I Miss You, Mom!

 It's been three years, Mom. The loss of time spent with you is no longer my waking thought. It's been months since I burst into tears while out shopping. Not a day goes by, however, when I don't think of you. 

River Cess, Liberia, West Africa c1968

In the last "real" conversation we had you asked me to be sure Dad was taken care of.  We're doing our best, Mom. I can't help wondering what it would have been like if you'd lived just a few more years and moved up with Dad. The great grands you'd have met, the adventures in the snow you loved....and yet, I still rest in the bedrock belief that the God you loved and served so well had numbered your days. 

Every Christmas I begin to do little things in your memory - things others aren't even aware of...you loved Christmas so...I can only imagine how you have loved celebrating Jesus face to face.

I miss you, Mom. 

Philippine Islands c 1979

Mom's Obituary

Lessons From Mom 

Mom's Life Story

TGIF and My TASTE is Back!

 It has been weeks and weeks since Stacia and I went out for Bible study...quarantine and Covid being what they are. She really wanted to go this morning, Dad was sleeping in, the boys were home to stay with him if he did wake up, I didn't have a fever.....off we went to Sophia's drive-through.  We wore gloves and masks and stayed in our car. When I tasted this wonderful Skinny Sugar Free Chai.....a heart-felt prayer burst from my lips, "Thank you, Jesus! This is so good." It hit me - my taste is back!!!! And the first thing which has tasted normal to me since Nov 22nd is a Sophia's chai. ::snort:: 

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

We took our meals to the top of Lazy Mountain. It was a beautiful day. We are still on the hunt for used cross country skis. We must find some. 

Masks are actually quite nice when its 5* out

We engaged in an impromptu discussion about perspective. See the little mountain in the shadow of the big one (Pioneer Peak). That little one is the Bodenburg Butte - which we trudge up. It seems like the top of the world when one is ON the Butte, it looks pretty puny when one views it from the top of Lazy Mountain, in the shadow of Pioneer Peak.  That'll preach. 

Dad and Michael both slept all morning and half the afternoon away. It was good. We puttered around and I did laundry. But FIRST...I knocked a case of jars off the top of a laundry shelf. This led to me reorganize the canning in the laundry room. At some point I'll get summer/fall blogged...but for now....here's a few shots of some of the things we canned. I meant to keep track of how much I panted and how much we were able to can...but I think those notes got ditched. 

Ah well.... all from grown, foraged or caught by us this summer

Top shelf - Dandelion Salve, Pickles

Middle Shelf - apple sauce, salmon, broth 

Bottom Shelf - apple sauce, beans, pickles, salmon, green beans, beets, blueberries (foraged at Hatcher's pass), broth, peas, coleslaw

This shelf has zucchini relish, zucchini pickles and shredded zucchini...and there is another 12 quarts of apple sauce here and across the room....

It certainly isn't ALL we would have liked to put up; but the garden DID produce much more than it has in former years. 

We ended the evening watching the new Mulan. We liked it. 

Another Day on the Road to Recovery

I woke up with energy and no fever again. The past two days I've noted my energy wanes by afternoon. 

THIS morning I used up some Granny Smith apples purchased BEFORE I started the Covid Coaster. 

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

Nolan and Grandpa (Dad) got up to apple pie for breakfast. The best part? It's sugar free! Yes, it still has calories and natural occurring sugar, but it's a fairly good choice for a treat for Grandpa and I. Of course, I didn't TELL him it was sugar free! ::snort:: 

As the day wore on - I napped. It would appear everyone felt fine today....I am worn out and dealing with splitting headaches. I've still not gone a whole day without Tylenol (due to headaches) or made it back to my normal 97.2....but I am SO much better.

Krista had to run to Walmart for a headlight and asked if I needed anything. I texted her my running grocery list and she picked it up and brought it home. What a blessing. 

Grandpa is NOT understanding why we said we won't be at church this week. By the new Covid standards - we ARE off quarantine as of today....but since 2 of us haven't had Covid yet, we are thinking we'll do the full 14 days.  Those of us who HAVE had Covid are perfectly safe to go out and about.... He reminded me he hasn't been to church since AUGUST. Maybe I'll brave a solo outing with Dad on Sunday. How hard can it be to navigate the chair, van, and bathroom issues without Michael?  We'll see how I'm feeling by Sunday. 

