Quarantine

Well, hello for our little corner of Tippecanoe County.

Yesterday was a bad day for me.  I woke up from bad dreams.  I was crying.  I felt like we were doomed.  I dreamed about situations similar to the novel we read years ago in Novels class, On the Beach, and I was scared.

I was sitting on the bed upstairs, still in my pajamas, when Gary called me downstairs because someoe was here.  With tears in my eyes, I greeted Blaine and Landon.

Landon and I talked about his 4-H project, Foods, and found the appropriate materials online and printed them.  Great-Grandma's Peanut Butter Cookies will fit in fine for this year's project.

We all talked about plans for the next few days, implications of what was coming, and how we were handling things.

Landon gave me a hug when they left, something I had been discouraging for a few days, but I know I really need to feel his arms around my waist and squeezing me, waiting for me to kiss him on top of the head like I always do.

After they left, Gary told me I needed to be careful what kind of mood I was portraying because Landon picked up on so much of my emotions.  I hadn't thought about that.  I need to be more cheerful and optimistic, especially around the kids.

Later I spent lots of time in the sewing room and I finally finished Nick's quilt.  I say that word 'finally' but I really hadn't been working on it too long.  It looks good, and it is probably my favorite of the three I have made.  I like the big squares and I like the fabric that I used.  I hope Nick likes it.

Movies?  Two nights ago we watched  The Good Liar with Helen Mirran and Ian McClellan.  We had seen the previews several times in the theatre but it wasn't showing when we had time to go to the movies when we were back home again (since we usually go to movies when we are on vacation).    We bought the movie, finally watched it, and really enjoyed it.

Last night we re-watched The Upside with Jack Black and  Bryan Cranston.  We had seen it before, and we really liked it.  Then we looked at reviews which criticized it for being a bad remake of another movie which we hadn't heard of before.  We watched it again last night and really enjoyed it for the second time.  What do the critics know?

Today I was trying to get back on track with cleaning since I missed yesterday.  After I showered and dressed for the day, I cleaned the bathroom upstairs, then I started on the bedroom.  Once again, we have lived in this house about 19 months or so, and I keep things cleaned up every week.  We eliminated a lot of the clutter when we moved.  But there is dust and cobwebs, and some things just haven't been moved since they were first put into their places when we moved in. So I did some clearing off and moving and sweeping and dusting off baseboards and such.

We changed the sheets today too. I would have washed the blankets, but I did that the last time the sheets were changed in anticipation of putting the newly finished quilt on the bed.

Food yesterday?  We ordered the double cheeseburger, fries , and drink special and a tenderloins, fries, and drink from The Sandwich Shop yesterday for a late lunch  I ate an English muffin with peanut butter and jelly for breakfast.  No dinner for me.

Today's lunch was a taco salad for me and a chef's salad for Gary from Stone House.  We ordered two slices of pie, one peach and one rhubarb, and two long johns as well.  For dinner we had the leftover sausage gravy over biscuits.  I ate my pie after dinner since Gary ate his after lunch.

Not sure if there will be a movie night tonight or not.  Not sure of the plans. If not, I am starting a new book.

So much for Day #8.  Onward....

Day 6 of Staying Home

Today is Wednesday, March 18.  It is Day #6 of our "Stay at Home" time in response to the coronovirus that is spreading through not only our country but the world.

Nothing really on the schedule today---like there could be.  Well, no children coming over to walk goats since it was raining.  No appointments since we are not going to them now.  No need to go to a store of any kind because we did that yesterday and Matt picked up some eggs for us when he was out and about today.

Here is the rundown of our day at 6101 N. 1000E, Three Arrows Farm.

Late sleep in day.  We weren't awake until 9.  But then we were awake in the middle of the night for an hour or so...tv on, me reading and painting by number.

I am trying to clean out a cabinet or closet or drawer each day.  Today's focus was the master bathroom.  I cleaned out two shelves in the linen closet.  The top shelf is full of sheets and I didn't think it needed to be re-arranged.  But the towels did and the shelf below them did too.  We get into a rut with using the same couple of towels so I rotated some of them from the back to the front, re-arranged the stacks and came up with some extra room.  The same thing happened with the next shelf of supplies and extra stuff, like bags of q-tips and emery boards and travel sized items.   I worked on the side cabinet in the bathroom too and cleared out some things.

