Thank You for Your Service and Sacrifices

God Bless America!

Just a Funny

Thanks to I Can Haz Cheeseburger

I can think of a few people for that list.

Stay safe!

The Questions We Ask and Are Asked, and How I Am Feeling About the General State of Things.

How are you?

Staying safe?

Are you being careful?

Have you been around anyone who is sick? 

Have you traveled?

And here are some answers:

Coping, but I think doing okay.

Trying to.  Wearing a mask, gloves, staying in.

Not that I know of, but there are supposedly so many people with no visible symptoms.

No.  Have not gone anywhere that hasn't been related to medical needs, food, or necessary appointments.
. . . . . . . . . . . .

I am greatly disappointed in the number of people who have a total disregard for others and do not wear masks, who gather in large groups, and who don't follow safety rules. 

I had a burst of braveness and wanted some fresh fruit.  I thought I'd try the open air farmers' market this morning.  While driving there I saw so many people out running, walking, biking, sitting together on benches.  NONE of them were wearing masks or taking any precautions.  At the market there were marks on the floor for distancing and plexiglass shields at the checkouts.  I put on my mask and gloves, got what I wanted and was back in the car in under ten minutes.  Mask wearing was about 50% for the other shoppers.  I stayed away from those without masks.  When I got home I scrubbed my hands, used our sanitizing spray, wiped the car door handles and buttons.  Also wiped the card I used and my drivers license.  And now I am in for the day.

For many years, I believe since 1996, on Memorial Day weekend we are traveling to Myrtle Beach for the Military Retirees Golf Tournament.  It's a wonderful week to visit with friends, sit and look at the ocean, and for Les and his buddies to play some golf.  This year that is not happening.  The tournament has been postponed until November as of now; subject to future changes if needed.  Actually, about now, we would be having some lunch at our favorite stop, then checking in to our condo, and then getting groceries to get ready for the week.  And once all  unpacked and things put away, we would go to our friends' home and have a wonderful time with them.  I miss all this.  And I know Les does, too.  I would also be looking forward to taking some pictures like this during the coming week.

These pictures are from previous years taken from our balcony.

Stay safe and remember that life is still great.  Things will get better.  And God Bless America!

Updates

Well.......... Virginia has started to open some things up.  The pictures on the newscasts and in the paper show people out and about, in groups, laughing and not wearing masks or taking any precautions.  The number of Covid-19 cases in the state is rising.  I would be willing to bet - if I was a betting person - that there will continue to be more cases.  Some people are just STUPID!

And since I mentioned stupid people, here is a new pet peeve:  Why does the paper and the TV news keep showing all these people not wearing masks, or showing some of the ones that are wearing them wrong???  You need to cover your nose and mouth, people!  I realize that sometimes the things slip down and you can't help it, but these are folks that are on camera.

We continue to try to be careful and safe.  If we do go out to pick up groceries or take-out orders, we wear masks, and if appropriate, gloves.  And we wash up when we get home.

It got warm enough here that we turned the A/C on.  It might get turned off today.  After being around 90 for a couple days with higher humidity, it is only in upper 60's today, going to rain later and for the rest of the week, and cool off even more.  Some of that rain  might be from the early storm "Arthur" but we are not supposed to get a direct hit.

Our calendar is pretty much empty as usual for the coming week.  The quarterly pest control visit is Tuesday morning to continue the battle against ants and spiders.  And we have a grocery pick-up scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Our girls are doing okay and are coping.  Families are well as of last reports.

My mood has been a little bit all over the place but is better now.   To put it simply, some days I am just "verklempt".

The restrictions on the bases are loosened just a little and retirees are now allowed on base on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.  Along with the lightening of restrictions, the golf course on base is going to reopen next Friday.  Many new rules and precautions will be taken.  I will let you know if Les gets to play then. 😊

Several businesses are filing for bankruptcy.  Penney's is one of those.  Penney's used to be pretty much the only place I shopped years ago.  Then they changed management and started carrying really trashy things and stopped carrying popular good quality items.  I saw their problems coming for a long time.  To be honest, there isn't anything I would buy right now that would make me go to a mall anyway.

So here we are.  Stay safe, take care of yourselves.  Remember that life is great!  And God Bless America!

P.S. Here is something cute to think about.  Jacquie sent us this bug list that Cutie Girl made.  She and Little Miss E like to go bug hunting in their yard, so Cutie Girl made a checklist.  Looks like they did pretty good!  And yes, our sweet little girls have no problem at all with hunting bugs, worms, and whatever!

Just Hi!

I hope everyone is doing okay and continuing to be careful.

Les and I are doing alright here.  It was a rough time and we miss Cecil.

Our weather is gradually warming up again.  Les has gotten the yard work done and I got out to tidy up the mulched areas.  I discovered what looked like a maple tree a couple feet tall growing up through the big azalea out front.  Couldn't pull it up so I cut it off below ground level and will watch for it to come back.

We picked up our grocery order on Tuesday.  Some substitutions were made, mostly regarding sizes of things.  We now have enough frozen fruit to last us for months.  (I had asked for the small bags and we got the biggest ones)  That is better than getting none.

I've been doing some small chores around the house and keeping up with things.  Yesterday I cleaned areas of the carpet with the Bissel spot scrubber. 

