An Outing!

 1/29/2020

Look I started my blog BEFORE noon. I'm very proud of myself.

Yesterday, Stacey and Benjamin came to visit. I don't get a lot, or most of the time, visitors. And, this is particularly true now with the virus.

It was wonderful to see both of them. Benjamin came prepared to do his homework. Stacey and I went to Michael's to look for a different shadow box, for the gift she gave me at Christmas. The predominant color of the shadow box and frame were white. When looking for a new box, we decided that black was a better option. Took it home, Stacey put the Unicorn picture.made out of very colorful ribbons, that were either twisted or arranged carefully for the Unicorn's mane. 

While we were at Michael's, I told Stacey that I had bought a Diamond Dotz kit of a butterfly. When I bought it four years ago, Bella was a puppy. And, a puppy that believed, everything in the house was hers for taking. Long story short, she had taken the butterfly kit to the backyard. Luckily, she only chewed on the box; but, somehow she managed to get out of the tools needed to make the butterfly. This kit has set in a spare room for all these years.

While we were shopping, she and I came across a Dotz card with hearts. It's small, and had enough time to show me how to put on these, I guess you could call them dots, on the card. My hands shake a bit, so the placement of the dots was difficult. I could get the dots on the card, but Stacey had to use her fingers, to move the dots into their correct position.

Before Stacey left for home, she took care of hanging up some pictures that I had received at Christmas. So, my unicorn picture and my raggedy Ann and Andy picture, are now in their proper place. Now, the only thing I would like to hang in my office, is a bulletin board, where I could place the bits and pieces of artwork from Benjamin and my sister. My sister is now making beautiful pictures, so as one of her gifts in her "sister" box, was a large box filled with colored pencils, oil, chalk, a set of water colors. It was a good gift for her, and I have been rewarded with some of her pictures - and they are beautiful!

It's winter back here, but last year, we only received a dusting, not the "foots" that Scott likes. The forecast shows snow on Sunday and Monday, with perhaps an accumulation of somewhere between 3 and 5 inches. Of course, in a blink of the eye, the weather could move into a different direction, and we won't get snow. 

Scott has a plow attachment for his tractor. He was nice enough to bring up his snow blower, which will make clearing the driveway much easier. 

Because there is talk of upcoming snow, the stores where Jeff shops, will likely be madness. If, we couldn't get to the store, for the most part, we'd be fine. We have water, it comes from our faucet, toilet paper, and plenty of food in the big freezer. If, per chance, we ran out of milk or eggs, we wouldn't go hungry. And, the gas log fireplace, which also has a blower, will make the den very, very warm. Sometimes, too warm. You can get drowsy if the fireplace is on! Bella and Daisy both give the fireplace a rating of 10 out of 10. Their only problem, which they are able to work out, is who gets the best spot in front of the fireplace.

Since I'm not in front of the fireplace, and it's very cold outside, I want to get my chores done, so that I can return back to the den!

Jeff and I have appointments to get our vaccines, but likely will still have to stand outside, for our turn. If, we do have to stand in line, then I'll stay in the car, while Jeff waits. I'm physically not able to stand for a long time. And, the stories I read about, say that just because you have an appointment, doesn't mean you'll still have to wait. To me, this makes no sense. We are at the stage where people 65 and older, are supposed to get their shots. Somehow, I believe that there will be other people in line, who are definitely over the age of 65. Once we get our shot in a few weeks, I can report how long, we would have to wait in line. And, it's cold back here at the moment. 

When the nights are super cold, we don't use more blankets. Nope, we just pull up a dog or two, between us, and they give off a lot of heat.

Remember to do the right things. Perhaps, before the end of the year, most of us will have had our shots. Although they say, we will still have to wear our masks.

See you on Monday.

P

I'm Back

 1/27/2021

In case you're wondering, if I have wandered off, I haven't. I can give you a myriad of excuses, but I won't. For several days this week, I was busy with doctor appointments. Secondly, I couldn't seem to come up, in my tiny brain, anything much to write about.

