Virtual Hugs

   A year ago I had just transferred to a different school in my district. A different campus with a different atmosphere. As Spring Break began I was working toward house sitting for seven of a 12 month period. Spring Break 2019 was in a different place and time. 

   In October I felt lead to begin attending church at St Luke's Anglican Church in Redding. I told the Priest that I needed a time of renewal in my faith and would like to sit back for the season from Christmas to Easter and observe before making a further commitment. He agreed and I began a devotional time of rest, peace and spiritual growth.

   One of the deacons showed me a website with the daily office for morning and evening prayer. Since October each morning and evening I would passively participate by listening and following along on my phone. Cradle of Prayer follows the morning and evening prayer of The Book of Common Prayer. With my eyes barely open and my throat beginning to wake up before reporting to work at 7:10 a.m.  I would follow along to the best of my sleepy ability.

   A Pain in the Neck

  Two weeks ago last night I had my final class at Simpson College on campus. For a week I had been suffering with a Charlie Horse at the base of my head, behind my left ear. Our final class was presenting to the class a 10 minute Math lesson. My lesson was for 5th grade fractions and despite the pain I passed the class with flying colors. Sunday morning I went forward for prayer and began to feel the pressures of the world release from my shoulders.

  We went to our school jobs on Monday, but by 2:00 p.m. we were told school would be closing for the next three weeks. Then our Simpson Classes were moved online only. I got to learn a new platform called Zoom video conferencing. The first night was hectic as we all learned together for four hours how to use the platform and how to share our ideas for learning Earth Science. At the third hour break my phone blew up with messages. Govern Newsom was closing down California the following day and not only would Pier 1 close, but their would be no Grammie travel during Easter Break.

    Thankfully, the pain in my neck was gone, but the ache in my heart was pretty deep. I contacted my daughter in Shingletown on Friday to ask about adopting a cat. She had one picked out and I headed to Shingletown ~Rescue Animal In Need. The cat my daughter liked for me did not care for me. However, a tabby named Molly thought I was her forever Mama. 

So far she has not tried to step on to the table while I eat

Her favorite place to watch the world outside

My Dad made her a scratching post

Never a Dull Moment 

   Molly is a typical 6 month old cat. She has only broken one small knick-knack from a yard sale. She occasionally races through the apartment, but mostly is a very good roommate. She keeps me on schedule and insists I do the dishes in the sink as well as keep her area in the bathroom clean. The vacuum doesn't bother her, but she is not a fan of the garbage disposal. 

   One day I kept hearing odd noises at the front door. This was what I saw through the peephole.

   Unfortunately for last years Easter Door hanger, a scrub jay had decided that he needed to move into the nest. He was trying to removed the old eggs. He just didn't realize what great glue Pier1 uses and that the eggs were solid foam.

pecked holes in two of the eggs and wouldn't give up

I put back up my sunflower hanger and gave up after trying three different days and getting the same result. Lazy bird!!!

   Grandbaby Update

Judah and his Mama are Sheltering In Place in Humboldt County
while his Dad works at Costco

Ellie is keeping everything lighthearted

Emilia is pretty serious about her home-schooling

The mamas get no rest and no pop-cycles to themselves

On the Home Front

Early this morning I put a Thank you Heart on his van,
This fellow lives a building over from me and often parks downstairs.

I made a stack of Thank You Hearts for all my local Essential Workers. I put one on the door of the nurse who lives directly below me too. I plan to make a garland of them on my railing with a note of thanks. There are over 100 units in my complex and many work in Essential Fields.

I take a walk for an hour every day.
This was a message of hope from a neighbor

Even through the slight drizzle the tulips were worshiping God

 Daily I can take time to go through the morning and evening office of prayer. I can consider the words and listen or join with the canter. Let our hearts be like St Francis.

A little bit of bloom in the terrace of The Nest

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

when there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand,

to be loved as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.”

― Francis Of Assisi

   

Shelter In Place 2020

 The past week has been an up and down of emotions. Being an introvert who could usually hold up at home all the hours I don't work....I felt this Shelter in Place order would not be a problem. My children and I did that most of the 1990s. I home-schooled through the public school. We had no technology and the kids would get packets every two or three weeks from their teachers. That was 20 years ago and life has changed so much with technology. We were too poor for sports and there was a period of five years that we had no home church. The library and grocery store were our main outings.
     Now my daughter with two young ones has been experiencing a similar time of life, but they have Disney+ and a big screen TV. They are blessed with a park down the road and a wonderful library. However, this week when the Shelter in Place went down she had to wipe her calendar clean. I have been so proud to see the different ideas she has followed through with each day.

Ellie Anne at 15 months old doesn't mind the Shelter In Place

On a nature walk, they put velcro on their wrists to collect leaves and flowers

Emelia is doing very well

 Today they made 💗💙💚💛

Abbie remembers what it was like when we stayed home after 9/11. Her husband is in law enforcement and has been in the National Guard until last year. Keeping life normal for the littles is a hard thing for everyone. Not being able to see friends and family is hard. Thankfully, we all have the video chat on our phones and photos daily.

