Happy Anniversary, Covid-19

 Well, it's been a year since the world went into pandemic mode. It started with the quarantine and the shut down of many businesses and cancellation of events. Basically, we were not allowed to gather in hopes that we could "flatten the curve" and keep the number of cases within a manageable range. The virus came and went in our family with full recovery all around. The vaccine is now here to save the day and many aspects of life have returned. Others have not, but I don't mind so much. I have adapted in many ways. This is my life now. 

I believe in masks. It shows we care about each other. I wear masks. I hate masks. I can't breathe. I find myself yawning constantly trying to get more oxygen. I can't hear what people say, because apparently I don't hear as well as I think I do. I read lips. If I can't see your lips, I can't hear your words. I don't like smelling my own breath. My face gets hot. I get a headache. But...they allow me to go to the store, and the doctor, and church. I love church. I keep masks in my car and in my purse. Sometimes I take the wrong car or leave my mask on the counter instead of my purse. I've bummed a mask from the customer service desk, the store next door, and my relatives. Once I just kept shopping. I felt like a rebel. I don't like that feeling. I'm a rule follower...even if I complain.

On Sundays I go to church. We used to use all the rows in the chapel, then we couldn't use any rows. We had home church. We also joined with my son and his family on zoom. That was wonderful. I'm very thankful for the times I listened to my son testify of Christ and his wife share her inspired thoughts and their children sing the songs of Zion. Thank you Covid. Now we go to church again and sit every other row with our masks on. I miss hugging my friends and seeing faces, but it's better than nothing. I know that now.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays I work at the garden center. This happy surprise opportunity allows me to learn more about plants and landscaping, earn money and get more plants which is only the best treat in the world. 

On Tuesday and Thursday morning I have Grandma school with my grandson. This came about because of my son's company's childcare allowance and my daughter-in-law needing to homeschool and online school help her older children. Another Covid perk.

Tuesday afternoons I give facetime piano lessons to a California grandson. We have a great time. He's smart and funny and has a cute smile.  This time together reminds him that he has another Grandma who loves him.

On Saturdays I go to the thrift store with my mom. Because of our awesome thrift store we feel rich. I buy a dress or shoes or teacup and feel the thrill of a pretty new thing. Every once in a while I'll find furniture and sell it online to finance my habit. My mom looks for trinkets to put in her surprise basket. When kids come to visit they get to choose something from her thrift store finds. Mom has made friends with the cashier. Ashley expects us and wonders what's wrong if plans change.

Every day except Sunday I work in my garden. Paul built me beautiful raised beds that are surrounded by mulch and enclosed with netting wrapped around stakes to prevent the deer from eating the plants. I have tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, berries, pomegranates, and flowers. I started them from seeds in the winter. Now they are planted in the garden, and I am advertising my new business. People can order a garden bouquet, and I deliver it within 6 miles. I still get to take flowers to my friends, but I have a dream of a little flower side hustle. Also, gardening is such a joyful activity. I love seeing the plants grow. I'm a big fan of creation.

My life is lovely and especially so now that there is a little more travel and I get to see my grandchildren. Not being with family was definitely one of the worst parts of the pandemic, but I'm thankful that I have clarity on my priorities. All I need now is for the temple to open and my life would be perfect. I'm confident that will come soon. 

I'm sorry that many families have lost loved ones and some are still struggling with long term effects of illness, but it's nice to remember that relationships are a treasure and a simple life can be a joyful life. 

Connecting with family-Covid-19 style.

 Covid-19 blah, blah, blah. I feel like all I’ve done for the last 5 months is talk about Covid-19. It’s new, it’s scary, it’s inconvenient, it’s life changing, it’s life taking, it’s polarizing.  All those things are real and true, but I believe in looking for the good in all things. One good thing that I’d really like to remember this summer is our family theme picture activity. We took turns choosing a theme each week. Every family member and their family created a picture according to the theme. Some weeks we guessed, other weeks we captioned. There were usually awards, but there were always smiles and love and a tiny bit of competitive spirit. The themes and entries were as follows:

Week 1-Blue. (Chosen by Laurie)

Week 2: Inclement Weather (Chosen by Daniel)

"Tornado came through!"

"We had to make our own rain. Not sure how helpful umbrellas are for horizontal rain."

A Spring Day in Georgia: Frost warning in the morning. Thunderstorm warning in the afternoon followed by a heat advisory.

Hurricane's a comin'

"Sometimes the weather needs a little outside help."

Week 3: Colloquial phrases (Chosen by Brandon)

"Stop and smell the roses."

"Keep me posted"

"Cute as a button."

"Best thing since sliced bread."

"Better late than never."

"Under the weather."

"Bob's your uncle."

"On the ball."

"Ignorance is bliss."

I'd rather be...as in not quarantined. (Chosen by Nathan)

Graduating

With my family

At the temple

Playing video games with my brothers

On the lake

At the French Open

Swimming

At Disney World

At the zoo

Camping

In Quicksand "Read in sassy 'I'd rather stick pins in my eye' voice."

 on a date

Week 5: 80's song lyric (Chosen by Aaron)

''Ice, Ice, Baby."

"Another One Bites the Dust."

"We Didn't Start the Fire"

"We Wear Our Sunglasses at Night."

"Every Breath I Take."

"Jump"

"Welcome to the Jungle"

"Country Roads"

"Ghostbusters"

Week 6: Comics (Chosen by Jacob)

Who Ate the Lasagna? (Every Garfield Comic Ever)

Week 7: Optical Illusion (Chosen by Eliza)

Week 8: Mascot (Chosen by Andrew)

Griffindor Lion

Timberwolves

Walla Walla Sweets

Boilermakers

Sacramento Kings

Eagle

Week 9: "Knock Knock Jokes," (Chosen by Rebecca)

...Olive... Olive you

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock...Octupus

...Iguana...Iguana hold your hand

...Broken Pencil...Never Mind. It's Pointless.

...banana...banana...banana...banana...orange you glad I didn't say banana?

Week 10: "20 second dance video." (Chosen by Gabe.)

Fun times. And now it's August and school's going to try and start, and we're just going to roll with the pandemic and riots and dechero storm and fires and all the other opportunities for refinement and reflection that are being afforded us right now. And hopefully have a little fun along the way.