2020 Christmas Letter Activies

 Merry Christmas,

My year started with Cataract Surgery on my right eye on January 8, followed by a bridge on a tooth on January 21. 

I had three abscesses and three root canals in December, causing me to have a bridge replaced.

On March 10, I had a total knee replacement (on my left knee) just before our country was shut down with no elective surgeries. 

I stayed overnight and then went home to do some Therapy therapy. I went to Peak Performance for therapy therapy.

My knee did not resTherapy Therapy as it should, causing the orthopedic doctor to manipulate it. 

I spent March, April, and part of May getting Therapy.

During this time, Hubby was staying at home with me and still getting paid. 

He went back to work full-time in September. (He works for a contractor of the government with full pay)

In June, our Granddaughter Hannah gave birth to our fourth great-grandson, "Atlas," just a few days after our great-grandson River celebrated his second birthday.

We could not go anywhere, so I spent much time working or attending to my flowers. Most are in pots, which I only had to water and fertilize. This year, we got a lot of rain, which helped with my plants.

We didn't see much of the grandkids or great-grandkids all summer. 

When school started back, we helped with our great-granddaughter, Ava. 

She would go to school for a few days, and we would keep her for a few days. 

Because of the pandemic, our activities were limited. We went to some parks where AVA could play by herself and some parks with fish, turtles, and waterfowl. 

We took her to places where she would see Halloween displays, and we took her to a trunk-n-treat. (Lowes, Home Depot, Party City) 

We took her to the Tinsel Trail in Huntsville and the Enchanted Forest in Decatur.

We have tried to keep her entertained. 

On November 1, Dad fell and broke his hip; his health had been going down for some time. He had lost 30 pounds in the last few months. My sister took him to the doctor, and he had recommended calling Hospice. 

He lived a few days after he fell. We buried him on November 8; he was 93 years old. 

He had a graveside service, and all the family was there. 

We celebrated our great-grandson Hayne's first birthday at the Strickland Hotel on Sunday, December 13. 

Hayne will have Christmas two times this year because he got more presents than most kids get for their birthdays all year. 

On Tuesday, December 22, Hubby and I took Ava, our five-year-old great-granddaughter, to Franklin, Tennessee. We rode north along Natchez Trace through Leipers Fork to Franklin, Tennessee. We ate dinner at Mellow Mushroom and saw Santa riding on a Harley through the window, but he was gone by the time we finished our meal.

Ava wanted to see the 100-foot or more Christmas tree in the town square. We took a few pictures in the square and headed back to the car when, once again, we heard Santa on his Harley. Santa stopped, and I took a couple of pictures with Ava with him. She had to give Santa a real hug, not a hand bump. She was overjoyed about seeing the Real Santa Clause (that's what she said) and was singing Christmas carols for most of the ride home.

We celebrated Christmas on Sunday, December 20, at Jack and Lindsey's new home. I loved seeing the four great-grandkids, Ava, River, Hayne, and Atlas, opening their Christmas presents. Their favorite toy was a barking dog for the boys, and Ave got a mewing cat. All the great-grandkids love animals.

On Friday, December 25, my four sisters and I celebrated Christmas with chili, cheese dip, and various sweets. Afterward, we played several UNO and Dirty Santa games until 9:30 P.M. 

On December 29, My four sisters and I met at Los Trojas Cantina to celebrate my sister's (Teresa) birthday. 

Tomorrow, December 31, I will keep my 24-month-old great-grandson River. I have not kept him all year for health reasons, so we will see how that goes. We live in a 40-foot RV with little room for running and playing. Two-year-olds need a lot of space. 

Hubby and I will attend the gender reveal of our fifth great-grandchild, who is due sometime next July, on Friday, December 31, from 6 to 9. 

That about wraps it up for 2020. 

This was a very different year; we lost my dad, and we celebrated the birth of our fourth great-grandson but could only see him virtually.

We attended Hayne's first birthday party.

Our son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law, great-grandson, Hubby, and I all had the Coronavirus.  