Next was the sewing stage of the day.  I listened to country songs on Alexa and worked on Nick's quilt.  All of the squares are sewn into strips.  All of the strips are sewn together for the most part.  I sewed the lower edge of the quilt and will do the top edge, then sew the two larger sections together and sew the side edges.  It will be ready to wash, dry, and fluff, then wrap!  Done!

The next project will be trying to machine quilt the Cubs table runner.  I think it will be a 'stitch in the ditch' type of quilting.  I hope there is some extra Cubs fabric in the drawer so I can cut some binding strips to finish it.  Amanda will have a nice birthday gift---only a couple of years late!

After that I am not sure what the project will be. It might be Christmas table runners so I have a head start on those.  It might be cutting more squares for Tessa's quilt for her doll.  I promised her a 'sew day' while they were out of school.  I am sure I will find something.

Breakfast - English muffin with peanut butter and jelly - my new favorite (give it a week and it will change)

Lunch - none for me, just wasn't hungry

Dinner - biscuits and gravy, the rest of the orange jello with pineapple

Tomorrow we might order a take out dinner from Sandwich Shop.  I feel bad for the local businesses that are taking a hit because of this shutdown.  We are trying to support them occasionally.  

We watched The Good Liar tonight.  I KNEW that Helen Mirran's character was lying and would come out on top, but I wasn't sure how she was going to do it.  Very cunning.  

And that is all.  

 

Venturing Out

Gary and I drove into Delphi this morning for a few groceries.  Yes, Wallman's is higher priced on most items, but it was a time to support local businesses and hopefully find a smaller crowd than what we would at a store in Lafayette.

We had a list, and most of the items on it ended up in our cart.  No eggs, though, and no toilet paper, even though we really didn't need either of the two.  Those were a 'just in case' type of thing.  Other items we by-passed because we didn't really need them right now and the prices were much higher than I wanted to pay.  Still others I bought the store brand because of the lower price or found a substitute.  I was pleased with our purchases, and I didn't feel like I had to be leery of anyone in the store walking around with the virus.

Next stop was the Dollar General.  Gary went in to check on eggs, toilet paper, and laundry detergent.  He came out with a jug of Tide and a box of cold capsules. No eggs.

The final stop was at Meijer, but we went to the drive up Pharmacy window. I checked the text about Gary's refill and noticed the Priority Pick Up link. I wasn't sure what that was, so I clicked on it and was pleased to discover that I could add my name, address, credit card, and signature and be able to pick up the refill without having to show a card, swipe anything, or enter a code on a keypad.  It was so easy.  Gary said his birthdate and name, then she found the medication, put it in a bag, scanned it, and handed it out the window to us.  Easy, peasy.  No need to exit the car at all.

One thing we noticed on our excursion---it seemed like a normal Tuesday morning in March.  No kids were out and about.  There were still people at Meijer, judging from the parking lot and the people entering and exiting the building.  Traffic seemed to be about normal on the Hoosier Heartland as well as 26 and the other roads we traveled.  There was a construction crew working on a new house on 26 also.  No notice of restaurants being closed because we didn't drive past any except McDonalds and Dairy Queen in Delphi.  McD drive thru had a few cars and  DQ wasn't open yet.

I don't like to do this, but we did listen to President Trump's message a few minutes ago.  What he said made sense.  Actually it was a woman who stated this, but I think he repeated it.  Everyone should just stay home.  She said specifically that it was time for everyone to pull together and the younger people who liked to be out and about and sit in bars and gather with friends needed to forego that and Just Stay Home.  From what I see in the comments on some FB pages, some people are furious that it is being advised that everyone stay at home, that restaurants and bars are closing and opting for carryout and delivery only.  "How dare they?  It is our right to be able to congregate and eat and drink wherever we want whenever we want!  Stupid Trump and Pence!"  But the only way this can be slowed or eliminated finally will be if everyone cooperates and works hard NOW to slow it down.  I don't want to be contaminated because some 20 year olds decided to congregate with a bunch of other people at a concert in Chicago and come back and cough on me in Meijer.   That's just the way I feel about it.  But since people won't listen, I will just stay home.

No more venturing out for us.  We will be staying put here on 1000E.  We have everything we need right now.  

I am watching my TP use though...no more than 3 squares unless I need to clean up after a #3. :)

Keeping Busy....

Yes I realize that we are retired and we have all of this time to do whatever we want.

But the reality is that our days fill up rather quickly.

Chores.

Picking up Owen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and taking him to therapy those days.

