Up early

I got up early to say "Good bye and drive safe." to Gail and Bruce.   Denny started on a project.  I worked on iheartmemories.   After lunch Joanna came and visited, Dave joined us.   Joyce and Brad came and then stayed for leftovers.   Nice night visiting.

Gail and Bruce bought #92

As I was getting up and around I looked out the screen door and saw Gail and Bruce bringing their Kayaks into their dock.  I headed out to see them and ran right into the screen door.  NOT MY FINEST MOMENT, but pretty much my life.  Denny had coffee on the deck and  I visited #93 within Gail.  They are buying the place for 2K and then planning to keep it about a year.  It was fun to look around with Gail and move a couple of tables. I went home to start to fix supper with the food Gail gave to me because they were leaving tomorrow.  Sautéed onions, garlic, Swiss chard stems made into a white sauce with Chicken bouillon and cream cheese. I listened to Audible.  AT 5:30 we ate out on the deck.  They went home to finish packing and we walked park looking at handrail ideas for out front door.  At night we sat on the deck and watched a movie on the computer.  Another nice day in the valley!!

Sunday Funday

I was up early to do devos and then went back to bed.  I stayed there while Denny made breakfast for himself and then we watched/ listened to church (in bed, for the second week in a row.  We went to the pool about 2, came back and at 4:30 we went to Roger and Jackie Andersons.  Nice time visiting and food and amazing 20 dresses she has made for her G Grand daughters.  SO pretty.

Fish fry

It is cleaning morning for Reals, so they came over for biscuits and gravy.  Gail,Joan, and Bruce stopped in and Brad and Joyce joined us.    I read in the sun and then worked on Iheartmemories.  Denny and I walked around the park and then went to Finchers.  Fay and Jerry fixed food for about 35 in the park:  fish, hushpuppies, french fries, coleslaw,  Mary Kay's dessert.  I invited Gloria and Dawn down and we ate on the deck.  Beautiful time together.

God's got this

New trailer in the park ... we have something to look forward to today!  I took my chair and sat and watched.  We got signed up for Marco Polo. I saw the VK girls' picture on Facebook and put it a sisters picture with it.  Gail invited us and Bransons for supper.  I made caprese with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese.  I didn't have balsamic vinegar so I made some from apple cider and honey and reduced it over heat.  Hurrah for google.  We had such a nice time eating in Gail and Bruce's screened in porch.

Goal: to clean the shed

Breakfast for Denny on the deck.  Gail and Bruce kayaked on the resaca.   We started cleaning the shed.  It was a good job to get done.  Consolidated the Christmas stuff down to 2 containers.  I took 4 loads of stuff to trash.  We chilled in the afternoon and went to Bill and Kathy's for supper at 5.  What a great meal.  Steak, foil potatoes, asparagus, and I brought a pasta salad.   Amanda posted this picture of them and so I added the sister picture.

Trasure found

Ok, we started  to clean the cupboards and Never suspected we would find a treasure.  Yes, buried deep in the bathroom lower cupboard was some toilet paper.  YES!!!!!  Two rolls.  What a treat!!! Denny said,,,," now we have enough to make it until the end of April!!!   We were so happy.  Then not a half an hour later Bill R. stopped by and gave as a 9 roll pack.  I mean we are abundantly blessed and will share with anyone reading this who stands in need.  :)  We straightened and cleaned the bathroom cupboards and freezer and pantry.  We invited Jan and Nick to come down to eat at 4.  Denny grilled burgers and we had broccoli (from the FM bag) salad.  it was fun to have them and eat out on the deck.  Gail and Bruce stopped by and shared dessert that Jan brought.

First time out of the park in 4 days

Gail and I went to the Farmer's market in Brownsville where we got a bag of vegetables thru the car window.  I should have taken a picture.  4 broccoli stems, 1 cabbage, 1 bundle of Swiss chard, cilantro, and Kale, 3 golden beets.  Judy cut Denny's hair.  Gail shared a package of yeast and I made  bun recipe then roasted the beets with rosemary from Miller's yard and garlic.

 

Home in B'ville

Relaxing morning.  I took 2 chairs to Leann's site to watch concrete drying (one for her and one for me).  My ranunculus are sending out small buds and I was tickled to see those buds.  In the afternoon we cleaned out cupboards and then went to the pool to relax.   After I received an encouraging text from Julie, I sent out a text to Kathy, Susan and Teresa and another group text to my SS class to keep daily cyber contact and encouragement for such a time as this.  After we came back from the pool we continued to clean, it is so good to get extra cleaning and purging done.   Condo resident Cyndy came for a visit at 8.  She leaves tomorrow and I invited her to chill on our deck at 8 as an incentive to getting her work done and then chill.  Lord, I pray for our country.  We are encouraged after listing to the President answer questions from the news force. 
 