I had a few health issues, but all in all, it has been a good year.

2020 The year of Coronavirus and wearing mask

Total left knee replacement was March 10, that same week, much of our country was shut down because of the  Coronavirus.

I stayed overnight at the hospital and was sent home with all the equipment I would need for the next few weeks for home therapy.

I also went to three days a week to Peak Performance for physical therapy.

The Sciatic nerve in my lower back flared up, which caused therapy to be very painful. 

My Orthopedic doctor had to manipulate my left knee, which helped relieve some of the pain in my lower back. 

It took several months before I could enjoy walking, and I was thankful to have my hubby doing my household chores. 

I could not read or sit at my computer because it was too painful, and it was hard for me to concentrate. 

On June 18, our granddaughter gave birth to a baby boy. 

Only her hubby could be with her, and her baby shower was virtual. 

(Great Grandson Atlas Ian is doing great; he is growing like a weed.)

River, our great-grandson, turned two on June 2.

We celebrated our great-grandson's first birthday on Sunday, December 13. 

He and his mother both had the Coronavirus, and both are doing fine now. 

Our daughter-in-law contracted the Coronavirus at work and gave it to her husband (our son), they were quarantined for 14 days. 

Schools across the United States were shut down, and graduating was just months away for seniors.

Our grandson, a senior, graduated in May after months of his school being shut down. 

Our country was in a pandemic, with businesses, schools, factories, and restaurants shut down.

People dying, and the virus spreading like wildfire, causing people to stress out. 

Lowes was doing a booming business during the pandemic because people were afraid to go anywhere, so many did home projects and gardening.

 I enjoyed spending time attending to my flowers and herbs. 

The Coronavirus has kept many inside this year beginning in the Spring. It sored through  

Summer and Autumn, now it is Winter, and the coronavirus is still here.

The CBS bible study that I attend every year is now virtual. It is great that we can still see one another through Zoom and be safe. 

We have grandchildren attending Universities, High School, and Kindergarten with odd days.

Every Thursday and Friday in September & October, we kept our great-granddaughter, Ava.

We did the social distance, we would take her to our local parks, where she enjoyed feeding the turtles and fish. 

For the last two weeks, Hubby and I have been picking our great-granddaughter up at school. 

Her uncle is a senior this year and usually takes and picks her up, but in the last two weeks, he has not gone to school on Thursdays and Fridays. (because of the pandemic)

Hubby went back to work part-time in June and full-time in September. 

Last year was a sad year for my niece she lost her husband to cancer. 

But 2020 has brought her happiness, she found another love, and they were married on the first of October. 

The Coronavirus is still on the rampage, the numbers are going down. 

Most states have a mandate that you have to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth before entering a place of business. 

High-risk people are encouraged to stay home and have their groceries & personal items delivered.

Stores limit the number of people inside their stores. Restaurants have spaced their tables at least 6 feet apart. Many places of business have a shield or partitions to protect their employees. 

Some places will only take credit cards because they do not want to handle money that is full of germs.

The flu season is just around the corner, and the medical field is in a rush to come up with an anti-virus serum to give to the public to help prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus.

We have missed so much of our annual Halloween parties and Thanksgiving meals with family, and now Christmas is just around the corner. 

Our family get-togethers may be small this year. 

Hubby contracted the Coronavirus from a co-worker, and I got it from him.  We missed having a Thanksgiving meal with our families. 

In November, I went to the Mountains with my cousin and aunt. We ate out a couple of times and did a little shopping, but mostly, we just enjoyed each other's company.

We bought a Modular home in July but will not be finished until late January. This Coronavirus has put a dent in many aspects of our lives. 

My dad fell and broke his hip and died shortly in November. 

Our family is going to celebrate Christmas on December 20 and have a sister gathering on Christmas Day.

We just have to take one day at a time. 

This year, we have had a birth (a great-grandson), a death (my dad), a marriage (my niece), and sickness.

We have been very busy this year but differently. Life as we know it will no longer be the same.

Even in a pandemic, life goes on. 