Working out at Miracles Fitness on MWF at 8:30.

Various 'kid watching' activities.

Eating out occasionally.  Well, frequently.

Grocery shopping.

Stopping at Target.

Running errands.

Hair appointments

Going to the bank for cash.

Appointments at the nail salon.

Things around the house.

Every morning I am up and immediately take a shower, wash my hair, and get ready for the day.  That way I am ready for anything that happens!

Well, now...things are different.

We are sequestering ourselves for the most part, here at the house, and the only people we might see are Hilary, Blaine, and the kids and Matt, Megan, and the kids.  I think we have enough food and supplies so that we won't need to go to Meijer for a while.  We definitely have toilet paper!

But other than the fear of getting our getting sick or one of our family becoming ill, I am looking forward to some days at home where we don't have to go anywhere or have an appointment or have unexpected events occur that push those things that I had planned to do one day to the next.

Today I made the final recipe that I have had lying on the counter for several weeks - Crockpot Bourbon Chicken.  It was really good.  We ate it with rice and leftover corn.  There is enough for a couple of meals later.

I also sewed together two more rows of squares for Nick's rag quilt.  Those two rows were sewn together, then added to the two rows that I sewed together yesterday.  Now four rows are complete.

As I was sitting in the sewing room, I noticed the condition of the bookcase on the south wall of the family room, next to the television.  It was a type of catch all when we first moved in, and more things have been added to the shelves.  Tomorrow I plan to pull everything off those shelves, dust, and evaluate whether those items need to stay or be donated or pitched.  Benefit?  More organized.  It will look better,  I may add some things to my bag for Goodwill!

Also needing attention is the little island and probably the big island.  The little island has two drawers, a cabinet with two shelves and a door, and two more shelves with no door.  I know that one shelf contains cookbooks, but once again, things have made their way onto those shelves and into the drawers and I have no idea what is actually in there.  So pulling out everything, dusting the shelves, and polishing the windows on the door will help.  Same thing with the big island.  Behind the solid door are the decorative plates, baskets, cutting boards, and other things that have been shoved in there.  Time to pull everything out, dust, re-arrange, and get rid of things I haven't used in the last 18 months.

Those areas are on the schedule for tomorrow.  I might add more which would be a bonus, but if I complete those three areas, I will be happy.

Update to follow....

Just Scared

Ok...up until yesterday, I wasn't really too scared about what was happening here.

There is a deadly virus making its way through the people of our country---and around the world.

Statistically right now the effects haven't been as bad as diseases from past years, such as H1N1 or SARS or Ebola. 

The thing is...no one knows how widespread this will be and what will happen over the next month.

I have decided that I am not watching the news anymore.  The commentators this morning were predicting that at least 50% of Americans would be affected by this.  That would mean at least 5 people in our little family would have it.

Much as I try NOT to think of myself as one of the elderly, I guess I am in that category now.  I am 68; Gary is 69.  What I heard was that people over the age of 60 were particularly susceptible.  That means us.

Also those with underlying conditions could be prone to the disease.  I have had pneumonia twice.  I had bronchitis in December/January.  Gary has had a persistent cough and is diabetic.  Does that mean we are prone to this?

We decided NOT to go out to eat anymore.  We are trying to avoid stores and crowds.  We stayed home from church today.  We were out late on Thursday evening for groceries.  We haven't been out of the house since. 

But people are coming to us.

Hilary and Blaine have been out and about.  They are careful, and they sanitize.  But they are out and about.  We are watching the kids while they work.

Megan and Matt have to go to school tomorrow.  They asked if I could watch Cooper and Lynnlee while they go to school and pick up what they need for the next three weeks.

Are any of them sick now?  No.  But they could have been exposed and be carrying the germs and passing them on to us.  I hope not.

Karen and Clay were here last night.  They are both working. I know that Karen is taking precautions because of her health issues.  We did sanitize everything after they left.  But it still scares me.

Then this morning I felt like a cold was coming on, but that is a normal feeling for me.  Usually after a shower my nose opens up and my sinuses clear.  I did take a Mucinex this morning though, just to ward off anything that might be starting.

I am so afraid that we will be sick.  I am so afraid that Gary will be coughing and have a fever and insist that he is ok.  I am afraid that I will get it.  I am afraid that we will call the ER or Urgent Care or the doctor and there will be no help for us.  We will just be left to die.

I am just afraid.

