I Forgot Again

Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30

I guess I'm just not back in the swing of blogging each day. I shut down my computer last night before I remembered to write a post. Now I have to try to remember what we did yesterday! 😒 Maybe I'll just forget yesterday and blog today:

Jessie helped me clean out the kitchen dining room drawers. Well, 4 out of 6 we did. One of the counters is littered with items that I have to go through and put where they belong or throw away.

I have enjoyed being alone with Jessie even if times have been stressful. She's a great helper and does seem to want to work … IF you can get her iPad away from her.

I haven't done this much "spring cleaning" in years. As some of you may know, I had my right hip replaced last May 28. Almost one year ago! Prior to that date, I suffered greatly with awful pain and was unable to do much of anything for a year and a half. I am so thankful that the surgery went very well, my recovery was swift and I've not been in any hip pain since a couple weeks after the surgery.
Now, if I can just get my back fixed, I'd be running in the streets! Well, maybe not the streets.

I've had several phone calls and texts from dear friends the past two days that made me feel special. It reminds me of a song we used to sing years ago …  "The Family of God":

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.

I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, 

For I'm part of the family, the family of God.

Jessie's Brent

Tuesday, April 28

Jon had the day off so he went to Meijer's for a few things. Then he spent a couple hours outside planting cold-weather veggies and cleaning up his garden. I had a noon doctor's appointment on my phone and Jessie's "boyfriend" Brent came to visit, along with his mom, Diana, and aide Tom. They sat in their van and we stood in the driveway.

Jessie and Brent have known one another since elementary school and have been doing outings before the "Stay At Home" order several times a week. We decided to get lunch at Wendy's and go eat with the goats (again). It's becoming a popular place, as several people were also there feeding the goats and one group having a picnic. Brent loved feeding the goats. Jess enjoyed watching after feeding a couple goats herself.

Tom assured me he was smiling!

A 2-Day Post

Sunday, April 26 and Monday, April 27

Jess and I listened to church on my iPad then had a quiet afternoon. On Jon's way home from work he stopped at Romeo Family Restaurant and picked up our dinner that I had ordered. Jess gave her taco salad "two thumbs up"! I loved not having to cook.








Today, Monday, Jessie helped me clean the downstairs. She dusted and I vacuumed. I couldn't help laughing when I saw her dusting the coffee table. She does a very good job.

Jon went to Deneweth's and Wiegand's plant shopping. We have a garden center set up in the living room. He worked for a couple hours in his garden cleaning it up and preparing to plant.

While Jon and I were at the kitchen counter putting our dinner together, Darla growled and backed away from the kitchen window. We both looked at the same time and both jumped and hollered! Someone was looking in our window. My sister! Diane and Randie came out to get a grocery order and decided to say hi from the driveway, only Diane had a more sinister idea. My heart finally slowed back to normal after about 10 minutes! Pay back. That's all I have to say. I owe her one big time.

Too Much Work

Saturday, April 25

That's what I did today … too much work! Five loads of wash and all back in drawers or on hangers in closets. Jessie and I cleaned out one of the upstairs closets. Again she was a big help, although I did too much and had to take pain medicine and sit for awhile. I put a pork roast in the crock pot for pulled pork sandwiches next week. We ate a delicious pork loin, stuffing and asparagus dinner while we watched another zoo program. It's 9:15 p.m. and Jessie just asked to go to bed. My bedtime isn't until 12/12:30 a.m., so I've got awhile before I can go to sleep. There she goes … I'll have to sign off for now.

"Come On, People!!!"

Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24

Thursday was a blah day. There isn't anything that I want to remember. Now today was different! The 3 of us went on an essential run to buy farm-fresh eggs from Jennifer (one of Jessie's aides). Jennifer's chickens and ducks are laying so many eggs that Jen doesn't know what to do with them all. I bought several dozen chicken eggs that I plan to give away, and Jon got several dozen of his favorite duck eggs. He's a happy man now. (Vince and Joe's hasn't had duck eggs in weeks!)

It was a very nice day with very few people on the roads. We enjoyed being outside even if it was just in the van. Below are a couple pictures:

The goats are Elmer and Delilah and the dog is Hunter. Elmer and Delilah enjoyed the carrot skins I brought with us. When Jen works, I save all the fruit and vegetables that I would normally throw away and give them to the goats. Jen brought one of the ducks up to the van, as Jessie wouldn't get out. She's been social distancing for years!