Turning the Corner on Covid

 I woke up this morning with a low grade fever and oxygen level of 96. WHUT? I felt I must be better - and as the day went on I realized I'm more at about 50 or 60%....I took naps. I ended up taking Tylenol as my SPLITTING headache still accompanies me....but when I took the Tylenol I went down to my normal 97.1. That is the first time in 12 days I have seen that temp....even with Tylenol. 

I think I've turned a corner. I was able to get bills paid, I made dinner, and I played two games with family. 

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

Krista goes back to work tomorrow - per new CDC guidelines and the timetable worked out for her by the school nurse.  The boys are back at work - per CDC guidelines.  The rest of us have decided to stick with the longer "old" CDC guidelines and stay quarantined until 15 Dec....because I am not taking ANY chance of going with the new guidelines, showing up at church Sunday, and blessing friends with THIS. 

Alex, Krista and Stacia seem fine. Nolan is doing well but "achy" and tired. Dad tells us he's fine - but I hear him on the phone sharing various complaints. When he's off the phone I ask him and he says, "I feel great." So.....his oxygen levels are fine, pulse rate is great and he never ran a temp. Praise God!  I'm assuming he's fine, but taking him in for a covid test to confirm. Michael - we just aren't sure about. He may have had covid, he may not have had covid. His symptoms weren't like the rest of us...but some don't get all the symptoms we did. I'm praying he does NOT get sick now that I'm getting better. We're ready for all of us to be better. 

Me? My first symptom was the 22nd of Nov, loss of taste and just feeling off. I know that's not the norm. It's what happened. Days later I began to run a low grade fever, had respiratory and GI issues develop. Then BAM my fever shot to 103 and wouldn't come down with round the clock Tylenol/Ibuprofen and numerous home remedies. It was up there from the 30th until this morning.  Monday my doc took me off Ibuprofen as my kidneys were compromised....and instead had me run out into the snow hourly and take even MORE Tylenol...2 days of that and my thermostat must have reset! Saturday and Sunday I felt so bad I was considering the hospital. It is not fun when one can't get a deep breath.  I was told I could stay home if I could drink 60 oz of water and if my temp didn't go above 103. I'm thankful I was able to stay home. 

I had thoughts of all the fun we'd have on quarantine - but we have spent most of it surviving. LOL 

Tonight, Michael opened his birthday gifts from the kids. 

I enjoyed being a part of the Advent Devotional tonight. 

That candle has traveled far since I was here. 

We ended the night playing Farkle. Dad was happy to be playing again...Stacia won. 

I think we've turned a corner. We are praying all have now had it - though Michael tested negative.  I've been told to expect a bit of time before I'm not tired or achy or head achy....but this is WAY better than where I've been...

A Fun Window Visit

 THIS pulled me from the throes of my 103 fever induced apathy...

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

...a window visit from Benny! We are happy for the ramp....we could get just a bit closer to our sweet one....Grandpa came out and joined the fun. Benny brought the rest of the family too! 

Danny, Cory and Arielle

Papa opened the door (that papa!) to get a closer look at Danny. 

He  began lobbing snowballs at Benny. Benny ran all the way across the driveway into the wood shed. I don't think it shows in THIS photo but he was sticking his tongue out at Papa as he dodged the snowballs.  You can make out him anticipate that snowball's arrival. 

CoRielle brought some hippie tea, Jello, lentil veggie soup and turkey broth. The visit did our heart's good. 

Ms. Moose Pays a Winter Visit

The thing is Moose - don't CARE about Covid rules and quarantines. They visit WHERE they want to visit, WHEN they want to visit. 

The fall got away from us this year like NEVER before. I didn't get all the garden plants picked before it began snowing, Dad came home and then it was really snowy.....

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

Ms. Moose discovered the dead tomato plant inside the greenhouse Michael had fashioned.  They also love the Brussel Sprout stalks. It's fun to watch them paw away the snow to get to the dying plants under the snow. I'm sure it's not the proper way to garden and we will do better next fall....but for now....it is providing something interesting to watch as we are sequestered at home. 

He's a Champ

 Alex is such a champ. He went to work at 0500, worked 9 hours, came home, and helped Michael clear the snow.  Snow doesn't stop for Covid. 

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

We sure appreciate his help.