But I can't live each day like that.  I have to think positive, right?  I can't be looking for trouble.

I can't ask Gary each time he coughs if he is ok.

I can't be terrified of feeling warm and having a fever.

But I am .

I am scared.

Tuesday Thoughts

Yea, yea, yea....I know it isn't Tuesday.  I wanted to write about this then, but things got in the way and I just didn't get to it.  So here it is today, Saturday, Pie Day, March 14.

Tuesday was a day in Pulaski County.  My cut and color appointment was at 9:30 with Lindsey at her shop in Francesville.  I always enjoy the drive there, visiting with her and Brandy and catching up on the local news, then adding in some extra activities, if I have time.

Here are my observations from that day:

• I really do like the way that Lindsey cuts and colors my hair.  Sometimes I have to prompt her to take a little more off the sides, but I do like the end result---most of the time.
• Visiting with Lindsey is fun.  She remembers things we have talked about, she adds in some information about people I know and what is going on in the community, and she asks questions to follow up.  On Tuesday she asked how my sister was enjoying her new part time job---she remembered!
• Driving around in Francesville, on the back road to West Central, to Medaryville to the bank, and to Winamac evokes so many memories.  After all, I taught at WC for 33 years, I still visited the gym to keep the scorebook while Gary continued to coach the girls basketball team, and I had lived in our house on the blacktop for 42 years of our marriage plus the two years before we were married when I lived in the little yellow house on Brown Street.
• Being in Medaryville brought back memories of stopping at Siemens Insurance so many times, Gary working at the PO, and being at the bank.  Even though all of those things have changed, the memories are still there.  Even driving past Jim and Sharon's house makes me recall when I lived there after the tornado hit Monticello in 1974.
• Driving past The Farm.  Wow.  So many memories there.  I can't even begin to share everything - Christmases, walks up the road, the elderberries along the fence row, walking the calves around, sitting on the front porch chatting with Leo and Agnes, planting tomatoes along the ramp, seeing Gary coming back to the house on the tractor or in the combine.  And the house looks terrible now.  And the whole place looks so empty.
• Being in Winamac.  Lots of memories there also.  The drive into town now reminds me of two things; one is taking calves to the fair.  The other is placing flowers on the graves in the Catholic cemetery.
• The Pulaski County Courthouse - this landmark has been the subject of controversy lately.  I have been supportive of keeping the courthouse.  The architecture of the old county courthouses are so spectacular.  Each one in the 92 Indiana counties is different and, usually, gorgeous.  I remember the Melodyaires singing on the curved staircase from the first to second floors.  I remember having the Student Council picture taken on the staircase from the second to the third floors one time when we made a donation to the food pantry.  I remember being a juror and sitting in the courtroom on the 2nd floor.  I remember being scared to death when I had been called as a witness to testify as to the character of a former student who was being tried for .... something.   I can't remember the crime, but I do remember sitting outside the courtroom with Don Street, shaking and SO nervous, then being SO relieved when the case was settled out of court!  Whew!  On Tuesday I visited the Clerk's Office to obtain a copy of our marriage license as proof that Gary and I were married for our dental insurance policy. Weird, I know.  But I had to walk in the basement entrance because the others were blocked for safety and security reasons.  There were so many things blocked with boards or wood in the basement.  When I took the elevator to the first floor I was shocked at how shabby the staircase looked.  I didn't venture to the 2nd floor and the courtroom, but I was so disappointed, and sad, to see how the appearance of the courthouse, which was once so beautiful, had deteriorated.  It was sad.  Tearing down the courthouse should not be an option, but restoring it to its former grandeur will take some time---and money.
• Driving past our old house.  What can I say?  Sad?  Disappointed?  Embarrassed? Glad we don't live there any more? So much junk in the yard.  Doors hanging off the hinges on the barn.  The door open on the corn crib, exposing tons of junk inside.  The front yard full of junk.  Another storage building sitting in the back yard.  Many trees in the woods...gone.  And Junior said that the back yards are full of ruts and the grass is gone from the trucks the came in to take out the trees.  Sad.  But as Gary said, we don't live there anymore.  We don't own it anymore.  It is not ours.  We have a new place that we really like and we live here now.  That part of our lives is over.  Still it makes me sad to see all of the flower beds and the trees that I loved and the grass that we mowed and kept looking so nice ---- torn up and gone.  The house that had new siding and new windows and new shutters----shabby.  Oh well...it is not ours anymore.

