today

• mailed a pckg with preemie diapers and the ONLY preemie outfit Target had...should arrive about the same time Jack comes home from the hospital.
• finished his baby quilt; washed it; had to reinforce some stitching...and realized the black applique reinforcement showed through on the back...sending it anyway. That will be mailed tomorrow for his re-scheduled virtual shower next Saturday.
• tilled along the garden's fence line and planted 2 rows of snow peas. Hope to get brussel sprouts and some lettuce in the ground and pots tomorrow before the rain. That will be everything that needs to go out until first of April
• attempted to have the beaver's lodge removed, but we failed. We'll try again in a few weeks. 
• Dad's heart tests went well today.  No more procedures or visits for another 6 months. 
• Bobby had three things repaired/replaced on his van yesterday.  Thankful they were able to do it in one day, that one of the things actually happened while he was there and they were able to actually see it happen (last visit it didn't happen and they can't fix what they don't see).  Turned out to be a loose wire for which we were EXTREMELY thankful. Those tie down boxes cost thousands to replace.
• Bobby was able to get his first vaccine shot a few weeks ago and my parents and younger sister are now on a schedule. We know of three people near us who were diagnosed this last week. Still not sure what we would do if I should get it.  So far we've just prayed that if I get the virus it will be extremely mild. Otherwise he might be in a nursing home until I recover. That hurts my heart to even consider it. Meanwhile NC's curfew is gone, gyms can allow more people, and our virus numbers are trending downward. School next door is back in session. So life is slowly returning to normal. 

Jack

Jack V. Vickery, my first great-nephew, arrived today. Six weeks and one day early, he took us all a little by surprise, but we are thrilled. His weight, 5.5lbs, was an answer to prayer. His breathing has already improved a little, but will continue to be on oxygen for a few more days. Emily is doing great, and has her aunts all aghast that she chose to deliver naturally. And while grandparents are chomping at the bit to see him but can't because of covid restrictions, I think it might be great for the new little family to have some time with just themselves.

home

Growing up, Mom would go on a cleaning frenzy anytime we were preparing to leave on an overnight trip. She wanted the house spotless should anything happen and people needed to come inside. As a child, the only reason why I could think that people would need to come inside our house was if they were burglars. Why were we cleaning up for thieves?  Now that I'm older, I realize that many things can happen that would precipitate the need for people to come inside our house.

The older I get, the less inclined I am to pull the almost all nighters that happened the first 10 years of marriage right before a trip. We've tried several different things - leaving later (it's a 12 hr drive from here to my parents' house), making it a 2 day driving trip, and this trip I actually blocked off two days before we left to get things done. We still left early, but I was in bed at a reasonable time (but couldn't sleep) and we left early enough to get there to unload and visit for a little bit before bedtime. 

Sunday morning we had church at my parent's place, and my younger siblings and niece came to the parsonage for an early birthday celebration for my Dad. Many of us got together for supper on his actual birthday as well, but it wasn't a relaxed, take your time meal as people had to work the next day and my Dad was trying to see about some situations for his niece and brother. I had hoped to see my uncle while we were in, but with all the Covid restrictions still in place the rehab facility is not letting anyone inside for visits, not even his children. He was supposed to go to a nursing home facility this weekend, but on our drive back to NC we got the text that he had developed pneumonia and would be staying put the time being. 

One positive thing from all of that is that it made my parents get serious about taking care of some needed paperwork while we there. Not everything is completed, but they put a good dent in it and I hope to follow up with my siblings in a few weeks and make sure everything has been finalized. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, but we're to the point that I fear each time I hug them goodbye it might be my last.

It was a good trip, but I do wish I lived close enough to check in on them on a weekly basis or as they needed help.

So now we're home and we're somewhat shifting back into our normal routine (though what I really want to do is just crawl in bed for the rest of the day). I'm oping for a productive week next week.