So it's December

 Amazing how fast time goes by when you are doing nothing...

Well, actually, I am doing a lot of SHIP counseling as the open enrollment time slot heads into the last week. 

The virus is rampant, the President is petulant, the weather is wild (but no snow yet) and life goes on.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 We had a fun time today with Nathan and the Rotterdam crew talking and playing 5000 and Jeopardy.

We ate our third delicious Thanksgiving dinner (Tom is such a good cook!) and relaxed for the day.

We called Tom's sister Amy to catch up with them and see what's been going on. Mary Grace just had her second baby four days ago, which makes the fourth new baby for the Goffs since the year began, a total of 10 grandchildren...and now it turns out Krissy is pregnant (due in May 2021). Sadly, we won't be able to make it to Arkansas for Joshua's December wedding (covid travel not), but we were happy to talk and congratulate him on the impending nuptials and honeymoon.

This photo from last December is so out of date now, right? Just picture four more babies and one new wife to be in the next group shot...anticipated photo op coming soon.

What a great family!

 So here we are at the end of November. The election is over and Joe Biden won. Sadly, the pandemic is still with us and the virus is hitting hard again. We are still staying in and doing our best to stay safe.

I've made 3  Shutterfly calendars so far and am hoping for a better 2021. I've been doing a lot of SHIP counseling during this Open Enrollment time. Other currently ongoing activities are zooming- NJEA virtual Convention, dancing, 5000 and Jeopardy, book clubs, Sigma, DEAR friends, out-laws- and now with tax season looming, HRB classes- and of course lots of TV shows and movies.

Playing 5000 with Nathan in Rotterdam on his birthday was really fun and we're looking forward to doing it again today- Happy Thanksgiving!

Old much?

 I am inspired today by a list of funny sayings for seniors. There were more, but my favorites were:

Today I was in a shoe store that sells only shoes, nothing else. A young girl with green hair walked over to me and asked, "What brings you in today? I looked at her and said, "I'm interested in buying a refrigerator." She didn't quite know how to respond, had that deer in the headlights look.

The older you get the tougher it is to lose weight because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.

The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he knows when he's really in trouble.

Did you ever notice that when you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together it spells "Theirs?"

Ah! Being young is exciting but being old is comfortable.

May you always have:

Love to share,

Cash to spare,

Tires with air,

And friends who care.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

A "Tire-ing" Day

 Went to bed late (what else is new? Hey, it's the pandemic...) but got up early for a haircut. Sleep after? No, no...dancing with Rosie until the video came to an abrupt halt midstream.

I called Car Sense and got a 3 o clock apptmt to deal with the continuing but worsening saga of the tire pressure issue light on my car dashboard. Long story short....$31 there to find out what was wrong (and not pay $234 for a new sensor --turns out my car warranty expired the end of May!) but headed to Costco tires to take advantage of my road hazard deal with them. After 2 hours sitting (reading, not so bad) I ended up with the knowledge that they'd call when the tire was in to set up an appointment for replacement tire ($40) (and....two sensors to be fixed but at $46 apiece...so much better than Car Sense service cost).

I got home in time to sign in to the Eastampton Town Council meeting. (Why is Rob Apgar hiding? :-)  It was interesting until I fell asleep. Woke up and it was gone.

Jennifer and I played a hot game of Scrabble and now I am reading.

Sue's photo books came and they are so great! 

Tom missed his spine shot appointment yesterday. (He had the wrong time).

Terrible things are happening with voting obstruction in Texas and elsewhere. The Supreme Court (pre Amy even!) has decided it's ok for TX to have only one polling place in each county, the census taking can be cut off early (before immigrants are counted). 

Also, Trump used an out of context didn't have permission clip of Dr. Fauci in a political ad making it look like Fauci was praising Trump's handling of the coronavirus. Oy.

And so much more.........! 

These are the times that try men's souls..... (and women too)

Happy birthday, Jennifer!

 A big bonus of internet connections: I got to "attend" Jennifer's socially distanced birthday party with Sue and Patrick in the park.

She got balloons and food and cake and books and a cat card. We all sang happy birthday and ushered in her new year of life.

We love Jennifer! <3

What a fun time!

In other news,  President Trump is in the hospital with covid-19.

Shredding

Today was the first time I was able to bring my papers to a shredding event in 6 months. What a relief to get it off my hands!