• Jane and Junior - I miss them.  I miss talking to Jane on the phone several times a week.  I miss stopping by there and drinking a cup of tea.   I miss them as neighbors.

After I came home, I felt tired and I was glad I didn't have to make the drive on 39 on a regular basis anymore.  I was happy to be in our new house, close to the girls, close to Lafayette, close to more restaurants, entertainment, and shopping.  I love that our new house feels fresh and clean and happy.  I am glad that we purged so much stuff when we moved.  I am glad that I can walk in the living room and smile because I love living here.  (Not that I didn't like living at our old house because I did and I think it was a great place to raise the girls.)

But this is home now. I am glad we moved.  I am happy to be here.

Tuesday thoughts.  

Panic?

Today it seemed like our world was falling apart.

On the one hand people were taking the threat of a widespread virus seriously and taking steps to protract their families.

On the other hand some people were scoffing at any type of seriousness of this and going about business as usual and complaining that restrictions were being made.

And then there were the others who were predicting the end of the world, that this is a massive message that the Second Coming is indeed...coming.

Am I nervous?  Yes, I am.  A little.

My plan, and I think it is Gary's too, is just to stay at home as much as we can.

Yes, I will need to go to Megan and Matt's house on Monday and watch the kids while they go to work and take care of the e-learning things that they need for the next three weeks.

Yes, the Yaggie kids will be here while Blaine is working and Hilary is at school helping out with delivering meals to the kids who are on free and reduced lunches.  She needs to do this so she can continue to receive a paycheck since she is paid hourly.

But other than that, we are staying at home.

When we went to Meijer late last night, we were surprised at so many of the shelves being bare.  Potatoes.  Flour.   Soup.  Dishwasher detergent.  Of course, the toilet paper hoarding.

While none of those items were on our list, it was surprising to see that so many had deemed those items necessary for purchase.

Even when we left the store after 10 p.m., there were still many entering the building and the parking lot had plenty of cars in it.  I heard that today was even worse.

Am I scared?  A little  I never really thought that we were elderly, and I still don't, but we do qualify as Senior Citizens and we both have health issues that might make us fit into the high risk group.  Not as much as others do, but there is no reason to take chances.

I have read so many things about how to make these weeks profitable for families and for individuals.  How do we keep the kids occupied?  How do we maintain our own sanity?  How do those people who need to be with other people manage when they are isolated at home?

We are fortunate in that we live in the country with no really close neighbors.  I shudder to think what it would be like to be quarantined at the double wide park we visited in Zolfo Springs, Florida in January.  Too close for comfort for me!  But here?  We are good here.

Hilary and Blaine have a big yard also where the kids can get out and play.

Megan and Matt have an even larger yard and the kids can toss balls around and walk to the back and burn off some energy.

Gary and I can walk out to the party barn and walk down the lane to pick up the mail.

Fresh air will be wonderful!

I have also shared suggestions for indoor activities.

De-cluttering closets and drawers.  I need to go through the linen closet and the pantry and the cabinet above the microwave.  Now is a good time to focus on that instead of saying 'someday I need to clean out this cabinet.'

Sewing.  Working on Nick's quilt.  Finishing the Cubs table runner.  Starting on some Christmas projects.

Reading.  I have a big bag of books to dive into.

Spending time with the kiddos.  As long as we stay healthy, there could be some good times ahead full of memories and fun.  Let's take advantage of the extra time that we have to enjoy each other. 

That is all.

VIsiting the Social Security Office

When we were putting together everything to send to Lynn for our taxes, two things of mine were missing.  One was the 1090 from Social Security.

Gary called Lynn for advice on what to do.  He gave Gary a number that I should call.

When I called the number, there were prompts to help them assist me, which actually was no assistance at all.  None of the choices fit my issue.  When I said 'missing form for taxes' I had to listen to five minutes of how to determine taxes for self-employment.  When I was asked for my last name (speak the name, then spell it), I was told at least 10 times that I could not be understood when I said "Siemens....S...I....E....M...E..N....S"  Finally I asked to speak to someone alive, and the automated thing heard and understood that.  The response was that someone would be able to help me in 27 minutes or if I wanted to leave my number for a call back, someone would be available in 40 minutes.  I hung up.

I knew from experience that visiting the Lafayette Social Security office was futile.  I had been there several times, each time without success.  One time I left close to tears, and I remember telling Gary that I was going to cry and had tears starting at the corners of my eyes.

