Updates from here and there and everywhere

Dick and I are remembering the events of a year ago on this weekend.  But before I go into that - talk about remembering, haha!!  Here we were in 1968, our first Valentines Day together.  I was 16 and he was 17!

A year ago, on Friday, February 14, Dick was at work, trying to press on in spite of incredible fatigue, when he received a phone call from our doctor about the results of the blood work he had had the previous day.  He was ordered to go right to the ER.  We still shake our heads that they told him to drive himself there, knowing that his blood sugar had been over 600.  When he got to the ER it was over 700!  And his A1C was 12.  We had no idea.  We just knew he was more fatigued than he had ever been, that he was needing to get up four times a night to pee, he was losing weight unexplainably, and that he could not keep going this way.  We were afraid he might have prostate cancer.  So it seemed like a relief to find out it was diabetes instead.  Our lives changed that day as we realized it would take a lot more thought and effort to manage his diet from here on out.   I think we've done a pretty good job of that.  Maybe living our more slow-paced life due to the pandemic has helped in that respect.  It definitely is easier to eat right at home than anywhere else.  

This morning I'm thinking about Jeremy and Mike and the kids out in Portland.  They're having a snow and ice storm, which is a rare occurrence.  In fact, Brennan (5) and Daniel (6) had never seen snow before!  Unfortunately, I woke up this morning to Jeremy's FB update that their power is out.  I know Jeremy had gotten more firewood on Thursday, but depending how long till the power comes back, it could take a whole lot of firewood.  The power lines in their neighborhood are underground, but I read that trees are falling on power lines further out.  

Poor Watson HATES the snow.  Yesterday the little boys had cleaned the sliding glass door, and when Watson had to go out to do his business, he charged toward the door to go back inside and slammed into it.  It was so clean that he thought it was open.  Poor guy! 

Here's a sweet picture from yesterday morning.

Meanwhile life is throwing crazy stuff at Destiny and her little family.  When they came up from Ocala, Florida to Lancaster last weekend, I had a feeling they would have a hard time leaving.  So many of their things are still in Lancaster, and there are so many more family members in PA for support.  She contacted their landlady in Florida and was told that they could get out of their lease, since they had not been there long, if they would get their things out by the end of this month.  They were working on the plans to go for their things with one of her cousins. 

But this week COVID has delayed those plans.  On Sunday (thankfully the day AFTER we were with them on Saturday) they were with a relative who became sick on Monday and tested positive for COVID on Tuesday evening.  By that time Destiny was already starting to feel sick.  So they went to an urgent care facility in Lancaster to be tested Wednesday evening.  Meanwhile Alex started feeling really sick and Elizer was having fever and congestion.  Friday morning they got their results - Alex was positive, but Destiny and Elizer were negative.  Of course, they had been together all the time since their test, so yesterday Alex's dad took Destiny and Elizer for a rapid test at the ER.  Destiny was positive, but Elizer still negative.  So of course they are quarantining.  We're praying Alex's dad, with whom they are living, stays healthy.  Destiny says he wears a mask all the time when he's home. Bless him for all he's doing!  

Destiny was worried that they could give it to Elizer, but I and also her doctor told her not to worry about that.  She is still breastfeeding him, and I read that a breastfeeding mother who has COVID actually gives the baby aniti-bodies through the breastmilk.  Isn't that the beauty of nature?  

Fortunately, by last evening Alex was feeling much better, and Destiny hasn't been feeling too bad.  They're preparing to play a lot of cards and board games and do puzzles.  She was even considering ordering slime and Play Doh, haha!  

Here are some adorable pictures of Elizer enjoying his high chair and bathtub, baby shower gifts that they did not have with them in Florida.

I hate to always say this, but please refrain from commenting on Facebook about Destiny's situation right now.  Commenting here on my blog is fine or emailing or messaging me.  Thanks!

Yesterday I saw a cute video that Sammy and Bianca's school put together to celebrate "Love Week."  Sammy was in it twice.  I loved this one!  And I really love the grammar posters behind him!  Go, third grade teacher!! 

Sammy and I had fun on a video call last evening.  At one point our connection was poor, and I snapped this and sent it to him.  I called it "Pixelated Sammy."  

It's Track and Field season in Florida, so Sophie and Coach Lisa are busy with practices.  Sophie's doing amazing, as usual.  She's in 10th grade and already hearing from a few colleges!  

Not as well known is her artistic skill.  This week I watched an online presentation by the Pinellas County Art Region of the Scholastic Art Awards.  Other years it is a big in-person event, but this year it was done online, so I could watch!  Sophie received a silver award for this drawing of her childhood friend Noah.  "Noah" is the title of the drawing.  They were childhood friends at school and church since at least kindergarten, maybe preschool.  A few years ago Noah died after a tragic boating accident, and it has had a profound effect on her.  What a beautiful drawing in his memory!!  I'm so proud of her.  

Another grandchild that is now able to connect with me is Hunter!  Not quite five, but now he can text and voice text from his iPad!  I can't even tell you how it filled up my heart to have this conversation with him one morning this week - my first text from him!

Just heard from Jeremy.  They have not started the fireplace yet in hopes of not running out of firewood.  So far hats and layers have been keeping them warm. 

 He took this picture through the window. 

Meanwhile, here we are in our cozy house awaiting our next snow and ice.  Dick's working on his new 1000-piece puzzle.  

I'd rather be making chicken noodle soup and delivering it to our families all over the place, but that will have to remain just a nice thought. 

Well, that's all the news for now!