Week 10 - Birthday Week

This week, the focus has been on Chloe's birthday.  Obviously a party was out of the questions due to the social distancing and Covid-19.  However, this is how her day went.........WARNING - photo heavy post!!
Birthday breakfast at home with all the gifts from the family (except us).
Steve and I decorated the porch....

 

And then she visited to receive her presents.......

 

It seemed so very strange not being able to hug her or touch her....Ugh
The final thing we gave her was an invitation to afternoon tea on the porch at 3.00 pm

When she got home, she had no idea that at 10.30, there was going to be a drive by birthday parade!!!

Ir was such fun and of course she burst into tears when she saw her friends.



Bella had organized a Zoom online party for her after lunch and then at 3.00pm she arrived (in her third outfit!) for tea on the porch with us

 I made a 'mocktail' for her of course and then there were canapés  and our homemade meringues filled with cream and jam.
 
 

It must have been a unique birthday for an 11 year old I have to say, but despite it all, she said it was the best birthday ever!  Steve and I were completely knackered!!  We slept well Ha ha ha

WEEK 9 Friday

Walked 2.23 miles this morning to honor Ahmaud Arbery who was chased down and shot dead while he was out jogging in Georgia.  It happened on the 23rd Feb and today would have been his birthday.  It has taken 72 days for the two men who killed him to be arrested......why?  Because he is black.  Racism is alive and well in this country.

Also today, a child was mauled by a stray dog they had taken in .  So on our walk we saw all the emergency vehicles including the life flight helicopter.  The child is doing well.  The dog was caught by the dog catcher.

Very windy this afternoon.  Saw the girls on their bikes.  They are planning a 6' lemonade stand where they will serve the lemonade by letting it down in the wagon!  Great idea.  Will take photos for sure.

Week NINE

It seems impossible that we have been quarantined for almost nine weeks now.  Lots of my time has been taken up with surgery and recovery but there are some good things happening.

When we sit on the porch we see far more families out walking ,fishing, kite flying and skateboarding.  I really hiope that this continues.
People are mindful of each others needs in the little things.  We were blessed to have a meal train delivery for three days each week for four weeks which I was in recovery.  People are so very kind.
Little treats get left out on doorsteps for people to find.
It's all in the kindness of strangers.

It's Chloe's 11th birthday this week.  No sleepover, no party.  She is so sad.  However, people are planning a drive past for her (Emma had one on her birthday) and I will be thinking of ways to give her the presents we have for her.  I'll post in here because it will be different for sure.

This week I've finally tidied my office/study - including the cupboards.  I've made my first masks as Steve and I need to wear them still as we are in a high risk group.  I have read books (not Kindle) on the porch because the weather has been perfect really.

So now the country is opening.  I'm not sure we are at all ready but the president wants the economy to improve.  These are the Coronavirus figures to date....
3,891,846 people have had the virus
269,112 have died world wide
76,290 deaths in the USA with 1,491 more deaths today

It really is a unique time to be alive.  Quite astonishing.

Post surgery!

So pretty much 5 weeks after surgery I feel BETTER!!!  I cannot believe how suddenly that happened.  I was in a lot of pain a few days ago but now......none!  The best thing is that I can have a bath.  What bliss that is after all this time.  Goodness me.  So I have been feeling like I can do things.  It's strange how when you are ill, your concentration goes and the will to get up and do stuff vanishes too.  Maybe your body is telling you to rest.  So apart from not lifting things I'm up and running again.

This week, I have put bookshelves together, and filled them!  Funny how books have a way of creeping into the house.  We sold thousands before we emigrated in 2012 but have stacks more....in cupboards, under tables, in the music cupboard etc. etc.  So, book cases it is.













Also today, I made a mask - really to see if I could.  It's Christmassy material but hey, I have to start with what I have!

Then I found a pattern and material for Chloe to make the bearded dragon a jacket (never done that before) and loaded shelves.  Of course I then thought I'd sit on the porch but it's 93F and no wind so really too hot.  You would think I'd have learnt that it's really hot here by mid afternoon.












I've also had long conversations with a couple of people I haven't talked to for ages so that was nice  I think people are connecting with each other more somehow.
Online church this morning was good too.  They played a video of a group that is new to me, The Annie Moses Band.  I am smitten and totally would recommend a viewing.