Another experience was with a woman who called me about Medicare. She was in Georgia and was not helpful at all.  She contradicted everything I was told at the Lafayette office, and once again I was close to tears when I finished the call.

During my last full week at Ivy Tech, I spent much time in Kokomo, and one day after chatting with Celestine and sharing my experiences with her, she suggested that I go to the office in Kokomo.  I remember walking in and taking the number, being called quickly to the window, and having explanations to my questions given in a calm, quiet, friendly manner.   It was a quick process, and I felt like I had really been listened to and that my concerns were legitimate.

Since I was going to be in Kokomo yesterday for lunch with Rhonda and Phylliss anyway, I decided to visit that same office again.  Fortunately when I searched the map for it, it was just a 4 minute drive from the restaurant.

I walked in, registered, took my number (188), and stopped at the bathroom (I ALWAYS have to stop at the bathroom). I took a seat in the waiting room and immediately heard, “Last call for #188” so I hopped up and went to the window. I told the gentleman I had not received the statement I needed for taxes, that we had moved 18 months ago, that my husband had received his but I had not, that I had called a number and had gotten nowhere. He asked for my drivers license. He asked for my address, nodded and said the one on record was wrong and asked for the new one so he could change it, asked for my phone number and changed it, stood up and walked to the printer, then handed me the sheet I needed for our taxes. Done! Wow! I thanked him several times and he said if I ever needed anything again to just come in. Super helpful and friendly!

Kindness can go a long way!

Plus we have the paper we need!

Melt My Heart.....

Tuesday is a Pick Up Owen Day for us.

He goes to pre-school every morning until 10:30.  Then he rides the bus to the babysitter's house on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays we are in the pick up lane for him.  If Blaine is not working, then he will pick him up.

Today we were running a little late, and I was concerned that he would be waiting for us.  However, when we pulled into the pick-up lane, the bus wasn't in line yet.  We were good.

I spotted the little kids coming to the door with their teachers and instructional assistants.  All of them are always holding hands and trying to maneuver out the door.  After my first pick-up day when Owen walked past me and to the bus, I usually hop out of the vehicle and stand on the sidewalk to wait for him.

Today I hopped out, stood on the sidewalk, and waited.  He spotted me, and said "MAMAW!"  He broke loose from the teacher and began to run.

She cautioned him to not fall on the hose which was stretched across the sidewalk, so I stepped over it so it wasn't in his way.  He continued to run to me, and as I bent down, he threw himself at me and hugged my knees.  He wouldn't let go!

We finally scooted over to the Escape, I opened the door, and he squirmed out of his backpack so he could climb into the back seat and into the carseat.

He was chattering to Papaw as I fastened the clips of the carseat, waved good bye to his friends and his teachers, and we were on our way home.

I love that little guy.  He can be ornery at times.  He can want to snuggle or he can run right past my outstretched arms yelling for Papaw!

But today he saw me.  His Mamaw.  And his eyes lit up.  And he yelled for me.  And he ran to me and right into my arms.

He melted my heart.

Pet Peeve #246

You know those things that just BUG you to pieces? 

Things that make you grit your teeth?

Things that frazzle your nerves?

Things that irritate you to no end?

How about this---

"Why didn't you say/do this instead?"

"Well I would have just said this...."

"You should have told her...."

Ok...maybe this person is just trying to be helpful.

But when I tell a story or share something that happened, and a situation has happened, and I don't ask "What should I have done?" or "What would you have said?"  I don't really want you to tell me what I should have done or what you would have said instead.

Why?

Because for one...you weren't there. 

Secondly - you don't know the timing and the situation.  It is easy to say "I would have said this..." but you might not have had a chance to say that particular thing if others had been in close proximity, or if the person had been close to tears, or if that person's tone of voice wouldn't have warranted such a response.

Third - why are you doubting that I can't handle a situation myself without your expert advice?  Am I not capable of thinking for myself or choosing my words properly for a situation?  Can I not function without your expertise?

Fourth - I am not asking for your advice or your critique on what I did or what I said.  That was not the reason for my sharing this little scenario with you 

Stop telling me what you would have said. Cease offering advice on how I should have handled the situation.  Give me some credit for being able to communicate with someone myself as an adult.

I realize that sometimes there is a "In retrospect...I should have said this..." moments.

But this is not one of those times.

Just. Keep. Your. Thoughts. To.  Yourself.