 

🚗 2006 June 18-25, Trip to Florida Lora's Version

Sunday, June 18, 2006

We arrived in Florida early. The Welcome Center was beautiful. I love Palm Trees and other tropical plants. We were all very sleepy. We checked into RMH at 7:45 A.M. 

(They had three beanie babies on the bed for them.)

We ended up at Arnold Palmer Hospital because Meadow continued to vomit and did not feel well. Marcus also got an ant bite; his left foot swelled on top and got puffy. The doctor decided not to admit Meadow. He told me to bring her back if she did not get better. I should have had Ketones four in her urine. She also had a very low CO2(8?). Marcus got a dose of Clindamycin & an RX.

We also gave him Benadryl. That concluded our first day in FL. Pokie had to check out the hospital facilities to ensure they were suitable.

Clindamycin is used to treat bacterial infections. It may be given to patients who have had an allergic reaction to penicillin. However, it will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Monday, June 19, 2006

We met Roberta, her PT, on our first day at Ability & their Meadow. She is very good with Meadow. Meadow fussed a lot when placed in a position she did not like. She looked so cute in the little suit! We got some pictures. We went to Steak & Shake for lunch. It was our first day at Dr. Bradstreet's office for HBOT. I got in the chamber with Meadow. She got in the soft tank. They gave her Baby Einstein DVDs to watch. She fell fast asleep. However, I thought my head was going to explode. My ears started stopping up, and pressure shot like a sharp pin down behind my ears and neck. I got on the walkie-talkie and said, "How long will this pain last?" She told me to hold my nose and blow. The pressure was not relieved. Then I got hot and felt like I was having a panic attack. She told me to face toward the end where the air was blowing, and once it was fully pressurized, the pain should stop. When it was fully pressurized, I felt better. I laid my head and took the best nap I had in a long time. In the afternoon, we went back to the RMH and had supper. We ate vita, salad & brownies. The kids played in the playroom, and we went to sleep.

After therapy, we went to Melbourne Beach. The kids loved the ocean. They played in the waves and sand. Madison found some seashells. Meadow liked the water, too. The kids got more beanie babies.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Madison woke up vomiting. She slept all morning. We went to therapy. Meadow was much better today and more tolerant of the treatment. She likes to jump on the spider. Marcus and I boxed Hulk gloves. Madison lay on the floor on Elmo's mat and slept. Mom got in the HBOT Chamber with Meadow. I slept on the couch in the playroom with Madison. A little boy jumped up on me while I was asleep, and I thought it was Bucko! We went to RMH after all therapy because Madison was sick. The Belles & Beaus of the Chiropractic Club of Orlando had a Hawaiian lei feast with chicken curry rice, salad, fruit delight, and a veggie tray. Delaney took Marcus for a ride in her wheelchair at the RMH.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Madison felt better this morning. We, too, Meadow, for their suit therapy. Marcus played on the game cube. We went to lunch at Olive Garden. We then went to HBOT. I got in the chamber with Meadow and took a nap. I still felt the pressure. I was not as anxious this time because I knew what to expect. We went to Andretti Thrill Park and rode on the go-karts. This man took us on a train ride. I didn't think he was ever going to stop! We rode the bumper boats again; Marcus rode with a teenage girl, and Madison rode with a teenage boy! We had fun. Marcus played a game where he shot a rifle, and a butt popped up with blue jeans on, but you could see his crack! It was hot outside. The kids are making friends at RMH. 

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Today at Suit Therapy, Meadow was cranky. She woke up early this morning. Zac is the other child getting treatment from the other PT. She is from Holland. Zac is autistic. He is seven years old. After treatment, we went to an authentic Italian Restaurant. We ordered a pizza with spinach, mushrooms, and Pepperonis. Granny went into the chamber with Meadow today, and  Madison talked to Granny on the walkie-talkie. 