Yesterday was my first time out where people were. They were our dancing friends, formerly known for being on the zoom screen. They organized an in person visit on the lawn of Vivien, the darling of Prospectors. She was so happy! Many of them went on to Prospectors for a fun time, but I came home to Tom after carefully staying back from the crowd as best I could.

In other news, guess what's back? Free book Friday for my Nook! :-)

My page (first draft)

 Sue is working on a great photo book of our family, tree-like.

Here is a picture of my section in the rough state. She is doing a great job!

I am on call for consultation.

Here's the next ideation:

The whole book is amazing! <3

30 years at Sigma remembered

 Sigma President Jane Murphy asked if she could come over to bring me something today. It turned out to be a rose and 30 years at DKG pin. What a nice surprise! Annette came to deliver it with her. Love them. <3

 It was very pandemic-ly correct and much appreciated!

 

Historic treasure

 Today Greg sent us a historic gem- a page from our mother's high school yearbook. I am overwhelmed.

Funny thing

 Tom went to Wawa on his way home from the doctor (doctor update: can't fix the torn labrum...he'll need hip replacement after all. Back to square one, finding a surgeon) and the bill came to $16.98. He had $16.99 on his WaWa card. How kismet-ic! :-)

We got our respective hairs cut today....

Life in NJ is starting to lift, pandemically speaking, but Tom and I are still choosing to stay home and feel safe. It has been really great zooming with Sue and Patrick and Jennifer so often. <3

No school for me....

It's September 2020 and the pandemic is still going on. I hope the children and teachers stay safe and healthy.

We are still staying in but gyms opened (I cancelled membership in Planet Fitness and Tom's Virtua but am keeping Max for virtual classes) and apparently Prospectors (so I guess all who can) is starting indoor dining on Friday (Sept. 4).

I had another DEAR zoom after many months.

Conventions, elections, and pandemic....oh my

 Heeding calls of "too easy!", I created my fifth jeopardy board by judiciously selecting items from the 20th edition Trivial Pursuit game cards. (I remember now why we never played that version of the board game!)

So it's time for the new school year and what a scary time with so many decisions to be made of how to handle it safely. Jennifer in CA will be totally remote until January. (Talking about CA....the fires are very scary too)

Tom found my missing library book! I am so happy and can't wait to return it!

The Democratic Convention was virtual and had many moving speeches and moments. I pray the election (oh, have I mentioned the mess with the post office lately?) results in a favorable resolution.

The Republican Convention starts tonight and will be mostly virtual as well. We'll see what happens....

I'm still living my life through zoom meetings and longing for being out in the real world with people.

Jennifer's bitmoji classroom is so adorable.

Tom works on the lawn. A You tube video was a big help in figuring out how to re-thread the trimmer wire.

Pandemic events

 I played my new (August 8) jeopardy board with my Contact book group tonight. It was fun (especially since I wasn't able to get a hold of The Silent Patient in time ). (Actually, I had the Statts' dancing zoom up in the background, but I didn't have a chance to participate except for Intoxication and Bump and Grind).

Also today I traveled to the Eastampton Manor House to pay my quarterly tax bill (which was increased and did NOT include a Homestead rebate reduction due to uncertainty of NJ finances during the pandemic) and went outside with Tom to replace our shed covering.

 Tom was very brave climbing.

I am very concerned about schools opening unsafely, while being very glad I am retired.

Sue's birthday

 I created a new jeopardy board called August 8 in  honor of Sue's birthday and I am dying to play it with people, but at Patrick's zoom for Sue's party we just played her Jeopardy (again). It was fun, but I realize more than 6 or so people makes it hard to be heard. 

Speaking of zooms, we were shocked with some porn invasion at Carol's dancing zoom Friday night. I don't know how they got in, but they were gone when we left and came back. It was pretty x-rated for sure.

Interesting observation: as we watched Antman and the Wasp I realized as they were rescuing the mother from the quantum realm that it was the exact same situation as Aquaman and his mother. Who knew? I think those moms could be good friends. Right? It reminded me of the time I realized Rainman and Twins had the same theme: two brothers, separated all their lives find each other, are not compatible at first, but bond strongly as they get to know each other. 

A Great Adventure

My misleading title is alluding to the fact that later this afternoon I am driving to Carlucci's parking lot to pick up two face masks I bought as a fund raiser from Carol.

Yes, getting out of the house at all during this pandemic is an adventure. :-(

There are so many disheartening situations going on now, not the least of which is the school opening decisions that the education communities around the country are agonizing over. So sad.

Jeopardy!

