For all the posting I’ve done in the last few weeks, you’d think absolutely nothing had happened in Nettie’s World.
So. Not. True.
Firstly, my dear littlest daughter, Geneva Melody, had her fourteenth birthday! Unfortunately, the party was held on Friday the 12th, which happened to be the day this virus slammed both me and Megan to the ground and stomped us to near oblivion. Consequently, we were both sent to quarantine in Oma’s room (as far as possible from all the fun and action) for the duration, with occasional visits of mercy from Paul and Laurent, who brought us medicines and beverages.
Meanwhile, I am given to understand that the party, complete with BBQ hosted by Paul (he purchased everything and cooked, while Laurent assisted) was a smashing success. Movies were watched. Gales of laughter were laughed. It was a proper beginning to the 14th year of Geneva. There were even a (very) few photos to commemorate the day, thank you so much to my surrogate photogs!
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Secondly, Mother was released from the hospital after 2-1/2 weeks – and there were many Hosannas and Hallelujahs!! She was transferred on Tuesday, May 15th, to La Loma Care Center in Litchfield Park. It is a beautiful place, with PT/OT on site and 24/7 nursing care, to assist in rehab and getting mom literally back on her feet. I somehow thought that once she was out of the hospital, my stress level would drop, but of course, when my mother is “at the mercy” of strangers, it has taken me some while to ramp down my anxiety levels. Every night as soon as I try to close my eyes, my brain starts racing through scenarios and agitating over all manner of fears. So, I think lack of sleep may be the main culprit in my inability to quickly shake this virus I’ve been fighting for a week and a half. Thanks be to God, I am close to the end… and in about another week I should have my voice back.
The children have greatly enjoyed going out to La Loma to visit Oma. In fact, I have been able to use it as quite a good motivator for them in getting their chores and summer school done. 😀
Here are some pics from the lovely exterior:
and here are some pics of the kids and Oma:
I am happy to report that Mom is getting stronger, with her daily sessions with Tony, “the Italian Physical Therapist”, and O2 is now only “as needed” — hurrah!!! Please keep up the prayers to our Great Physician for her recovery.
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Thirdly, the entire family – all six of us – had dentist appointments last Thursday. I do not have any pictures, but I’m pleased to say that there was only one actual cavity, and one additional bit of chipped enamel that will be fixed today. So, Thanks be to God – another 6 months till we have to do that again.
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Fourthly, this past Sunday I was so very thankful, though still coughing, to actually be able to attend mass, for the first time in about a month. We had Lisa and Layla and Malinda and Efrain with us, and they joined us for the usual Sunday afternoon bbq and hang out time. Later, our neighbor friend Heather and her little cousin, Arabella, joined the fun, so we did have quite a house full.
Finally the girls went home, all except Heather and Arabella, who came along with us on a little excursion to the park to view the eclipse. There was some confusion regarding the particular park at which we were to meet, and finally we all got to the same place, only to find that the timing of the full eclipse was not for another hour. So we took a break, brought Heather and Arabella home as they had some other engagement, went to DQ to celebrate this rare celestial event, and then finally scooted just across the street from the Dairy Queen to the alternate park, and finally got to see the eclipse around 6:35pm. I wish I had the right kind of sun filters so I could have gotten ultra cool eclipse pics, but it is interesting that it is visible in the lens flare to the left of the sun in the final shots in this series. It was a lot of fun. In eleven years when it happens again, I plan to have the right kind of filters. 😀
Whew. That was a long update. I’m going to blame the virus, and say no more about it. Upward and Onward and all that! 🙂