After HBOT, we went to Dixie Stampede. We got there early and went to the horse stables. There was a white horse with spots and a big albino horse. Then we went inside. The lobby had a huge painting with a big buffalo and horses. Then we went to the carriage room. Mrs. Dixie played it again, and Sam performed. There was a magic show, too. In the main arena, we had a huge dinner. Madison and Marcus got a call (Meadow was announced up) to the arena on the Northside to chase chickens. Bucko was the first one to make it. They both got ribbons and medallions. After the show, the cast called us for a VIP meeting for pictures. The girls all wanted to hold Meadow. We went into the center arena and took pictures. One of the crew members gave the kids coloring books. The host gave Meadow a ribbon-like Maddie & Bucko. They told me they would mail us a picture, and they would all sign it. We had a really good time!

Friday, June 23, 2006

Meadow was worn out after her first week of therapy. We went to Winter Park and watched a live Marionette performance of "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" The owner of the Marionette Theater was the man that played Howdy Duty and Bozo the Clown. We met them both. The show was excellent, and we sat right up front. 

Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater 

A non-profit organization 

presents 

ALADDIN and the Wonderful Lamp 

book and lyrics by David Eaton 

June 3, through Aug 26, 2006

525 S. Semoran Blvd. Winter Park Florida 

www.Pinocchios.net

Saturday, June 24, 2006

We went to the Orlando Science Museum and spent the entire day. It had six floors. The first floor had a nature center with alligators and turtles. It also had Kids Town  (hands-on). We watched three Cinedome IMAX movies, Wild Safari, Greece, and Star Quest. We went inside a vast mouth and walked through the walls of the digestive system. We went to the Dinosaur Center. There was a center with monster heads, electricity, and a space center. Then we went to the top, where there was a planetarium. It was a fun day.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

We went to Gatorland. There were alligators and crocodiles all around—big, small, and babies. Madison and Bucky held an alligator and a python snake. They had their picture taken while holding them. We watched Gator Wrestling, Later Jumparoo, and Close Encounters. We rode the train through the swamp area. There were all kinds of large birds nesting and alligators nesting. It started pouring rain. 

2013~ October 1, Tuesday, Trip to Red Bay, Alabama “The Way we worked”

On October 1, 2013, my husband and I drove to Red Bay, Alabama, to see the traveling Smithsonian exhibit" The Way We Worked."

My husband drove west on Highway 72; at Pride, he turned left onto Highway 247.

We saw rugged mountains with towering forests along Highway 247. The trees were green with a hint of yellow and orange, not quite ready for autumn.

We had to wait several minutes because a large road machine was digging in the ground, doing some kind of road construction. We also passed several log trucks and several horse trailers; there must have been a horse show nearby.

Road Construction

Log Truck

"The Way We Worked" is a collection of black-and-white images from the National Archives.

The display will be at the Weatherford Center on Main Street from September 14 to October 25, 2013.

"The Way We Worked"

"Another collection being displayed is Music Works" from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. 

"Theater Works" is Storytelling & Local Movies at the Weatherford Center. 

"Quilt Works" is displayed at Red Bay Library next to the Weatherford Centers. 

Many first-, second- and third-class ribbons were given away in many categories for the quilts. 

In the Machine Child Category, Fiona Oliver won first Place (Christmas Scene), and Christianly Carter took thirdPlacee (Stork Scene).

The Auburn (eagle) and Alabama (the elephant) quilts were side by side; they were rival teams.

There was a cross-stitched quilt by Lucille Horton given as a wedding gift in July 1983, 

A quilt made by Granny Burcham for Hazel Hall in 1947, it was a friendship quilt (each block was made by different individuals, with the names of family members on the blocks. These quilts were often raffled off as fundraisers.)

An Alabama National Champion quilt displaying dates of: 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2012

A Cathedral window tie-hanging quilt made by Dianne Bentley (governor's wife) from ties belonging to Governor Robert Bentley.

Josiah Oliver (second Place) and Cindy Carter (first Place) made a couple of Alabama quilts in the children's contest.

The back wall of the Placehe Library was made of quilts of many shapes, sizes, and designs.

Alabama Quilt

Our walk in Red Bay was on a bright, sunny October day. We followed the tracks for tourists to follow for "The Way We Worked Smithsonian Tour."

