A Month of Thankfulness - November 30

 Yesterday I was so thankful for Hilary and the kids.  They came over to help us with decorating the house for Christmas.

Landon spent most of his time helping Papaw tote boxes from the basement to the garage, then into the house. He loves helping Papaw do anything.   But Papaw said he was really enjoying doing the 'treasure hunt' as he looked through boxes and tubs, hunting for Christmas things.  He really did find a few treasures.

Hilary and I put the tree together.  Rather, Hilary did most of it.  While she admitted that this is a task she really dislikes, and threw in that Blaine had put theirs together one morning when she was gone, she was a good sport and tackled ours.  Tessa helped us 'fluff the branches,' another task I don't like to do, but with the three of us doing it, the end result looked good. In fact, Gary said it was the best it had ever looked in the three years we have had this tree.

Hilary pulled out ornament; Tessa, Owen, and I placed them on the tree.  That means, of course, that some areas are loaded with bells, trees, stockings, and angels, while others are completely bare.  Some re-arranging may occur---but most likely all of the ornaments will just stay as they are.  

Landon placed the small skinny tree in its new home in the corner with the long windows in the dining room.  I had bought that tree at Green Oak, I think, and it had always stood in the corner by the entertainment center and the icebox in the old house.  There was no place for it on an every day basis here, so it spends most of the time in the basement.  But the first year we lived it, I had the idea of placing it in that corner, then decorating it with cardinals and red balls to match the color scheme of that room.  The first year it looked really nice.  I remember adding a few more cardinals the next year, and I also recall not being able to sleep one night and sitting at the dining room table at 2 in the morning, decorating the cardinal tree.  I hesitate sometimes to even acknowledge liking cardinals at Christmas because Mom's tree in front of the picture window in Wooster had cardinals on it and around the base.  I don't want to be like Mom.  But.....I do like the belief that cardinals represent loved ones who have died, letting us know that they are thinking of us or are being with us during tough or touching times.  I told Tessa that when we decided to move there were four cardinals flying around the windows of the house in Pulaski.  Then when we were driving up the lane at the new house later in the day there were four cardinals greeting us.  I really feel that they were representing our four parents, telling us it was fine to leave the old house and approving the new house.  We see cardinals in the lane frequently, and I know there will be more cardinals flitting around the deck and the patio during December when we are celebrating the holidays.

After we ate pizza, salad, and breadsticks from Monicals, Hilary and the kids left to meet Blaine after work.  The tubs and boxes with the remaining Christmas decor are still stacked in the living room, the entry from the garage, and the dining room.  Nothing else has been decorated.  The doors have no wreaths.  There is nothing on the mantle. Either tomorrow or Wednesday I will work on that.  Today and tomorrow will be busy with errands and a couple of other projects.

I am very thankful that Hilary and the kids came over to help us yesterday.  It's not that we can't do it ourselves.  But after being sick with COVID and being quarantined and having no energy, it was good to have a few more hands and bodies here to assist with the lifting, the moving of boxes up the stairs, and re-arranging things.

And it was nice to be a little excited about decorating, because for many years, it was a task I dreaded each year.  Not anymore!  Thank you, Hilary, Landon, Tessa, and Owen!

A Month of Thankfulness - November 27

 Yesterday on the family Zoom call, we drew names for the gift exchange on Christmas Eve. The name drawn for me was Mike.  This presents a slight problem.  Mike usually buys anything he wants for himself, and he usually goes with the Top of the Line items.  I can't afford to do that.  Yes, I know that there is a $50 limit on the gifts, but usually the older adults don't abide by that ceiling.  Usually we just do what we want for the person drawn, and if the cost goes over $50, then it does.

It was just a hard day yesterday anyway, then add to it the 'need to think of an appropriate gift' just didn't work for me.

I was tired when we went to bed.  Still I lay there and tossed a bit, thinking about what to do for Mike.  I am ordering many gifts online, but I couldn't even think of where to begin with him.  The last few years I had made quilts for my person---a Christmas quilt for Karen, a rag quilt for Sandy, a fleece throw for Angie, a baby quilt for Elijah.  Those required a lot of time and I know the cost was over the $50, but I wanted to do that for the recipients.  

But Mike?  A quilt....and then the light bulb clicked on!  Very bright too!

When I was making the quilts for Lindsey's baby -- the Green Bay Packers quilts she requested for the twins- I had sent pictures of them to Mike.  When they lived outside of Madison, he became a big Packers fan.  He still is. He told me that if Lindsey didn't want the quilts for the babies, those quilts could find a home in Wichita!  

Well, there you go!  All of the extra fabric from those two quilts were in a zipper bag in the Hilary's old chest of drawers in the sewing room.  All I needed was some help.

This morning I sent a text to Betty, my quilting lady, and asked her if I could bring my bag of leftover fabric to the shop for some advice on what to do, then fill in what I needed with fabric from her shop.  I also asked if she had time to quilt it for me or if I needed to make a rag quilt instead.  Her answer was 'Yes and yes.'  Yes on the 'help me decide what to do and supplement the fabric needs' but I wasn't sure what option the second yes went with....quilting or rag quilt?

This morning I left around 9 for Burnettsville.  I was a little nervous since I hadn't driven for over three weeks and I was going alone on the back roads.  But the trip was fine, and I met very few cars on the drive there and back.  Actually it felt good to be 'out and about' again.  And it was a beautiful morning, so that made the drive even better.

The shop wasn't crowded, so Betty had time to look at what I had and asked questions about what I needed to make.  She suggested using the Green Bay Packers fabric that was left for 7.5" squares, then use the two yellow fabrics and the two green fabrics for strips, which would be sewn into  a log cabin pattern for a block.  There was enough fabric for 13 GB squares and plenty of fabric for strips.  I could make 12 blocks, three across and four down, then add a thin white border and a wider green border and voila!  A lap quilt for Mike.  If I can finish the quilt top by the middle of next week, then she can have it ready for me to add the binding.  

After I left the shop, I felt so good that I drove to Rossville and picked up donuts at Flour Mill for tomorrow's breakfast.  When I came home, Megan and Matt and the kids were here.  Cooper even came in the house because he and Lynnlee were hungry and Megan let him give me a quick hug!  I stood at the window of the van and talked to Lynnlee also.  