New Room Mate

Meet my new roommate Molly

 By Friday the Shelter in Place began to get to me. My Dad is 87 and I go see him every few days to make sure all is well and take groceries or whatever is needed. But I really missed my littles from school. I house sat for people with pets so much last year and had Pier1 during summer break. I saw my own children and had just enough interaction with people to not be considered a hermit.
But after my first Thursday night with no class at Simpson I was shaky. We had a 4 hour video class with interaction, but I realized how much I like seeing people in person. Over the past 2 1/2 months we have all bonded as we spent four hours together on campus in our classrooms. The Shelter in Place order came through during our final break and I got a message from Pier1 that the doors were closed and to remain closed until the governor removed the Shelter in Place.

She is a 6 month rescue cat

Friday morning I called my daughter, Mary and asked where she got her shelter cat. R.A.I.N. is a shelter in Shingletown that is connected with a second hand store. Molly had been fixed, had all her shots and was de-fleaed. When I walked in the door Molly adopted me. 

We have been setting some boundries. When I go see my Dad or go out for a walk, she has to stay in the bathroom. I finally left my name down. She let me know that was her spot now. The glass wishing well has moved too. She hasn't bothered any of my knick-knacks. Her favorite toy is a foam apple stress ball that I got from Simpson University. She bats it all over then picks it up in her teeth to leave it under a chair.

She knocked over Henry and likes to play with his eggs

Henry is a Pier1 rabbit from last year. His basket is full of styrofoam eggs (scatter). Molly has a few of the eggs scattered around in her own special way of decorating. She helps me keep things clean. No dishes left in the sink. Nothing left on the bathroom counter. All surfaces wiped down like they keep saying to do on the radio.

 Flowers Along the Way

I am taking daily walks around my neighborhood. As I loaded these pretty blooms I realized that I had every color.

My son's girlfriend is in the medical field. One son-in-law is Law Enforcement and one son-in-law works at a Costco. Two daughters are raising their littles and one daughter is a diesel truck mechanic. My son is a  graveyard shift security guard. I could not be a prouder Mum at this time in our countries adventure with Covid-19. 

My handsome guys

My Dad has been doing very well since his wife went to be with the Lord in November. He and his little dog Duke are learning to navigate Youtube and watching church at home. He met his Great grandson ,Judah in September. I hope we get to see them again soon.

Dad and Judah last Fall

Cu-Ti-π , Judah is 7 months old

This guy must be due for a hair cut. Mum has the clippers and the shops are all closed.

Upcoming Events

All my children, grandchildren and spouses (including future spouses) were suppose to have a photo shoot in Chico this weekend... I was going to see Judah and family on the coast in April during my Easter break... All outings are postponed.  Abbie and family bought a house that closed escrow on her birthday, March 9th. As soon as the Shelter in Place is lifted we will get together for her to get boxes from Mary who just moved into a new house too. 

New Home of the Little Schmenk family

For now I try to balance the need to check on my Dad with the need to follow the governor's guide line. I am healthy, all my family are healthy. My son-in-laws are doing the important jobs along with Miss Lucy. 

Finally, update on University Classes

In January I began classes at Simpson University for a bachelor's degree in Education. My first class was a History of Art that everyone said was one of the hardest of all the ASPIRE classes. I had never written University level papers and the teacher graded very hard. I got a "C" and was just glad I had passed. My next 6 week class was Math and amazingly, I got an "A". This class also had two university level papers and the professor told me that I did very well on my papers and my presentations. Well that averaged out to a 3.0. Last week we started a class in Earth Science. I am having a lot of fun with that class. This week I glued little bead all over my globe where the volcanoes are for a presentation on week 4. The other class we are taking during the entire semester is World History. So far I have an "A" in that one too. Along with 170 continual days of  the Doulingo French app on my phone, I am feeling pretty happy about my studies this year.

If you read down this far. Thank you. Keep safe and healthy and write a letter to someone. We all love snail mail. Postal workers are still out there doing a great job for us too.

Mid-winter Vacation

My friends have been in Belize for ten days and I have been vacationing on their little farm. It has been a rustic vacation experience. Staying here in the winter reminds me why I live in a second floor walk-up and do not use the fireplace provided. I am blessed with a very low utility bill in the winter. I am very happy to heat the apartment up to 68 degrees. My bill is rarely over $40 and the electricity is under $20 in the winter. Meanwhile, here there is a wood stove that must be fed to get the house above 50 degrees.
  So for the past ten days I have hauled wood in and ashes out, burned fingers and  singed the hair on the back of my hands. My frontier excitement the first day reminded me of a TV Show in the 1970's: The Adventures of the Wilderness Family. I got here in my white blouse and started the fire without an ash on my sleeve. Ten days later, I have ashes all over me and my sweater; well, it isn't white. How did that woman keep her blouse white through that entire program.
  I've enjoyed my little friends, but I'm ready to go back to the Nest Sweet Nest.