We saw many of Red Bay's old buildings depicting murals of the lives of the people of Red Bay. Starting with A.M. Nix Barbecue, Bay Theater, Morrow, Red Bay Café, Red Bay Grocery, Red Bay Ice and Gin Company, Red Bay School, Rob Orrick's Hamburger's, T. D. Jackson's Meat Market, The Calaboose, The depot and hotel, the old Medical clinic, the style shop, the well, Thompson's seed and feed, Wilson Read to Wear and ending with Yarber's Grist Mill. 

Murals Red Bay 

Murals Red Bay 

Down the street from the Red Bay Museum is History Works, where you can find local treasures from years past.

 Red Bay Museum 

 Red Bay Museum 

"The Way We Lived" inside Red Bay's Museum was the original sign and staircase of The Red Bay Hotel, which is now being restored.

We saw a Cary Safe from Buffalo, NY, a sign from Faust Rexall Drugs, a counter from a hardware store, a soda fountain from a drug store, a sign from Naber's & Co., a Cash Store, an antiquated Coca-Cola drink machine, dippers that were used at the old well, the ceiling, light fixtures, and seats from the old Red Bay theater.

There were medical instruments used by a local physician, a computing scale for Sagle Co from Dayton, Ohio, and items donated by several different churches. There were also military uniforms on display worn by local veterans of Red Bay.

There was a sign that said "Condimental Ginning System," items from the old train depot, and farm tools of every kind. 

There were several rooms, each with different themes, depicting the life of Red Bay, Alabama.

The top floor was full of items from Tammy Wynett.

 Tammy Wynette Dresses

 Tammy Wynette Dresses

 Tammy Wynette Dresses

It was getting past lunchtime, and we asked where a good local restaurant was, but all they had to offer were chain Restaurants. 

So we stopped at Jack, where I ordered chicken fingers with green beans and water. 

After lunch, we headed north on Highway 24. 

There was a lot of construction along this highway, and it is far from being finished.

We drove through downtown Russellville.

We stopped on Jackson Avenue, where I took pictures of the town and some historic markers. Next, we stopped at the Historic Roxy Theater, where I took photos of the theater and historical markers.

Historic Roxy Theater 

Historic Roxy Theater 

We drove further down the street, and I spied an old cemetery called Sadler. 

We stopped in Littleville, Alabama, to take a picture of the historical marker about Captain Benjamin Little, who lived in historic Littleville. 

Littleville 

History of Littleville, Alabama 
Capt. Benjamin F. Little, a former Confederate soldier, opened a store here after the railroad from Tuscumbia to Russellville was built in 1887. A train station and several houses were soon erected. A rail spur provided access to nearby iron ore mines. Capt. A.H. Keller owned a sandstone quarry and summer Resort called Fern Quarry near Keller Springs just north of the town in the 1880s and 1890s. The stone was used to construct a blast furnace and commercial buildings in Sheffield. In 1917, Jackson Highway (U.S. Hwy 43) was built along the general route of the old Jackson Military Road. (continued on the other side) (continued from the other side) According to local lore, early settler Hezekiah Tharp's wife Nancy was the daughter of Chickasaw Chief George Colbert (the county is named for him and his brother Levi). Ligon Springs, 1~1/2 miles west, was a popular summer Resort in the 1870s. The water was advertised as a cure for dropsy, dyspepsia, sore eyes, kidney diseases, etc. By 1910, Littleville had a population of 30. Its merchants were J.D. Bullington, general merchandise; G.W. Hargett, lumber; M.C. Murray, general merchandise; L.O. Breitling, bakery; and C.J. Brockway, lawyer. The town was incorporated in 1956, and Frank Bullington became the first mayor.

All the way home, I snapped pictures of the winding roads, the towering trees, old and new houses, and signs, and I did not stop until it was dark.

My husband grilled pork chops when we came home, while I made creamed potatoes and mixed vegetables. 

A good home-cooked hot meal is a great way to end the day.