When we left, we went to the gas station at I69 and Capac Road and bought gas for $1.23. We also had a McDonald's picnic lunch in the van. We ordered our food but had to wait in the #2 reserved spot for our food. It took so long I told Jon that they were probably making it to order. Half way into our wait Jessie yells: "Come On, People!" For the first time ever, the food was too hot to eat right away. It WAS made to order. And, delicious! We haven't had McDonald's in months.

An Insane Parrot

Wednesday, April 22

Well, the morning was good. Then around 12:30 Jess and I went to drop off a card at the post office, we picked up 2 prescriptions at Walgreen's drive thru then got our lunch at Wendy's drive thru. We drove to Frontier Town to eat with the goats but we weren't the only ones! A mom and 2 young girls were feeding the goats, another van was watching them and another vehicle pulled up before we left! It was a party!

When we reached our street, I cleared my throat. That did it! Jessie lost it. She yelled and screamed at me and had a royal melt down. She stomped in the garage and yelled, "YOU BAD!" among other things. This is not uncommon. Jessie has a phobia for anyone clearing their throat or coughing. She'll get very agitated and will yell. Unfortunately, this lasted for over 5 hours. Which reminded me of what I read on FB the other day:

Being quarantined with a talkative child

is like having an insane parrot

super glued to your shoulder! 

It's been a stressful afternoon/evening. I gave her an extra anxiety medicine plus 2 Tylenol hoping they would help. She's better now, but it took hours. 

I believe that Jessie has this phobia because her dad couldn't even swallow his saliva prior to passing away and coughed and choked quite a lot. He's been gone now for 8 years, and it's been a LONG 8 years of yelling and screaming at people who cough or clear their throat.   

How Many Drink Cups Are Enough?

Tuesday, April 21

Jessie and I worked on another project this afternoon. She sat on the floor and emptied 2 kitchen cabinets. One was filled with drink cups and another with kitchen miscellaneous items. She had fun going through the cups and deciding which ones she wanted and the ones that go to "cute kids" (Salvation Army).

Did I mention that not only is my blog a way of keeping in touch with us, but every 3 months I have the posts published in a book. It's like a diary to myself only much neater than the ones I used to write in since I was about 12 years old. I still have them, too! That's another project for another day - going through the rubbermaids of my life. They are stacked in my bedroom closet. It's a good thing the closet is big!

If you think of Jon, please pray for him and his co-workers as one of their staff passed away unexpectedly last night. (Not from the virus.) It was a shock to all.

Here's an old hymn that I find comforting:

He Giveth More Grace

by Hubert Mitchell

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

(Chorus)

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth and giveth again!

Cleaning The House

Monday, April 20

Dusting with Jessie went well this morning. She dusted the entire downstairs. She liked it so much that she even began opening doors and dusting inside end tables and the entertainment center. I didn't want to discourage her so I let her until she wanted to begin emptying everything. I didn't feel like sorting.

One of the videos she watches on her iPad is Zach and Cody. One episode in particular is played over and over. It's about a ghost in a hotel.

This afternoon Jessie kept saying something about "toast". When I couldn't figure it out, she finally said: "Halloween!" Oh, ghost! I spent most of the afternoon telling her there were no such thing as ghosts. I'm sure I didn't convince her. Now she's asking about Halloween.

Now she's singing Christmas carols with the Chipmunks! One of us needs to get out and soon!

Star Wars

Sunday, April 19

It was a very good day beginning with watching church on my iPad. For lunch I ordered take out from Romeo Family Restaurant and enjoyed not having to cook. In the afternoon Jon and I watched Star Wars - The Last Jedi. It was very good except that it gave me a headache. For me it was intense. For Jon? Not so much. We need to watch the last one pretty soon so I won't have to keep asking so many questions about whatever.

I helped Jessie with a couple of mosaics that she made for Diane and Randie. Some of the beads needed sticky backing and it was even hard for me to get them on. Then she wanted to go outside around 7:00 p.m. to swing. It was sooooo cold and breezy. Jess thought it was so funny that I was cold. She had a good laugh on her mother.

Jessie seems to have settled in a new-normal routine with not having her aides here. We've gotten along better than I thought we would. I'm very grateful for that. Let's see how she does tomorrow when I want her to help me vacuum and clean out a kitchen cupboard!

Two Different Days

Friday and Saturday

April 17 and 18

Yesterday was such a blah day. It rain/snowed all day. I was tired, Jessie was very needy and I didn't feel like doing anything. And I didn't. It was a "down" day. I wasn't depressed. Just blah. That doesn't happen very often, thankfully.

