Recreational Texting and My First Text Epiphany

Has your texting increased during the Pandemic? The husband complains, I mean notices that I am in text mode most of the day. The Pandemic offers numerous opportunities to find stay-at-home leisure activities, and recreational texting is high on my list.

Texting is a skill, and not everyone is a good texter. I don’t only mean typos, although that is a huge problem with some folks—especially those of a particular age group. Ok, typos are a huge problem for me – I am that lady in the hilarious commercial who uses a speakerphone.  Except I am regularly using it to text. My second text typically is: “dictation sucks- this is what I meant to say.”  

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My Grandma Was an Air-Raid Warden!

Grandma was an Air-Raid Warden sounds like a great country song or perhaps a song from the ’70s. In fact, this is the story of our Grandma Sayde, my dad’s mother. My tale is not a story of war; I will leave that to historical blog writers. Instead, read on for two cute anecdotes from the 1940s that will give you a smile.

(more…) “My Grandma Was an Air-Raid Warden!”

Finding the Joy of Communication through Music

Jessica does not speak in words; her communication is through gestures, facial expressions, body language, and music.  Jessica brings the joy of music wherever she goes.

Jessica and the Joy of Music - Jessica playing the piano as a toddler and as an adult
Jessica playing the piano as a toddler and as an adult

Last week, I was asked to create a presentation about Jessica and the upcoming book Raising Jess: A Story of Hope. I started searching through my stack of presentations created when I was working.  

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Attending Buffalo Bills Game During the Pandemic

It was 3:00 PM on January 16th, and all was a buzz in our house. Was it about the virus? No!  Politics? No! The weather? No! The Bills!!! YES! and not the kind you pay! The Beloved Buffalo Bills!

My husband Mitch, daughter Carly, son Alex, and brother-in-law Scott had the opportunity that few others experience; they were attending the Buffalo Bills game during the Pandemic!

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ONE COVID-19 VACCINE DOWN:ONE TO GO

I thought I would be writing about my Covid-19 Vaccine this week. As a local hospital volunteer I received notification that I was eligible for the Vaccine. The shot was scheduled for Wednesday, January 13th. I was nervous (of course!) because I still have antibodies from the virus. Were the virus antibodies and the Vaccine antibodies going to duel it out while I relived Covid symptoms? It turns out that they ran out of Vaccines, and so my antibody war was delayed. The good news is that our daughter Jess and my Dad (age 90 – hope you don’t mind me revealing your age Dad.) have one Covid-19 Vaccine down and one to go!

Windowpane visit after Vaccine. JESS AND DAD HAVE ONE COVID-19 VACCINE DOWN – ONE TO GO
Windowpane visit after Vaccine.
(more…) “ONE COVID-19 VACCINE DOWN:ONE TO GO”

New Year Resolutions, A New Me-Nah…

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I usually make one or two, and they focus on organization, re-organization, and new-organization techniques. Again, my 2021 resolutions included a wish-hope-strive-resolute for organization. Consequently, since I re-commit to this skill each year, organization is probably unattainable. I probably should just move on! New Year, New Me- Nah….

New Year Resolutions, why bother?

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January 6, 2021

January 6, 2021

I had a cute blog scheduled for this week.  But I am not feeling cute or funny.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021, is a day of infamy.  A  sad date etched into our memories—another, “Where were you when…” date. The headline: Americans storm the Capitol Building.

https://images.app.goo.gl/knFydsdpbhyJ7HHF8
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a screen as his supporters cheer during a rally on the National Mall on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

I was not political before 2016.  Embarrassingly, I barely paid attention.  I remember when I first had dinner at Mitch’s family’s home in 1976.  The theme of the conversation was Politics and I had NOTHING to add.  Zilch, Void, NADA! I was inwardly disappointed in myself but not enough to become more knowledgeable in world events.

(more…) “January 6, 2021”

11 Things I Learned from Our Experience with Covid-19

Our encounter with Covid-19 was unique. I say that because it seems like nobody has the same experience with Covid-19. At least from my non-scientific query of the folks who had symptoms. So, in no hierarchical order, here are some observations:

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3 Inspirational Messages from Above: Thanks, Ben!

This is the story of my friend Chris and her family. It is the story of opening up to inspirational messages from above.

I met Chris through work.  We were in the human service field, providing information and support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Our children inspired both of us to pursue this work.

Chris and her husband Rick
Chris and her husband Rick

Chris is not only beautiful on the outside, but she is also gorgeous on the inside. She is the first to lend a hand, say a meaningful word, give a gift of kindness.  Chris and her husband, Rick, do not understand the word “NO.”

When their son, Ben, was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Chris and her family did everything humanly possible for Ben to experience all he could.  When Ben was in his 20’s and wanted to live independently, Chris and Rick went to work.

(more…) “3 Inspirational Messages from Above: Thanks, Ben!”

My Positive Covid-19 Diagnosis

Well, it was bound to happen. When my husband Mitch received his positive Covid-19 result (detailed in last week’s blog), he moved into the basement. I did not know that an hour after that blog was released, I would find out that I have Covid-19.

Friday, a friend mentioned that I sounded like I had a cold. I brushed her off by saying that I sound like I have a cold every morning. But do I? Was I in denial? My mind raced that day with thoughts ranging from, “Am I clearing my throat too much?”  Am I losing a sense of taste, or is my meal tasteless from lack of spice or poor cooking skills?” “Uh oh, was that a cough?”

