As I was preparing for the day, I realized...it was Friday. Day 78 of a pandemic. Day 78 of remaining "Shelter-at-Home" and then "Safer-at-Home". Day 78 where the days are swiftly moving along.

Even though my days are nothing much to write about, I am thankful for the days. Days are at a slower pace. 

I am thankful for the strength to work in the yards and tend the beautiful flowers, the time to sort through unfinished projects and time to see the blessings that I normally have overlooked because of a busy schedule. 

Each day is anew.

Last Monday I sent a flower picture with the message “Happy Monday” to my friend via text messaging.

Gayle was my neighbor who moved to Huntsville last Fall. She and I were morning walkers, yard workers & friends who loved to sit & talk.

Each Spring we would get out in our yards and work towards preparing our flower beds for new plant growth. With each new sprout, bud we would share the news with each other. It was nice to be out working in the yard and look over to her yard and see her working too.

I miss her this Spring.

This year my flowers have been blooming their best. I can’t remember a time when they were just so beautiful…deep color with plentiful blooms. I am in love.

So…each day of last week I sent a different flower pic to Gayle to share their beauty with her.

We text but I miss being able to walk over to her house to share.

It is the beginning of our eleventh week through this COVID-19 Pandemic as Shelter-at-Home to Safer-at-Home became the norm.

For the most part our daily life has been around the house. We have worked in the yard, cleaned/purged the shed and cooked more than ever. We grocery shop about every two weeks. We are masked & gloved. It’s a different environment.

I have looked forward to each day receiving my Sunday School text message of encouragement from my teacher or co-teacher and now the sharing of favorite verses by each of my sweet lady-friends. It is so uplifting to have a great relationship with each of these ladies. Our class is definitely a wonderful positive note for me during this time of isolation. We are BONDED IN LOVE (our class name)!!!

A few weeks ago, some facilities were allowed to open under strict guidelines, and hubs began golfing with his buddies. For me, I was happy to see him happy. He is not the “stay at home” type. I, on the other hand, am… for the most part …happy. I won’t say that there aren’t days when I just want to SCREAM but I just go outside, breathe & see…                  All the beauty of a God who loves me.

Our “new” normal is beginning to evolve, and we MUST look to adapting to change. Also, continue to be proactive as you maintain a safe balance in life.

As I look back over this past week with the re-opening of businesses and seeing/reading of how people were re-entering life through their work, community, I stand with one foot elevated, ready to step forward & then settle my foot back down.

I am just not ready to dine-out, leisurely shop or socialize. 

I understand what you might be thinking, but understand me. This is my decision…my choice, and I hope I receive your respect out of love.

Yes, I have been to make essential purchases for survival. I have even had essential dental work. These trips are a go, get & return trip…masked and gloved. I am still on a half-tank gas from March 7^th.

As we each make our way, remember that things may NEVER go back to the normal we knew. Live your “new” normal with more gratitude & respect for others.

worn out from another day's work in our yards. both he & i together made sweet progress of weeding flower beds, trimming/edging and sawing some dead tree/limbs.        

text from Garrett

Good Morning…..a week or so ago I counted 35 buds on this hibiscus. Each day there have been blooms. Today there were 7 blooms...just beautiful! 

AND...my "Morgan's Mark" daylily showed out this morning too. There were 4 blooms. 

With this COVID-19 stay-at-home/safer-at-home orders from our Governor our flower beds in the yard have really been worked. They are done...so...the next project began. Our shed needed some "love". 

I began Monday and finished today. Whew! What a good feeling!!!

It sure looks good.