We had our first "snow" this week. I guess you could call it that, but it turned out to be just a dusting. Boring. Since Jeff and I don't have to worry about getting to an office, and the boys are now grown, we wouldn't mind some countable amount of snow. Forecast says that we will have some snow, possibly next week. Since Scott has a tractor with a blade attachment for pushing snow around, he gave Jeff his snow blower. And, that means, we'll probably not need it! If we do get snow, we are prepared. Lots of food in the house, and we also have "Jenny" our whole house generator. Haven't really needed it, since it was installed, but I'm sure that there will be a time when Jenny will be more than useful. 

Yesterday, the Veterans came and picked up my six bags of clothes (don't tell Jeff, because there are still a lot of my clothes in the closets. Mind you, even knowing that, doesn't stop, my, desire to want new clothes. Every woman does, it's just in our DNA!

I've done some research, because I wanted to know how much these "reality" people are paid. The people on the show "Alaska Last Frontier", get paid $1,500 per episode, boy I would like to earn that much money. One of the brothers on the show, Otto, has a net worth of $4 million dollars. There's a lot you can do with that kind of money. It's also true that you are in front of the camera for most of the day, while doing their chores. 

On the show "Gold Rush", Tony Beets is worth 15 million dollars. Two of the other "stars" on this show get $25,000 per episode. Perhaps, Jeff and I should take up mining for gold! We  haven't had any success playing the lottery, partly because we don't buy tickets! Hard to win, if you don't play.

It's cold here in my office, so I'm heading back to the den and the cozy fireplace.

Finally, Jeff and I have vaccine appointments in February. Because of our age, we are finally getting vaccinated. I know, still wear masks, etc., but it will make us feel one step closer to having protection.

Stay well and stay safe.

P

It's Sunny Outside

 1/22/2021

We're ending the week, with a lot of sunshine, and a beautiful blue sky. This is the kind of weather, that fills me with optimism. 

The weatherman last night, said something about the "S" word - snow. Since Jeff and I seldom leave the house, having snow, wouldn't affect us at all.

Actually, truth be told, since we had little or no snow last winter, I think that it might be nice to have some of that white stuff on the ground. Since I'm retired, I no longer have to listen to the recorded message: closed, partially close, open, etc. When the boys were younger, and I worked for two attorneys, their snow days were spent at the office with me. Binder clips were never so organized! Later, I would put the things they organized, back in their original place. But, they were able to play outside, and come inside, when they were cold. Best of both worlds for Scott and Andrew. And, for me as well.

Nothing strikes terror, for a parent, to be told that schools were closed. Arrgh. You took the day off, with vacation days, if you still had them, or lose a day or two without pay.

Eventually, the boys were old enough to stay in the house by themselves. We live at the top of a hill, so sledding was a lot of fun for them. Just be aware of traffic at the END of the street!

For the most part, the boys were okay with staying home by themselves. But, there was once an incident, where the boys wanted to go outside, but they had a fire going in the den. Before they went outside, I told the boys to remember to shut the glass doors. What I forgot to mention, is that you couldn't just close those doors while there was a small fire still going. I'm at fault, for not telling them to keep the doors open. The result? After the doors were closed, all of the glass, exploded, more or less. I got the call, because it seems always easier to talk to Mom. There was glass everywhere. When Jeff and I both were home, all of us started picking up the pieces. This always entailed removing glass from the gaskets that surrounded the fireplace. Happy to report, that eventually, we found most of the glass, except for the very little pieces. Naturally, when the glass doors were replaced, that occurrence never happened again. The boys had learned a lesson that day, and one they would never forget.

Once the boys left home, and it was up to Jeff to bring in the wood, and keep the fireplace going. It was a lot of work, as well as being messy. Solution? Use natural gas, to stop and start fires. It's wonderful to just press a button.  Downside? There is no woodsy smell, but there is also no embers popping out onto the carpet. 

When Jeff does his weekly shop, and I no longer go along, he sees plenty of shoppers filling their carts with water. I don't know where they live, but here at home, the tap water is perfectly fine to drink. The boys also know, that if their running out of food, there is always food in our house!

I know the time of this blog, wasn't early in the morning. But I have to watch at least one loop of news. Bad as it can possibly be.

Stay safe, get vaccinated when it's your turn.

P

Yesterday

1/21/2021

I didn't blog yesterday, because I was busy watching the inauguration pretty much all day. Though, I absolutely needed to do more than just sit on my bottom all day, I couldn't. Yesterday was a day in history, like no other, that most of us, was excited to see the new administration. Apologies if you don't like the new President, in the White House.  