At home

I got up and read during the night and then took Tylenol pm and stayed in bed until 10 am.  We listened to church via internet.  I read in the sun for a while, then Denny and I listened to the Presidents address from yesterday.  I am hoping that I can perhaps I can dig up some more ranunculus from Wild august.  Lord, guide me.

Cleaning and Brad is 64

  Reals get their house cleaned on Saturday morning and they don't like to be there when she cleans it.  Denny offered to fix breakfast and it was wonderful.   The hash browns had wonderful potatoes, onions, garlic, bacon and cheese.  Toast, OJ, Coffee,  Gail and group played pickle ball and she stopped over for coffee afterwards.   Then we went to look at Jim's trailer.  It really looks nice.  $3500 for the furnished trailer and about 350 a month for rent.  Plus insurance electricity etc.  At 5 we went to Bransons for Brads 64th birthday party.  Fun time Bransons, Hendersons, Reals, Finchers, and us.  We went to Real's fire pit.  

                                      

                                       

Wild August

Up and out the door about 7 to head to Wild August.  Jennifer had to cancel the farmer's market tomorrow and so she didn't need any flowers picked.  She has had pick-your- own from 5-9 pm Tuesday until tonight.  Jenn said the ranunculus were going to be disced thru next week.  I asked if I could try to dig some up and plant them in pots.  She said I could so I dug up about 15-20 plants.  That is such a pretty flower.   Jenn told me she got a call this am that Chick filet canceled their weekly order of 75 small table flowers that they have ordered for several years with them.  That was a sweet cash flow order that will be hard for her to lose.  She's not really sure how it will all work out.  I was really encouraged when I read what she had written on her Facebook account.  After I got home I talked Kathy into helping me me pot up some ranunculus.  It was fun.  Gloria, Dawn and Audry came by in a golf cart and we invited them on to the deck and gave them each a small vase of flowers.  After supper we went to the pool and hot tub.  We had a nice phone call from Mandy as she drove home from work.  AND a nice call from Missy before she headed off to school.  Lord, Please Keep My Babies Safe.

                                           

                                      

From Hannah Faith Whitney Unger

Hannah Faith Unger

8 hrs · 

Today we would’ve been getting ready to head out to western Nebraska for state wrestling. Silver lining...the boys haven’t needed to worry about staying in their weight class for awhile now. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

Somethings have obviously changed over the last couple of weeks some things remain the same. Like my calling to obedience to my Heavenly Father. In my actions, in my thoughts, in my words. That remains unchanged. My responsibility to be intentional with raising my sons to know the Lord. That hasn’t changed. Me being the wife to Shane that I’ve been called to be. That’s still the same. My calling as a daughter of the King to point others to the LORD God is still supposed to be my priority. Even if that’s by using this little device you are holding in your hand right now reading these words. God is in control. That hasn’t changed and He hasn’t lost sight of His children. So, yes, a lot has changed, but a lot hasn’t. So let’s not lose sight of our daily work, our daily spiritual disciplines. I don’t want to get to the end of this ordeal and realize I lost ground with my sons or I let character issues fester without addressing them in their lives and mine. I don’t want my relationship with my Heavenly Father to grow cold because I was so focused on what is happening in the world that I neglected Him.

So take comfort in this ever changing world we are living in that we serve an unchanging God. And we still have a lot of the same responsibilities. To grow more like Christ and point others to Him. I would like this weather to change back to yesterday’s weather though...going from 60 degrees to 20’s is more change then I’m comfortable with. 

Thoughts, Prayers, and THANKS to our Medical Front Line Warriors. 

One Vaxxed Nurse

5 hrs · 

Tonight is the last night that I’ll hug my kids goodnight or kiss my husband until god knows when. 

Community spread is now confirmed in my area and being an ER nurse means that the odds of being exposed over and over again are now a 100% guarantee. So I just wanted to talk to everyone stuck at home with your family, bored out of your mind and itching to get out. A little perspective is sometimes all you need to feel grateful for the things you have that others don’t. 

Starting with my shift tomorrow, I’ll come home from work through my laundry room door that leads to the outside. I’ll strip naked including shoes and put everything straight into the washing machine on sanitize mode. Ill use a Clorox wipe to clean anything I touched in the process. I’ll then take the towel that my husband has left for me and use it to walk to my master bedroom covered up. In there, a room that nobody else is allowed to enter after today, I’ll shower on hot. After my shower I’ll sanitize everything I touched again, then hand sanitize and get dressed. 

