January, 2021A New Year Has Started, But Is it Any Different?

 We started the new year with snow! So it was a football and chili day. The temperature only got up to 33 degrees by noon. We got the inside Christmas decorations put away over the week-end. We continued to be concerned about Pam & JC and their recovery from COVID. They are better - but not well. I got my second  Shingles shot on Jan. 4th. I was glad to get it and have it completed. I don't want shingles! Most days we try to get outside for a short walk around the neighborhood - about a mile. Some days we walk less if it is too chilly. The dogs go crazy for these little jaunts! We also worked on cleaning out our computer rooms - including the file cabinet, shelves, etc. We bought a new iPad on Jan 5th because Steve's was very old. So he got the one  I use and I got the new one! On Jan. 6th there was a riot in Washington D.C. which we heard about on the news.We finished up in the computer room and started cleaning out the spare bedroom. We are just trying to pare down some of the stuff we have gathered up over the years.

Snow!

On the 11th of January we went to Stillwater VA for an appointment with Steve's primary care provider. We also found out this evening that Kristi has COVID - but apparently the kids didn't get it. Although Logan had to quarantine for several days (14?).  It was a pretty sunny day and about 50 ish degrees so we took down our outside Christmas lights and decorations on the 12th. We worked on cleaning out the kitchen cabinets because we are trying to remodel the kitchen at some point. We have had the kitchen measured and are waiting to meet with Lowe's to finalize the details. I was able to register Steve and I for the COVID vaccine on the 13th. I will get mine first because I am 65. I have been trying on Thursdays to get an appointment - but most of the time - there have been no appointment slots available. Steve has been working on a screen door for the garage that includes a doggie door. Some days I have went out to the shed and helped him. 

Steve in the shed

I have used our Portal to talk to a few people. That is kind of fun. Steve had to charge the batteries in the RV on the 19th. We are not sure what keeps discharging them, another problem to investigate. We went to the Texas Roadhouse with Hazel & Linda and spent our Christmas gift cards. The food was great as always. The next project I worked on was cleaning out the drawers in the hallway. There are three of them and they hold pictures and cards. Lots of them! So I am working on decluttering them. We were at Lowe's for 2 hours on the 22nd, going over details on the kitchen remodel. It is tedious. I am not a decorator. On this day I was also able to secure an appointment for a COVID vaccine! Yea! On Saturday, the 23rd of January, we went to Enid. We took Pam & JC's Christmas presents to them and visited with them. Paige, Dave and Parker were there also - so we had a mini, belated Christmas get-to-gether. They have all have COVID -and were out of the danger zone, so we enjoyed the visit. Steve & I also took Pam to lunch at Colton's Landing. It's a new restaurant in Enid. I didn't like it as good as the Texas Roadhouse. Of course they got our order wrong on the salads Steve & I ordered - but oh well. 

These are horse racing blankets (awards) from when Glenn & I raced Blister Bug. They are 35 years old. And I decided to give one to Linda & one to Hazel to remember their Dad and one of our favorite past times, Horse Racing. It was a big part of our lives and Blister Bug was an exceptional horse!

We have started to watch some OSU (OK State) men's basketball when they are on TV, since the football season is winding down. We will miss football! We had supper with Hazel and Linda this week at La Macarena in Perry - always good! On the 27th of January I got my COVID Vaccine at the Payne county health department in Stillwater. It was easy. Can't wait til Steve can get his and and our 2nd shots so we will have some protection from the virus. Another project Steve has worked on is repairing the drywall cracks in our house from the earthquakes we have experienced. We had foundation repair several years ago and he tried to fix the cracks then, but they seem to have re-appeared. Plus now we need to get the garage area stabilized. When they did the foundation repair at first, they said we didn't need it in the garage area. Well, now we do. Things change! I also worked on completing a picture book on Shutterfly about Echo Lake. I got it finalized on the 30th and ordered it. This about summarizes the highlights for January. As I said we have tried to walk outside as many days as possible. We have also done the routine things, like shopping for groceries, doing laundry. We are kind of happy with the projects we have worked on and completed. We plan to clean out the garage and shed also! 

