Reclaiming My Life

I decided to reclaim my life yesterday. 

To be honest I had been silently (okay maybe not so silently, just ask Chuck) protesting this whole pandemic lockdown thing. I kept thinking that surely we would be past this by the end of 2020.

In a moment of desperation (okay that might be a slight exaggeration) I googled “When Will Covid 19 Be Over?” and shockingly learned that basically never. In other words it’s here to stay like the seasonal flu, and we are going to have to learn to live with it the best we can. 

Up until yesterday I was attending my WW (Weight Watchers) via Zoom. Consequently over time I’ve found myself less and less motivated to eat healthy. I was missing human interaction, and encouragement. So yesterday I attended a workshop in person. 

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed seeing my coach’s familiar face. She assured me that next week several of the regular attendees would be there as well. After the meeting I lingered for a few moments to talk with our coach and receptionists. It really felt good to connect with people again. 

From there I made my way to the library. The last time I had been there was in February. Now mind you I’m a once a week library gal, so I had really been missing perusing the aisles. Our local library had shut down for Covid and then remained closed to finish up a renovation. It felt good to be back in person. 

As I sit here today writing this post I’m ready to get on with life, and stop sitting around waiting for “it” to be over. 

One of my goals this year is to return to daily postings on my blog. I’ve missed it, and I’ve missed the creative outlet it affords me. 

I’ll be making a batch of black-eyed peas in my instant pot later today so as not to tempt fate. I wanted to to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and look forward to 2021. 

Hindsight is 2020

Well I found it only fitting to wrap up this year by posting one last time on the last day of the year. 

2020 has been one for the record books as they say. What started out in mid-March with “15 Days to Slow the Spread” became an entire year of restrictions. 

Now fortunately we don’t live in a blue state where those initial restrictions were never lifted. That being said I couldn’t help, but feel a little sad the other night as I realized everything that had changed this year.

I remember feeling on top of the world in February as I reflected on how full my life was. Who would have ever thought for one moment how all of that would come to a screeching halt? 

I thought I would list the activities that changed this year:

Bible Study- we finished the year via Zoom. By fall I was in Comanche on Wednesdays so I wasn’t participating. 

Weight Watchers- I spent the year attending meetings on Zoom each week. Slowly, the familiar faces faded away as the year progressed. Today was actually my first day back for an in-person meeting. It was so refreshing. I will be making an attempt to attend in-person whenever possible, even though a mask is required. 

Library- My weekly trips to the library came to a screeching halt, and just today I returned for the first time to our newly renovated library. 

Book Club- Our meetings resumed in June via Zoom. I’ve only read a few of the books, so I’ve not attended regularly. 

Frisco Retired Teachers- These meetings stopped in March and I’ve really missed seeing some familiar faces. I ran into an old co-worker at the doctor’s office earlier this month, and was thrilled to catch up. 

Yee Haws- Our last meal at El Fenix was in February. Although, the group made an attempt to get together in November, due to the uptick in Covid, Chuck and I chose to stay home. 

Gym- My morning walks along the track at our city recreation center came to a screeching halt in March. I miss seeing the regulars, but although the gym has reopened, walking around the track with a mask on just doesn’t sound appealing. Up until a few months ago I did walk religiously up and down our long front hallway each weekday to get in my exercise.

Grace Found Daily-my poor blog has really been neglected this past year. With no place to go, and nothing really to do my creativity just dried up and withered away. During the summer months I attempted to write about healthy eating, but as my resolve weakened my eating habits did as well. I miss the discipline of writing daily. 

Ireland- our once in a lifetime trip to Ireland had to be cancelled as the pandemic continued into June. Luckily we were refunded our ticket cost, but I’m not sure I see myself traveling much if a mask is required on a ten hour flight. 

Friends- There are several friends who I have not seen since February. I had gotten into the habit of meeting monthly or weekly with friends and family in the area. One of those friends has since moved out of state to be closer to her daughter. I miss getting together with my friends. 

Chuck has been working from home since April, and we have adjusted to both of us being home pretty much all day together. I do miss my office area, and have on occasion set up the card table in the guest room to have a place of my own. 

Abby-Sadly, we had to put down our beloved cat Abby this past summer. We surely miss her presence as part of our family. 

The positives of 2020 are not to be overlooked. In August I began traveling to Comanche to watch the boys on Tuesday and Wednesday. This allowed Brittany to return to work, and I did a little homeschooling with the older one who was not able to attend full time pre-K as originally planned. Luckily, both boys were able to attend a wonderful preschool offered by the Baptist Church. 