So I made this Jeopardy to play with Sue and Patrick and Jennifer and Tom the next time we zoom. The title is "My Corona 2020"

Make Your Own Jeopardy Game with JeopardyLabs!

I think they will like it.

Out and about ....not much

We celebrated our 21st anniversary the day after the actual day because of rain. It was outside dining at Robins Nest....delicious!

We also enjoyed looking through our wedding albums.

Aren't we so cute?

In other news, I am awaiting my new replacement credit card since the old one's number was used by someone not me (!) (always so scary and worrisome).

Independence Day

July 4th and the pandemic beat goes on as we enter the second half 2020, a year that will live in infamy.

We had fun today, zooming with our CA siblings, playing Jennifer's Jeopardy. (Sue won, but we all had fun!)

Tom's itchy poison ivy is keeping him awake in the night and uncomfortable in the daytime. Poor Tom!

I am looking forward to our Michelle Obama's Becoming discussion at the zoom book club meeting tonight (July 5th).

Tom's barbecued and it was good. :-)

June is bustin' out....

They will be exercising in the Max parking lot tonight, dancing in the Prospectors parking lot Saturday afternoon, restaurants with outdoor dining are open for business June 15, and hair salons open on June 22nd.
I am cautiously excited, but not jumping right out there.

Oh, and it appears Tom has cancer.

In other news, who ever figured I'd have a frequent caller issue with SHIP?

Speaking of volunteering, the from home crisis calls are getting busier and Theresa is retiring as Executive Director June 30th. Marty and I organized a Photo book of pictures and peoples' tributes and memories for her (she didn't want a party or other big hoopla event). Boy, will we miss having her in charge!

I just invested in a year's subscription of zoom hosting. I have been doing a lot and expect to continue even with things opening up. I like it. 

Jeopardy with Sue, Anayah and Jenn

CONTACT book club

Piscataway classmates

Ann, Linda, Robbie, Gina

5000 with Sue, Patrick, Tom and Jenn

DKG Meeting

Contact Home Callers meeting

Eastampton Book Club

Dancing daily with all the volunteer instructors and Tony and Craig and Donna has been lots of fun. I will miss it!

My sleep schedule is still way out of kilter. :-(   I am watching Glee again!

Cicadian rhythm be damned

Life in the pandemic is getting to be more like reality every day.
It is currently 8:47 a.m. I fell asleep at 11, was up at 2, stayed up until 6, went back to sleep and got up at 8. The night before last I ended up not sleeping at all. Lately we've been going to bed at 5 or 6 a.m. and getting up at 3 or 4 p.m It's crazy time around here in terms of sleep schedule (what's a schedule?)

So I just set up a zoom for next week for like a Piscataway reunion (lunch). We'll see what kind of response I get. The book clubs have been going well, zoom wise. We had a DKG meeting zoom today that was okay.

 Dancing via zoom is practically an every day option, which is great.


My hair is in desperate need of professional assistance, but I am ready to stay in forever if necessary to stay safe and keep Tom as healthy as possible. (poor Tom is suffering so).

Gaming with Sue and Patrick is always a treat.

I signed up for some Word Press instruction but it is really complicated! The woman presenter is awesome, though. Julia Taylor. Dynamic personality!

Update on binging tv: We finished all 9 seasons up to current of The Walking Dead ( I dream about that story now...it's scary). We watched "The Stranger", finished season 1 of "The Tunnel" and are in mid season 1 of "Counterparts" (I think that's the title...)

The Walking Dead

I avoided this show for ten years due to the title and my aversion to zombies and vampires, but now we started binging it and can't stop watching.  We really like it. It's almost 5 a.m. on night two and we are on season 3, episode 10. Oy.
To be continued....

Actually, I can also report I held our first Contact book club via zoom. It was fun!

Projects

The latest is working on a memory book for Theresa, who is retiring at June's end at Marty's suggestion. So far we have an email address and some photos. To be continued.

I've gotten back into the swing of CONTACT (from home!) and SHIP clients (7 hours over 2 days for one client and her husband...and then she decided to stick with what she had found for herself originally...but pledged to come back and revisit at open enrollment time....)

It's been fun seeing everybody in the zoom rooms for dice, book club, shmoozing, etc. I have been quite remiss with the Max, sadly.
I'm trying to do all the dancing, but it's tough with our limited floor space. :-(

Tom has been hurting and I feel so bad for him. Shooting and constant pains in his shoulders and back. He even went to ER (at primary doctor's suggestion). I waited in the parking lot for him for like four hours (and finished The Wax Pack). Diagnosis: getting old.

