Saturday - December 5

 Another pretty day.....we had a delicious breakfast  (raspberry butter braid).   Liam and Connor's hockey team sold pizzas, braids (many flavors) and bundt cakes this fall.    All great stuff!

Delectable pastry

When I think of how I used to decorate when we lived on Jackson Street - 5 trees, snowmen all over the place (even changed the light switches) and so many other favorites, well...........   oh my, talk about a big change these past 6 years.    While I miss my treasures from over 50 Christmases, sometimes less is best!

Our little bit of Christmas décor  in our suite

 Cheers to you and yours!

Since I'm isolated this weekend, set to work getting as many things taken care of while I have "2" good arms/hands, so....worked on the Christmas cards

Mark's back is still tender today but no spasms - wonder if the therapist overworked him on Wednesday just 1 day after the injection?

Windshield was replaced today - quite the project, but Safelite Glass are the pros!    However, the technician discovered 2 little chips in the paint on hood of car - arghhhh.   Obviously, the rock hit the hood and then windshield or vice versa.    At any rate, one more thing to take care of....my car is only 3 months!    😥

A positive update on Ryan today that he's been up and around, his numbers are improving and hoping to take him off dialysis temporarily, which would be thee BEST news.    Prayers ongoing please!

We had Stouffer's Lasagna tonight - excellent!   

Friday - December 4

 First order of business for the day was to go for my covid test (drive-thru style).  I was to be there between 8-8:30 and was 1st in line with 4 cars quickly coming in behind me.    The gal put my photo ID and insurance cards in a baggie and then another gal came out all dressed in the PPE garb and I did a self test swabbing both nostrils, placing in a tube and on our way!     I have to quarantine now up to surgery on Monday.

On our way to the clinic today, Mark got a call that our windshield did not come in - Jared was baffled but checking into it and now scheduled for tomorrow.

Quiet day for us - reading, updating Christmas card list, etc.   A few more packages arrived, so got those wrapped.  It's sunny but breezy out....low 40's.    Our windows face the east and south, so plenty of sunshine!    The nurse called with all my instructions for Monday morning's surgery.    Mark cannot come into the building as IL is in Tier 3 of the pandemic.   Bummer!

Mark had a few back spasms today....hope it's just a fluky thing and that the shot kicks in ASAP!!!

This sweet picture came up today from December 4, 2014

Playing UNO with Grandma (8 and 9 years old)

Stay safe and healthy this weekend....

Thursday - December 3

 Cloudy and chilly but then the sun came out and another pretty day.    We had breakfast and then the cleaning lady came and we drove to the mall to walk.....whoaaa, what a sad place.    It's been a year since I've been in there (has since filed for bankruptcy) and several more shops are gone from what I remember.     And it was pretty deserted, so could walk with no concerns and others walking all wore masks.   The food court has no tables or chairs and not sure if the 3 possible places are still operating as we were there before it opened.    Actually, we "assumed" stores would open no later than 10 as we wanted to take treats/drinks to Anne and the boys.    Well, here it is the Christmas season and their hours are 11-8.    WHAT?     You have to call for an appointment to see Santa or do it virtually.    This sign was one of many on the floor leading to Santa's Workshop (totally abandoned)!

Sign of the times

We ran a few more errands and then went to the other Gloria Jeans location to get the treats and onto Anne's.    Got the car washed and on home.     Wrapped a few more gifts - caught up again and waiting for a few things to come in mail.    Mark is happy he won't have to do any wrapping!    Happy our kids/grandkids came up with some good ideas and made shopping fun and easy!

We keep hearing we should allow extra time for packages to be delivered because of the heavy volume.   But in tracking one of my gifts, it arrived in Bloomington on December 1st and will be delivered to me on the 8th?     REALLY?  

Nancy and I beat the Marks 2 of 2 euchre games tonight!    

   

Wednesday - December 2

 21 degrees here but sunny and no wind!     We had breakfast delivered which is the way they are doing it these days here at Eastland Suites.    This is our 6th December here and when we checked in, we were to call, stay in the car and they brought out our key cards.    Always enjoyed reading/watching TV in the lobby area with the big tree when the cleaning crew came (once a week) - also would go to a coffee shop and hang out but not these days.    When we were here 1 year ago they were totally covering up the indoor pool area and making it into a bar/lounge.    Not sure if that is now completed, but that area is closed.

Mark enjoyed biscuits and gravy (not as good as Hardees) - also have scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, muffins, assorted juices, etc.    So, once in a while, we'll do this.    They deliver from 5:30-8:30 - easy to order online and what time you want your breakfast .

Always love coming back to Bloomington in December......the cold weather makes it feel like Christmas, our close location to everything here at Eastland Suites and mainly getting together with family and friends over coffee, lunch, etc.  But not this year.....will really miss all that fun.    My brother Bob and Linda always came for a big day of shopping starting with meeting them at Starbucks for coffee and Linda and I would take off for some browsing at our favorite shops while the guys did their thing - maybe a few errands but mostly head on back to Eastland Suites and just hang out  take a nap, etc. till we all met for lunch.    And then more shopping.....but thankfully we are all healthy and God willing, we can get back to our routine next year - all those little things we take for granted....hugging, shopping, fun gatherings, etc. will be that much more precious!     Masks and social distancing will be a distant memory but certainly never forgotten with all the lives lost, effect on our economy and on and on....

We ran some errands in the morning - so nice to be out and about.    Did a WalMart pick up this afternoon.

Mark had a good 1st therapy session today and will have more 2-3x a week.    I wrapped more gifts (after Monday,  that will not be happening and not really Mark's thing, so.....trying to keep ahead of the game).  

We watched a really goofy, corny movie this afternoon "The Chronicles of Christmas from 2018".    Luke, Maeve and Blair would've loved it!   

Tonight we picked up Chinese from our favorite - Mandarin Garden.....sooo delicious!

Good news/bad news on nephew, Ryan who is expecting to be discharged from hospital very soon and will be going to a rehab facility.     3 weeks ago tonight this nightmare all started and what a long, scary, frightening ordeal it has been for him, Molly and all the family.    Unfortunately, he will need permanent dialysis.

Prayers for our niece, Jennifer who lives at Misericordia (wonderful home for the developmentally challenged) in Chicago who tested positive today.

Tuesday - December 1

H A P P Y  "21st"  B I R T H D A Y

                                                          Drew (aka Drewby) !    

What a delightful young man and such a joy to be around.    Although his junior year at the University of Iowa is not what he expected, he's making the most of it and spending these days with his family at Lake James thru the end of January.    

 And just like that.....December is here with all the hustle and bustle and last month to end 2020.    It started out sunny and bright, but cold - thankfully, no wind today.

We were off to MCO for Mark's injection.   I dropped him off (couldn't go in) and then went to Starbucks for a white chocolate mocha and my first Christmas cup of the season!    I like to think it tastes even better in those cheery cups.    We hope 'n pray this is final injection - he will have 2 therapy sessions and they'll be calling to set those up.   

Took some Krispy Kreme donuts to Anne and boys - I picked up some things from her and on home.    We did a little decorating in our suite - Mark is to take it easy today.....

As I was unpacking some of our wintry stuff from storage including our warm, cozy bathrobes, I found this beautiful afghan that Sue (Mark's sister) knitted for me several years ago.     It is a treasure and brought tears - I will cherish it even more....

Very special memory

Put the Christmas tunes on and wrapped a few presents and ordered more online.  The list is dwindling!

MCO called and want Mark to start therapy tomorrow!   

Good to be back in Bloomington, but sad to see more shops closed, restaurants not open for inside dining and that may be extended as the #'s keep rising.