Day 60

Michele came to visit and we had conversation. Both of us agreed that we are getting dull and unstimulated. She is hoping that four of us can get back to Tea and stories. I’ll wait until May Day and then ask the others. I planted zucchini seeds in the wading pool and covered it with a tarp. It’s still in the 40’s at night but I can’t wait. Today I’ll plant yellow squash in the old garden cart. Walking and dirt are  the saving graces.

Day 59

One joy of living small: I can plug in the vacuum cleaner in one place and clean the whole house. Even the closet. I pulled down some webs and dust from the fan and straightened the drawers in the kitchen. So much for domestic chores. I’m going to open the shelves in the garden shed to make room for things Hollie doesn’t want to use and I don’t know if I want them or not. I’m happy with the minimum amount of belongings and stuff.

Day 58

Wet and cold. Won’t get to the list of outside chores. I want to finish filling the containers so I can plant seeds soon. Of course there is no agenda and I will admit to feeling blah. Hope I can conjure up a worthwhile activity to soothe the restlessness. Small house needs small maintenance.  Did the dishes. Oh my, what ever shall I do. Read a book. Play music. Find a movie an Netflix. E-mail friends, call someone for conversation. Text and check on friends.

Day 57

Walked to visit with Karen Wert. We sat six feet apart and both wore masks. It was worth the effort to have conversation. I needed a break from isolation and felt safe there. It’s cold and I will both walk and weed. The same old daily stuff. I’m not feeling creative and respect people who are finding new things to do with the time off and home. There is old stuff on TV too with reruns and old movies. I’ll figure it out before long.

Day 56

I had my first visitor! Robin brought hot chocolate chip cookies. What a great neighbor. It was fun to show her around the Hobbit Hole. Made contact with Joel about landscaping the backyard. He wants his crew to do the work. It is the only mess left from Megan’s tenancy.  She will do better environmentally in her own home. As soon as it’s warmer outside, I will walk and find weeds to pull. No plans and not missing having an agenda. This is life.

Day 55

I watched the One World special and was again amazed at the coordination that is happening with the isolated people joining together. Our tech world is keeping us sane. Sun is out and my back is recovered enough from too much shoveling to get back to the clearing that needs to be done. I know I will get out for a walk as that is as important as any medicine I could take. Chuck and Hollie finished at the trailer and are mostly settled here.

Day 54

I need a daily walk. Getting out and away from the TV is essential. It’s damp and cold so I might just bundle up and go around the block. Thanks to caring people I have lots of vegs and Hollie will go to the farm stand for more. As long as I have a supply of fresh produce, I feel safe. Weird but true. Might be a long time before I  go shopping for myself. I’m feeling settled in and content with my little life.

Day 53

Interesting conversation about the five stages of grief and how we could recount our journey.  My denial came from the 2009 H1N1 virus that was supposed to be big and wasn’t as I was on the task force with the traveling flu shots. Anger came when I wanted to go to the store and volunteer.  Bargaining came with OK I’ll do this for two weeks. Depression came along with total fog brain and ennui. Then came the peaceful if not comfortable acceptance of what is now.

Day 52

Rosalie brought vegs and we chatted from six feet apart. I sure miss my friends and I’m glad to know they are taking precautions.  I tweaked my back with too much shovel work. I hope I can stretch it out and get on with the yard work. It helps to get tired physically amid so much staying at home. Dr. E. will do a pressure check and the eye will be as useful as it can be. The settling in is working well. Good life.

Day 51

Beautiful morning inviting me out to clear more weeds! My eye is blurry but I was told it might be for a day or two. It was great to walk out for the appointment and Hollie brought me home. We stopped to bring home Mexican food. Hollie hit the wall yesterday and looks better this morning. It has been stressful physically, emotionally, and mentally, and we are together to help each other. Backing off from the news helps. Time to focus on the new “normal”.

Day 50

More settling in. Less news. Less stressful and dithery nights. I’m getting better mentally and physically. I did weeding and messing around in the yard. I have lots to do to make it what I want it to be. I’m glad I have this blog to keep track as the days blur into one very long day. Today I have the laser treatment on my right eye to remove the film. I’m hoping it will make reading easier. Aat least the line will not waver..

Day 49

One month of self-isolation except for two appointments and a few solitary walks. Moving has helped with the activity and family togetherness. I cleaned windows and pulled weeds while planning on how to optimize my space and new ways to use my life. I will cancel the security system. They don’t want it and I rarely used it. I want to plant seeds today. It’s a promise of a productive season. Hollie and Chuck still have settling in to do. They helped me so much.