Then I started on the squares.  I told Gary that I always seem to start slow.  I need to be sure that I am measuring correctly and cutting everything as it should be, especially since my fabric is limited.  After cutting the  13 squares, I started cutting the strips, keeping track of the lengths of each one of the 8 strips needed.  After I started to sew, everything moved more quickly.

My goal was to  finish six squares, but I finally stopped at five.  When I start to tire, then I also begin to make mistakes.  It had been a busy day, a busier day than any I had had since November 6.  So I stopped. 

Long story to reach the point today.  I am thankful for Betty.  She has always been so helpful with any and all of my quilting dilemmas.  She never makes me feel like I am stupid or that I should know something that I don't.  She treats me like a friend, like an equal.  Her memory is excellent because she knows what I have made and what fabrics I have used and who I have made quilts for in the past.  That is commendable because she works with MANY people.  

When we moved to our new house, I was so excited about being closer to Rossville Quilts. Since I had taken a class there before we found the new house, I became acquainted with several of the employees and the owner.  But I don't feel the same camaraderie or the friendliness that I feel at Betty's.  I truly appreciate her expertise and her helpfulness any time I have a question or need advice.

I am thankful today for Betty. She's the best!

A Month of Thanksgiving - November 26, 2020

 Today was Thanksgiving and it was just different.

I awoke uneasily this morning.  I was in a bad mood. I wanted to cry.  No, I did cry.  Several times.

But I finally got in the shower, washed my hair, got dressed, and felt better.  I am not sure why mornings have been so hard for me lately, but they have been, and I want that to stop.

All of the emotions of Thanksgiving were running rampant today.

Joy for the holiday-- it is my favorite one.

Sorrow because we couldn't get together like we always do.

Frustration because we couldn't get together like we always do.

More frustration during the family zoom because it seemed like part of the family was doing just fine celebrating with each other while our branch of the family tree was quarantined, either by choice or by necessity.

But I neglect always to count my blessings and focus on the positive, so here goes.

Gary and I felt better today  (after my crying this morning) than we have in three weeks.  More energy.   Better appetite.  I could smell!   And I wasn't as tired out as I have been.

We had a great meal from Bob Evans.  We started with cheese ball (thank, Megan) and a small relish tray.  We added in a glass of wine that we had bought from the winery at Remington just a day before my first symptoms occurred.  

We filled out plates (the good stuff we use for Thanksgiving dinners usually) with turkey, dressing, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy and heated it all in the microwave.  I set the table with good placemats and used Thanksgiving napkins.  I pulled out some of the good glasses for iced water.  We sat at the table, looking out over the back yard and the barn and remembered how thankful we were to live here with plenty of room for everyone in the family to celebrate these holidays.

Watching the Macy's Parade should have been a treat, but it was just sad.  No crowds along the street.  Pregnant pauses after  segments of the parade were shown.  Al Roker walking down the sidewalks and no one else there. Taped segments that belied the festivities of the holidays.  Just disappointing.  My favorite things?  The giant turkey above the doors at Macy's.  The  presentation of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by one of the ballerinas.  The Rockettes and their wooden soldiers routine.  The final float with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

A highlight of the afternoon was seeing Landon and Tessa and Owen, and getting hugs from Landon and Tessa.   Then they were in trouble for coming in the house.  I know we were sick.  I know we had been contagious.  But my quarantine days are over and Gary's are too now.  I understand the caution, but it hurt to hear them being disciplined by their parents just because we needed some hugs. I hate it that Owen wants to come in SO badly and can't and he really doesn't understand why.

Bob Evans food was really good, so we are thankful for that.  We have SO much food, and it was really delicious.  The turkey was tender and moist.  The dressing was excellent.  I loved the mashed potatoes and gravy.  Even the corn and the green beans tasted better than what I usually make.  Even though pumpkin pie is not my favorite and I usually don't eat it on Thanksgiving, it did taste exceptionally good, and the nutmeg was just right! Of course Grandma Greta's cranberry salad was just the right touch too!  We even finished the first bowl and I made a second one to take its place so we would have more for the weekend.

Online ordering completed our tasks for the day.  I am trying hard NOT to have a need to shop in a store during the Christmas season.  I know that will be difficult, but I am checking for many things online and if we do need to step foot into a building with other shoppers, I am hoping it can be early in the morning.

We have a warm house to live in.  We have plenty of food for several more meals of turkey and dressing.  Our health is improving.  We are thankful.

Little blips in the road.  That's all.  We will continue to be careful when we go out.  We will continue to wear our masks and sanitize.  But I can't be scared, and I am afraid I will be---too much.

Thankful that God is wrapping His arms around us in protection and keeping us safe and healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving.  We are blessed.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 25

 It's the night before Thanksgiving.  It is usually my favorite day of the year.   Really.

My friend Linda expressed my sentiments exactly.  The day (or night) before Thanksgiving is full of expectations and anticipation.  The expectations are just good ole family time with a dinner full of traditional foods.  There are no gifts.  There are no stresses (except that the food is prepared correctly). There is just family time.  

For me from our first Thanksgiving together to just a few years ago, it was also a celebration of the harvest being completed, safely, with all of the grain either at the elevator or in the bins at the farm.  It also meant that Gary would be home more in the evenings and we would have weekends together again (until girls basketball took over!).

There are so many memories of driving to Beloit to spend Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Grandma Ritchie.  Having Thanksgiving at Spring Meadows Farm was just the best.   The menu was perfect.   Family time was special.  And Friday was always shopping at Southern Park Mall.

After we were married those Thanksgivings changed a little.  At first we rotated between the drive to Wooster in November one year then staying in Medaryville the next and alternating Christmas as well.  After Megan's first Christmas we decided we wanted to stay at home for Christmas morning, so the scheduling changed again.  When girls basketball happened, and there were tournaments and games leading up to Thanksgiving and during Christmas break, then boyfriends and husbands entered into the picture and everything changed again.

And then there was the switch to hosting, which I shared in yesterday's thankfulness post.  

But I still like the night before.  

All of the prep.

Planning the menu.

Pulling out the traditional recipes.

Setting the tables with Thanksgiving decor and the 'good china' and 'good silverware' --- ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

Getting ready for a hot game of Tripoley, the official game of the Siemens Thanksgivings.

