Another lovely day in Oklahoma. . .

[NFLDERS]

I am ready for 2020 to be in the rear view mirror. On top of virus concerns, job concerns, money concerns, we learned in February that our daughter's marriage is falling apart. Her SoonToBeEx-husband has cheated on her repeatedly over the past 8 years, has said horrible, painful, inexcusable things to her. This is her decision, to not stay in an emotionally, mentally abusive relationship that is devoid of respect and love, but jeez... it's so hard to see her go through this. They've been together such a long time, and we've come to accept him in our hearts as part of our family. It's like there's been a drawn-out terminal illness that we've watched over the past few months, hoping against hope for healing but knowing in our hearts that the writing is on the wall, it's only a matter of "when," not "if." Today they are having their divorce papers notarized... yesterday was their first wedding anniversary. My heart is breaking, watching DD go through all this, but I am amazed at and impressed by her strength, determination, and dignity in how she is going about all this and facing up to her life moving forward. Still- we never wished this for her, we thought they were solid and building their future together, and we are grieving her loss, as well as ours.

 

[NFLDERS]

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Thank you!


And happy belated Canada Day! Were you guys able to celebrate?

Our town cancelled the annual fireworks show, but it seems like most of the residents here decided to host their own show. Normally, residential fireworks are prohibited, but the police must not be doing anything about it tonight. We've had about 4 solid hours of booms going off in all directions. They started well before dark. Once it got dark, we went outside to watch them for a few minutes. It was pretty, but I hope it knocks off soon so people can get some sleep. Also, the pets are not amused.

Our big celebration this year was watching Hamilton on Disney+, grilling in because feels like temp was 105, and having yummy desserts. Oh, and DD and I watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks video released by Disney Parks youtube channel.

Hope the rest of our US group had a nice day, and sorry I am late on wishing our friends to the north a happy day.

 

[Kitty 34]

Thought of you Twilight as I sat outside last night listening to the 3000 Fireworks going off all over our town while watching my beautiful lightening bugs floating all over the yard. It was an awesome night considering DH and I always go and do something with family on our nation's birthday but of course this year....not!


Ok that emoji is suppose to be a firework but it looks pretty Covidy !

 

[Micca]

Greeting ALDIO-ns ☀ Hope everyone is having some semblance of summer. The commercial fireworks displays were all cancelled but the neighborhood took over and it was pretty spectacular (and illegal.) Grandkids had fun setting off the small stuff in their cul-de-sac. Hope the weekend is fun for everyone.

 

[NFLDERS]

Thank you!


And happy belated Canada Day! Were you guys able to celebrate?

Our town cancelled the annual fireworks show, but it seems like most of the residents here decided to host their own show. Normally, residential fireworks are prohibited, but the police must not be doing anything about it tonight. We've had about 4 solid hours of booms going off in all directions. They started well before dark. Once it got dark, we went outside to watch them for a few minutes. It was pretty, but I hope it knocks off soon so people can get some sleep. Also, the pets are not amused.

Our big celebration this year was watching Hamilton on Disney+, grilling in because feels like temp was 105, and having yummy desserts. Oh, and DD and I watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks video released by Disney Parks youtube channel.

Hope the rest of our US group had a nice day, and sorry I am late on wishing our friends to the north a happy day.

No fireworks, no bbq, no family gathering... sigh. We are expected to enter Stage 3. We may go to Niagara Falls soon wearing our masks as the Falls is embracing the required wearing of masks indoors.

 

[NFLDERS]

We were not granted Stage 3 opening... sigh. We did decide to walk a Mall that has been open for a few weeks now. My dh has been the one getting our groceries ie since the beginning of Covid19 in March. The Mall visit required me to wear a mask for the first time. It felt strange to be out, and I have to be honest, I felt overwhelmed.

Hopefully, the next venture out will feel less stressful.

 

[ronandannette]

Greeting ALDIO-ns ☀ Hope everyone is having some semblance of summer. The commercial fireworks displays were all cancelled but the neighborhood took over and it was pretty spectacular (and illegal.) Grandkids had fun setting off the small stuff in their cul-de-sac. Hope the weekend is fun for everyone.

