Monday, April 27, 2020

4-27-2020 Monday- 12:15pm

Good Afternoon!
Time for the weekly update.  :)
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On Tuesday we had a forecast of 50 degrees, but this is what happened instead--LOL!
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Ian was working on a story last time we did Gramma Day.  This idea came from his preschool.  He drew a picture (Gold coins, apparently) and then he dictated a story about the picture to Mama and she wrote it out for him in highlighter.  Then he has to trace every highlighted word.  He mailed the story to me.
So we had a video chat on Thursday about his story that is now on my frig.  :)  And I told Ian I would try to think of an adventure story to make a little book about him and mail it to him.
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During the late afternoon we had our first thunderstorm of the year.  Leah and I had our Thursday night video chat.  Discussed mask sewing plans.  Leah volunteered to do the mask sewing again.  Declined--but not enthusiastically.
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Friday was the closest we have come so far to hitting 70 degrees--68 after having snow on Tuesday--LOL!  
Annie was sunbathing...
,,,until she heard me taking her picture--LOL!

Cats are rarely deep sleepers.
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On Saturday--finally--marigold seedlings!!

I guess I have been spoiled by only ever having planted catnip and cat grass that nearly leap out of the ground.  Leah kept telling me to be patient.  No coleus yet, but I do have tiny baby marigolds!
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I had the usual three video calls on Saturday--lunch with the boys, Gramma Day with Ian while Liam naps, and then a quick bedtime story with the two of them up in their bedroom.  I also asked Leah to call me later...had been milling on the sewing offer.
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Yes, I decided to send the sewing paraphernalia over to let Leah sew the masks.  It would be a big project for me.  Honestly--as you know--I couldn't even keep up with calligraphy class and the Friday questions blog since the lockdown.  So I decided to take her up on her offer...and ask her if she would do the cutting out of all the layers for the new pads/panty liners for us.  That's the hardest part for me--the standing and leaning over to cut out the pieces.  I get sharp lower back pain and can only do it a little bit at a time so it takes me forever.  Yes, she will do that part--but doesn't want to sew those together as they are a bit more complex than the face masks.  No problem.  I am thrilled she agreed to do that part.  Sitting and sewing isn't as hard on me and when I do have to stand to iron--can do that a little at a time.  So, we figured out how we'll do this and I started making a list of what she'll need to pick up.  :)
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So, this week I need to FINALLY hem a couple pair of pants I bought many months ago that are too long.  (That's how unmotivated and lacking extra spoons I have been--LOL!)  Then I will gather up all the sewing supplies and Leah will make a trip over to collect them and drop a few things off for me.  That's number one on the list this week.
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I have been using up my extra spoons doing "spring" stuff when I have a good day.  I still need more trips to the garage to bring in my fans and summer clothes, etc.  I would also like to do some purging and Marie Kondo a few spots in here.  ;)  
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In the meantime, I have been watching Murdoch Mysteries new season on Acorn TV, renting a new series from Netflix called The Alienist, watching the new season of Still Game on Netflix streaming and the new season of Bosch on Prime.  Yup--I bounce around depending on what I'm in the mood for--dark or light--LOL!
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I will also be working on Ian's own adventure book (got an idea from his flying dreams), writing letters (as usual), and just trying to keep up with the cooking and cleaning I am doing more of and all the seasonal shifting about that comes with spring and fall.  I am kept busy enough...always have projects waiting in the wings.  There are Christmas cards to make...birthday cards...blank cards I use to tuck letters into (no new handmade for way too long)...calligraphy classes still wait for me...love to make some handmade paper again this summer.......oh, and then there are those pants to hem...like now--ROFL!!
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I'm also planning out what to order to stockpile on necessities when I get my stimulus check.  I'm planning on being super practical with that money and buying up boring stuff like shampoo, laundry soap, toothpaste and deodorant.  On the website it says it should be in my bank on Wednesday.  So that's exciting.  Will be a relief to be stocked up for a good long time with items I have to buy regularly.  Except paper goods you can't get easily yet, of course.  It will be a genuine "relief" check for me.  
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Anyways, that's how my isolation is going.  Quite well, actually.  I can't complain.  Not about anything new anyways--ROFL!
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Have a wonderful week, everybody.  Or as good and as grateful a week as you can muster.  Stay in touch with each other.  I wish you all health and safety and joy.  :) :)
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"The little things?  
The little moments?  
They aren't little."