Went to Bed Friday Feeling Fine

(more…) “My Positive Covid-19 Diagnosis”

A Positive Covid-19 Test Result on Our 41st Wedding Anniversary

The Positive Covid-19 test result story started before Thanksgiving and ended on our 41st Anniversary.

As my Dad jokingly said, “Even a hypochondriac can be right sometimes!”

Yes, he was referring to me and my constant worrying. But this time, unfortunately, I was correct. The answers didn’t appear immediately; there were some twists and turns.

(more…) “A Positive Covid-19 Test Result on Our 41st Wedding Anniversary”

How a Unique Toast to Mom Helped Us Continue a Family Tradition

It was October 2020, and 225 days since we saw my Dad and in-laws. We are in Western New York, and they live in Florida. It was time to visit our parents, time to reunite. 

The news continued to report virus upticks and suggestions to hunker down at home as we prepared for our trip. My Mom passed on February 6, 2020, right before we KNEW about the virus. Less than a month later, my Dad would not only be learning to live alone without my Mom but now he would lose face-to-face contact with his friends.

(more…) “How a Unique Toast to Mom Helped Us Continue a Family Tradition”

Covid-19 Test, Yikes and Thanks!

Have you thought about Covid-19 testers? Are they volunteering for this? Was it part of their pre-Covid-19 job description? I have massive respect for the people stepping up to perform this unpleasant task. I also have a weird suspicion that my Covid-19 tester was a bit Brutal! But I still say to him and his fellow testers: thank you for your service.

(more…) “Covid-19 Test, Yikes and Thanks!”

Size A B or C, and I am Not Talking Bras (RV search)

Size A, B, or C, and I am not talking bras! Who would have guessed? Mitch and I traveled to Florida in our Truck Camper. You know the one I wrote about without the bathroom and indoor shower. We love our camper, but for me, this RV is missing a critical facility! We started looking at alternatives, and cutely, unlike bras, they are classified as A, B, B+, or C and there is also the fifth wheel.

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Tomorrow is Election Day 2020-Let’s Unite

Tomorrow is Election Day, 2020. Although it feels like election day started weeks ago with early voting. I have never been so politically involved or motivated to Vote!

My first voting experience was on November 2, 1976. My boyfriend, and now my husband, Mitch, encouraged all my apolitical girlfriends and me to register and vote.  We were students at the University of Miami   (the sunny one, not the Ohio School).  My priorities at the time were fun, food, festivities, and friends.

(more…) “Tomorrow is Election Day 2020-Let’s Unite”

RN Shares HERSTORY about Getting Covid-19 and Lessons Learned

We are on day 271 since the first reported case of Covid-19 in the US. Two hundred seventy-one days, and we are still working to contain this beast. Becky, a Registered Nurse, shares her story about Contracting Covid-19 and Lessons Learned.

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Attending a Party During Covid: Confession from the Outsider

We have not been to many parties or gatherings since March 2020. So, when we received an invitation to a party, my first thought was, “Oh NO! Do we go?” The friends who invited us are not just acquaintances; they are friends who have become family. Mitch has known the husband for 57 years! These are our people! So, we needed to decide will we be attending a party during Covid?

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What I Discovered After 7-Months of Hypocritical Covid-19 Rules

I am humbled by my Hypocritical Covid-19 Rules. Seven months into this thing gives me time to reflect on the new normal.

I am trying to keep my 6-foot distance from our daughter Jessica who is vulnerable. But Last week, I arrived at her home prepared with my tools.

(more…) “What I Discovered After 7-Months of Hypocritical Covid-19 Rules”

What the Exit Interview with our Son and Daughter Revealed

How Did We Do? These Inquiring Parents Wanted to Know.

Many wise companies provide an exit interview when you leave their employment. The human resource staff will ask about your experience at the company. “So, how did we do? What would you change? Where did we come up short, and where did we excel?” So, why not conduct an exit interview when your adult offspring move out of the house (for the first time – not when they come back for random reasons).

(more…) “What the Exit Interview with our Son and Daughter Revealed”

Camper Envy and Size Matters

I was in the camping world for less than ten hours and already had camper envy!

Mitch and I decided that we were going to do it!  Pick up our pop-up camper in Arkansas, a short 1000-mile drive from our home.  We broke this up evenly between two days by driving 16-hours on Day 1 and three hours on Day 2.  Well, maybe not that even. 

(more…) “Camper Envy and Size Matters”

What My Mother Knew That Took Me 20 Years to Find Out

My Mom was a big fan of my writing and said, “you should write a book.”

But I was too busy to write a book. I had a full-time job, three kids, and three dogs at home. Jessica, as documented in many blogs, needed help with every daily life skill.

(more…) “What My Mother Knew That Took Me 20 Years to Find Out”

Should We Do It? 6 Reasons to Try a Camper

Mitch and I unknowingly were trendsetters before COVID-19.  

In January, we purchased, after much research, a new pop-up camper for his truck. Mitch researched the whole country and found our gem in Arkansas. Those who know me well know that I would not own a truck, nor would I purchase a pop-up camper. Turns out that I love driving his wheels and PRE-COVID, I was somewhat looking forward to the camper.  

(more…) “Should We Do It? 6 Reasons to Try a Camper”