Brining the turkey and roasting it overnight.

Baking the ham.

Preparing Grandma's cranberry salad and Peggy Fife's sweet potato casserole.

So many memories.

So much for which to be thankful.

I have missed all of the prep work today, but I know we will be back in the routine next year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 24

 My mother-in-law.

I am SO thankful for her.

She welcomed me with open arms to the family in 1975.  

I remember going to a Lions Club dinner, and we had to take a side dish.  I made one of the few things I could do quickly and know that it would turn out halfway decent ----a Jell-O Cherry Cheesecake. I put it together the night before in a dish and it looked good.  Gary picked me up and took me to his folks' house.  We were going to ride to the Lions Club Building with them.   As I stood there with my cherry cheesecake, she came out of the house with a roll of Saran Wrap and tore off a piece to cover my dish.  I hadn't done that.  She didn't say anything about it; she just did it.  She looked at me and smiled, then returned to the house with the roll of Saran Wrap.  I appreciated that she helped me, that she didn't embarrass me, and that she gently taught me a lesson that I have held dear since then.

I never said anything about that until a couple of years ago to Gary, and he didn't even remember it happening.  But I did.  Just  gentle help for the rookie, the 3rd year school teacher who was falling in love with her son.

When I left West Central and went to Ivy Tech, many things changed.  One of those was having nearly the entire week of Thanksgiving off!  I was thrilled since Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  Classes were held on Monday, but the rest of the week was free for Thanksgiving Break.  Since that first semester I didn't have any classes on Monday, that gave me a nice long break if you counted the weekend before and the weekend after.  Piece of cake!

After Gary and I talked about it, I offered to host the Siemens Family Thanksgiving at our house.  Before I could even finish the question "Since I have so much time off for Thanksgiving, would you like for us to host Thanksgiving this year?" she said "YES!"  And so the new tradition began.

From Thanksgiving 2006 to now we have hosted the family dinner with a few exceptions.

Thanksgiving 2012 we were at Disney World.  It was a celebration for Landon, and Hilary and Blaine wanted to go before he turned 3 and they had to buy a ticket for him.  It was such a fun time, so magical, and I will never forget some of the moments during that trip.  Landon took the hand of Mickey Mouse and walked back to the photo spot with him, just like they were best friends.  There was a City Walk of sorts at MGM Studios and it was decorated for Christmas.  As we were walking down the street, looking in the shop windows, Christmas carols were playing and suddenly snow began to drift down from the sky.  Quite an experience when we were wearing shorts and light jackets! But it was beautiful! I remember staying with Landon at the resort while Hilary and Blaine did some Black Friday shopping on International Drive.   I don't really remember what we did for Thanksgiving dinner that year, but I am sure we didn't have turkey and dressing. Or even pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving 2015 was another time when we didn't host.  I had been sick that fall.  I remember teaching at Rochester on the Wednesday of the week before Thanksgiving and feeling sick.  Then on that Monday I was teaching and just couldn't so Valerie took over for me and Gloria told me to go home.  I remember calling Amy and telling her how sick I was.  Gary took me to Urgent Care where I was diagnosed with pneumonia.   I remember protesting and telling the doctor that we were hosting Thanksgiving in a few days.  He laughed and told me that someone else was going to have to take over because there would be no dinner at my house that year.  So it moved back to Agnes, but Gary took the turkey and she roasted it there.  

Finally Thanksgiving 2016.  Leo had died on March 31 that year and even though she fought a good fight, Agnes lost her battle with bladder cancer on November 10.  For Thanksgiving we decided to have one last big family dinner at The Farm.  We moved everything over there.  Mike, Angie, and Nick stayed there.   We cooked everything and carried it in.  It was a sad holiday, but it was one full of memories and thankfulness.

Thanksgiving 2017 saw us back at the farm in Pulaski and Greta and Kent joined us since Mom had died as well in May.   Little did we know at the time that it would be our last Thanksgiving there.   Gary and I had been thinking about looking for a house closer to the girls, but we hadn't said anything to them yet.  

Thanksgivings 2018 and 2019 were in the new house outside of Colburn.  One of my requirements for the new house was a dining room and kitchen large enough to host the Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve celebrations.  Another was that we would have room for Mike, Angie, and Nick to stay with us as well.  This house met everything that we wanted.  The last two years have been so much fun with hosting the family holidays and enjoying all of the space we had.

Then this year.  COVID hit us.  Testing positive for the virus put a definite kink in the Thanksgiving holiday plans.  While I am very disappointed, I am thankful that we don't have to find the energy to properly prepare food and host the 23 people who would be here through the day.   Instead Gary and I ordered a meal from Bob Evans.  I made Grandma Greta's cranberry salad this afternoon.   I am looking forward to just a quiet day, watching the Macy's Parade, and relaxing instead of spending so much time in the kitchen.

 But honestly...I am missing it.  I should have my list of things to do and be working on food preparation.  The turkey should be ready for the brine tomorrow.  I should have a couple of pies ready for the oven.  The floor in the kitchen/dining room should have been mopped and a fresh coat of wax applied.   I did wash windows and the curtains before I became sick!  

I am thankful to Agnes for letting me host the Siemens Family Thanksgiving starting in 2006.  She was a wonderful example of being the matriarch of the family and knowing how to help her daughter-in-law feel like she was truly a part of the family.  

A Month of Thankfulness - November 23

 Today I am thankful for feeling a little bit better.  No...a lot better.

This weekend was a 'never get out of pajamas' weekend.  Actually I hadn't had a shower or washed my hair since last Thursday.  Good thing my sense of smell has not totally returned?

This morning I woke up with dread---again.  I could have stayed in bed all day.  Really.  I didn't want to do anything.  I wanted to just lie there and be a slug.  Feeling sorry for myself.  Thinking this would never change. 

But then---I did what I always say I should do, what I intend to do, what I always NEED to do, but too often I don't.  I can't rely on myself in times like this.  I know that.  But I forget.  I need to rely on God.  I need to 'practice what I preach' and turn it all over to God and let Him handle it.

So what did I do?  I prayed, and I prayed hard.  I prayed for better health.  I prayed to feel better.  I prayed for enough energy to get myself through today and accomplish a few small things on my list.  I prayed that Gary feel better.  I prayed that we could return to the way we felt a few weeks ago, with more energy, with the grandkids visiting, with enthusiasm for the upcoming holidays.