We are staying in and trying to be careful.  Some things will reopen here in Virginia this weekend.   Our family in Ohio is adjusting to things opening up there.  P is excited to have a hair appointment.  V is extremely upset because she called for an appointment and found out her lady had retired and did not tell her.  And while I really need a trim, I am waiting a while here to see how things go.

Pam says they are okay at her house.  She's been planning things to keep the kids busy this Summer. 

Jacquie says they are okay at her house and coping.  It's hard for the little ones to understand about all the changes.

A little work is slowly getting scheduled for our bathrooms' project.  Good thing we aren't in any hurry.  As much as I would like it to all be done and everything cleaned up, I would rather be safe!

So, life remains good.  Stay safe and take care of yourselves.  God Bless America!

p.s. and here is a picture representing the "new normal".  The sanitizer was just delivered. 😊

Just Some Things

Stay safe, people.  Be careful, wear your masks and gloves, keep distancing.  Watch out for Covid-19.  Watch out for murder hornets. There was snow in Ohio last week, and now there is a possible hurricane forming in the Atlantic.  Remember life is still good.  God Bless America!

Goodbye, Sweet Boy

Yesterday was a day when we had to make a tough decision.  We knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier.  Our sweet Cecil had been diagnosed with kidney disease in January; no cure.  We had brought him home and gave him a few more months with lots of love.  But his health declined and he took to hiding and not eating.  He was fourteen.  We miss him.  He always loved when we got the Christmas decorations and trees out.  Rest well, sweet boy.  💕

Hope You Are Having a Nice Day

And happy day to all mothers!

My wonderful daughters sent me great gifts!  Wish I could give them each a couple hugs.

From Jacquie:

Already tried this and it is delicious!

From Pam:

Already hung up so I can see from my chair!

Thanks girls!  Les and the furry boys got me a gift card, new pajamas, and the "Cats" movie.  I love you all!

Stay safe!

"Stuff"

It seems like a lot  has been happening since I last posted.  Sorry, this might be a long one.  😊

Our bathroom renovations that we started planning at the beginning of the year have been "on hold" for a while for a couple reasons.  I am now "up and functioning" better and some companies are starting to carefully start working again. We recently got phone calls from two of those companies.

One call resulted in us gearing up with our masks and gloves and driving down to Portsmouth to look at granite slabs.  Nice drive down on I-64 and back on Rt. 17.  Got us out of the house.  We were there about ten  minutes, looked at two slabs and both liked the same one.  We knew going in what color we wanted to match the kitchen granite.  So that is done, and sometime soon someone will schedule to come and measure.  The new cabinet for the smaller bathroom should be finished soon.

And we got a call from the company about the new tub and surround.  They came yesterday and we have that all done.  Looks nice!

We both agree there is no hurry on this project, so we are not stressing.  I think next will be our guy coming to do the drywall work that is needed.  Then the new cabinet, sink, faucets, and counter-top installation. Somewhere in there our electrician will come and do his thing.  And finally our painter will come.  The master bath is getting new counter top, sinks, fixtures, and getting painted.

Both toilets in the house decided to act up and we had a plumber come and fix them.  That required two expensive trips, but all is well now.

Also on our calendar recently was a trip to Acura for Jadzia's (our TLX) annual safety inspection.  She passed, but needed an alignment.  Don't know why.

We had our annual termite inspection and nothing "of concern" was found.  Always good news.

And now I'll tell you about my PT.  Bon Secours InMotion decided they needed to do some restructuring.  I had been going to the very nice location I have used many times next to our YMCA.  The "Y" is closed now.  InMotion was combining sites and patients had to move to other locations.  They decided to close my place.  I was told I would have to go to the hospital site if I wanted to continue with the therapist I like.  I was assured even stricter safety precautions would be taken and I would be just as safe there as I felt at the "Y" location.  Sadly, this was not the case.  On the first visit there, Michael, my PT, was the only one cleaning, wiping equipment, and using the hand sanitizer.  The space is smaller, and there were more patients scheduled, so that means more people in smaller place, and not all wearing required masks!  One therapist had her mask hanging down under her chin.  I was not happy.  So on the second visit there, and final  one, I talked to Michael and we decided I was improved enough that I could continue my exercises at home on  my own and call him if I needed help with anything.  He tested me on a few things and I passed.  I would have liked to finish up with him, but it is what it is.  Hopefully the "Y" location will reopen. 

I really need a haircut!  But that will not be happening any time soon.

Our calendar looks pretty open for the coming week, but who knows?? 

Jacquie and Jordan are feeling better, but still have some lingering symptoms.  We are still social distancing.  The rest of the family are still okay.  Pam says they are good at their house.  Our family in Ohio is doing okay, but V was furloughed from her job.  She is doing okay, but that has been stressful for her. 

Governors are starting to open some things up and get some businesses open.  That's fine - and necessary - but I am not at all ready to go out and about among a lot of people.  Les and I will continue to try to stay safe.

We had a lovely sunny rain a couple evening ago.  Always nice to have a rainbow to smile at!

Stay safe, be careful, remember life is great!  And God Bless America!

May the 4th Be With You!

Stay safe!