Today was a different story. Jon had off and asked if Jess and I would like to go with him for a drive to a hardware store. Absolutely! We didn't mind sitting in the van while he shopped. From there we went to Brent's house and gave him a mosaic picture Jessie made for him. He came out with his mom and aide, Tom. He also gave Jessie a picture he made for her. Both Brent and Jessie needed to see one another. They were both so happy blowing kisses at one another.

We drove through Tim Horton's for a pop and a donut for Jess. Then we drove around Stoney Creek. There were a lot of people there. Many walking their dogs or riding bikes. It's been almost 2 years that I have been to the park. 

After dinner Jess played on her iPad and Jon and I watched a Border Patrol and an Alaskan Animal Rescue program. In all, it was a very good day. 

Here's Diana, Brent and Tom:

 

A World Of Masks

Thursday, April 16

Jessie had an appointment at the Rheumatologist's office this afternoon. It was the first time she wore a mask and she did great! When we came out of the doctor's office, it was very windy and she didn't seem to mind. For those that have known us for awhile, you'll know that she has a phobia for the wind. Even when we don't have to wear masks, I think we'll have some in the van for her when it's windy. We can only try. It might just be the silver lining in wearing a mask today.

We had a Culver's drive-thru-parking-lot lunch after her appointment, then went to the bank, Walgreen's and the post office. We also stopped at Jane and Rachel's house and quickly handed them mosiac pictures Jess made. We chatted about 5 minutes, 6 feet apart. It was way too cold and windy to talk longer.

When we got home, I gave Jess a bath and changed her clothes. I changed my clothes and sprayed Lysol on our coats and put them on the deck for several hours. There is a lot of work to going out in public. Thankfully, if we stay in the van and I only use drive thru's, I just use hand sanitizer.

I ordered Anio's wraps from Anio's and Jon picked them up on his way home. It was nice not to have to fix dinner after being out for several hours. Anio's is a tiny Polish restaurant across from Wendy's in Romeo. It's one of our favorite places to eat - or was. Their food is excellent. Try it sometime.

STOP !!!

Wednesday, April 15

This was a very busy day. Washed several loads of clothes and began sorting pictures from 2013/2014 that I had developed years ago and never put in a book. Jessie made several mosaic pictures and I helped her with the sparkly beads that needed a sticky backing. Dinner was left overs while we watched a zoo program on Jon's tv. While we were eating Jessie looked out the window, held up her hand and yelled STOP !!! I looked and it was snowing. Jess was not happy.

I was able to see our Wednesday morning Bible Study ladies on Zoom tonight. It was so good to actually see their faces. We've texted and e-mailed, but seeing is so much better.

Allergic Reaction

Tuesday, April 14
                                                                                                                                                                    Jon had the day off so he got up early and went to Kroger's to get some needed grocery items. He also filled up his vehicle's gas tank. He took a picture of what it cost him! He had 30 cents off and paid only $1.35 a gallon! I thought that was super until someone posted on FB that their gas station was 89 cents! Finally we could travel around the US with gas prices as they are, except we're not supposed to leave our homes. What are the chances that the prices will stay under $2.00 when we are released?

Jess didn't get to put groceries away because we were still upstairs. Jon put them away, sanitized the counters, washed the floor then took a shower.

For lunch the 3 of us went to Wendy's drive thru again and ate with the goats. I'm glad I don't have to get in to my bowl of food to eat like the goats sometimes do!

Post office to get our mail, bank and Walgreen's. All drive thru's.

I'm actually writing this on Wednesday morning. Last night I had a bad allergic reaction to who knows what! It started with the feeling like my head had a nest of bugs on it, itching all over, my throat hurt and it was feeling like it was closing. I took 2 Benedryl but it didn't touch the reaction for at least a couple of hours. I was a bit woosie, though, which is why I didn't post last night.






           

Reminiscing

Monday, April 13

It was a blah day! It didn't help that I went through a Rubbermaid full of Bill's things he wanted to keep. I figured after 8 years I could go through the box and discard most of it. I did read quite a bit of the cards and letters. It brought back a lot of memories. However, it made me sad. My goal is to make a scrapbook for the kids of their dad from birth to when he died. I've been wanting to do that for many years. Now's the time, I guess.

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 12

Jess was quiet until 7:50 a.m. then I could hear her roaming the upstairs looking for her Easter basket. She found it quickly and ran back to mine to open her gifts. After breakfast I watched church on my iPad. It was very good. I must say that our pastor cleans up pretty good: he had on a suit and tie! Way to go, Pastor Billy!

The Easter bunny usually wraps items in tissue paper because unwrapping is most of the fun. Jess got what she hoped for: a book, dvd's, candy and paint. She asks for "ten presents" and she received 12!