For me, I felt like it was a new beginning. And, heaven knows, that a change for our country was overdue. (sorry, if you don't happen to feel this way). But, know that it's okay.

We have a Tivo that records our television shows, basically so we can skip the commercials. I had the Tivo set up to record all of the events of yesterday. This way, I could skip forward if I had already seen a particular subject, earlier in the day.

I do hope, in time, that the Vice-President will soon not be described as a first black and Asian woman. Okay, all of us, have heard this description of the Vice-President, during the campaigning, etc. But, enough is enough. I find it more exciting that we have a woman Vice-President. That, in of itself, is going to be a major part of our history.

Today, I'm planning on doing something. What that might be, is still rattling around in my head.

I hope that you will get your vaccination soon. Even if you have, we still have to remember our safety issues - masks, etc.

Have a great day.

P

 

 

Bachelor or Bacelorette

 1/19/2021

I have certain television shows, that I watch every episode, they are that interesting. To me, but perhaps not you.

Years ago, I started the Bachelor and Bacelorette (I think that's the correct spelling). With these shows, they remind me a little bit of a Danielle Steel's books. Beautiful woman (or women), and a handsome man, or men.

Right now, it's the ladies turn. The single man, who they are all trying to spend as much time with, as possible. This is predicted, and I wonder how much is scripted?

In turn, the women are always gorgeous, have a full wardrobe of beautiful gowns/dresses to wear. There are group dates (ugh), as well as one-to-one dates. Of course, the women want a solo date, because if you think 3 is a crowd, imagine yourself with possibly 18 or 19 contenders. To make yourself visible, you have to be outgoing, brazen, and there is always one of those, and I could go on and on.

The goal for either show, is to become engaged. As the number of contestants decreases, the contestants who are left, really start to ratchet up individual time with the bachelor or bachelorette.

After all, if the "x" person doesn't really see you, amidst the other woman/man, then your chances of getting a ring, are slim. You know, that at the end of the show, there is always an engagement, with a diamond ring, the size of Texas (not really, but it's definitely big). Of course, the person at the end of the show, always says yes. Looking at the numbers, only 6 couples married and remain married. That's not a really big number. Perhaps, some couples buy into the world of fantasy, where Unicorns live. Ah, but reality starts to set in. He/she lives on one side of the country, and the other person generally on the other side. Does somebody have to give up their home and their job, to follow someone they have only spent several weeks together. Touch decisions. And, by the numbers, you can see that not many couples stay together. When you live with, or marry, your worlds are turned upside down. 

I've had a thought about these shows lately. What would happen if the contestants were not quite as attractive, and/or perhaps a isn't the size of a twig. Would people really watch a show about "normal" people. Perhaps, by watching such a show, it would connect with the rest of the population. That's a pipe dream, and ain't gonna happen.

SWITCHING GEARS

Tomorrow, all channels, will be broadcasting all day and even into the evening.  Our favorite channel is CNN. I don't know if it's the best place to get your news, but we enjoy the commentators. I'll set our Tivo to record the goings on for the day.

It's going to be an inauguration, the likes of which, I hope to never experience again. Thanks to the insurrection on the 6th, Biden will not have the opportunity to walk on Pennsylvania Avenue. And the hand-off from Trump to Biden, isn't going to happen either. But, for me, that's okay.

Tomorrow, will not only be a new day, but a day full of optimism, for most Americans.

I'll stop now. I probably won't blog tomorrow, because I'll be watching all of the activities.

Even, if you have been vaccinated, they say that you should still do the usual, as we have done for most of last year.

P 

  

What Might Happen In The Future

1/15/2021

After that horrific protest last week, makes me wonder what, if anything, else is likely to happen in the coming days. The news people continually say that it's possible for more protests, in other cities, in the coming week. When is enough, enough? For me, last week was enough. The intrusion of people storming the capital was very scary. I'm not feeling very optimistic about the future days. And, that's not a good feeling, I assure you.

I wonder what the protestors are hoping to accomplish when they invade government buildings. The election is over. Biden won, and there is nothing more to say about that. It's called reality, and sooner or later, everybody, will hopefully adjust to the new administration.

In the meantime, Jeff and I are watching endless news shows. I'm not sure why we do this, because for the most part, the news doesn't usually change from one newscast to another.