Jon Kabat-Zinn

16 comments:

Rita said...

My comment to get your lovely comments. :)

DJan said...

I am so happy to hear you sounding so well and even with extra spoons. And I love that final quote, Rita. You have made me smile, a lot. :-)

Sherry Ellis said...

That's crazy weather you're having!

I used to love planting marigold seeds. It was always such fun when they'd finally sprout. A great feeling of success!

Jon said...

Your April snow was pleasant to see - especially because it was light and will vanish quickly.
Nothing but endless rain here in TN and very chilly nights. I used the electric blanket last night.

Those video calls are a great way to keep in touch with your grandkids and everyone else.
Annie looks surprised at being caught by the paparazzi. Cats are definitely light sleepers.

When I lived in Texas I used to grow lots of marigolds - they were always easy to maintain and grew quickly. Perhaps I should try some here in TN?

Bonnie said...

I love that Ian wrote a story! That is very creative for his age. It will also be fun for you to do one for him. It is wonderful to see the marigold seedlings. Gardening sure is rewarding. It's funny you mentioned needing to hem some pants. Several months ago I got two new pairs of jeans and I only got one of them hemmed. So I still have a pair to hem as well and I keep putting it off! Take care Rita and love Annie for me!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

A good week Rita. Annie looked very relaxed until she heard that click. How sweet to video visit and have Ian's story in hand. My cherry tomatoes decided to 'start' and of the 24 seeds planted 17 now have showed their delicate stems and two leaves. I haven't tried starting seeds for many years and I am so happy they have begun their journeys.
Hugs.
Joy

Anvilcloud said...

Leah seem to be a big help to you.

We are watching some Murdoch and Lewis and are also looking forward to Deadwater Fell (Acorn) now that the whole 4-part series is out. We did watch the first episode but then decided to wait until all episodes were available. We also look forward to The Voice which we watch delayed on Tuesdays.

Far Side of Fifty said...

We missed that snow but it was cold enough that day to snow here too! Sounds like you are keeping busy. Just do what you can do! I am certain our stimulus check will be a paper check so it may be months yet before we see it. :)

Divers and Sundry said...

Snow lol, and we're expecting highs in the 80s later this week. Wild! Hoorah for the seedling sprouts! A cooperative endeavor -now that'll get the job done :) Stocking up may sound boring to many, but to me it sounds like cozy comfort. There's nothing quite like the assurance that you have enough to do for a while. I love that quote :) I'm gonna Tweet it ;)

Jenny Woolf said...

You sound pretty good, Rita! It's strange to see people all over the world doing similar stuff to here, exchanging stories with kids, growing stuff, thinking about cooking more. I don't know what that means. But snow .... oh no! Hope you get something brighter soon.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

The story Ian wrote is great and on the fridge that must make him happy. I can't sew never got the hang of it

pearshapedcrafting said...

So pleased that you still get to see your family via video linking! It's great to see your seedlings appear - I have some old seeds to put in and I will be crossing my fingers!
It's good to catch up on jobs as much as it is to still have plans for jobs in the pipeline! I shall be checking out those Netflix choices of yours! Take care! Hugs, Chrisx

Lady Fi said...

Thank goodness for video!

Friko said...

I am very glad to see that you are coping well and that McFamily is around to make life pleasant. Keep busy, keep safe, keep sane.
New green shoots help too, there’s hope for the future in them.

Diana said...

Jerry and I are calling ours "relief" checks, too. And practicality is the main topic as we've done without for so many years on things that we really must purchase necessaries before the current things wear out completely. I've been lacking in spoons lately, so just trying to concerve energy. I love your little bird videos, always look forward to them. How neat that you get partridges! We've had snow sometimes in Kansas in May, so I never say summer is here until June lol. I like that idea of using the highlighter to write it out and then having the little ones trace it, I'm going to try that with the 4-yeaer-old granddaughter, bet she could do that! I love the look on Annie's face, like Wazzat!? lol Hugs and blessding to you Rita! Keeping you always in prayer!

Dee said...

Dear Rita, so good to learn that all is going well and that, with Leah's help, you are finding ways to do the things you like while letting go of that which brings pain. Pain is so debilitating and keeps us from doing so many things that give enjoyment. The adventure books sounds so wonderful. You are a marvelous grandma! Peace.