Then I tucked the bad feelings away and let God work on my head and my heart.

Before I dragged myself out of bed, Gary came in and lay on his side of the bed.  He moaned and said it felt SO good to be back in his own bed.  He didn't like sleeping in the spare room on that bed.  I don't blame him.  So this is what happened.  

I stripped the bed of sheets, blankets, quilt, and mattress cover.  All of it went into the washer (in three loads) and dryer.  The bed will be made again with fresh stuff...and he will sleep in his own bed tonight.

Is that wise?  My quarantine time is over if we go by the day of my first symptoms.  Two weeks since the first symptoms ended on Saturday.  Since he tested negative (even though the girls and I still think he was positive), it will be two weeks on Wednesday that he first experienced symptoms.  He has passed the 10-day quarantine mark.  I think that both of us sleeping in our own bed will do wonders for both of us.  Just saying.

Hilary dropped off groceries today also.  We ordered the turkey dinner from Bob Evans that Megan will pick up on Wednesday morning.  Gary asked for Grandma Greta's cranberry salad so I made a list for Hilary's trip to Meijer and added in the needed ingredients for the sausage hash brown breakfast casserole.  We will have that for dinner tonight, topped with a egg over easy and it will be great re-heated tomorrow, with an egg over easy.

I cleaned up the kitchen.  Gary gathered the trash and put it in the cans.  He also added salt to the softener.  I have been washing and drying bedding.  I am also working on an order for Amazon.  

The dizziness I felt this morning is going away.  I could smell the body lotion I put on after my shower this morning.  I need to have a positive attitude.  Plus we do need to eat.  Hilary is right...we can't expect to improve our level of energy if we are not eating three meals a day.  I will try to do better with that.

Actually...I did heat up some Bob Evans little sausage sandwiches.  They were TINY!  So I heated up two, then added some shredded cheese to the tops and heated again.  They actually tasted pretty good!  And I felt better after I ate them.

I also made some fresh lemonade (thanks to Megan getting us some packets since we were out) and loaded the dishwasher to run later today.  I have been trying to keep the kitchen cleaned up, and tomorrow's project will be to sweep the floor in there and clean off the table, just in case someone else stops by.

I am thankful for God today. I don't know why I haven't poured out my heart and soul in prayer before now.  I have been praying for Gary to improve, and he has, but I haven't prayed for me.  I guess I figured out finally that I needed to do that, that even though God is in control, I needed to ask Him to come into my life right now and lead me into better choices and healing from this.  I did. Finally.

Thank you, God, for loving me and for helping me on this road to recovery.  I am SO thankful that the virus effects were not worse because they could have been.  Thank you, God.  

A Month of Thankfulness - November 21

 Today has been a tough day.  And it is only noon.  I woke up in a fog.  I didn't feel quite right....just a little off.  Everything seemed to be hazy.  I felt a little dizzy as I stumbled from the bed to the bathroom.  I returned to my side, intending to return to sleep since it wasn't quite 7 yet, but that didn't happen.

I have been grumpy all day.  And it is only noon.  It can't be easy for Gary.  He doesn't like me to be so down.  He doesn't like t listen to me complain.  He definitely doesn't like for me to cry.  So I have been trying to contain my grumpiness to myself.  He feels bad enough as it is.

Feeling sorry for myself.  Yep.  That sums it up pretty well.  I am tired of sitting around.  I am upset because my favorite holiday evaporated before my eyes.  My energy has been zapped.  The sense of small has vanished again after returning briefly last night.  

I am scared for Gary.  He just doesn't feel well.  If his COVID test had been positive, then we would know what we are dealing with.  But it wasn't.  Which is a good thing.  But why is he feeling like crap?  How long will this last for him?  When will he start kicking it to the curb and be back to normal?

Yes, here I am, feeling really sorry for myself and for Gary.  No visitors.  No hugs from the kids.  Seeing Owen standing outside on the deck, wanting so badly to come in the house, not understanding why he can't see Papaw, trying to tell me what is happening with him, just breaks my heart.  

Then some things happen that make me so ashamed of myself.

A post from my friend Trish.  She moved to the beach, her happy place, a few years ago.  She created a new home for herself and her cat Samson.  Then she fell ill.  After many hospital stays and testing, it was determined that she has ALS.  She won't be getting better.  She posted today that she is so happy that she has good friends who care for her, that she is able to stay in her apartment, that she wakes up every morning.  She can't move.  She can't type.  She can't eat much.  She is confined to her bed or to her chair.  And here I am complaining.  I am ashamed of myself.  Really  

Then Clay and Karen called.   Karen has been battling a rough couple of weeks with a breast cancer diagnosis and will face surgery soon after Thanksgiving.  I don't know the extent of the surgery, nor do I know what else is recommended for treatment, but she has to be terrified of what is coming up for her.  And I am struggling because I have no energy?  That my sense of smell left again?  I am ashamed of myself.  Really.

A friend on the DWLZ FB page  shared that she lost a dear friend to COVID, that the friend had no idea how she had come in contact with the virus (neither do we) but had breathing issues, was hospitalized, vented, and died.  Her funeral is today.  I am SO thankful that we are still at home, that my case has been mild.  If losing my sense of smell and not having any energy is as bad as it gets for me, then why am I complaining?  I am ashamed of myself.  Really.

I DO have much for which to be thankful.  I just slip into the "boo hoo...feel sorry for Beth" mode once in a while.  No..who am I kidding?  Too often.  Every day.  Several times a day.  And it doesn't have to be this way.  State of mind is half the battle...sometimes more than half the battle.

I am thankful.  I am thankful that we are feeling better than we were last week at this time.  I am thankful that we are mobile and that we don't need care from others.  I am thankful that Gary tested negative.   He is a much better fighter than I am..he will be fine. I am thankful that neither of us need to be hospitalized.  I am thankful that we can breathe easily.   And I am thankful that God is walking on this journey with us and keeping us as healthy as we can be right now.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 20

 Today I am thankful that Gary's COVID test results were negative.

Based on the way he has been feeling, we were both sure that they would be positive, like mine.  I had counted the days from his first symptoms and thought he was probably a week past the time and would have 4-7 more days before he started to feel better.