Jess could hardly wait for Jon to get home so he could open the items in his basket. I think she just wanted some of the M&M's that she saw.

We had a nice dinner - Kroger spiral ham, sweet potatoes, broccoli and beets, deviled eggs, celery with cream cheese and pickles. I made a very tiny chocolate cake for dessert. Unfortunately, that teeny, tiny piece of cake was 14 points! Oh, well. It was enjoyed.

I hope you had a blessed Easter Sunday.

Hallelujah!

Jesus is ALIVE !!! 

"I Don't Know"

April 11

In the hope of having a nice clean house tomorrow, I worked like a nut most of the day. Dusting, vacuuming, and straightening up. Plus a couple loads of wash. Then there was taking care of my princess. When I was vacuuming the upstairs, I thought I heard Jessie call me.

Me:  Jess! Did you call me?

Jess: Yes

Me: What do you want?

Jess: I don't know!

And that's how my day goes with my princess. The couch is where Jess spends most of her time. The other time she's on the floor playing with her cards and watching her iPad. She's constantly on her iPad while she is either playing with her perler beads, dry erase board or magnetic colored tiles. The tray that she is using is the one I had when I was a little girl, so it's quite old! We got it out when she had her gall bladder surgery and she's been using it ever since.

Normally, she only does certain things with certain aides while she's at home. Such as: Jennifer is arts and crafts and homework. Jane is playing games which include Apples to Apples. Rachel is reading books and watching Full House or on occasion a movie. Can I get her to do anything with me? Nope. I've been trying for 2 days to get her to make a mosiac for Jon for Easter. She hasn't even started it. Since he works tomorrow, she has until 3:45 to start and finish it!

Good Friday

April 10

Jon was off today so the 3 of us drove thru Panera Bread for a bagel breakfast that we ate in Kohl's very empty parking lot. From there we went to Walgreen's for prescriptions and Jon picked up our mail. Back home again in about an hour. It was COLD! And WINDY!!!

Alicia repainted their window for Jessie a few days ago, and when we got home I finally got a picture of it. PLUS, I got to throw kisses at "our baby" Ian.

I received an Easter "checking on you" e-mail from Noel Brewer Yeatts, President of World Help. He said that a few years ago his pastor said something that has stuck with him and I'd like to share it:

It's a Good Friday world full of darkness ...

but we are an Easter people with the hope of resurrection.

As I contemplate what Christ did for us on the cross, I look forward to Sunday's miracle! How about you?

Hair Cutting Day

Jon went grocery shopping for us after going to a doctor's appointment. Jess wore gloves as she emptied each bag. She so loves to do this. I did several loads of wash. After lunch Jess had a doctor's appointment where we saw her NP through Zoom. That was different. Saves on gas. I've driven her van 3 times since getting gas and it's still on FULL. Somewhere on FB I saw: Who else can say they get 3 weeks to the gallon?

After her appointment I cut Jessie's hair. It turned out pretty good, except one side is longer than the other in the back. I'll have to fix that tomorrow.  I used to cut everyone's hair in the family way back when: my mom and dad's, Bill and his mom, Jessie and Jon and myself. Tonight after I get Jess to bed I'll cut my hair. Poor Veronica. When we can finally go to our hairdresser, she's going to have a lot of damage control to do. It'll probably take months to get an appointment, too!

After dinner, the 3 of us watched Border Patrol then Secrets of the Zoo that Jon tapes ahead of time. Jessie likes the police one the best.

Lunch With The Goats

April 8

Today was our drive thru day where we picked up Wendy's lunch and drove to Frontier Town and ate "with the goats".  Jess enjoyed herself and it seemed to satisfy her desire to go eat at a restaurant. We picked up head bands for Jon from our friend, Joyce. They will go behind his head and his mask's elastic will hook to the buttons on the ends of the band. This will save his ears, as he already has scrapes on top of each ear. A million THANK YOUs to Joyce for making them. She has also made him masks. Another friend, Barb, from church also made some for him. He's all set at the moment.

Hymns

April 7

I woke this morning not only to my alarm, but to Jessie listening and singing along with (as best she can) with a choir's medley of hymns on her iPad. I was transported back in time to when hymns were the norm in church. I could sing along with all the ones the choir was singing, too. One of my favorite hymns is …

It is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll.

What ever my lot, thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul!

I hope you are able to sing this as well in these dark days of the Coronavirus.

A Nice Sunshiny Day

April 6

I talked Jessie into going outside after lunch while I picked up some yard waste. When I'd had enough, we both sat on our 2-seater swing and tried to take selfies that didn't turn out. Thus, all you get today is our feet. And Darla.