Day 48

Easter Sunday. It was such a celebration of life in church and I miss the hymns. We all had a better night and I’m grateful for it. Today more settling in. No TV until tomorrow so I have music and play it loud. More cleaning and deciding where I want things. I’m enjoying it more than I anticipated.  Chuck and Hollie are doing the same process and getting their things out of the trailer. I want to work in the yard when it warms up..

😊

Day 47

Not a good sleep on the first night. I was cold and didn’t know how to turn on the heater.  Jake was fine when I gave him his brown blanket. Minnie was restless and kept walking me up with noises and moving. She is old and likes routine. It will work out as we get settled in. The TV isn’t working yet and there are still things that need to be fixed like the door and the gate. I didn’t think it would be instant

Day 46

Connected with prescription by going to Curry ER. Still shaky but not as spacey. I’m ready to move. The closet is done and most of the bathroom. Still need to sort the kitchen and carry stuff. Even a move of only a few feet is still a move with associated stress.   Chuck and Hollie will come and get the furniture in. The sun porch looks great. It’s my favorite room. Soon I can settle down again and use my energy more productively. Life goes on.

Day 45

The little house in empty and almost ready for me. Chuck wants to run the rug shampooer once more to get it as clean as possible. Hollie cleaned the sunporch and it looks great. One more day and then the furniture can go in. In the middle of this I have a UTI. Hollie will take me to Curry for a prescription. My bladder is my weak spot. The stress and poor rest have lowered my immune response. Darn it all, I am not helping.

Day 44

My new place is almost empty. She wants to clean more this afternoon. I have moved into the closet so now I have to go there to get my clean underwear! Lots of weeds need my attention and the spring weather is cooperating. Physical activity is the saving grace. I will walk to the post office later and look at the tulips and blossoming trees. I washed my new sheets to get the sizing out. I like the print aand color Hollie chose for me.

Day 43

Less dithering and that’s a good thing. All the jumble of thoughts are tiring without making any difference.  Today the moving will get underway. Meg’s furniture will migrate to her house. The carpet will be shampooed. I can take things in the closet and bathroom while the carpet dries. So this may be my last night in my house. I’m feeling acceptance of my choice to change. Once we’re done, peace will reign, at least in the family. Time to get busy outside and enjoy.

Day 42

I had a walk to the post office yesterday and it was a mood lightening event. As long as I can get out for a while, the cabin fever is acceptable. Megan moved boxes and is needy for help with the big stuff. She looks tired and is worried about working with her stupid boss who won’t take this virus seriously and came to work sick. When it gets warmer, I will get out in the yard and enjoy the simple pleasure of my yard.

Day 41

It is another dreary day and I am somewhat lighter after a decent sleep. Meg is self-quarantined.  She said no fever and no cough. She did move boxes of books and needs to clear her knick-knacks and wall hangings. Hollie brought fresh produce from the farm and I am grateful for it. It’s Palm Sunday and I am missing the event. I miss my church ceremonies. I spend time with my phone keeping up with friends. Lots of humor is showing up. I’m limiting news.

Day 40

No moving happened. Megan is sick with a fever and cough. I had a shock when Kerry came to get my shopping list dressed totally in protective clothing. She brought my groceries plus a bouquet of carnations and I cried. It’s too much. My hypervigilance did not allow for a restful night and I am weary and scared this morning. There is no light in Megan’s house. I want to go and see but don’t in case she’s sleeping. Hollie will come soon. I’m praying.

Day 39

Big push today to get the move going as rain is forecast for tomorrow. I can’t really do much until the little house is cleaned but I can relocate things here. I know they want storage space. I have dishes and glassware in a cupboard that they want for canned goods. Kerry is going to shop for me this morning as my refrigerator is nearly empty and I am not going out. Rosalie made me a couple of masks. I will wear them outside.

Day 38

I had a restless night with all the changes to process. It will work out for all of us. Clean floors happened yesterday and little else except a couple of welcome walks. Megan was up and out with boxes by 6:30! Unheard of but signifying her excitement about her new home. I took things out of the bathroom and will start on the kitchen but probably won’t actually start moving until tomorrow. A lot of cleaning needs to happen first. A family effort is our agenda.

Day 37

No joking on this April Fools’ day. Nothing is funny: no dog groomer, no haircut, no lawn guys, no carpet cleaners. I need groceries and I can’t go to the store. The sun rays showed up the dust and dog hair on the floors. I need a burst of domestic energy to get me moving now. Megan’s house closes today and that will nearly drain my savings account. I offered it and saw no reason for her to wait until I die to use it.