Well, no COVID, which is really good, but now we don't know why he is feeling like crap. 

Karen, my friend from Decatur, said that her husband had been exposed and was showing symptoms, took the test, and had negative results.  Maybe there is another virus out there that is mimicking COVID.  If there is, I am ready for it to be out of our house.

 I hope I sleep better tonight.  

It was a rocky morning.  I was crying.  My sense of smell left again.  I cried more.  I didn't take a shower, but I did get dressed.  I did fold clean clothes and I washed two loads of laundry.  I carried the basket upstairs and put everything away.  That is more than I have done

And while I am worried about Gary, I am not quite as worried because of the negative results.  I am trying to give him more to eat so his blood sugar doesn't dip too much.  That concerns me.

But for now....thankful for negative test result.  Thankful that breathing and coughing is not an issue.  

We will make it through this.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 19

 My posts have been rather sporadic, and I hope anyone who is reading them understands that COVID has been wiping me out.  

Today I am thankful for friend that endure.

Karen and I became friends when we were teaching together at West Central.  She is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with.   She was 'small yet mighty' and could affect the toughest football player who needed help .  She was so compassionate, knowledgeable, and goal-oriented.  There are countless West Central graduates who have much to thank her for.  It is because of her that they did graduate and that most of them became productive members of society.

She also cared for students NOT in her classroom.  She was the advisor of Sunshine Society for many years and led several groups of girls through not only school activities but also encouraged them to excel at the state level.  

But most important to me was her interest in Megan and Hilary.  From the time they were in high school to this day, she has been supportive of them, their goals, their activities, their families, and their careers.  Not many good friends have done that.

Today Karen called me, just to check on me and to hear my voice, which she said sounded deeper than she remembers!  When she and Paul left Indiana for a new home in  Whidbey Island, Washington state, in 2002, we made the usual 'we will keep in touch' promises.  Usually those intentions fall by the wayside in a few months, if not in a few weeks.  However, this is one friendship that has endured.

Email helps, of course.  But not too much time passes by without one or the other  of us sending an email to the other, filling in on the news, the events, the happenings. Pictures can be attached to emails so those can be shared.  Since we have each other's phone numbers also, we can send texts (and pictures) occasionally also.  

When Megan was named Librarian of the Year, Karen sent her a card.  I could hear the excitement in Megan's voice when she called to tell me about it.  

And today----just talking to Karen made me feel SO much better.   She is a good friend.  She makes me laugh.  She makes me think.  

She makes me thankful....for friends.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 17

 All I can say is...COVID sucks.

No fever.  A sinus infection that was masking the symptoms.

But it is what it is.  

And today I am thankful that the symptoms haven't been worse for either of us.

I am thankful that I had a super night's sleep last night and a good nap this morning.

I am thankful for great neighbors who brought over chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, and corn for our dinner last night.  I didn't eat any until today and it was SO good!

I am thankful for two daughters who check on us and bring us whatever we need.

I am thankful for grandchildren who Facetime, FB Messenger, or wave from the vehicles and let us know that they miss us.

And once again, I am thankful that our symptoms haven't been any worse.

One of the nurses told me that today would be the last day of my quarantine but the other one told me to wait until Friday.  That is encouraging to know that I have hit one of the milestones to recovery.

I am hoping and praying that Gary reaches his milestone soon!

A Month of Thankfulness - November 16

 Today I am thankful for showers and shampoos.  It was good for my state of mind to be able to strip off the pajamas I had been wearing since Friday evening and toss them in the hamper.  My hair isn't styled at all (because what is the point?) but it is clean and dry.  

I am thankful that my sense of smell is returning somewhat.  When I grabbed my lavender cream from the bedside table this morning and sniffed, there was a faint whiff of lavender.  Then I used some of Lynnlee's favorite B&BW cream and I could smell it just a little bit.  So thankful that the sense of smell might be slowly returning.

I am thankful that I feel a little bit of a gnawing pain in my stomach, which indicates that I am hungry. Still nothing sounds good, but the feeling that I wanted to eat something hasn't been around for over a week. It's a good sign that my appetite might be returning.

 I am thankful that Cooper's test results were negative!  So far Lynnlee feels fine so hopefully she is beyond the time frame now for possibly having it.  She was here on November 6 and it is the 16th now!

When Gary was going to leave for his COVID test this afternoon, the white Escape was dead.  That is probably the fifth time that has happened recently---time for a new battery.  The Escape had been in the garage since a week ago Sunday, other than a couple of trips down the drive for the mail. Blaine was here so I called him at the barn and asked if he could take care of that for us.  He pushed the Escape out, removed the battery, then he and Owen went into Delphi to buy and new one.  He installed it and we are good to go.  

We have the best sons-in-law.  I am so thankful for them.

Even if we are quarantined, and even though I tested positive, and even though Gary will probably test positive, we do have so much to be thankful for!

A Month of Thankfulness - November 15

 So...yesterday the nurse from IU Arnette Urgent Care called to tell me the results of the COVID test done on Wednesday were positive.

That threw me for a loop, for sure.  But at least I knew what this feeling is now and I can deal with it.

I am very thankful the symptoms are not worse and I can handle it at home.

I am very thankful for Matt for he volunteered to pick up some things for us at Meijer and deliver them to us.

I am thankful for Blaine and Hilary for checking on us and bringing us dinner tonight.  Pork chops and baked potatoes and green beans (first food I had had all day!)

I am thankful for the nurse who called me this morning to check on me and just chat with me, letting me ask questions and helping me understand what I needed to do.

I am thankful for the gal who called from the health department to check on me and to try to trace the source or time of my exposure.  What is still going to be confusing is how this happened since the time frame indicates Halloween weekend.  We were home ALL day Saturday and ALL day Sunday and saw no one.

I am thankful that I have support through this journey of recovery.

And I am also thankful that Gary agreed to be tested and has an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 13

 Today I am thankful for a nice warm comfortable house.

I love living here, and I am so thankful that we found this place, that Rebecca was able to negotiate a sale for us, and that we were able to pay cash for it.

I am thankful that everything fell into place so that we had enough money to buy paint, carpeting, new furniture, and new appliances and were able to pay back to our accounts the amounts we borrowed from them so that the purchases could be made.

