New Year and Blessings

 12/31/2020

Good-bye 2020. Hello 2021. Actually, I should have used more "descriptive" words to describe this hell on earth, we've had to endure this year.

Jeff and I never make it to midnight on New Year's Eve. We do stay up a bit longer than usual. But, when we wake on the 1st, nothing much will have changed, unfortunately.

We will have a new President in January. I have high hopes for this administration. I'm also looking forward to the time when Jeff and I are eligible for the vaccine. With the new strain of virus out there, I've told Jeff that I'm not going to go to the house, with a few exceptions. Shopping at WalMart is not an exception for me.

To further guard against the virus, I bought a face shield for myself. You wear a regular mask underneath, but I believe it's better protection for me. 

As the new year begins, I'm not going to make any resolutions. Nobody keeps them anyway.

Instead, here is what I'm grateful for: 

Jeff and I have a home that we can afford.

We have plenty of food - even though we might not like all the food in the freezer. If we defrosted it, I still don't think we'd find Jimmy Hoffa!

Physically, for the most part, are healthy. My mental health is what it is. Can't change it, even though I do crossword and jigsaw puzzles every day, in an effort to keep my brain from becoming worse.

Pay for medicine as well as my psychiatrist (who I can't live without).

The possibility of giving hugs to family members. And, being able to get all the families together again. Zoom is fine, but it's absolutely nothing like the "real thing". 

When I watch on the news, the amount of people who are in line to receive food donations. Seeing this many people, who are hungry, that have little or no income. This makes me very sad. How did we get here? We know how we got here. Things have to get better soon.

My wish for you and yours, is a great and wonderful New Year. Blessings on all of you.

I'm taking a rest from blogging, starting tomorrow. But, I'll be back next year!

P

 

Politics

 12/30/2020

Guys, we are just days away, for a New Year to start. I, can't wait. Nor, can I wait for the new administration to take over. This year, when we look back in time, will for most of us, dredge up bad memories.

I watched the news this morning, as I do every day, and CNN showed a line of cars, in just one city in Texas, where there were multiple lines of people who need food. I, personally, think that it's horrible that so many people are in need of food. An adult can, if need be, go without food, much better than putting hungry children at night to bed. 

I did my usual research, and found that 26 million people are in need of food donations. How did we get this way? 

And, where and when are people going to get a stimulus check. Giving people, who need it, a measly $600. All of us know, that the $600 is just a drop in the bucket. For me, (no hate mail please) as someone who in my first marriage, was occasionally hungry, my sympathy goes out to the millions of people, who are in need.

In general, I believe that the politicians, who work for us, cannot even begin to imagine what it's like to be unable to pay the rent, buy food, and are in need of a job, among other things. 

I know that there are people in Congress, sitting in their respective houses, who have not really felt the aftermath of the virus. Do they even understand? A stimulus check for $2,000 will be helpful to the people, who need it. But, that can't happen until the folks in Washington, get their respective acts together. How much longer, will it be, before a check, of any amount, is approved. 

I, personally feel blessed that Jeff and I, don't have to wait in a line for food. Or need any other assistance. 

This year, and it's ending this week, have our fingers crossed, that 2021 will be better. It just has to be.

As we wait for our turn to be vaccinated, we are still practicing all the necessary protective things we need to do, to stay healthy.

Climbing off my soap box now.

Be safe.

P

Happy New Year Everyone

 12/29/2020

Just a few more days, and then we can kiss this awful year good-bye. We'll have a new President, and with the help of vaccines, perhaps be able to finally get this virus under control. I certainly hope so, fingers crossed!

Jeff and I don't have a party to go to on New Year's Eve. There was a time when we would actually watch the ball drop. In the last few years, we're already sleeping long before midnight. When, on occasion, we stay up late, the "girls" look at us, probably thinking - hey why aren't we in bed?