The FBI, has warned Governors in all states, to be aware and prepared for a possible attack in their cities. Oh, please let us go back in time, when things weren't so bleak. 

At this point in time, I'm glad I don't have children. What would I say to them about last week? It's hard enough to talk to them about the virus and the absolute necessity to wear masks, when they are not at home.

And, of course, the virus continues to spread. When I looked at the protest last week, almost nobody was wearing a mask. So, it stands to reason, that there is a possibility, that the numbers of people who have the virus, will rise. I'm scared, I'll admit, which is why I almost never leave the house. Why go shopping, when you don't really have to go. Jeff shops once a week, while I remain at home.

I don't know when Jeff and I will receive our vaccination. Some states say, anybody over the age of 65. While for other states, you must be over 75. I have signed on with the county, so that they will send an email to us, letting us know when it's our turn. And, it can't happen soon enough. I know, that we'll have to continue to wear masks, and this will be okay, because it's become normal.

When you leave the house, you have to have the essentials, like wallets or a purse, but more often than not, I get in the car and realize I don't have a mask. Grrr. Before I go back inside, I check the pocket in the car, and sure enough there is more than one, inside the car. Obviously, I should take those masks and hang them on a hook on the back door. Yet, I don't.

I remember, and perhaps you do as well, that years ago, Coke had a lovely commercial, "It's the real thing". As far as commercials go, this one is near the top of my list. As for my number one favorite commercial, it goes to Budweiser with those beautiful horses.

So, there you have it, as I wrap up another week.

Enjoy your weekend, and stay safe.

P

 

  

 

Just Another Day

 1/14/2020

My morning, like many others, just seems to slip away from me. This may happen to other folks that are retired. For all the years, that I, and perhaps you as well, heard the chirp of an alarm clock. How I hated the sound. These days, we only occasionally have to set the alarm, thank goodness.

As regular as a clock, I shared my breakfast with the morning news. It's a wonder that I don't get indigestion! But, with all the news that is occurring right now, I absolutely feel the need to stay current. Once I've turned off the news, if Jeff asks me what's going on in the country, I have almost zero recall! Sad, but the truth.

Trust me, I have done and continue to do, crosswords, word search and an on-line jigsaw picture. I do some, if not all, of these things every day. I took a "mental" test through AARP, and my score was 27 percent, out of 100. Not too good.

I am holding my breath, that there aren't any more protests, such as the one from last week. I feel so sorry for the National Guard. They walk the perimeter of the Capitol, night and day. If I had to do this, I probably would fall asleep standing up! But, because this isn't their first rodeo, they are probably used to standing by, and waiting. All of the National Guards have powerful weapons, and I believe, not afraid to use them. What a sad state of affairs for this country. Oh, how I miss the 60's, minus, of course, the Vietnam War.

Sadly, I understand how we got here. And, I hope with the new administration coming in next week, that the madness will stop. That maybe, wishful thinking on my part, but I'm hoping for the best. 

I have plenty of time to organize things. The closet clean up was very successful. My main closet (doesn't everyone have this?), is now sorted primarily with all the clothes, in one place. I have long sleeved tops, short sleeves, and the list just goes on and on.

With organizing running through my veins, I decided yesterday to go through the cabinet above the stove. Most of the time now, I never think of the consequences of my action. I was standing on a chair, and you already know what likely happened. Yup, I stumbled a bit and fell down after the chair, I was using toppled over. And your highness fell with it. Because of good bones, I didn't break anything, but I do have a very, very big bruise on one leg. You would think that I would do more reasonable things, around the house, but you'd be wrong. Part of my frustration, on a daily basis, is what I cannot do or should not do. And, of course, I can't even begin to explain to Jeff, why I continue to do stupid things. 

After I blog, then I go to Facebook, or Google, to see what interesting new things have happened overnight. I particularly like to read, anything about the Royals. While they for sure don't live like we minions do, but  they do have rules to follow. How, I would like to have somebody make up my bed every morning, and bring me tea, when I'm thirsty.

So, the maid in this family, does make the bed every morning. I don't want to go to bed at night, and see rumbled sheets and blankets. Just a quirk of mine.

I hope that you are going to get your vaccine shot very soon. Jeff and I are waiting our turn, but will be one of the first in line, when it's time for us to do so.

More tomorrow.

P