I am thankful for good health during the moving process and for supportive family as well.

This is home.  I am thankful.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 12

 It's really the 13th, but I was feeling low yesterday and didn't post a new 'thankfulness' after being thankful for Tessa and for our veterans in the family.

I was thankful, though, that I had no obligations that required me to call anyone, to make arrangements for a sub, to change an appointment, or to look for alternative ways to do whatever it would have been that I had to do because I didn't feel well.

It's nice being retired.

I am also thankful for Gary being here and helping me out with everything and for taking care of me.

Still no results from the strep test or the COVID test that happened on Wednesday, even though I was told I would know between 24-48 hours.  That's ok.

But I would like to know so that we can move on.  Will Gary need to be tested?  Will I need to do contact tracing?  Will we need to remain quarantined?

If the COVID test is positive, then I will be thankful that my symptoms have been mild and I will be hopeful that the sense of smell returns soon. I would also appreciate having more energy quickly!  This being tired out after walking to the bathroom stinks! (and I can't smell!)

A Month of Thankfulness - November 11

A copy from my FB post on Nov. 11:

Veterans Day. I am so thankful for my husband’s service. Thank you to the committee in Pulaski County for recognizing him with a Quilt of Valor in 2019. I am thankful for the service of my grandfather Darl Henderson; my uncles Robert Henderson, Vernon Henderson, Dean Ritchie, and William Bloom; and Gary’s uncle Gerald Weltzin. My father Norman Henderson served on the DE Eldridge in World War II. He was very proud of his country, always stood for the flag, added a flagpole to the yard of each house so he could fly the flag proudly, and taught us the value of our freedoms. Today I honor these men in my life. Thank you.

 

 

 

Megan's FB post from Nov. 11:

 It's Veterans Day, and I always talk about my grandpa, the WWII veteran, but today, I also want to talk about my dad. When we were growing up, he never referred to himself as a veteran, and as a kid, I didn't think too much about it. Now, though, I think my sister and I and our mom wish we would've insisted that he be recognized more for his time in the National Guard. He did good work protecting and helping people during his service, and we are all so proud that he's ours. Happy Veterans Day,

Gary

! Love you!

A Month of Thankfulness - November 10

 A copy from my FB post on Wednesday -  I am so thankful that Tessa came into our lives.  It was a rocky road to her adoption, but what a glorious day it was when she officially became a YAGGIE!

This cutie is 8 years old today! I love that when she comes to the house, she searches for me and always asks what I am doing and if she can help. (For the record...she lasted through washing ONE window on the outside on Monday, then she was done!) She loves going to Barnes and Noble with me so she can look for more Junie B Jones books to read. She loves stopping at DQ for a chocolate cone (and no, Tessa, that doesn't mean that the cone itself is chocolate....it means that the ice cream is chocolate on top of a regular cone). I love that she is such a good big cousin to Lynnlee and plays with her in the family room or in Lynnlee's toy room when she visits her at home. I love that her memory is sharp--that she can remember things, with intricate details, that happened days, weeks, or months ago. I love that she is creative and fun and smart. Papaw and I love you so much, Tessa. Happy 8th Birthday, TessaRoo....have one more fun day celebrating!

 

A Month of Thankfulness - November 9

When we were first married and moved into the house on the Blacktop, the barn had a sign on it that said Goory.  The last name of the former owners.  I think there was a shortened first name and an initial also...like Wm. C. Goory.  But I can't remember exactly what it was at this point.

For our first Christmas in the house, and as a married couple, I asked Kim Hassett, who was the art teacher at the high school then, to paint a sign for me that said SIEMENS as Gary's Christmas gift to replace that sign on the barn.

I remember well, taking down the old sign and putting up the new.

I also remember that sign being a landmark for others.  

"Oh I know where you live!  The barn has SIEMENS on it!"

"You live at the white house with the red barn with SIEMENS on it!"

"How can you find our house?  Drive on the blacktop 4 miles east of 39 and you will see a white house, red barn with SIEMENS on it and you will be there!"

When we moved, I asked about taking the SIEMENS sign off the barn and Gary said it would probably fall apart so just leave it there.  That made me sad...because it was a gift for him, because it was a landmark and because it was something that distinguished where we lived.  Plus now...driving past the house and seeing how much it has changed, and not for the better, makes me really wish that our name were still not on the barn!  I don't want people to think we still live there!

Anyway....tonight after dinner, Gary mentioned that Blaine was here and he was doing something by the old fanning mill.   That confused me because the fanning mill is on the front porch and we were in the kitchen and he was looking out at the barn....oh mistake.  He meant the old seeder at the end of the barn.  

When I went to the door I saw Blaine's truck backed up to the old seeder and Hilary in the back of the bed of the truck and Landon standing on the bed and Tessa and Owen standing on the ground.  

I yelled out the door "Hey there!  What do you think you're doing out there in the dark?" and promptly heard from Hilary "Get back in the house!!" which I did.

That prompted Gary to go to the door, put on his shoes, and when I said that Hilary told me to get back in the house, he said he didn't care.

She finally came in to get me for the 'surprise' and there it was.  A new sign on the barn that said SIEMENS.

 

I nearly cried.

It was perfect.

Blaine had retrieved the wood from the hayloft in the barn.  Hilary had cut stencils with her Cricut and painted the wood this afternoon.

They wanted to surprise us so they had come in without headlights and were trying to be quick without attracting any attention.  When they saw the living room lights on, they thought they were home free but darn!  We were just finishing dinner at the big island and could see outside! 

At any rate I am overjoyed with the sign.  I love it.  

As I told Hilary, I feel like I am home again.  We have our name on the barn.  We live here.  We belong here.  It is our place.  Our home.

And I am thankful for the show of love and kindness from Hilary, Blaine, and the kids tonight.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 8

 A day late, but....

Yesterday I was thankful for beautiful weather.

Tessa's birthday party in the Party Barn had to be cancelled because Hilary and Landon were quarantined.  But Hilary invited the guests to stop by in the afternoon to tell her Happy Birthday and drop off gifts.

Papaw and I went over, with our lawn chairs, to sit in the yard.  Aunt Megan and Cooper came by.  Then Great Aunt Karen and Great Uncle Clay.  Lauren and her two kiddo stopped.  Then finally Amanda came.   