Chuck and I made the unexpected decision to go ahead and get started on the building of our house on the property in De Leon. As of today we have a beautiful gate, a driveway and a foundation. We are hoping next week to see the start of the actual structure. It’s been an exciting time seeing it come to fruition. We are looking forward to being closer to Brittany, Will and the boys. 

In April I completed a children’s book that I had been working on. The discipline of working on it daily helped it come to pass. Now as to whether it actually gets published remains to be seen. 

Church- Luckily, our church resumed in person services on Mother’s Day. ThIs literally has been a Godsend to us as we look forward to attending each Sunday. Those Sundays when we have communion are even more special. Sadly, though many of our friends have not returned to in-person worship, and we definitely miss them. 

Bible- Chuck and I have been able to read the Bible in a year thanks to an app recommended by Chuck’s cousin’s wife Debbie. There is a great sense of accomplishment in doing this. 

Walks around the Lake- Chuck and I enjoyed the times we were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather in the spring. Walking around the lake at our old apartment was one of our favorite pastimes, as well as exploring some of the trails here in Euless. 

On-line Wellness class- I was able to participate in a six week course offered by Veritas Wellness out of Lubbock. I learned a lot about my health and the virus from Dr. Ben Edwards whose desire to share and teach the truth is inspiring. 

Miracle- our family was blessed at the miraculous recovery of my brother-in-law Danny this spring. Praise God that he is with us today, because it was pretty touch and go. Initially we feared he had Covid, but although he did not it was a miracle that he lived. Our family all became closer to God during that period. 

Aunt Theresa- I’ve been able to talk weekly to my 94 year old aunt during this past year. We even have been able to FaceTime a few times, and it was wonderful to actually see her.

 

Rabbit Hole- just a side note here. I’ve spent countless hours learning all about Covid, masks, vaccinations, medicines, election fraud, corrupt government practices, and pretty much anything else you can think of. I’m not sure I’m a better person for it, or just ready to host my own conspiracy theory podcast. 

As I contemplate this next year I feel it is time to move on. What I had hoped would end over a course of a few months it appears will still continue to linger. Even with the vaccines we are still going to be required to social distance and wear masks. This makes me sad, but at the same time I’m tired of putting my life on hold. 

I pray for good health for my family and friends this coming year. 

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your Joy

                             

   As I thought about how different Christmas will be this year something came to mind that gave me a different perspective. As Chuck and I were sitting at Dairy Queen the other night I noticed a small white Christmas tree set up in the corner.

It was simply decorated, and nothing spectacular, but it was a reminder of the season. Just like our meal was simple, it was nice getting out for a change, and knowing that a Dilly Bar was part of the meal made it even sweeter. 

As I thought about this past year I couldn’t help but compare this virus to the Grinch, and his attempt to stop Christmas. The words from Dr. Seuss came to mind when the 

Grinch is awakened in the morning to the sound of singing from the town below: 

“He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!

Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,

Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"

"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And what happened then? Well...in Whoville they say,

That the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!”

                                             Dr. Seuss

Christmas may look different this year, but our hearts can be assured that the true meaning of Christmas has not changed. Our Lord Jesus was born into this world on that very first Christmas to be our savior. 

I’m wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas this year.

The Ever Elusive Goatman

This past Halloween Chuck had an idea to create a pop-up Pumpkin Patch on our property. He send me on a mission to locate pumpkins, and some spooky decorations for the occasion. (FYI You can get really large pumpkins at Aldi for only $1.99 a piece.)

That weekend we made our way there with three good sized pumpkins, and an array of bats,

pumpkins and spiderwebs to create a spooky ambiance for the boys. We arrived a day early to set up the patch. 

At the time our son-in-law was running cattle on the property, and if you know anything about cows, they are extremely curious. While we decorated the area about twenty sets of eyes followed our every move. 

We tried to arrange our pumpkins in the least conspicuous way as possible hoping not to arouse their curiosity even more. After all, a pumpkin is edible, and who knows what a hungry cow might do?

Well to make a long story short, when we arrived the next day we saw that one of the pumpkins had been rolled down the hill a bit, and one other had been pushed aside. All in all, the patch was still in good shape,  but we did get a good laugh imagining the cows having a pumpkin rolling contest!

When our grandsons arrived they were thrilled to see our little Pumpkin Patch, and ran from tree to tree checking out all the different Halloween decorations hanging from the trees.  

It was then that Chuck decided to up the ante with the introduction of the Goatman who mysteriously lived somewhere in the trees found on our land. As he chunked rocks into the bushes he would ask the boys, “Did you hear that?” Remarkably the boys were not the least bit afraid, only enthralled by the idea that a Goatman actually lived on their grandparents’ property. 

