Covid 19--April Quarantine

The month of April was pretty much just like the month of March...everything cancelled and everyone staying home.
This has actually allowed me some time to work on my garden.  I haven't been happy with my bed since they were made.  My Todd worked on a new sprinkler system when they were here at Christmas.  And I have slowly been changing out the dirt in each bed.  This had been tedious because I've been putting 2-3 buckets of old dirt into my trash cans every week.  I finally got my first bed cleaned out, so I refilled it with nutrient rich soil.  That was quite a process.  First, I ordered it from Home Depot and had a curbside pickup.  When I got home, I realizd that the bags were so heavy, I couldn't lift them.  After some thinking, I decuded to use mom's wheel chair to roll them into the back yard corner.  Seven trips!!  (One fell on the floor and there it stayed until Todd and the Kids came for the Easter breakfast.  They muscled it to the back.)  Once they were by the bed, I shoveled half of the bag into the bed, and then struggled to get the remaining dirt over the side and into the bed! Seven times!!  But, boy and I happy with the results!!  One bed down, three to go!

 Two weeks later, this is what I found when I went out to check my beans!  I ended up writing an Instagram post about it.

I got so excited this morning when I went out to check my garden to see if any beans had sprouted yet...and this is what met me!! Oh joy!! A bean plant!! That got me to thinking about the faith of farmers. They plant, and patiently wait, knowing that they will be rewarded for their hard labors. From this tiny sprout, beans will come. From the blossoms will come boysenberries ready for jam or cobblers. These tiny oranges will grow into delicious fruit. And this minuscule avocado will eventually grow larger and make wonderful guacamole. I found these thoughts easily transferred to my life. Faith takes work and then a lot of patience.

Other fun things happening to entertain, to help us get through these strange times.

During General Conference, President asked us to participate
in a worldwide fast.  So awesome to realize how many people
of all faiths joined us.

The lowest price for gas that I can remember,
and no where to go!!!

Several police cars came down the street, sirens blaring. 
They were there to wish a little boy a happy birthday!

The Tanner Family came by, sharing their talents.  It was really cool.

Bishop Bob and Barbara came by with pizza for dinner.

 I always seem to have a puzzle in progress.  These two were harder that they look!

I spy with my little eye, a missing piece!!

Happy Birthday Munchkin

Because of COVID 19, our lives are anything but normal, including Amy's birthday!!  We decided to couple her birthday with our Easter breakfast, since we would be together.

 I can't believe my baby is 42!  She has turned out to be one of the kindest, selfless, loving women I know.  I love her so much.  It it wonderful to watch her be a mother and wife, but I sure miss my little munchkin.  Happy birthday sweetheart.

Easter Breakfast

Our Easter breakfast was small, but so much fun.  We cooked breakfast in our backyard...

notice mom in the house, being safe!

played a rousing game of croquet (yeh, I was the first one poison and the first one out!)...

blew the biggest bubbles I've ever seen...

and had our traditional "egg hunt". 

All of this in the backyard, keeping mom in the house and safe.  I did cheat and got a big hug from each person.  It had been 6 weeks, and I so needed those hugs!

COVID 19

Notice the lack of traffic!!

Today, as I looked at my calendar (I actually hadn't even turned the page from March, and this is April 7!!) to see what I need to post about,  I realized that everything I had planned had been cancelled! Mom's birthday party--cancelled.  Dentist appointments--cancelled.  Massage-- cancelled.  Church, Relief Society lesson, stake choir, Woman's conference--all cancelled!!  The last month had all been cancelled!!  We are living in an unprecedented time, where, for the last four weeks, we have all been asked to stay at home.  Everything except essential services have all closed.  Everyone that is able is working from home.  Schools have been closed and everyone is being home schooled, with the teachers providing lessons via the internet.  And this is not just southern California, not just the US, but the entire world.  A global pandemic!!
So, how have mom and I fared the last four weeks?  Amazingly well.

Because we had to cancel mom's birthday party, everyone improvised.  My favorite was when the Mortensen's facetimed her with a partially eaten banana cream pie with  a candle in the middle.  They sang happy birthday to her and then had her blow on the screen to blow out the candle.  It miraculously went out!  So sweet and so thoughtful.  The next week, she had a delivery of all of her favorite treats.

After a week or so, I felt I needed to connect with my neighbors, so I made cookies, called them all to see that they were OK, and then delivered cookies to their door steps.

We have also been the recipient of some thoughtful gestured from friends.




















So, how have we kept busy???

Become a puzzle expert

Got the bird feeder ready for Spring

Met Amy and the kids for a "socially distancing" acceptable lunch date.

Spent lots of time on Amy's "Mortensen Journal"

Book group met digitally!  We zoomed together and had our discussion!  I'm impressed that we all figured our how to do this!!

And lots and lots of TV.  Thank goodness for Netflix, Plex, Prime Video, and Hallmark movies!!

As I said, my calendar is bare...I'm sure the pain doctor, Olga, Sandi, and teach RS dates will all be cancelled.  Just like the month of March!  I kinda like it this way!!