I am thankful that the kids were able to enjoy warm weather and play outside together.

I am thankful that Tessa genuinely liked her biirthday gifts from us.  That was the first time she showed appreciated and gratitude for her gifts.

I am thankful that we are able to sit in the yard and socially distance and enjoy some family time and conversation.

I am thankful that Hilary and Landon's covid tests were negative.

I am thankful for family.

I am thankful.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 7

 I am thankful for sleep.  

Last night was a rough one for me for some reason.  I was coughing.  I had a headache.  I was struggling---mainly afraid that what I was experiencing was the beginning of COVID.  

But I slept.  

I was up about every two hours or so for a bathroom run.  I moved to the spare bedroom and slept in there, probably better than I had been sleeping in my own bed.

But I slept.

Gary checked on me several times to see how I was doing.  He asked me if I needed anything, brought me some Tylenol, and told me to keep sleeping.

So I slept.

Finally I rolled out of bed at 2 p.m.  Yes.  2 p.m.

I can't remember the last time I  slept that long.

I feel better, but my nose is still congested and my sinuses still hurt.

But I slept.  And I thankful today for sleep.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 6

 Lynnlee has been with us today, the first time since last Friday.

She is our youngest granddaughter, and she is a lovable, cute, and sometimes ornery 3-year-old.  She is a sassy little redhead too!

I am so thankful for her and for her parents trusting us to watch her when they need someone in a pinch for her to stay with during the school day.

This year Lynnlee has a new babysitter who has had several issues.  Illness.  Migraines.  A son who is quarantined (now for the second time) from first, being on the football team and possibly exposed by a player on an opposing team and second, from a friend who had no symptoms but needed a test for work and tested positive.

For Megan and Matt this situation does save them some money that they would pay the babysitter (because we don't expect pay and won't ask for it) but they do bring her here in the morning and pick her up after school which takes time and gas.  

I am thankful to spend the time with her.   For the first time in the history of five grandchildren, Lynnlee loves me and prefers me to Papaw.  Everyone else looks to Papaw first, to the point of Landon looking around me to see where Papaw is.  Even though I don't like to hear or see her cry, it warms my heart when she clings to me and wants to be with me instead of anyone else.  She wants to stay here rather than go home.  She wants me to stay when we visit them, and she always checks to see when we will return to her house.

In a few years she will be in school and all of these days will vanish.  While it was good to have some time to ourselves, to do what we wanted to do, to not worry about being awake and having the door unlocked before 7 a.m, I truly love it when she is here.

Lynnlee Elizabeth - named for her two grandfathers by combining their middle names and using Megan's middle name (also my first name and my paternal grandmother's first name) for HER middle name.  What a legacy!

And today's adventure?  We went to a winery outside of Remington!  She stayed in the Escape with Papaw while I went into the winery and bought a few bottles of the RazzleRed for her mommy, her auntie, and for us.  On the return trip to Lafayette she fell asleep, but she awakened in time to eat a couple of chicken tenders and fries from Freddy's in West Lafayette. Plus she had some 'bubble juice' in her sippy cup (aka Sprite!)  She was perfect!  No crying.  A little nap.  No fussing.  Just a little bit of talking from the back as we drove on I-65.

I am thankful for all five of our grandchildren, but today I am thankful for Lynnlee Elizabeth.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 5

 Yesterday was such a pretty day---warm and sunny.

After we went to Payless and Menards, we returned home to find Hilary, Blaine, and the kids here with Landon on the mower, mulching leaves.

Soon Gary and Blaine were on their mowers also, all three mulching leaves. 

After they left Gary and I worked for a couple hours cleaning up the deck, the gazebo, and the front porch.

All of the chairs on the deck stack so that was an easy job.  Plus the tables can stack as well with a criss-cross type of pattern.   

We found that Dad's swing fits into the new metal bench that we bought in June at Down on the Farm in Peru and the frame for the swing that we brought from the front porch at Gary's folks' house fit well over the top of both of those to take up less room in the Party Barn.

All of the toys that the kids play with and keep in the gazebo are back in the Party Barn also, stored until next spring.  Some of them will need to either be listed on a For Sale site or taken to Goodwill since they are being outgrown.  Except for Bucky the Horse.  He will stay.  Too much history with him!

All of the little (and large) decorative items were put away also. The metal pumpkins.  The sunflowers.  The large cow and pig that had stood sentry at the end of the barn.  Some of the wooden items that graces the interior of the gazebo.  The lamps which lit up the deck and gazebo as the sunset during the summer. 

Most of the flower pots were dumped too.  The geraniums are gone except for the long white box that is still blooming in the gazebo. It is sitting outside the garage doors now.  The only mums that remain at the those still blooming at the end of the barn along with the pumpkins which will eventually be thrown over the fence as food for the goats.  The old wire egg baskets that held the geraniums that had belonged to Auntie Ann are back in the Party Barn, ready for pots of flowers next spring.

How does this fit into thankfulness? 

I am thankful for living here.  I love it here and I like how we have decorated our new place (and this is the third time we have put things away for the winter so it really isn't that new anymore).  

I am thankful for having the Party Barn as a place to store things.  The mowers are in there also, lined up in a row, ready for the spring 2021.  The tables are still set up from the impromptu meals from spring/summer/fall.  There is still plenty of room for more if we needed it.

I am thankful for a beautiful fall day.  There was no need for jackets and gloves, hats and scarves, or heavier clothing.  Just jeans/leggings and shirts kept us warm enough.  It was so much easier putting things away when not shivering or working up a sweat under a heavy coat.

I am thankful that we are still able to do the work.  That may sound strange, but we are getting older and I am very much out of shape.  My knee hurt horribly when we came in.  But we persevered without being too exhausted and taking too long.  Well, maybe we moved a little slower than we have, but it wasn't something that took us forever to do or that we had to break up into more than one session.  In fact Gary said, "Well, that didn't take too long, did it?" when we finished.

I am thankful for recognizing that it was time to sleep!  After dinner and the kitchen was cleaned up (and I was SO glad there was Taco Soup in the crock pot), we sat and watched "America Says."  While I was playing the new version of Microsoft Mahjong on my laptop, I nodded off.  That NEVER has happened before.  When Gary suggested that I go to bed, he said he was ready also---and it wasn't even 9:00 yet!  So I am thankful for a good night's sleep.  In bed before 9:00 p.m. and awake at 8:30 a.m.  I think we were tired!