Parker, Pam, JC

Mary, Parker, Steve

Dave, Paige, Parker, Pam, JC

December 14 - 31, 2020 Finishing out the Year

December 14 - 20

Monday was cold. After breakfast and some TV we completed the laundry and watched some programs we had recorded. We also took a short walk. It was short because the cold weather doesn’t promote walking for us! LOL I fixed chicken enchiladas for supper. Steve didn’t feel great this evening. Tuesday the 15th it snowed a bit. We went to Linda’s for hairdos. On the way home we stopped at the tag office and got tags for the RV and the car. Tonight we had supper at La Macarena with Linda. Wednesday we got up and dressed for Wayne’s memorial service. Janette and Brandy came by the house. The memorial service was very nice of course, but sad. I went to Hazel’s after it was over and hung out awhile. Thursday we got around and walked the dogs. Then we had lunch. Our highlight for the day was going to Walmart for groceries and supplies. The weather was sunny but cold. On Friday the 18th we went to Enid to try to finish our Christmas shopping. The weather was chilly and very windy! Steve and I ate lunch at Chili’s. When we finished shopping we went by Pam and JC’s house to visit awhile. We made a stop at Jumbo’s and then went  home. Saturday I did shop for a few more items and we walked our dogs around the square downtown - two times. They really like walking in different places. So today, they got a walk and a ride in the pickup. Sunday we wrapped presents. And we watched a lot of football. We did take a break from football and walked the dogs. 

December 21- 27

Monday turned out very pretty. We got up and around then went to Oklahoma City about 11 AM. I went to Kohl’s and Walmart trying t find those last few presents. We ate lunch at Chicken Express. We went through the drive thru and ate in the car. Their lobby was not open. I also went to Thorn’s, the bank and the post office after we got home. It was a busy day. Tuesday we went to Walmart for groceries. We ate supper at La Macarena with Linda and Hazel. We exchanged our Christmas presents with them and had a nice time. We went to meet Kristi to pick up Logan - so he won’t be home alone all during Christmas break. And before we left town, we met Paige, Dave & Parker at Braum’s parking lot to give them their presents. They had been to Enid to check on JC & Pam - because JC went to the ER today - he may have COVID 19. Wednesday rolled around and I went to see Maxine and gave her a present. We had a nice visit, then I went to Tractor Supply - to get one more present. Not only do we shop for Christmas - but Steve’s birthday is the 29th. So I needed to buy him one more thing! After lunch the guys loaded up 5 big garbage bags of aluminum cans - 80# brought $20.50. Then we went to Lowe’s for a screen door for the garage. We went by Walmart for some medicine and back home. On Thursday we just sat around and vegged out watching TV. Logan and I played some Yahtzee. I fixed chili for supper. This year Christmas is all messed up. Kristi and Austyn are working and can’t come until Saturday. Pam & JC are sick, so we can’t have our usual Christmas Eve with them. To tell you the truth, it’s a little depressing. Christmas was another blah day. Steve and I did take a nice walk. We played Scattergories, Uno and Skipbo with Logan. Each of us won some games - so everyone was a winner! I fixed Chicken Cordon Bleu, Scalloped potatoes and corn for supper. Saturday was another nice day. It was 60 ish part of the day and sunny! First we cut up all the cardboard boxes in the shed and got them ready to discard. Then the guys worked on the screen door. I was outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Finally Kristi and Austyn arrived and we opened all our presents!  That was FUN! Then we went to Texas Roadhouse for supper! Sunday we had our Christmas Dinner. It was yummy. I also had to return to Walmart at Stillwater and pick up Steve’s birthday cake. We celebrated his birthday with cake and ice cream at suppertime. The bad news was that Pam took JC to the hospital and he was admitted. So they are still sick. He has COVID and needs treatment. 

Never to old to have Papa read you the Night Before Christmas

Steve modeling Sandals & Socks! LOL

Steve put this on the table to cheer me up  I think! Paige gave us the flowers!

Logan and Austyn

Mary (me)

Kristi

Steve

December 28-31

We had breakfast and then got around. Steve received the Facebook Portals from the VA. So I set one up and spent part of the morning catching up with an old friend, Claudette. We had pizza from the Hut, for lunch and the kids packed up and left. I worried about my sister, because she went to the ER and found out she also has COVID plus a UTI and low potassium. They didn’t admit her and I am worried about her staying home alone. 

Steve's Birthday Cake

Tuesday was Steve’s birthday and I surprised him with two additional gifts- a bellows (for the campfire) and some new overalls. He was happy. I also returned to Walmart to pick up my meds - they didn’t have them done all at once. The pickup times were all strung out. We were home for lunch and I talked to Pam. Later we watched the Oklahoma State Cowboys win their bowl game! We also went to La Macarena by ourselves and had fajitas. Wednesday - Steve woke up really early - so I suggested he go back to bed for a while. We did Laundry and caught up our bookkeeping. I talked with Marsha, we are both worried about Pam & JC. Steve and I walked the dogs in the afternoon. Later I made chicken soup and we watched the OU football bowl game. On Thursday, New Year’s Eve we did a few chores and I worked on the blog. Next we went to Homeland and the post office here in town. I spent a long time on the phone talking to Paige and Marsha about Pam and JC. We are all worried. I also completed a blog post.