As much as I love Christmas, and it is by far, my favorite holiday. I already have taken down my very minimal decorations. When Christmas is over, then, at least for me, it's over. Time to pack it all up, until next year. I know that makes me sound like Scrooge, but that's just how I operate.

The boys, for the most part, don't come to the house to visit. When Scott has a customer near us, he will pop in, for a few minutes, mostly to talk to Jeff. I don't have a problem with this, at least most of the time, because I am unable to speak geek!

My task today, if I choose to do so, is to get one of the spare bedrooms under control. The spare bed has a lot of clothes on the bed. Those clothes are sitting there, so that I can try them on. When I put on each piece of clothing, I have only three decisions to make:

That a piece of clothing is now way too big for me to wear. Actually, the more clothes I donate that are too big, is believing in my confidence, that I won't need these clothes in the future. I watch my weight very carefully. I weigh in the morning and at night. I know that's a bit much, but when you have lost a significant amount of weight (50 pounds), I want the scale to be my new best friend. 

Then I have clothes that are just a "tad" to tight, for me to wear comfortably. These clothes I save. It's possible, and I hope so, that they might fit, sometime in the future. 

And, finally have some clothes that are a bit too big, but not so big, as to donate them. For help with keeping my pants up, Jeff has ordered me a pair of suspenders. Wearing them, may set a new trend! But, I doubt it.

I'm also on the look out for clothes that I no longer like. Since my opinion isn't likely to change, in the future, into the donation box they go. At least I know, that there are many people who would be happy to have used clothing. I throw away any clothing that has stains, etc., I know that nobody wants this kind of clothing.

Looking out my window, the sky is blue, and no perception, at least for today.

I have already ordered my 2021 desk calendar. I like the ones where you rip off pages. And, believe me, there are lots of this kind of calendars on Amazon. 

Checking out now. More tomorrow.

P

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Is Over

 12/28/2020

Christmas is over, so it's back to work. Since Jeff and I don't celebrate New Year's Eve, because, frankly, we can't stay up that late!

But, even though we don't stay up, doesn't mean that we're not looking forward to 2021. Things just have to better than they were in this year. Fingers crossed.

We celebrated Christmas twice last week. We spent one evening at Andrew's house, then yesterday at Scott's house. We didn't miss anything. The food was wonderful, and the presents exchanged, made for a jolly good time.

For me, once Christmas is over, I take down my "decorations", if you can call them that. We have a tiny artificial tree in the den. Because I love the lights on the tree, I may leave it up all year.

Andrew, Stacey and Benjamin, gave me two gifts, that took me by surprise. You know, the kind of gift that takes your breath away. One of those gifts was a wonderful picture of Raggedy Ann and Andy. I also received a picture of a Unicorn (spirit animal), made from ribbon! I kid you not. The picture, is so elegant and filled with carefully folded ribbons. Not being creative at all, I can only imagine how much work and time was needed to do something this creative and beautiful! Since I have trouble just wrapping presents, there is no way that I could even begin to duplicate this picture! Happy to say that some of our presents were actually "wrapped" empty cracker boxes, and the like, was as well as other boxes like that. With packing tape, you can seal up interesting boxes! When Jeff saw one of the presents, he actually thought, for a minute that I was actually giving away his beloved crackers! 

So here's a little poem - original of course.

Christmas was here

And now it's gone

Time to relax, and 

do something fun

I have many choices

To choose from

I can read a book

Watch a gushy movie

Or perhaps just take a nap!

 

Our living room, no longer looks like Santa's workshop. As we went to each of the boys' homes, to celebrate Christmas with them, they will have to tend to do the getting rid of all the boxes and paper. For me, aIt's really good to be old! In my case, I'm older - no surprise there older and have mental problems, so nothing much is expected of me! And, for sure, that's a good thing. 

Both of the girls were very happy to see us last night, and we all stayed up until midnight. And, as usual, before we can actually go to sleep, we have to listen to Bella chewing on a bone. Think of it as a pacifier for her.

I hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday, and/or a small Christmas get together.

