Time to Catch Up

 The last time I wrote I was in despair over the thought of moving. I'm happy to report we are still here and my husband's work has swung into overdrive. 

This spring we bought a truck. My 2010 Hyundai was having repetitive suspension problems. It wasn't safe to drive down a highway. One of my husband's dreams was to buy a big American truck. A blue one. And there it was. With the lockdown in full swing, the prices were down, a lot, and we had savings. 

2018 Ford F-150

It's a joy to drive but hard to park. It also won't fit in the garage. Well, it would, if we could drive straight in, but because the approach must be while turning, it's not possible.

In other news, my husband's citizenship application is on hold. They just aren't doing anything. The appointment he had in March was cancelled. In August the USCIS laid off thousands of employees.

We took a lot of walks while work was slow, weather permitting. It was a hot and humid summer. Fall came suddenly with September, but not as much time to walk. We were able to visit my daughter in Indiana twice.

I still miss my daughter, always will. My neighbor and I have decided to start visiting again. 

Spring...Finally, and All the Other Stuff

I have the windows open today. The sun is trying to shine through a light overcast. The breeze is fresh. The geese just flew by. My daughter and her husband are finally moved into their new home. The Governor opened the State Parks again, this time with fees and Rangers. Should never have made them free with no Rangers. The parks were vandalized, some by out of state visitors who apparently don't give a damn.

Ok, I was just trying to delay talking about the Other Stuff.

The company my husband works for has been spiraling down the drain since before the virus crap. Now that it's even worse, my hubby has been able to claim unemployment because he is considered partially employed. So, that's good. They even tacked on the $600.

BUT

Now he's looking for work. So I'm sure we will end up moving AGAIN. I am tired of moving. I like the view, even if I can't hang a bird feeder or plant in the ground. The job he's interviewing for pays a lot more that where he works now.

That's all I feel like saying right now.

Hanging In There

I feel safe at home. I feel the most in danger in grocery stores. Shopping is no fun anymore. We are stocked up on most everything we need, except cleaning supplies. Stores have been wiped out. I do have bleach and a bottle of alcohol and plenty of soap. We're good on toilet paper. Didn't hoard, but we have enough.

My hubby has never been the stay at home type, but even he is better at it now. The good thing is we are allowed to walk in nature, as long as we do the social distancing. My hubby's job is deemed essential, but all overtime is gone and his regular hours are cut. No compensation for that, either. So we take advantage of his extra time off and go for walks, when the weather cooperates.

I'm handling it fairly well. I am stressed, though. Try not to be. Concerned for family and friends and hubby and myself. Thankfully hubby's work sent all office people home (work from home) and spaced the workers on the floor far apart, so when hubby works he isn't around anyone else.

The speed at which this world has changed is mind blowing. There is a dizzying amount of compassion, advancement and also stupidity and poor-ass leadership.

I spend a lot of time with my plants. I text my daughter. I miss her. Haven't seen her in over a year. On a good note, their new house is almost ready for inspection. I nibble too much. Didn't I mention stress....

It's a sunny day, but hubby is sleeping. We did sit on the patio in the sun for a hour. The breeze was cold, though. That's about all I have to say right now. Take care and stay healthy.

The World Is Upside Down

2020

The year the world stopped
The year we all went home
The year we hoarded
We were the worst
We were all afraid
Global pandemic
No immunity
No vaccine
Quarantine
Shortages
Sickness
Sadness
Death

Hope
Recovery
Global effort
Race for a cure
Social Distance
Race for supplies
Companies retool
Race for a vaccine
We faced ourselves
The year we shared
Government stimulus
The year we stepped up
And fought for a better us

Looks Like 2020 is Shaping Up to be a Better Year

I stopped crying, finally. I feel like I've been AWOL for a long time. I feel like I need to learn how to write again after so long. So....random stuff it is.

My bread machine died. Well, actually, the post fell out of the pan, which means the seal is shot. No chance to replace the pan. No one has it, not the company or anyone else. So I decided I will learn to make bread without the machine. I mean, I used the machine as a dough mixer. No, I don't have a stand mixer and I don't intend to buy one. As it turns out, I probably only need a different shaped bowl and a silicon dough scraper. I've been on the hunt for one. My daughter says Bed Bath & Beyond has them. At least I want to try that before springing for another counter top real estate grabbing bread machine.

My friend lists a blog on making bread. Artisan Bread in Five
Yes, I just found that, which shows how long I've not been myself.

With the better weather my hubby and I have been going for more walks. We enjoyed Kohler-Andrea State Park just south of Sheboygan, our first time walking there.

We plan to go back after it greens up.

Update on my plants. I have been trying to refine my collection so that I can concentrate on my favorites, but I keep finding more favorites. I have some duplicates that will be going to new homes this spring. A few of my favorites:

My Jades

My Lithops bloomed!

My little Parodia Haselbergii cactus bloomed, too!

I am especially proud of the blooms. As an indoor window sill grower I have been told countless times that cacti and succulents won't bloom indoors. I like to give other indoor growers hope.

I have a few other succulent types, plus some Oxalis, my other love. Recently I ordered Oxalis Irish Mist. I've had my eye on this one for quite awhile. The bulbs ship in April. This is not my picture. It's from a catalog.

Photo credit Brent & Becky's Bulbs

Of course all of my plants wish they had front row seating on my window sills. Sometimes I need to rotate them.

In other news, my daughter and her hubby are getting close to finishing their dream home. Maybe this month they can move in.

That's all for today, will write more later, maybe showcase some of my succulents.