Some semblance indeed...look at these woeful temperatures. Here's hoping we do get a few really warm weeks before it starts freezing at night again.

 

[Kitty 34]

Some semblance indeed...look at these woeful temperatures. Here's hoping we do get a few really warm weeks before it starts freezing at night again.
View attachment 510122

I think Michigan has mandated no freezing temps (along with many other things) til October sooooooo here's hoping the same for you, RonandAnnette!

 

[PollyannaMom]

The first thing that comes to mind is that I cannot fall asleep if someone is touching me. Even just a hand on my arm or something light, I just can't stand it and can't fall asleep like that.

We were not granted Stage 3 opening... sigh. We did decide to walk a Mall that has been open for a few weeks now. My dh has been the one getting our groceries ie since the beginning of Covid19 in March. The Mall visit required me to wear a mask for the first time. It felt strange to be out, and I have to be honest, I felt overwhelmed.

Hopefully, the next venture out will feel less stressful.

it does get easier! The first few times I wore one it felt really weird too, but now it’s much more normal.

 

[Kitty 34]

it does get easier! The first few times I wore one it felt really weird too, but now it’s much more normal.

Same here. I just try not to focus on the mask. It does get a bit easier each time. I do walk slower with it on as I have issues breathing anyway.

 

[PollyannaMom]

The first thing that comes to mind is that I cannot fall asleep if someone is touching me. Even just a hand on my arm or something light, I just can't stand it and can't fall asleep like that.

That bugs me too! I don't know why. I'm a cuddler when I'm awake, but when actually trying to fall asleep, I need my space!

 

[godisney14]

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/15/oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-tests-positive-for-coronavirus.html

Gov Stitt can now lay claim to be the first among governors.

 

[leebee]

Hi everyone! I am sitting out a self-quarantine until I get my Covid test results. Why? Because we threw caution to the wind and went to visit my sister and BIL in New Orleans. I was supposed to make this trip over St. Pat's day, then postponed til Easter, then to last weekend (over my birthday). We should have canceled but my sister, who has a plethora of medical issues (CP, 20 year survivor of stage 4 colon cancer, serious lymphedema and cellulitis in her legs, diabetes), has had a leg infection for about 4 months. Her doc treated it remotely for 3 months before she could get in to see a wound specialist. In that time, it never cleared up, and just after seeing the wound guy a second infection site ruptured. She has almost no use of that leg and given her other issues, amputation was being discussed- and she does not do well with surgery, and healing after doesn't go well either. I HAD to go. FORTUNATELY it seems like she's turned a corner and things are looking much better; discussion of amputation is off the table. SO... we had 4 days in NOLA, where almost everything is closed. Airports are empty (I see more folks at the grocery store), flights are empty (25 on one leg). French Quarter is pretty much shut down, no bars open, no to-go cups. There are restaurants open at 25% capacity, and some hotel lobby/lounges, so we went out for my birthday for brunch and afternoon drinks (answer is YES they'll still feed me now that I'm 64, hahaha). We were masked and distanced the whole time, with sanitizing wipes for everything in the plane and airport, and stayed at my sister's home (they are both working from home still so very little outside contact). I feel we were pretty safe, but DH and I decided to be tested, just to make sure. Results should be in by Monday.

There's another reason we needed to get away. On top of everything else this year, we had to have our kitty put to sleep. Weasley was 20, and age got the better of him. It was a hard decision, but it was the right one. I like to think he's off playing with his brother, Potter, again; we lost him 3 years ago. It's weird to have no pets for the first time in 20 years, but we aren't ready for another cat right away. We've all adjusted to the loss, but still sad sometimes. We needed the "pick me up" of seeing my sister and BIL after what has been a long, hard year for everyone.