Jeff and I are more than ready to be vaccinated. The question is - will we have to wait until spring? I sure hope not.

Happy Monday.

P

 

 

 

 

Time's About Up!

 12/23/2020

Good morning friends. This likely to be the last "ramble" until after Christmas. 

My presents are "wrapped" more or less! I think  it's possible that there is perhaps two more gifts to receive from Amazon. 

For the first time in my life, I actually don't know what's going to happen with exchanging gifts, with the families. I guess we could do the drop off on driveways and then come home. And, if we do this, it will be, for all of us, the worst Christmas, in our lives. And, everybody will remember the year 2020, and absolutely not in a good way.

While watching the early news yesterday morning, that 16 people had already died, while they were on the air! Maybe I don't want to know where these people are. Since there is a new strain (I'm not sure that's the right word) in England right now, that they say is supposed to be 70% worse than our current virus.

I don't leave the house very often, generally just once a week, but I've decided to buy face shields for each of the families. When I was at the hospital, all the staff, wore masks underneath their face shields. I want to be doubly sure that I've done everything possible to protect myself, as well as others.

Jeff and I will be at home on Christmas, so I've put together a short list of things to buy. We'll eat ham rather than turkey, as well as some of our other favorite foods. And, then we can settle down to watch a movie or a football game. I'm flexible about what we watch. With the new television in the bedroom, I can now watch television while I'm in the bed. If, at some point, I fall asleep, no worries!

When Scott came over yesterday, he came bearing gifts. Wendy, had been making cookies, and she shared a variety of cookies with us. The cookies were delicious. Because of my love of all things sweet, I gave Scott the Christmas basket that we had received from out financial planner, that had all kinds of food goodies inside.

Without thinking last night, I left the bag of cookies on the butcher block. Before I got in bed, I remembered the cookies. Guess what? The bag wasn't in the kitchen. Shocker. I "ran" to the kitchen, but was too late, the bag was gone! I should have known better. Jeff went out in the yard, to retrieve the cookies that  Bella hadn't immediately eaten. Did Bella get sick because she ate chocolate? Nope. There was still a few cookies left in the bag that she hadn't gotten into. They are now back in the kitchen, where they should have been all along. And, happily, there were a few cookies left - yeah. When it's time to go to bed. Bella never comes upstairs right away. Nope, she's doing her evening walk about to see what she can or could find. She also loves paper plates and cups! The remains of which are destroyed and left in the basement.

If, I could mix Bella and Daisy into one dog, I would have a loving dog (Daisy) and a smart one, perhaps even too smart (Bella)! I've done the math, and if the girls live to be old, then there is a likely chance that the girls will likely be the last dogs we own.

I hope you're going to have wonderful weather on Christmas. Here, the high that day will be 32 degrees. Even, by Jeff's standards, that's cold. Thermal underwear cold!!

I actually think this morning is cold. And, I don't want to leave the fireplace. Unlike most other gas fireplaces, ours has a blower inside. When you turn the fireplace on, and leave it on, the den becomes really warm, perhaps even too warm!

I'll sign off now. I'll return next week, where I should have many things to write about.

Merry Christmas. And, don't forget to stay safe.

P

 

 

Just Stuff!

 12/22/2020

Hurry if you must. I suppose you could order something, and with the help and with $$$ of expedited shipping. But, that option will cost an arm and a leg.

I am waiting on two gifts, and both should arrive in the next day or two. My living room sofa, has been redecorated with all things Santa. 

I've put the girls in charge of this coming weekend. I told them to just tell Jeff and I where we need to be and when! I do want to tell you, how hard this is for me. I have been the "lead" on Christmas for over 40 years. It is hard on me to just let go. Not being in charge of anything, is necessary now. But, even factoring in my short memory, I know it's time. But that doesn't make it any easier for me.  Both Wendy and Stacey are more than capable of driving "traffic" if you will. I guess I should sit back and relax - they've got this.