My nails and hair are growing at an amazing rate. I do not despair. I will stay home for as long as it takes. I just wish other people would be similarly considerate. 

Pat May zoom birthday party

Dancers

DEAR friends

Ann Gina Linda Sam

Book Club

Me Barb Steph Dana Linda

School is closed for this school year in NJ. Opening in September is anybody's guess. I am so glad to be retired! and not have children at home either.

How things are

There's been a lot of zooming going on....
Here's a sample....Monday's Max Challenge group...

It seems I can only do the live 6 a.m. class when I am still up from the night before. (Just finished this morning's and getting unwound for bed....)

Yes, the pandemic is still ongoing...although some states are easing up on the stay at home ahead of meeting the guidelines for doing so....

Tom went out for the chiropractor today and food shopping two days in a row so we are ready for the duration. (He only went in when it seemed a light amount of shoppers and safe).

We have started CONTACT at home so there's that and also SHIP people are starting to call in.

I am watching Outlander again (and it's amazing how much of it I didn't actually see the first time! I am happy) and also started The Office. We are watching and enjoying a lot of older movies we know and love.

I have zoomed with Sue and Patrick (dice and surprise party), Piscataway friends, book club, DEAR friends, a couple of HR Block-ers, country music people, and the aforementioned Max of Mt. Holly.

I am in the  midst of 3 books, none of which have caught my attention enough to finish in one sitting. :-(

Until they get a handle on this Covid-19 life is going to be very different.

It's hard to sleep.

CMA Music Fest Cancelled

Well, it wasn't unexpected and it is definitely the safest choice, but we will sure miss it this year.

We have been happily zooming most recently in a chat with Joanne and Dolly, but pretty much daily for a game or two of 5000 with Sue and Patrick (and happy 37th anniversary to them, by the way!)

Life under the coronavirus pandemic aura is not easy. Constant news coverage with the latest statistics and heartbreaking stories of death, unemployment, and irresponsible administration in government is overwhelming.

Tom and I worked on the lawn yesterday in the sunshine. I picked up sticks and he mowed. It was almost fun....a welcome change from being indoors watching tv and eating all day.

I need a new book.

HR Block is staying open through July15 now....though with less offices and people....certainly without me!

We are healthy enough, although Tom went out to the lab for blood tests the other day and he has to go in for a cystoscopy on the 15th. My fingers are crossed for no cancer like he thinks, but the doctor didn't seem as positive when he told us the cancer was back..... :-(

My hair. 'nuff said.  :-(

Social distancing

It's the very scary, stressful time of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. 
I am Max challenging at home with Ivona's Facebook videos and Tom and I  are doing a lot of tv viewing of movies and shows and computering. No dancing or eating out, not much food shopping. No golf. Some doctors appointments and a hint of HR Block (but Tom wants it over for me....he is in the very vulnerable category).
No movies! No Prospectors!
Speaking of Prospectors, I came across this photo (it's from the night we didn't win Garth at Prospectors tickets).

I don't know what is going to happen in the US...or the rest of the world.

People who aren't taking the crisis seriously are really hurting our chances of getting through it. :-(

I worry about what's going on with the economy, with our survival (everybody, not just us), and the aftermath...because it will be over eventually....and, hopefully, we'll be prepared with vaccines and treatments for the next one.

CMA Fest hasn't been cancelled...yet. 

I have appointments on the schedule for HRB. I wonder if all non-life sustaining businesses will be ordered closed before Monday? (I heard that was done in PA...?)

Meanwhile we're just hunkered down. God bless us every one.





   

March 2020-Sue and Patrick!

I am heading out to the annual DKG multi chapter lunch in faraway Deptford today so no HRBlock until tomorrow.

We had so much fun when Sue and Patrick came to visit and lots of photos to prove it!

I can't wait until the next time!

Just checking in

Wow, seems like I haven't written in awhile!

Things are good. I have been working non stop at HR Block and Tom has been attending his normal rounds at the doctor offices and labs. We throw dancing and movies in there upon occasion, but not that much in social interaction. (Well, we had fun at the Diamond Rio concert at Prospectors on the 7th.

and lunch with my Delran retirees today).

Sue and Patrick (the newly retired!) (Patrick, not Sue yet) are coming East and visiting us on March 1st. Whoo hoo! Can't wait.

New Year, Old Memories

Jeff Kaye....so many memories....




(I hope this never leaves Youtube..I can't figure out how to save it otherwise).