I have been getting ready for fall semester. ALL of general chemistry and organic chemistry at UMaine is being taught online, so I've been working on lecture notes for the lab. It's a challenge- lots of writing, fact checking, etc.- and I don't know who the course TAs will be yet so I've been working on my own. At least I have something "interesting" to do while waiting out my test results, hahaha! DH is working on setting up his class, too, but he only has 13 students so will be teaching face-to-face. We are both a little nervous about this, but it's easier than redesigning the entire course. He is on sabbatical this year from his primary teaching position; this class at UMaine is an adjunct position, taught once an academic year, and he loves doing it (and the pay doesn't stink, and it gives him access to his own research lab space, so worth it). We are already planning on where we'll go in December, as UMaine is sending kids home to stay at Thanksgiving, so the last 2 weeks of class will be taught online for everyone. YAY! A chance to travel before the hoards of Christmas vacationers- not that we'll go to Disney, necessarily, but early Dec. prices are cheaper everywhere than they are over the holidays.

We are also prepping for our actual vacation. We'd planned to go to CO/UT and Yellowstone, but there was just too much that couldn't be determined... will hotels be open, will restaurants be open, what will the virus be doing, quarantines... just too much stress. Instead, we'll stay in Maine; we have rented a cottage on the beach, in the town where my sister and brother (and their kids) all live. I am going to spend a week walking on the beach with my coffee in the morning and with my wine at sunset and just relax in the ocean air. If nothing else, it'll be 4 new walls to look at, right? I'm bringing fans, though; there are a/c window units in the bedrooms, but we are having beastly hot weather this summer (it's 92 right now, in northern Maine) and I don't want to spend the week roasting!

I hope everyone is finding something enjoyable and worthwhile in this summer. I think we are going to be doing a lot of masking and distancing until maybe April or May, so try to keep your spirits up. I keep thinking that the US had four YEARS of serious food rationing during WWII, and Anne Frank lived in a 2 room garret with her family and others for two years, hoping not to die. I think we can all do masks and distancing for a while longer, don't you? Take care everyone!

 

[Kitty 34]

Leebee, sending you many positive thoughts that things are negative, test wise.

I'm also holding my breath as we're going on Day 5 since my niece got married in a field with lots of people having a good time as they should at a wedding held NOT this year!!!!!!

I obviously didn't go but many many friends and family did.........so I'm self quarantining from all of them.

 

[leebee]

Leebee, sending you many positive thoughts that things are negative, test wise.

I'm also holding my breath as we're going on Day 5 since my niece got married in a field with lots of people having a good time as they should at a wedding held NOT this year!!!!!!

I obviously didn't go but many many friends and family did.........so I'm self quarantining from all of them.

Thanks, Kitty. I think we should be OK as we were extra cautious, but it's better to be safe than sorry, and it'll cut the quarantine time (not that it matters, we are working from home, but I'd sure like to go to the store on my own!). Good luck to your relatives... fingers crossed for negative test results all around!

 

[Micca]

My goodness leebee that's a LOT to deal with on top of the pandemic. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister and your poor cat.

Kitty I actually went to a wedding about a month ago. I couldn't believe they didn't postpone but they were determined to go through with it. The ceremony and reception weren't too bad for keeping social distance as a number of invited guests didn't show up. But the lobby they sequestered everybody in between the ceremony and reception was not good. Somehow I guess no one got sick as we'd have heard about it by now.

I'm supposed to travel this weekend (road trip) for a memorial service for a guy I worked with off & on for many years. He passed away in March just as everything was shutting down, so no funeral possible. I''m kind of surprised they haven't pulled the plug on this "Celebration Of Life" but it's almost too late to cancel.

DGDs staying with us all day 4 days a week, sometimes a few hours on weekends. We love having them around but I'm a bit worried about what happens if they physically go back to school(them getting exposed and bringing it to our house.) But that's still weeks away and anything could happen between now & then,.

 

[Kitty 34]

My goodness leebee that's a LOT to deal with on top of the pandemic. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister and your poor cat.

Kitty I actually went to a wedding about a month ago. I couldn't believe they didn't postpone but they were determined to go through with it. The ceremony and reception weren't too bad for keeping social distance as a number of invited guests didn't show up. But the lobby they sequestered everybody in between the ceremony and reception was not good. Somehow I guess no one got sick as we'd have heard about it by now.