We also went back outside after dinner, which is rare. It was beginning to get cold, but we snuggled on the swing and face timed our friend and Jessie's former aide, Debbie, who now lives in North Carolina. We had a tour of her new home and neighborhood, and Debbie and Jessie blew kisses at each other. A fun day.

A Day Filled With Blessings

Sunday - April 5

This morning while I was giving Jessie a bath, we were listening to Pastor Ed's Palm Sunday message from North Rome Wesleyan Church in PA. At one time when he prayed, Jessie grabbed my hand and we stopped, listened and prayed, too. That was special.

Later in the morning the 3 of us watched Woodside Bible Church - Troy Campus' Sunday message. We saw our music leader, Kip, leading the worship team (all in their separate homes) and even sang a new song. Lead Pastor, Chris Brooks brought the message.

We also took communion. It was an emotional time for me. We each had a Cheez-It and fruit punch. (The only container small enough for the fruit punch were shot glasses. I think I inherited them from my mom, as we don't drink. My mom didn't either. Weird.)

We haven't been able to share communion as we did today in years! The first time Jessie took communion after she asked Jesus in her heart at kids camp was with my dear friend, Doreen, many years ago.

Jessie sat with Jon the entire service without being on her iPad. That was a miracle!

Tonight Jess and I talked with Lois in Haiti. We used face time and Jessie and Lois kept throwing kisses at each other! Lois said that the family she is with and she watched Troy Woodside's service, too. They used saltine crackers and juice for the communion. How special it is that people all over the world can "go to church" in the safety and comfort of their homes in these times. It's a reminder that "the church" isn't a building - it's people. I am so thankful for technology so that even though we are alone physically, we can still keep in touch with others through face time, Facebook, etc. We are a blessed people.

Jessie and I also face timed Diane and Randie. They are both doing well. Diane's busy with working at home. Friday her WOW internet was down because of an accident with the fiber lines in Troy. She's up and running again, so she'll have to "go to work" in the morning.

Grocery Day

April 3

One of the things that Jessie LOVES to do is unpack our groceries. She rushes to the kitchen to unpack all the bags. She can't wait to see what might be hers (popcorn chicken, hummus, cookies, etc.) Today was no different when Jon came home from his weekly Kroger run. The only difference is that I made her wear gloves then wash her hands when she was finished.

Speaking of washing hands … one of the things we've worked with Jessie for several years is washing her hands. She doesn't like to do it. She'd rather use hand sanitizer. Using that is ok once in awhile, but there's nothing like soap and hot water. Ever since the Coronavirus came to town, we've been trying very hard to make her wash her hands a lot. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. It depends on her mood I guess. We keep trying. Maybe one day she'll go to the soap and water first before the hand sanitizer. 

Routine

April 2

Because Jessie thrives on routine, we also thrive on routine. We do the same things every day. We get up, get dressed, Jess goes downstairs, I straighten the upstairs bedroom then go down and fix breakfast.

Speaking of getting dressed, I've had to laugh at FB posts picturing the newest Easter dresses for women - flowered housecoats! I know many women who don't get dressed if they don't have to go out and since we haven't been able to go out, many are in their pj's all day. Not me. I dress every day as if I'm going out to see someone. I also make my bed. As I said yesterday, I dressed up and wore my watch! I feel that getting dressed helps a person feel better. More able to face the day. That's my opinion.

In the past 3 weeks or more I have cooked more meals than I had the previous year - or at least it feels that way. Both Jon and I are on Weight Watchers, so meals need to be "counted out" and thought out ahead of time. It seems that the kitchen is where I spend most of my day. Breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and mini bedtime snack (for Jess). I'm not complaining. I do like to cook. I love to bake but don't because we'd eat it all. I'm so glad we began WW prior to our "stay at home" order, otherwise I'd be eating everything in the pantry and more. I'm hoping that by not going out for lunch many times a week that Jess will lose some weight, too.

Lunch Out

April 1

This is the day that Jessie has waited for since last week. Her new words: "Wendy's drive thru".  So we drove thru Romeo's Wendy's, said hello to James then parked in the back of Frontier Town and watched the goats. All from the comfort of our van. It was good to get out of the house even if we didn't get out of the van.

Jessie and Jennifer worked on quite a few Easter projects to be mailed. I'm so glad that direct care workers are essential because it would be extremely difficult for Jessie to be in the house all the time with just me and Jon when he's not working. It may happen, but for now we are all healthy.

I got "dressed up" today - I put on my watch!