Seriously, every muscle in my body hurts. My arms feel like Jell-O. But it’s not COVID-19, you guys! Yesterday, I raked leaves and picked them up, push-mowed the entire yard, cleaned out my flower beds, and manhandled the weed-eater like a pro.
Today, I feel like I’m 100 years-old. At least 100!
Working outside shifted my thoughts about the pandemic to thoughts of my great uncle, Ted, (who owned this house before me). Why Ted? Because I would LOVE to know why in the world he chose to plant whatever type of grass is here. In the spring there are dead spots… a LOT of spots. But about a month from now I’ll wake up and have the prettiest green lawn you’ve ever seen.
I wonder if it has anything to do with a story Carl shared… about the time someone charged poor ole’ Ted to spray the grass with some kind of animal shit (chicken maybe?) and bugs swarmed for seasons afterward. No matter, the first yard work of the season is in the books and I didn’t see any creepy flying critters.
Day #28 and I sure do miss family
Being a Nana (and a Mom to a grown child) is rough as you’re sheltering in place. When Ben and Coco stopped to get groceries I had delivered here, Colette blew me kisses from the car. Ben and I stayed at least 15′ apart. I know it’s what we’re supposed to do and I want nothing more than to keep all of us healthy… but it’s heartbreaking. And it’s not nearly over yet!
With Fauci saying he believes there should be a federally mandated stay-at-home order in place, I wonder if that’s in our future (even though Trump doesn’t seem to be in favor of it because different states have different levels of cases).
After decorating the mantle in the living room for Christmas, I sent a photo by text to my favorite son.
His reply:
“Those lights are ghostly or ethereal looking… giving me a spook!”
A spook? REALLY? Here’s the thing — I knew when I finished I should’ve used the ‘yellow-looking’ clear lights instead of the white LED ones. Yah, the lights are too bright. No, I’m not changing them this year.
Next, he sent me a text… a photo as he’s in the process of putting up his tree…
If it wasn’t for the fact that my granddaughter is about the cutest thing EVER, I would’ve said something besides, “awwww” in my return text. Like… “you haven’t gotten the fake snow cleaned up yet?” Or… “could your walls get any redder?”
Sadly, this grumpy kid got it honest. He is that one pesky neighbor made over. A little lazier (ok, a LOT less type A personality going on), but just as grumpy. Carl can pass a compliment, but he can also take one tiny little thing and hammer on it for 10-minutes. (Sorry Mr. Pesky, you know it’s true.) Ben finds fault in about everything I do — and isn’t afraid to let me know allll about it.
The primary difference between them is that Ben checks the date on every food item before consuming it… and Carl will eat just about anything. That’s it! So two of the most important people in my life are grumpy.
But don’t feel sorry for Mom or me! Because once you get past (or ignore) that rough, crotchety exterior — they aren’t so bad. 🙂
Colette’s elementary school’s Veterans Day program was today around lunch. It was a fabulous gathering to honor those who have served our country. A bajillion little kids (around 350 or so) gathered on a too-small stage to thank living veterans for their sacrifices.
When I say a too-small stage — I’m telling you it was so packed I didn’t even see my favorite granddaughter once all the students were in place. She was lost in a sea of red, white and blue. I know my photo is bad. I simply popped the highest zoom and pointed where I thought she might be. I missed the mark.
My very favorite part was the Armed Forces Medley. Veterans were asked to stand when the song for their branch of military service was played and everyone clapped and cheered. I wish one of those pesky neighbors would’ve been around to be there — I know Coco would’ve been proud.
Thanks to Veterans everywhere! I thought about you early today. 🙂
You know that little piggy that went wee, wee, wee, all the way home? Well… that little piggy is purple, looks like a sausage, and screams no matter where he goes. Youch!
I stuck that little piggy in a pair of shoes and took Colette to gymnastics yesterday. Pretty sure gymnastics is a grandma’s job because I’ve yet to meet a parent. One lady there is typically quiet, but I sat with her yesterday and she talked to me.
I found out that she retired after working in a factory on 3rd shift for 31 years. I also found out that her granddaughter had to choose between gymnastics and swimming because they couldn’t afford both. It made me so sad I wanted to slip her a couple hundred bucks and tell her to sign that little blonde-headed spitfire up.
There are so very many good causes that are deserving — I wish I could support them all. It did make me happy that g’ma had the money to at least let the little girl do one sport she loves. And maybe… we shouldn’t give in to every single desire a child might have. Maybe doing both activities would cause grades to suffer, and maybe making choices builds character and appreciation for the things that DO work out.
Today was not an ordinary Monday. We all have crazy days, right? I had one today and sure hope this isn’t a sign for what the rest of my week is going to be like.
It all started with a text from Metronet letting me know they would arrive in 15-minutes. I figured that was plenty of time to let Gracie and Dharma out before the action started.
But… that’s WHEN the action started. Two tiny birds had gotten into the patio room (someone left the door open). Dharma had one dead in half a second. The other was frantically banging into windows to get free while Dharma chomped and I screamed. That’s when the doorbell rang.
Then… no Internet for hours. My Apple watch continued to send warning notifications — your front door camera has lost connection… your back door camera has lost connection! Alexa was pissed and kept telling me she couldn’t connect and Mr. Google was whining in the other room about his connection.
Then, we had gymnastics…
While there, a little girl got hurt — and then another. One was a toe and the other was full-on drama. While that was going on a very nice lady sat beside me and now I know everything about her family, her dead husband, and her battle with Lupus.
By 8:00 PM ET I was done! I unplugged from life and took a nap on the couch. Of course, now it’s almost midnight and I have the big-eye. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! 🙂