Looking for this elusive Goatman has became an actual thing each time we return to the property now.  On a whim I decided that maybe the Goatman needed a name so I told the boys his name was Cabrito , vaguely remembering that Cabrito had something to do with goats in Spanish. 

Chuck decided that the throwing of rocks could be improved upon by using an empty coconut to simulate the sound of hoofs in the distance. My next mission was to pick up a coconut from the grocery store. I wasn’t sure how seasonal coconuts were, but I was successful at finding one at my local Walmart. 

The next time we returned about a week or so later after naming the Goatman, I heard the two year old in the back seat mention something about Brito. Oh my, he’d remembered the name! 

So although, we’ve never actually seen or met Cabrito it appears he is a beloved member of our family now. Leave it to Chuck to make all things fun!

What’s That Tune?

It’s that time of the year again. You know the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas music listening time!

Today as I headed off to do my grocery shopping I dug through my console to find an old Christmas CD that I keep there just for emergencies. Actually, it is my favorite Christmas CD, and before I bought it as a CD I owned it as a cassette tape. 

Yes, I think I’ve been listening to this Christmas album since the early 90’s. I’ve memorized every word, and although I have collected many more Christmas CDs over the years, I always return to this one. 

What I have noticed over the years though, and what has become a game to me each holiday season, is predicting what song will play next on the CD.

Now if my life depended upon it there is no way I could ever tell you the order of the songs on the CD. Yet remarkably I have some sort of music memory muscle that automatically knows what song is next when I’m listening to it. 

This happens every year, and I get the biggest kick out of predicting the next song. Now this favorite Christmas CD of mine is Amy Grant’s Home for the Holidays, and I highly recommend adding it to your collection. 

Of course, today we stream our music, but it’s a great one to request from Alexa. 

While I was at the store I also picked up a cute red Christmas barn for the mantle and a Seasons Greetings pillow for the living room. 

They both have been tucked away until after Thanksgiving because although I will cheat and listen to Christmas music ahead of time I always wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

November

 

Well we are almost to the end of another month, and I thought I’d check in again. 

November has been a month of visiting my grandsons weekly to help out Brittany, and to do a little schooling with the boys. The almost five year old is beginning to learn to read. 

It’s been fun having a hand in helping him do so. Tuesday afternoons are spent with him while his younger brother naps. Then on Wednesday both boys join me in our little closet classroom to do “school work.”

We've seen quite a bit of progress on our property this month. We have water, a beautiful new gate, a driveway, the forms for our foundation, and a concrete pad for our barn. By the end of the month we should have the concrete poured for the foundation, and the pipes ran up the hill for the water. 

We are still waiting on the electricity, and are hoping to see progress there soon, as it has been over three months since we applied for a transmission permit. 

We have met our neighbors who remarkably are related to one of my Yee Haw high school friends. What are the chances?

We are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with Brittany, Will and the boys at our house this year. The food has been bought, and chocolate turkey surprises for the boys have been nestled in the ceramic turkey centerpiece on our dining room table. 

We are blessed to have our health, and each other along with our constant canine companion Cooper. We’ve taken several walks along the lake at our old apartments as we have contemplated our future. The water stirs my soul during these trying times of the pandemic. 

After our pop-up pumpkin patch in October we have convinced the boys that the goat man is real, and the two year old amazed us by remembering his name, Cabrito. Or Brito as he likes to say. 

Each time we are out on the property I can’t tell you how happy it makes me. As I anticipate our future closer to our daughter and her family I feel truly grateful for the opportunity to do so. 

God is good!

October

October

I thought I would check in at least monthly to keep some cohesiveness to this blog. 

October has found me traveling to my daughter’s on Tuesdays to home school my oldest grandson in the afternoon while she goes into her office. The next morning I watch the boys while she works as well. I’ve just started picking up her groceries for her as I pass through Stephenville on the way to her house. 

This saves her packing up the boys for a forty minute drive both ways to get their groceries. I’ve really enjoyed putting my teaching hat on again, and I can tell that both boys enjoy me being there. Even the youngest one has gotten into the swing of homeschool. 

A few months ago we made the decision to go ahead and build a house and a barn on our property. It’s been a slow process of applying for a construction loan, arranging for electricity and water, and getting a gate built. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to hit water in our attempts to have a well dug. As a result we are having municipal water instead. Although, there was electricity on the property we were required to have a transmission permit, and we are still waiting on that to go through. 

We do have a new, beautiful gate, and have learned that our builder will begin our driveway in a couple of weeks. It’s all falling into place, and we are thrilled to be getting to move closer to Brittany, Will and the boys. 

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.”

Psalm 23