The March Madness of 2020: III

Madness. Madness as in angry. Madness as in crazy. We're all feeling it.

My workplace is still functioning as normal, so I am still going to work during the week. But the social distancing recommendation has been extended until the end of April, so I don't know how much longer I'll be heading into the office. I'm bringing my work laptop home every night, just in case.

Mom is still at Pine Point Center. They had a case of COVID-19 there, and that person is now in the hospital. Mom had been able to leave her room in her wheelchair, but now they won't allow her to. Please pray for Mom. Thanks.

Kim and Kaelen are still here. It has been nice to have them around during this unprecedented time.

The next blog post will probably be Dad's on April 1st.

With April, my "March Madness" title will change to "April Angst".... Seems appropriate.

Dad 507: Lockdown Mess

(It's still business as usual in my workplace because we are a food manufacturer. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Another beautiful winter/spring day with temperatures in the 40s. The weather has been pretty good the last week, with only the six-inch snowstorm Monday night until early Tuesday morning. Some got up to 10 inches. Until the storm there were mostly bare lawns; the only left-over snow was where plows had piled it up. Snow is mostly gone now. Snow in March does not last long. Good!

 

We are in a lockdown related to the coronavirus. Hope in the next couple weeks some of the businesses get back to work. Hope the country wakes up slowly over the next fortnight. What a mess!

 

Spouse is still in the rehab/nursing home and is not happy about not getting to visit with her family. Her daughters do go up and look at her through the window. Her birdfeeder is kept full by Lew, and the bush outside her window is full of hanging eggs. Hope to be able to sit with her soon. Keep the prayers coming. Thanks!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

The March Madness of 2020: II

So, how is everyone holding up?

My workplace is still functioning, although my boss did have me get my work laptop set up with VPN so I can work from home if it comes to that.

Kim and Kaelen decided not to fly home tomorrow. Getting on an airplane right now is indeed a risk. So they will be here longer, which is nice for us... but not as nice for Joe back in Illinois. (Hang in there, Joe!)

Mom is still at Pine Point Center and seems to be doing okay. She has the phone close by, and she is calling Dad quite often. I believe she called 10 times yesterday! Not sure what today's count is up to yet, but I think it will rival yesterday's. She may come home within a week or so; we are taking things one day at a time. Please continue to pray!

Our pastor delivered his sermon via Facebook Live today. For all its faults, social media has been of great value during this crazy time. It's important to stay connected.

Please take care, everyone!

Dad 506: ZOOM-ing Along

(Since Dad wrote today's post, there were two additional video chats with Mom! The app we are using is ZOOM Cloud Meetings. Thank you for praying for Mom. Enjoy Dad's post. ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Kind of lousy weather, but no storms to shovel and our grass is not covered with snow. Ten minutes of spring tomorrow and then spring full-time on Friday. Not very warm at 46°.

 

Spouse (Mary Lou) is still in rehab at Pine Point Center. Probably the best place for her on a health basis with the coronavirus.

 

Still can't visit Spouse as they are in lockdown. My technicians (Lew, Tracy, Kim, and Kaelen) have got us hooked up so we can talk and see her daily. I think there is a name for this but I know nothing about modern technology! I'm like Sergeant Schultz!

 

We spoke to Spouse twice today, and Lew went to fill the bird feeder outside her window. She has several birds that visit her daily to partake of her feeder goodies.

 

Miss sitting with Spouse daily, but we'll get through this with the help of God! Keep your prayers coming! Thanks.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

The March Madness of 2020

Last Thursday we got the news that Mom's rehab center was prohibiting all visitors (no exceptions) as of Friday at 5pm. No indication of how long the lockdown will last.

Mom lives for her family, so we have run the gamut of what to do.

Should we bring her home? We almost did so on Friday, then changed it to this morning at 9am. Then we re-thought that because we need outside help in order to provide the extent of care she needs. Today we talked with a couple different agencies that provide in-home care. We still have lots to think/talk about, paperwork to complete, and information to gather.

Should we just ride this out and communicate with her via telephone and the occasional Zoom meeting? She needs the center's staff to assist her with both of those options. (In case you're wondering about talking with her through her window, the lockdown guidelines prohibit even that.)

These are trying times.... These are CRAZY times! Coronavirus (or whatever the new name for it is) has really wreaked havoc. I feel like we are living in an alternate universe.

Please continue to pray for Mom and for the entire family. God is sovereign!

Dad 505: In-Law News

(Dad writes today. Please keep praying for Mom. Thanks! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! The recent weather has been very springlike. Even hit 70° one day. We may have some March snow, but it won't be around long. Spring, come soon!

 

Spouse has a meeting with a doctor tomorrow. A brain specialist. All has been good for the last week. Perhaps we will learn something tomorrow.

 

Kim and Kaelen, along with driver Debbie, visited Joe's parents (Kim's in-laws) today. From what I've heard, a good time was had by all. Jackie and George were well. George is planning on a flight to Washington to visit the war memorials. I'm sure the Honor Flight will be enjoyed.

 

I must stop now as my editor just arrived home, so I must get this to her to put out to the world. Sooo....

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Brief Update

I use the word "update" in the title of this post, but there really isn't much to update. Things with Mom are about the same. She does have a neurology appointment on Thursday, and perhaps we will get additional answers as a result of that.

She seems content and is enjoying having Kim and Kaelen here. Mom can't complain about not getting any visitors at the rehab facility, that's for sure. 😊

Please continue to pray. Thank you!

Company! :)

Kim and Kaelen arrived late last night! Debbie, Glen, and Josh picked them up at the Portland Jetport and delivered them to our house. It's very nice to have them here.

Kim and I went to see Mom mid-morning today. I brought the No-Rinse Shampoo to clean Mom's hair, so that was exciting, ha ha. 😊 Kaelen, Debbie, and Josh came a little later, so Mom's room was quite busy for a bit.

The rest of my day was laundry, reading, and watching XFL games with Lew. (One game is still on as I write this.)

Remember to "Spring ahead" tonight!

Dad 504: Please Keep Praying

(So far no coronavirus in Maine. Dad writes today! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Spring is in the air. A lot of wind also. Not as nice as yesterday's 60° and windless. Only March, so could get some bad weather... but we are closer to Spring than Winter! Thanks!

 

Spouse seems to be no longer in her state of unable to speak at times. Three full days of no such incidents. Thanks for your prayers, but keep your prayers coming. They are helpful and comforting to all of us.

 

Mary Lou has enjoyed visits from Josh this week. We are all thankful for his visits and will be welcoming Kim and Kaelen late Friday night. Mary Lou is waiting patiently for their arrival. Spouse is getting some therapy daily.

 

Hope the coronavirus will soon subside. Prayers asked for this also. Thanks to all of you!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

A Good Day

After a rough weekend, Mom had a pretty good day today. Dad, Debbie, and I all were in agreement that this was the best we had seen her.

I have been stopping in after work on weekdays, so I usually am there while she eats her dinner. Tonight was sandwich night — chicken salad on gluten-free bread. She took a couple bites and said, "I don't want to eat this. I don't like it." I got her to eat a couple more bites, but then she repeated her assessment of the sandwich....

So I went in search of something else for her to eat. They had some bananas and crackers, so that's what she ate to round off her dinner. She really enjoyed the banana! 🍌