Procrastinating.....

I really want to post this before the week is over!  Procrastination is probably my strength! :-)

This has been "birthday season" for us here.  As everyone in the family is following the safe at home policy, we've had family Zoom meetings for gift opening and sharing of cake and ice cream.  A real celebration is planned whenever we are able to be together again!

Many of you know that Small Town Girl arrived on my birthday, and The Husband's is two days later!  A homemade cake has always been in order in the past; however, this year that is one more thing that is different.

We were fortunate to have some birthday treats delivered here with our grocery delivery.  The Husband also had his favorite treat for his birthday dinner!

Well, shucks! The last picture was supposed to be in the first spot!  Regardless, technology is still a miracle!

Take care, be safe, stay well, and wash your hands!

Sunday, April 26, 2020....

The Mission Focus for the United Methodist Women today is InterServ in St. Joseph, Missouri.

May you find hope, joy, love, and peace in some way on this Sunday and every day!  Special blessings to all!

Be safe, and stay well!

New things....

Hello, everyone!  How are you on this final Friday of April 2020?  Have you been trying any new things during these safe at home weeks?

One thing I had never done before is order groceries to be delivered.  That has been a very new experience for me.  I suspect this is something that will continue for sometime into the future.  This has led to the practice of sanitizing the groceries that are brought into the house!  That is definitely a "new thing!"

Another thing I had never done before is order shoes online!  I think one thing that encouraged me to do so this time was that it was for a brand that I have felt comfortable with in the past.  I find it very exciting to open a package that is delivered to the door!  Of course, the box was placed in solitude in the garage until a couple of days later, just to be sure there wasn't anything virus-related lurking on the cardboard!  That is another "new thing!"

I will say that I'm very pleased with the shoes!

They have done well with the walking I've been doing around our yard!

Take care, be safe, stay well, and wash your hands!

Sunday, April 19, 2020....

The Mission Focus of the United Methodist Women for today is the Holding Institute Community Center in Laredo, Texas.

Under usual circumstances, our morning would be filled with our attendance at Sunday School and worship with our church community.  Unfortunately, our church has been closed since March 15, with no definite reopening date announced.  Very grateful to those who are well versed in technology as we are able to "attend" our Sunday School class via webinar arranged by the teacher, and we'll also be able to worship via video that our ministers have arranged..

These are unprecedented times!  May we find hope, joy, love, and peace around us on this.....and every.....day!  Special blessings to all!

Another one....

How are you doing on this Friday afternoon?  Has your usual routine changed in these unprecedented times?  Have you previously made Friday plans for going out to eat?  Special shopping?  Entertaining guests?  Are you still doing your own shopping?  Are you wearing a mask/face covering when you go out in public?  Are others also wearing masks?  Do you wear disposable gloves?  Do you find yourself doing more online ordering?  Are you following the guidelines for social distancing?   Or - perhaps you haven't altered anything at all.

We were due to be in Mobile, Alabama at this time for the Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Women Quadrennial Meeting.  I happen to be a voting delegate for this event, and there were a couple of nominees from our Conference.  We were notified several weeks ago about a postponement.  Hopefully we'll be able to gather at some time in the future.

This is Day #36 (five weeks) of our self-imposed isolation.  We continue to have groceries delivered via Instacart and have made minimal trips out into the world for curbside pickup (prescriptions and such).  On our most recent errand, we wore masks and took along disposable gloves and disinfecting wipes.  We have veered away from the street when walking when we realize we're going to meet someone and that social distancing will be difficult.

We recently had a visit from the Country Couple.  How odd it was to not be able to offer them something to drink or invite them inside for a meal!  That was also a very difficult time for social distancing!

The Country Couple came bearing gifts!  As I mentioned, this is the month for surprises, and they brought one for us, too.

There are some happy birds in the neighborhood!!

Another surprise came from our state government!  As this is our birthday month, it happens to be time to renew our drivers' licenses, especially with the emphasis on having a Real ID.  We've been given an extension until October for that renewal!!  We must, however, carry along the letter that indicates that extension is officially in force.

Wishing you a good weekend ahead!  Be safe, and stay well!

Surprises....

How do you feel about surprises?  Have you ever received any?  Have you ever given any?

Well, I was surprised when UPS left a delivery at our house yesterday!  After placing the box in "quarantine" in the garage overnight (even picked it up with a disinfectant wipe and washed my hands really well afterward), I deemed it was safe enough to open!

What a surprise!

I believe I have my sister to thank!  There was nothing inside the package to indicate who had sent it.

This is actually the month that I should expect a surprise or two!  This is a really special one, and a very nice way to begin those surprises!  There will be no problem finding a spot to hang it!

Thank you, sister!

Everyone....take care, be safe, and stay well!

Sunday, April 5, 2020....

The United Methodist Women Mission Focus for today is the Gum Moon Residence Hall in San Francisco, California.

Today is Palm Sunday, the Sixth Sunday in Lent.  There will be no processing with palm branches in our church today.  The churches in our Conference have been under closure orders since March 15 due to COVID-19.

We have been honoring Sunday by attending our Sunday School class via webinar, set up by our teacher.  By going to the church website, we are able to click on a video for worship by our own pastors each Sunday, and we have also worshipped through United Methodist Church of the Resurrection website.

Today, we will light a candle that will burn during the UMCOR service, then celebrate Holy Communion online.

May you find hope, joy, love, and peace on this day!  Take care, be safe, and stay well!

Today....

....is my sister's birthday!  Happy Birthday to you!

It is also the first day of a new month - April!  Rabbit, rabbit to you!

It is also Day #20 here for our self-imposed isolation.  We continue to have grocery delivery via Instacart, and we've been out five times to pick up something at curbside.

It is also a day I was to have lunch at Panera with a longtime friend.  We'll make up for this one day!

In lieu of that lunch, I made it to the kitchen for some cooking.

Shepherd's Pie!

I am imagining each one of you joining me! 

Take care!  Be safe!  Stay well!