Reba the three legged wonder dog

Mel the 20 pound purr-baby

In Other Places

The Buick was retired 

Cash for Clunkers is alive and well in California. The BAR gave me a sizable check for the Buick. As long as the engine turns over, they don't care if the rest of the car is not working.

Grandchildren, Ellie, Emelia and Judah on top

Ellie and Judah

The grandkids had a late Christmas adventure last week. Ellie is now 13 months old and walking like a champ. Judah at 5 months old is doing all the five month old stuff. Emelia is mostly being a princess.

Little Elsa from Frozen II

Emelia got to see Frozen II at the theater just before Christmas and is very much in an Elsa mode. She lets her Mama do her hair in exchange for playing with Mama's amazing long locks.

I get to go see them in February. I have a week off from school for All The Presidents. My Grammie Bag is packed and I can't wait to see my little Princesses.

Happy New Year 2020

This happened in 2019. I learned that there is a camera and speaker on my laptop and that I could make a video without my phone. When I ordered my laptop I had requested that the camera not be installed. That did not mean that it wasn't there all along, just wasn't turned on until I started my Simpson University Orientation. This orientation took me over 15 hours to complete. Along with a video of myself discussing me, a spreadsheet with every hour marked from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m./ 7 days a week "in color", a 500 word essay on why I wanted to be in the program and another 2 page essay on what I expected to get out of the program; I had to comment on other peoples submissions and learn the ins and out of the online experience.

I'll be looking back on this post in a year to see how I did. My goal in 2020 is to continue working 40 plus hours a week and go to school with 12 units per trimesters, which will end in December 2020. My outcome will be a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies so that I can get a higher paying job in the school system.  I thirst for information to be better as an educator. Currently as a classified employee of 5 years I make just a little more than minimum wage in California.
As a three year employee of Pier 1 I just got a raise so that I will get minimum wage. Meanwhile, my rent is raised every year at least $50 a month. That alone is 30 cents a hour of a forty hour work week. Basically that would be a cost of living raise.

But Life Aint all That Bad

My Dad blessed me with a 2015 Toyota Camry this last week. My old Buick was leaking something awful and had not had A/C or heat for two years. The window went down and wouldn't go back up in November. She served me well for seven years and will be headed to the "Happy Scrap Yard" within the week. Thank you Cash for Clunkers.

In 2019 I was blessed with a Grandson in August. Judah Earnest is an amazing young man who already tips the scales at over 20 pounds.

He has two of the most adorable cousins on the planet. Ellie Anne was a year old in December and Emelia Claire is Three already!

Ellie loves her babies

Merry Christmas 2019

Emelia loves life and shopping

We had the usual 2 weeks off for school. My paychecks are averaged over the 12 months of the year, so that I always can pay my rent. Pier One Imports kept me out of trouble at least three shifts a week and I tried to attend a few extra church services in the holiday season. I especially loved the Christmas Eve service at St Luke's Anglican where I now attend. It was a simple service with 8 carols and 8 scripture readings. 

My sister from Georgia came to visit my Dad here in town from Dec. 10th to Dec 26th. She joined me for one of the morning prayers. Our oldest sister from Reno joined up for Christmas day and that was a special treat. It was hard to believe that we had not spent a Christmas together since 1975.

Cheri, Deena, Elaine and Ebony 1975

It has been a rough month and 1/2 for Dad as his wife of 33 years passed away in November. 2020 has a lot of new opportunities for him. He faithfully cared for her for many years. I pray God will bless him for that faithful service.

Dad watching his three daughters interacting 

The festival of lights as our LORD celebrated began on Dec. 21st this year, the day I got my new car. Each day I got a gift from someone who did not know that I was lighting the lights on my little menorah. The final day I completed putting the year of photo that Abbie sent me of the girls in a book for safe keeping.

Chanukah 2019

So much love in these pages

My final project of the year was to clear away the craft clutter and prepare my table for the new year. 

My Dad made this great little table

This drop leaf table will open twice this size or close down to just the width of the drawers. My Dad made it for my Step-mother's crafts and it is perfect for all my projects. The past month it has been a craft clutter as I sorted through some of the crafts from my Step-mom's caches and created my own designs, mostly from discarded items that I re-purposed. Now it is ready to be a place to eat and study. It appears from the spread sheet that will be a lot of my free time.

If you are reading this via my Facebook, thank you friend. I have uninstalled the app from my phone, but will be checking in a few times a week on my laptop. The messenger app is still my favorite way to communicate, so please keep me in touch. 2020 is going to go by very fast.

I can't believe that this is my 5th Christmas in The Nest. God has been so gracious to me these past years as I have learned to be alone. My children are all adults being productive in their own communities. I would be remiss not to add that my grandchildren are the most amazing children ever born. Now in 2020 Grammie hopes to make them all proud as I venture into a new chapter of life.

Blessings to you all in the new decade.

Shalom~