Goodbye 2020

 Well, this past year has definitely been one for the record books! It hasn’t been all bad, but it has been different than anything that I’ve ever seen. We’ve experienced a pandemic that has killed over 1¾ MILLION people globally, and continues to kills thousands every day in this country alone. We’ve seen riots and social unrest. We’ve watched partisanship divide us with rancor and hatred.

Many of us have lost loved ones this year…parents, spouses, grandparents and dear friends. Grieving is hard, and not being able to have our friends and family with us during that time makes it even worse. Even harder still, I believe, is what so many have faced when they lost family to COVID-19. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to be denied the ability to be with your loved one when they need your presence the most. I’m so thankful that Daddy passed at the very beginning of all of this (and not from the virus), before the guidelines became so restricted, and I could be with him.

Since our travel has been so restricted, Dennis has had more time to work on the house, which has been good. He has finished the living room, hall (including 2 closets), and should finish the hall bathroom in January. I love the improvements that he has made! I really think that 2021 will be our last year of remodeling. We still have a good bit to do, but I hope that we can "get 'er done!" I can’t wait to have our “new” house completed!

Even though we stayed home most of the time, we were finally able to go on a long-awaited vacation. Our trip to Yellowstone/Glacier was so very "soul-satisfying". Just getting away for a couple of weeks was beneficial, but added to that, we were able to do some of the best wildlife viewing of our lives! We also enjoyed seeing some of the most gorgeous country that God created. I am so very thankful that we were able to make the trip, and that we were safely guided there and back!

I have been both inspired by and gravely disappointed in our society during the pandemic, social unrest and election. Some people have risen above the chaos and shown extraordinary kindness and generosity during these hard times. Others have allowed their baser nature to emerge. I hope that most of us have tried to show patience and mercy and love throughout the challenges that our nation…and the world…have faced.

So what does 2021 hold for us, I wonder? I am optimistic that with the COVID-19 vaccinations coming out that we will start to see things getting back to normal. I hope that everyone can put the disagreements and hostility of the past year behind them and move forward with grace and hope for better things. I challenge all of us to remember the lessons learned during times of crisis and carry them on even in times of stability. And I hope that we can ALWAYS be grateful for what we have and willing to share with those around us.

Happy New Year and God bless!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 Well, Thanksgiving this year didn’t turn out quite like we had hoped. The number of COVID-19 cases were peaking and hospitals were filling up and not taking in new cases, so we decided not to get everyone together. Dennis and I went over to Rick and Amber’s on the Saturday we had planned to celebrate, and we had our Thanksgiving feast with just the four of us…plus Copper. We still really enjoyed the day. Of course, we had tons of leftovers, but I took my vacuum sealer with me, and we divvied up the spoils!

Since I last updated, I’ve been to see a new orthopedic surgeon. He has x-rayed both arms, had an MRI done on my right shoulder and a nerve conduction test done on both arms. I go back to talk about the results with him next week. So far we know that I have a significant impingement in my right shoulder that will probably need surgical correction. I also appear to have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, which is causing a lot of tingling and numbness. Since the number COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are so high in our area, the governor has ordered elective surgeries to be put on hold for now, so I’m not sure when I will actually be allowed to have my surgery (or surgeries). I was really hoping they could get my shoulder done before the end of the year (for insurance purposes), but that’s not going to happen! So I’ll just have to be patient a little longer…

I ended up spending two different days at Diane’s house, working on Christmas cards. We had a really good time! We spent a lot of hours cutting (which Diane did while I wasn’t there), stamping, pasting, and assembling. I haven’t done much card making. In fact, all that I’ve ever done has been at Diane’s house. It is pretty satisfying to see them come together. I hope that the nursing home residents enjoyed getting them as much as we enjoyed making them!

Dennis is still working on the guest bathroom. It has been a real headache! He finally got the tub installed and is finishing up the surround and plumbing. He hopes to get it done this weekend. Then he can finish the walls. This is taking much longer than we had hoped. Once we get the walls completed, things should go much faster. We can hope!

Dennis is going with Stephen and the boys on a hunting trip next week. They are going back to the same lease as before. Dennis won’t be hunting this time…just acting as “guide” for Stephen and babysitter for the boys. They ought to have a lot of fun! The last time Dennis left, I had a lot going on. This time I hope to mostly hibernate! I do have a doctor’s appointment and bloodwork that I have to get done, but I may not leave the house other than that. The weather is supposed to be pretty chilly, so I’ll just enjoy my fireplace!

I’m planning to cook up a batch of jerky tomorrow for the guys to take on their trip. Then Saturday, I’m planning to bake cookies for the boys. I made a new cookie recipe yesterday, intending it for them. However, it isn’t going to work out well for traveling. It was a “Whipped Shortbread” cookie…supposed to melt in your mouth. Well it does! But they are SO tender that they fall apart if you hold them too firmly, much less tryi to send them on a trip. I’m not sure the littles would like them much either. So I’ll just do my regular Snickerdoodles. All of the grandkids love them!

Dennis and I went out driving, looking at the lights, last night. In the 15 years that we’ve lived here, this is the best that I’ve seen. I guess everyone is needing a little more cheer than normal in their lives! I decided to send out cards this year for the first time in a LONG time. I have them all signed and addressed and should get them stamped and mailed tomorrow. I’ve been getting a few already and have them hanging from the mantel. I don’t decorate for the holidays, but I do enjoy displaying the cards that I receive!

Be safe, be kind and enjoy the blessings of the season!