At Home

Hello,



We are at home as I suspect many of you are also. I guess Leroy and I can handle so much togetherness. I am grateful that our apartment has enough space that we can stay away from each other at least some of the time.



My library is closed. My boss gave me the option to come in and catalog if I wanted as there are still some items on my desk that need to be done. I chose to stay home instead. A bigger lure was the idea of getting more books as I only have one library book at home. There are two other books on a shelf at home that I thought I might like to read, but have not felt like it since I got them. I suspect they will become more attractive as time goes on. I have kept them around for that time when I could not go to the library, even though a part of me felt the no library day would never come. To think it is the new reality.



Leroy and I took a long walk this afternoon. There were almost no people out and about except at the taverns. I believe that will stop soon as they are closing more public meeting places.



Leroy is spending a lot of time working on his stamp collection. Perhaps I should have some type of hobby as well, but I cannot imagine what that could be.



One of the local grocery stores is open an hour early for seniors three days of the week. I believe I will go on Thursday. They said the shelves would be stocked and a serious cleaning accomplished.



Leroy is going to work tomorrow so he can bring home work and just do it here. The museum has closed.



Paula

Shopping

Hello,



Yesterday Leroy and I went shopping because Friday is my regular day. We got most things, but no toilet paper was to found at the two stores where we looked. It amazes me that toilet paper seems to be the most needed item in this time of looking at spending more time around the house. For me it was just on my list. We had no trouble getting any fruits or veggies that we wanted.



I thought I would make another shopping trip later, Wednesday, to the store where I get the items for making granola as some of those are low. Perhaps then I will know if there are other things needed.



Leroy and I went out to deliver the neighborhood news letter yesterday. We came home before it was finished thinking today would be a good day to complete the task. This morning it started snowing and we think there is about half an inch out there. Certainly it is not a good time to put a piece of paper on a front step even if it is beautiful.



I washed clothes this morning and hung them out before the snow came. I kept thinking the snow would stop, but it is still snowing. However we have retrieved the clothes after shaking them to release the snow to the ground.



Leroy got a new wireless bike computer. He brought his bike in and worked on it in the kitchen. After some huffing and puffing it is finished and back in the garage. He has some spatial issues so it took some backtracking to get it done. At least he keeps trying.



Paula

Money Matters

Hello,



We turned in our papers for taxes this morning. I know our children think we should do the taxes some cheaper, easier way but Leroy commented that because ours are a bit more bother because of pensions and Leroy being a minister, he is happy to pay someone to do it. So our part of that task is finished for another year. We also find it convenient to get some advice from this man. I guess we pay for peace of mind.



This morning I called the pension place for which I now work. Because my predicted monthly amount goes up as long as I work, I thought I should not be getting the monthly amount. Instead I learned I should have been getting the benefits since I turned 70 as I can still work and receive moneys. I will apply now and get it as soon as possible. Unfortunately I will not get those two years that I have missed. Oops it does not work as Leroy’s did which is that he only got it when he stopped working for the church.



Oh well, I tell myself, “It is only money, not some important body part that no longer works.”



I will have to learn to be more aggressive about asking questions. The trouble is to know to ask rather than assume I know the answer.





Paula

Earning His Keep

Hello,



Leroy put in some time this morning by going through the two file drawers and eliminating much that we no longer need to have on file. He not only pulled it out, but he shredded that which needed shredding. I have randomly gone through this or that file, but not the entire system. Does that mean we are ready to move since the files will not be so heavy? Probably not since just yesterday, Leroy talked about staying here for a few more years. I would say that neither of us is ready to move any time soon.



Just yesterday we came back from a MN visit for grandson’s birthday celebration. We had not been there since early in the fall. For some reason both Leroy and I had forgotten the details of the kitchen renovation that took place upstairs. This was especially true of where things were stored in the cupboard. Even though Brian said we did use these areas since we were in charge of meals, etc. while they were gone Is that a sign of short term memory loss?



It was nice to be there for good weather even though they have a lot more snow on the ground. We think northern Iowa and southern MN seemed to have the most.



We saw a bald headed eagle resting in a low tree so we could get a nice look at it as we sped past.



It is good to be home even though we like to visit. Now we have no trips planned so we expect to be here for some time.



Paula

Tired

Hello,



I am much better, but tired seems to be my middle name. I worked yesterday only to learn that I was alone for the evening because it was a local election and my co worker works for the county election. Because a school bond was on the ballot the library was quite busy. The library meeting room is used for elections. Certainly it was not as busy as a national election, but it was enough.



I went out this afternoon to walk, but did not get so far before I headed home. We have church and choir practice tonight so I will have a longer walk then. Leroy might have to drag me.



It is so beautiful outside. Certainly signs of spring. Leroy and I are going to MN for Logan’s birthday celebration. It always makes we wonder, Do we trust the weather prediction or should I put in a pair of boots, just in case? Because we are traveling by car, I will probably put some boots in the car as we have extravagant room.



At least I have some bread rising since we are totally out. Making bread is a satisfying job for me



Tomorrow I work during the day; will that be less tiring than working at night? It was nice to visit with so many people yesterday. It seems that everything has some pluses and minuses.



Paula

Feeling Better

Hello,



Today is a better day. Besides, it surely is the end of my being sick, Leroy worked on some papers for taxes today. It is great to get that all organized and ready to meet with our tax guy. That meeting will happen next week.



We are going to MN for the weekend as Logan is celebrating his ninth birthday. It does not seem possible that we have such old grandchildren and no babies or toddlers.



Leroy just got back from walking to the car insurance office to pay that bill for another six months. Good to get these errands done. He tells me it is brisk out there. I should have possibly walked there as well. I understand cold is good for our immune system, if you can believe everything you read. We have often walked in cold weather and not suffered ill effects so I believe it is good.



Leroy did comment, “We would save a lot of money if we only had one car.”



However as long as we both work and the weather is uncooperative we “need” two cars.



I wish my work were closer, but I like this particular job so I do not want to change. Last evening Leroy commented, “When we decide where we are moving, I am going to look for another part time job.”



I was quite surprised to hear that because he has always talked about volunteering. He must be open to a variety of scenarios. I also think of volunteering, but I suppose it could be for money. I just feel that the money would tie us down much more seriously. At any rate we are looking for the sign to know just where to go and what to do.



Paula

About the Same

Hello,



I feel good for some time, but then it all seems to go back for a while. Leroy is doing most of the meals and dishes so that helps me quite a lot, but I am getting bored. Mostly I do not watch TV. I flipped through channels, but did not find anything appealing. I wish I had brought home some funny movies. Laughter is good for the soul. Someday we might have to get one of the video streaming services. I believe Leroy will be there before I am, but he does not make any statements in that direction. We ordered the movie, Strictly Ballroom, because we saw that as a stage play while in UT. The play and the movie were quite close in execution. I suppose it is easier to stay together than with a book and a play.



Leroy officiated at a funeral yesterday. It has been a while since he has done that. I though he seemed nervous. When he came home he was much more relaxed, feeling that it all went well. He does not do official tasks for the church now that he is retired, but this was a unique set of circumstances with a person who knew him, but was not a member of a church in this area.



This afternoon it was so nice and warm that Leroy took a bike ride. He came back all smiles and said, “It is so nice out.”



He mostly stayed on the bike trail that goes close to our home. It is so nice to have this trial just about three blocks away. We will certainly miss that when we leave.



I realized how much we will miss the squirrels if the large old tree next door is ever cut down. They provide a nice amount of entertainment with their antics.



Paula