When I’m done with this process I’ll be able to sit in the family room 6 feet away from everyone I love, but not touch anyone- I’ll know I’ve been exposed. I’ll have been using the same single disposable face mask for minimum of an entire shift and I can’t be sure that the moisture from my breath didn’t render the mask ineffective. So I must treat myself as though I have it and am contagious. 

I’ll get to talk to my husband and kids from a safe distance, but I won’t get to touch anyone I love. I’m not a hugger, but I anticipate that the next few weeks are likely to bring days where I could really use a hug. I won’t be able to have one. It’s the only way I can protect them. 

If I’m hungry I’ll have someone fix me something on disposable dinnerware so that the worry of improperly sterilizing my utensils isn’t an issue. I’ll probably-scratch that, definitely- have wine out of a red solo cup as I answer a barrage of questions from my kids and try to ignore the look on my husbands face. I’ll probably have to assure my youngest for the millionth time, that mommy will stay safe. When that’s done, I’ll give the kids air hugs and wish them goodnight. When the kids go to bed I’ll be able to unload a little less censured to my husband- but the truth is, depending how bad it gets, I’ll probably lie a little. When exhaustion hits I’ll go to bed.....alone. In a room that nobody else can enter. 

This will be my life, every day. Even my days off (until those are no more) because I could be contagious before showing symptoms. So until this thing is gone, my reality will look a lot different. I’ll probably hug my co-workers because they are just as dirty as me, but at a time of heaviness, I won’t be able to receive the human touch of love from the people who love me most. For weeks, for months, who knows- that part is in the hands of the American public. 

So my ask of you is this, as you sit at home with your children on your laps snuggled up watching a movie- please end this thing quickly by not going out unless absolutely necessary. My arms stay empty every day that you don’t. I go to bed alone every day that community spread is still a thing. Stay home. Hug your children, sleep with your spouse, eat on porcelain plates, sip wine from a long stemmed glass and give thanks for the things that you can still do that some of us can’t. I’m doing my part. Please do yours.

Hanging out

I didn't sleep the best last night so I took a nap while Denny went to Walmart to get coffee with Gail. At 12:30 Mert came over and we sat outside under the car portand did the last lesson of the Bible study.  Such good words from the Bible to guide us in this trying time.

Last weekend the Mo. Johnsons visiting Minn. Johnsons 

looking the city over for a place to hang their hats and go to school.  

Lord, please guide them to a home/job/school/church where You can be glorified.

                               

Cassity Shae

March 16 at 11:56 AM · 

I think we need a pep talk. Many things that were said to me during my cancer journey have been resurfacing the last few days as very practical advice related to our current situation.

My nurse navigator would say (while going door to door at chemo giving pep talks to patients): "This is just one chapter in your life. You STILL have hopes, dreams, and a future."

My oncologist would say: "This is a marathon not a sprint."

People were SO incredibly kind, helpful, generous, and encouraging.

My life changed very quickly after diagnosis (within a week); my outings apart from work and treatment during that year were limited, particularly during the first five months. I developed a "new norm" and quite honestly, once I settled into that new norm, there were many things that I liked about it. I spent a lot more time at home...playing with my kids, watching movies, teaching them how to bake, etc. Right now amidst this pandemic, our lives and daily routines have changed drastically in just one week. We are facing a lot of uncertainty. We are developing new norms. 

So here is my advice for where we are right now with this pandemic: "This is just one chapter, but it's a marathon not a sprint. We still have hopes, dreams, and a future. Although that future is uncertain, it always has been; we are just more aware of that now. Living in fear and worry is a waste of precious time. Embrace the new norm. And most importantly, be kind, helpful, generous, and encouraging."

Nancy flew back to Madison

I went over with Nancy to Bruce and Gail's for pancakes.  Denny drove us 3 sisters to the airport around 9:30.  Nancy's plane left about noon.  We cleaned most of the morning and afternoon.  We went to the pool about 3:30.  I came home to talk to Mandy about 4:30.  She is on the front lines for medical care and is very concerned.  Lord, grant us wisdom for our activities and social contact for the next 3 months.

Progresso

I called Kathy W. to wish her top of the morning.  So good to visit.  I left with Bruce and Gail and Mert to go to Progresso.  Joyce, Brad, Fay and Jerry followed us there.  We got our toes done and then ate at Arthuros.  They headed back to the park, I stayed and met Kathy, Bill, and Denny who left the park after Kathy got off work.  Kathy got a massage while Denny got a foot massage and I slept in the massage chairs.  Kathy and I made a trip to the Duty Free before crossing the bridge.  We ate corned beef and cabbage at C&C before coming home.  