I'm supposed to travel this weekend (road trip) for a memorial service for a guy I worked with off & on for many years. He passed away in March just as everything was shutting down, so no funeral possible. I''m kind of surprised they haven't pulled the plug on this "Celebration Of Life" but it's almost too late to cancel.

DGDs staying with us all day 4 days a week, sometimes a few hours on weekends. We love having them around but I'm a bit worried about what happens if they physically go back to school(them getting exposed and bringing it to our house.) But that's still weeks away and anything could happen between now & then,.

Stay safe Ron with your road trip and with your little darlings as they go back to school. It's really a shame we still have to worry about all this but we still do so I don't understand why some just throw caution to the wind like my niece!!!! I tell you, if NO ONE tests positive from her 100 some reception I will possibly think this whole thing is a conspiracy...........................NOT. Just a heck of a lot of lucky people.

And Dan, I'm glad your Wisconsin family trip fared well. I know you were soooooo concerned.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We were not granted Stage 3 opening... sigh. We did decide to walk a Mall that has been open for a few weeks now. My dh has been the one getting our groceries ie since the beginning of Covid19 in March. The Mall visit required me to wear a mask for the first time. It felt strange to be out, and I have to be honest, I felt overwhelmed.

Hopefully, the next venture out will feel less stressful.

We have not been out to eat inside a restaurant since February. And not looking to anytime soon.

Some semblance indeed...look at these woeful temperatures. Here's hoping we do get a few really warm weeks before it starts freezing at night again.
View attachment 510122

Come here to Chicago, we have heat. Been in the 90's many times this year so far, very hot summer.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/15/oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-tests-positive-for-coronavirus.html

Gov Stitt can now lay claim to be the first among governors.

Was he with Cain at the rally too?

Hi everyone! I am sitting out a self-quarantine until I get my Covid test results. Why? Because we threw caution to the wind and went to visit my sister and BIL in New Orleans. I was supposed to make this trip over St. Pat's day, then postponed til Easter, then to last weekend (over my birthday). We should have canceled but my sister, who has a plethora of medical issues (CP, 20 year survivor of stage 4 colon cancer, serious lymphedema and cellulitis in her legs, diabetes), has had a leg infection for about 4 months. Her doc treated it remotely for 3 months before she could get in to see a wound specialist. In that time, it never cleared up, and just after seeing the wound guy a second infection site ruptured. She has almost no use of that leg and given her other issues, amputation was being discussed- and she does not do well with surgery, and healing after doesn't go well either. I HAD to go. FORTUNATELY it seems like she's turned a corner and things are looking much better; discussion of amputation is off the table. SO... we had 4 days in NOLA, where almost everything is closed. Airports are empty (I see more folks at the grocery store), flights are empty (25 on one leg). French Quarter is pretty much shut down, no bars open, no to-go cups. There are restaurants open at 25% capacity, and some hotel lobby/lounges, so we went out for my birthday for brunch and afternoon drinks (answer is YES they'll still feed me now that I'm 64, hahaha). We were masked and distanced the whole time, with sanitizing wipes for everything in the plane and airport, and stayed at my sister's home (they are both working from home still so very little outside contact). I feel we were pretty safe, but DH and I decided to be tested, just to make sure. Results should be in by Monday.

There's another reason we needed to get away. On top of everything else this year, we had to have our kitty put to sleep. Weasley was 20, and age got the better of him. It was a hard decision, but it was the right one. I like to think he's off playing with his brother, Potter, again; we lost him 3 years ago. It's weird to have no pets for the first time in 20 years, but we aren't ready for another cat right away. We've all adjusted to the loss, but still sad sometimes. We needed the "pick me up" of seeing my sister and BIL after what has been a long, hard year for everyone.