It was a good tired.  It was a beautiful day.  The deck, the gazebo, the yard, the front porch---all of them are ready for winter.

I am thankful for Landon and Blaine for their help also.  What a crew we have to help us!

A Month of Thankfulness - November 4

Today is Gary's sister's 42nd wedding anniversary.  Sandy is his next-in-line younger sister.  There is a cute picture of the two of them that I took from his folks' house when we cleaned it out a few years ago.  Of all of his siblings it seems like she is the one who isn't as close as the others are.  Why?  My guess is because of her husband.

He isn't a big fan of our family.  I am not really sure why because I married into the family and found love and friendship when I did.  In fact my mother-in-law was nicer to me and loved me more, so it seemed, than my own mother did. For some reason Kent is not and never has been one to embrace the Siemens family,

But I am thankful for my sister-in-law!  She and I have had some fun conversations during times when it has been 'just us girls' or times when we have been thrown together during food prep for family gatherings or during clean up from one of our many holiday meals.

She is Hilary's godmother, and for that I am very thankful.  She has a special place in her heart for Hilary and for Megan too.  She is also a super great-aunt.  When she is with the kids, whether it is during a birthday party or at a holiday gathering, she is very much into the kids.  She will be on the floor playing with Tessa.  Owen will grab her hand and lead her to something he wants to show her.  Landon will sit and talk to her about his livestock.  Cooper will share his love of baseball with her.  And Lynnlee?  She will show Aunt Sandy her dolls which Sandy in turn will fuss over.

I have asked Sandy to stop by  when they have doctor's appointments or on the days they shop in Lafayette, but they haven't.  I have asked her to let us know when they are 'in town' so we can meet them for lunch or dinner.  I know that during the times of the virus those opportunities are slim, but take out and eating in our dining room is always an option.  That hasn't happened either.

I try to keep her informed about what is happening in our family. I must confess that sometimes I forget to give her a call or send a text, but I do try.

Even if she isn't 'present' physically in our lives often, she is still a great sister-in-law and I am very thankful for her.  I know that if we need her, she will be there for us.

And she knows that if she needs us, Gary will be there as quickly as he can get to her.

Thankful for my 'sister' Sandy today.  And Happy Anniversary!

A Month of Thankfulness - November 3

 I have put off posting this today.

Why?  

Two reasons.  

One is that Gary and I took a road trip north to Green Oak and Rochester today, and we wanted to get an early start so I didn't sit down and think about my post for today.

Two is that once we returned home, I was very distracted by the election and trying to keep my mind off of it.  I took a nap.  I toasted an English muffin and smeared it with peanut butter and jelly for dinner.  Then I sewed.  

But here I am , with about 10 minutes to spare on November 3, and I am still thankful.

I am thankful for the freedom to vote.  

I am thankful for my father who was SO patriotic, who served in the US Navy during World War II, and who instilled in me that the United State was the greatest country, that our freedoms were precious, and that voting in each and every election was a right and a privilege, one that I should never take for granted and one that I should always respect and use.

I am thankful for my country.

I am thankful that we all have the opportunity to vote and that all of our votes are equal.

I am thankful that whoever wins the Presidential election tonight will have four years to do his best for our country, but our Supreme Leader is Jesus Christ.   With the help of our Supreme Leader, our President will hopefully make the best decisions to lead our country.

With all of the turmoil, the differences of opinions, the hatred spewed from each party to the other, I am scared.  I am worried.  I am fearful of what this country will look like next week, in a few months, and by the end of the next four years.  I am fearful of what the country will be like for Landon, Tessa, Cooper, Owen, and Lynnlee.

But I am thankful that I still have the right to vote, and I will continue to exercise that right.

May God Bless America.

A Month of Thankfulness - November 2

 When I came downstairs early this morning, I was greeted by an amazing sunrise outside the dining room windows.  Even though it was cold (around 30*), I pulled on my gray Columbia fleece jacket over my pajamas, opened the door, and ran out to the end of the drive that goes into the garage for some pictures.

 

I am thankful....for beautiful sunrises.  God's handiwork.  Wielding His paintbrush across the sky.

Showing that HE is in control. 

And I am so thankful that I was awake and downstairs early enough to see it---and be able to capture pictures of it.

Now...sunrises captured in pictures taken on my phone don't always do those colors justice.  But today---the colors seemed to pop and the vividness of the oranges, red, pinks, and blues was absolutely gorgeous.

 

Today, once again, I am thankful for God and His presence in our lives.  Sunrises are gentle reminders that He is indeed with us, that He is in control, and that He cares.

Sometimes we just have to open our eyes and see what He is doing---and be observant enough to catch the beauty when He shows it to us!

 

Because 10 minutes after I went outside, the sky changed.  The colors shifted, and soon the sun did peek above the horizon.  

To be able to catch the beauty is very special, and I sometimes feel like when I do capture it, God is speaking to me and reminding me that He is in control.

 

A Month of Thankfulness - November 1

 I am trying something different ---- pinpointing something or someone that I am thankful for each day this m month.  

Think I can do it?

November 1 - I am thankful that God is my savior.  I have always been thankful for that, but lately this seems to be first and foremost in my mind often.

First of all, I know that He is in control of my life.

Second, I see that He works in not only big items, but in small things that most people wouldn't notice.

Today I trust Him to  take care of us, meaning Gary and me, our family, our extended family, our country, our leaders, our world, this virus, everything.

The election scares me so much.  I fear what will happen if Trump is elected again --- how much more can this country endure of the Democrats fighting him on everything that he tried to do?  I fear what will happen if Biden is elected.  He seems very incompetent to me, and if what 'they' are saying will happen actually does, that he be forced out of office and replaced by his vice-president, then I fear what will happen to our country and the principles it was founded upon.

So I repeat.  I am thankful that God is my savior.  I know that whoever is elected, that ultimately God is in control.  He is the one in charge.  And I am thankful for that.

ETA on Monday - Hilary and Landon are quarantined because the teacher that Hilary works with tested positive.  Landon was in the room for 15 minutes one morning so he is quarantined also.  Neither have symptoms and we hope and pray that they don't.