April 13

Yesterday was Luv Bug's second birthday.  Mary had called me 2 weeks ago asking me whether I could make a kitchen helper stool for Luv's birthday.  I found a pattern on Pinterest, then made a trip to Rona's drive through lumber mart for materials.  Last Thursday was construction and last Friday was sanding and varnishing.  I delivered the stool to Mary and Morgan's house yesterday.   Of course, Bug loved the stool.  Mary has a picture of Luv on her stool helping to rip the lettuce for last night's dinner.  Haley and Dustin gave Luv a new life jacket and a tea set.  Grandpa and Grandma Battersby delivered a new tricycle for her complete with a light and a bell.  Mary and Morgan gave her a little table and chairs, some Easter treats, and a stuffed toy or two.  She was one happy little girl.  Thankfully, she is oblivious to all the quarantine business going on.  Haley, Dustin, and I stood by the door at a social distance and watched her enjoy all her presents, then we sang Happy Birthday to her. Of course, Luvisa asked for an encore.  "Again".  So we sang Happy Birthday again.  Since my last entry, I have continued to stay busy.  It really is the best way to not just survive, but thrive during the self isolation times.  I have baked Easter cookies, coloured a couple pictures, practiced my Spanish, played guitar/ukulele, journaled, meditated, read, and enjoyed some delicious afternoon snoozes.  It does get lonely at times, but my girls call me every day.  I often join Haley to walk the grand dogs.  Seeing my crew is the highlight of my life.  I also have faithful friends who give me a call.  And when no one calls, I follow the adage that "I have a phone too".  If I feel like calling someone, I just call them rather than wishing they would call me or pout because it is their turn to call me.  Mom continues to do well.  She suffers a few head aches and days when she is "off", but lately she has had a few good days.  Her wonderful friends in the Tisdale high-rise know that she loves to knit so mom is the recipient of their unwanted yarn.  Last week, an anonymous angel just hung a bag of yarn on Mom's doorknob.  Their are some wonderfully kind people who take care of my mom.  In closing, I want to encourage everyone to think of the people you know who live alone.  Widows, widowers, the elderly, and those with pre-existing mental health issues are having a particularly tough time in these days of social isolation.  Give them a call.