In my just regular day-to-day activities, I can easily manage to screw things up. Sometimes, I can do this multiple times a day. I know I try Jeff's patience, and he's been quite good about telling me certain things over and over. As for me, I really try to understand, what I've been told, but I get tripped up with a brain that is, to say the least, compromised.

The news tells me this morning, that there is a variant in England, at the moment. When will we get a break? Apparently not, anytime soon. But, the news about this variant, has pushed me forward to buying face shields. Overkill? Perhaps, but definitely when we're around the family this week, I want to be double protected. As well as when we go to a store, and people aren't wearing their masks correctly. It's pretty simple really, be sure to cover your nose. 

I ordered 5 shields. Don't ask me why I didn't order 8, so that each family would have enough for the entire family. I have no idea whether Jeff will wear a shield. But, I've become paranoid about keeping myself safe. As well, as the rest of the families. I'm being smart, particularly, since Jeff and I really need and want to be able to celebrate Christmas with everyone.

Part of my pleasure in gift giving this year, is the way my gifts are "wrapped". I have put some gifts in cracker boxes. Somebody else, will get their gift in a box, that once held some treats for the girls. Not to worry, before I use a used box, I check that there is no odor, or evidence of something chewing on the corners of the box. So far, so good.

I had wanted to give away my completed latch hook pillow covers, etc. In actuality, I have been able to finish two kits. Perhaps, Jeff will take a picture of the,what's coming in the future! I should be done with all the kits by the year 2025! And, that's only possible if I get  back in my grove. In actuality, I don't even know where my grove went, but it has definitely gone somewhere. I don't think I'll wake up one morning and find that my short term memory, has returned. I know, that's not going to happen, but I try to be hopeful.

Stay safe, and get those presents wrapped.

P

 

 

Count Down

 12/21/2020

Friends, the end of the countdown toward Christmas has begun. I'm not sure, that if you ordered something on line, it would arrive in time. Unless, you pay an arm and a leg for expedited shipping, which is something I don't intend to do.

I am waiting for two more packages, that should arrive Tuesday. Do a quick wrap, and then take the box of Christmas paper, etc., back down to the basement, for another year.

I guess today, I'll take the presents I've "wrapped", and put them in the living room with a pile for each family. I say "piles", but perhaps I should have said "stacks". Giving Christmas presents, has always been my thing. Problem is, when I think I'm done, I find something else to buy. Way to break this habit, is to not keep searching! Easier said than done.

I know that one of my presents, is going to fit into an unused toothpaste box. Sounds mysterious - which is exactly what I'm going for.

Since I'm not in control of anything, at the moment, and likely never will be again, I have deferred all of the planning of the delivery of Christmas presents, to Stacey and Wendy. Basically, I need to be told where Jeff and I need to be, date and time, for sure. 

It's a gloomy, foggy day this morning. This kind of weather doesn't help my "SAD" disorder. Because I know this, I will take every possible opportunity to sit down in my office. I could even fold clothes in here.That assumes, of course, that I want to fold clothes! I don't.

When I heard that there was a new variant of the virus in England, my decision to buy a face shield, was something I felt I had to do. My plan is to wear this shield when I'm around any of the family.You wear a mask underneath, so you are double protected.

While watching the 9:00 news this morning, 16 people had already died today. When I go out, and it's certainly not often, I don't see anybody not wearing a mask. Are they using the masks correctly? The answer is no. You have to cover your nose people.

I know that the vaccine is being used, as I write. I suspect that Jeff and I will have to wait, before it's our turn. That shouldn't be much of a problem for us, since we, for the most part, leave the house once a week. But, that once a week trip, is shopping at WalMart. And what do we know about most people who shop at WalMart? Some of them, but not all of them, are the brightest. Of course, I am the obvious exception!! 

I'd love to stay and chat with you, but the few remaining chores I get to do, is folding clothes. I don't have to tell you how boring that is.

I hope all of you have a very good day today.

Stay safe.

P