I have been getting ready for fall semester. ALL of general chemistry and organic chemistry at UMaine is being taught online, so I've been working on lecture notes for the lab. It's a challenge- lots of writing, fact checking, etc.- and I don't know who the course TAs will be yet so I've been working on my own. At least I have something "interesting" to do while waiting out my test results, hahaha! DH is working on setting up his class, too, but he only has 13 students so will be teaching face-to-face. We are both a little nervous about this, but it's easier than redesigning the entire course. He is on sabbatical this year from his primary teaching position; this class at UMaine is an adjunct position, taught once an academic year, and he loves doing it (and the pay doesn't stink, and it gives him access to his own research lab space, so worth it). We are already planning on where we'll go in December, as UMaine is sending kids home to stay at Thanksgiving, so the last 2 weeks of class will be taught online for everyone. YAY! A chance to travel before the hoards of Christmas vacationers- not that we'll go to Disney, necessarily, but early Dec. prices are cheaper everywhere than they are over the holidays.

We are also prepping for our actual vacation. We'd planned to go to CO/UT and Yellowstone, but there was just too much that couldn't be determined... will hotels be open, will restaurants be open, what will the virus be doing, quarantines... just too much stress. Instead, we'll stay in Maine; we have rented a cottage on the beach, in the town where my sister and brother (and their kids) all live. I am going to spend a week walking on the beach with my coffee in the morning and with my wine at sunset and just relax in the ocean air. If nothing else, it'll be 4 new walls to look at, right? I'm bringing fans, though; there are a/c window units in the bedrooms, but we are having beastly hot weather this summer (it's 92 right now, in northern Maine) and I don't want to spend the week roasting!

I hope everyone is finding something enjoyable and worthwhile in this summer. I think we are going to be doing a lot of masking and distancing until maybe April or May, so try to keep your spirits up. I keep thinking that the US had four YEARS of serious food rationing during WWII, and Anne Frank lived in a 2 room garret with her family and others for two years, hoping not to die. I think we can all do masks and distancing for a while longer, don't you? Take care everyone!

You have a lot going on there, leebee. Wishing your sister well, remembered in my prayers.

I just had my 3rd COVID test this morning. One in May, one in June, and today. Expecting negative again. I have an antibodies test schedule for a few weeks from now, just in case I had and did not know it. I could give plasma then.

A close to home vacation sounds good to me.

Very sorry to hear about your Weasley, leebee. 's Just remember..........

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.

Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge, together....
Author unknown...





www.petloss.com


www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html​

My goodness leebee that's a LOT to deal with on top of the pandemic. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister and your poor cat.

Kitty I actually went to a wedding about a month ago. I couldn't believe they didn't postpone but they were determined to go through with it. The ceremony and reception weren't too bad for keeping social distance as a number of invited guests didn't show up. But the lobby they sequestered everybody in between the ceremony and reception was not good. Somehow I guess no one got sick as we'd have heard about it by now.

I'm supposed to travel this weekend (road trip) for a memorial service for a guy I worked with off & on for many years. He passed away in March just as everything was shutting down, so no funeral possible. I''m kind of surprised they haven't pulled the plug on this "Celebration Of Life" but it's almost too late to cancel.

DGDs staying with us all day 4 days a week, sometimes a few hours on weekends. We love having them around but I'm a bit worried about what happens if they physically go back to school(them getting exposed and bringing it to our house.) But that's still weeks away and anything could happen between now & then,.

I sure would have been nervous in that crowd, Ron. Probably would not have gone. Our new neighbors across the street from us had their wedding scheduled for march. Then May, then July. Now scheduled for July, 2021.

Our daughter, Natalie's kids' school, just announced starting 2 weeks later than originally scheduled and starting with remote only, hoping to go hybrid maybe some time during the school year.

 

[Micca]

I sure would have been nervous in that crowd, Ron. Probably would not have gone.

If I'm honest I didn't want to go. The bride in this case is a family member, her upbringing was completely bizarre(weird parents but not abusive) she had many issues and finally found the right guy. The wedding had been postponed a time or two even prior to the pandemic, they were hell bent to get married(they'd have lost a sizable deposit at the country club where the event was held.) We knew many people wouldn't be attending but felt that with so little support we had to be there for her. Fortunately it seems to have worked out ok. I certainly wouldn't encourage anyone to follow my lead, and wouldn't relish the opportunity to do it again. When I attend this upcoming memorial I'm passing on the catering and keeping my mask on the entire time.