CV 19 changes

Well, no school at OABCIG.  So thankful I am here and not dealing with situations.  Lord, please be with those I live around and those I love who are  living their lives for Your glory.  Down here in RGV I read devotions in hammock and now I am on deck having coffee and attempting to catch up on a 4 day hiatus from my blog.  Sun and reading.  Denny spent the morning cleaning out the eaves on the car port.  Around 5 we went to C&C wings.  Then Gail and I played ponytail.  Fun day!!

Happy Birthday, Jason!!

Happy Birthday, Jason!!!  So glad you are in the family!!!  Much joy to you always.

                                              

Heading back to Brownsville

Up early and quiet time in the breakfast area.   We left for Brownsville about 9 and got home around 2:25 after filling Roberta's car with gas.  I was starving and dug into my left over potatoes and mushrooms.  Then I played pool with Gail, Bruce and 7 others.  Denny and Nancy fixed supper, it was amazing steak, grilled veggies, and toast.  We watched TV.  Nice to be home...

Shuttle tour

Once again I was up and heading out to the breakfast area around 6.  The shuttle trolley/van left at 10 am. from a nearby motel.    It cost $30 and made stops at all 17-20 places.   Pretty easy way to see lots of places.  Every 15 minutes a van came to pickup travelers.  We could leave our purchases on the van and the purchases would be taken back to the motel where we started.  I bought 4 pretty plastic plates and 3 dish towels.  I traveled mainly with K&J.  Fun time!  

Shopping

Up for coffee around 6.  I went down to the breakfast area in my sweats so I wouldn't wake others with my rambling around.   Five of us early risers went out for a walk: Joyce, Leann, Sharon, Linda and myself.  It is only about a 6 block walk to downtown where we will be shopping today.   We found a public restroom before heading back to the motel.  We all parked together and shopped along main street.  We met at an Italian restaurant for noon.  I had a great breadless pizza, which basically is just all meat toppings, veggies, and lotsa cheese baked and served on a plate.  AMAZING!!  Kathy, Joyce and I kept shopping.  Some of the fun things purchased were:  Cute comfortable navy sandal woven shoes,  Eye cream to reduce wrinkles, (I wish I had taken a picture of my sample trial "cause it really helped.), Pretty green pullover long sweater, pretty beige sweater, baby plastic bib.   In one store was a free Lone Star trial and in another store was a free pirignon trial.  Quite the extremes!!!  Free is good.  The other 9 gals were ready for a change of scenery and so they headed to a winery soon after lunch.  Joyce had an uber app and we took that to Wildseed Nursery.  CUTE fun place.  It is on the end of the shuttle tomorrow, but K&J were happy to go out there early for me.  I think it worked out well because we could pick out things were were perhaps interested in buying tomorrow at the end of the shuttle.   We took an Uber back to the motel and circled up the troops for a snack/cracker/nuts feast outside around the pool/patio area.  I also had my suit and went into the hot tub for a while.  Fun to sit and visit out in the dark with the patio lights and fire pits blazing.

                                      

Fredricksburg Texas

We left Four Seasons at 8.  Three cars each carrying 4 parkers.   I rode with Sally driving Roberta's car and Kathy.  We made a couple stops for gas/ coffee/McD and arrived in Fredericksburg around 2 to get settled in our rooms.  I am rooming with Joyce, Sharon, and Leann.  We went to Roberta’s +3 room and snacked and talked and laughed.  I had made guacamole and the sisters brought leftover crackers, cheese from their party.  At 5 we headed to a German restaurant, Altdorf for supper.  Great choice, good music, pretty mural,   Earlier in the afternoon as we sat on the bed visiting with others, Cheryl and I had tried to make arrangements, But we thought they wanted to go to Altstadt, so we made a reservation for 12.  The car drivers thought we were going to Altdorf, so that's where they drove  oh, well....  It made for a lots of laughs.  (AND they did not ask Cheryl and myself to plan ANY THING for the rest of the trip.)  

Back to room 126  before we all headed to bed. 

Boca Chico beach

Fun.  Lazy am.  We left for the beach about 12:30 and were out there until 4.   It was busy for Boca Chica beach.  about 15 cars along beach if you look north and 10 if you look south into the haze.  I don't remember if we did anything else after getting home, but I loved being at the beach and listening to the waves, with nothing else going on.  Thanks, Denny!!!

Lazy day with golf banquet

Slow am.  Walked around park.  Ordered flowers ... lots of flowers .... probably too many flowers.  We'll see, hope they grow.  Ranunculus are so pretty!!!  Just hoping they grow pretty for me.  AND that I have room for them in my (decreased area) flower garden.  Brecks,  Easy to Grow Bulbs, and Eden Garden.