The Hallmark List

So here is a little more Hallmark talk and shout out to my mom.

Back in November I was at mom's house and there was a Hallmark movie on in the background.  Out of the blue mom said, Do you want to build a Gingerbread House?  It felt random so I asked her why she asked.  She said "well that's what they do in all the Hallmark Christmas movies."  That conversation sparked the list.  I pulled out a yellow legal pad and started a list of things to do to have a Hallmark Christmas.  I told her the first thing we had to do was either "go back home," or "get stranded in some small town that overdid Christmas." Other things on the list included:

Make Christmas cookies

Build a Gingerbread House

Go ice skating

There needs to be snow

Build a snowman, have a snowball fight or make snow angels

Drink hot cocoa

Plan a major Christmas gala or festival in less than two weeks

(we intentionally left off the Mistletoe - you know with social distancing and all.)

That is about as far as the list got although I had intentions of working on it some more as we know there are many standard components to a Hallmark Christmas Movie.  I thought about it some during December yet kind of forgot.  But mom didn't.  Come Christmas morning mom gave me a wrapped box.  In it was a gingerbread house and a no bake cookie mix. She also gave me a packet of hot chocolate mix.  All of these gifts were to help us complete the "Christmas like a Hallmark Movie" list.  So here is a pictorial commentary on our attempt at the list.

1) Return to hometown or get stranded in some Christmasy small town  - Not exactly as described but we did spend Christmas somewhere other than where we live.  We were at Hilton Head Island and there were Christmas decorations.

2) Mom made the no bake smore cookies while Peter and I were out shopping.

3) Christmas morning mom and I made our gingerbread house. (note - the gingerbread people are making snow angels.)

4) We didn't go ice skating.  However Mom did slip and fall at her house two days before our trip enduring some injuries.  Though it created some discomfort we are so grateful for no major broken bones.

5) We missed the snow by a few hours as there was light snow in Gainesville the day we left for the beach.  Though we had rain the first couple hours of our driving journey, there was no precipitation for the remainder of our beach Christmas trip.

6) It was too cold for sandman building or sand angels but we did make some shadows in the sand.

7) Drink Hot Cocoa - check!

8) So there was no Gala or Festival but we did plan this trip in a mere week.  This was our fifth annual Christmas beach trip. It started  5 years ago as a reschedule for mom's 80th and Peter's 18th birthday trip canceled by a hurricane. That Christmas was so refreshing that mom has continued the tradition making it her Christmas gift to us. Thus far we have gone to a different beach each year and each one holds special memories. Usually we plan it in October but with Covid we held off.  Once Peter and I got through our turn with the virus and mom seemed clear we decided to "just do it" one week before our departure.  The condo wasn't the nicest we have stayed in (by far) but it was the best beach view we have ever had at Christmas.

Although not on the original list, I did think of a couple of things that we could have added that we kind of fulfilled.

9) Christmas Shopping trip with a new Christmas dress. We went to the Harris Teeter and a few island shops. I bought a discounted T-shirt and Peter got a sweatshirt.

10) The outdoor winter event.  Peter and I played miniature golf Christmas Eve

11) The mysterious "Santa like figure." 

12) A wintery walk 

13) And the Best part of a Hallmark Christmas . . . .  Being with the ones we love!

Better than a Hallmark Christmas Movie

In spite of my resolve not to, I have watched a good many Hallmark Christmas Movies in the past couple of months. If one thinks on a realistic level, you know they are ridiculous. They reuse the actors, the sets, and the story line over and over. The movies are predictable and cheesy as best.  Yet none the less there is something about them that draws people in.  The Holderness Family of YouTube fame referred to it as Christmas Prozac. I think it is the predictable happy ending that is so appealing, especially this year among so much turmoil in our world.  Honestly I have so many issues with the whole Hallmark franchise and often declare I am not longer going to buy into it ANYMORE.  Then next thing I know, I am snuggled up with the latest Hallmark version of happily ever after.  There are multiple things I could say about Hallmark but for the sake of this post, I want to point out one common story line.

It is a common notion among Hallmark Christmas movies that a stranger walks into a Christmas themed town and is embraced by the local mayor, Café owner, innkeeper and most recently jilted or widowed town bachelor/bachelorette. They give him/her a place to stay, invite him/her to the kitchen table, let him/her flip the switch at the Christmas tree lighting, give him/her access to the cash register and entrust him/her to babysit the town children. Excuse me, who is REALLY going to do that for a stranger???  Where is the background check? The references? The drug test? The idea for some reason is appealing but who are we kidding.

The book of Matthew records Jesus saying "when I was a stranger and you took me into your home, you did it for me,"  (slight Linda paraphrase) And obviously by the use of the story line in Hallmark ,there is something about that concept that is appealing.  However I don't think it typically happens like Hallmark portrays it. BUT I have seen it played out before me in my life.  This story is about my mom.  This is about my mom caring for a stranger in a way that is messier and less glamorous than Hallmark yet no doubt what I believe Jesus was talking about.

Throughout my life I have watched my mom give of her time, money, and love to people who where not her family. There have been multiple families who she met through Christmas sponsorship or child mentorship that she has invested her life in way beyond a one time food and gift drop or tutoring during school hours.  But one of the most outstanding evidences is the "widows,"  single older women that my mom has cared for and made a part of our family.  In my high school years there was our neighbor Betty C.  She was old and cranky with a hyper, over protective cocker spaniel.  For the last several years of her life, my mom was a key player in seeing that she had what she needed and helping with the closure of her estate. During my 40's , it was her neighbor Ida who mom helped and loved.  Mom helped Ida when her husband passed away. Miss Ida became a regular at our Holiday table.  Mom visited her regularly in the nursing home up until her death and helped her daughter settle her estate following.  Then there is Betty A.  Mom simply met her while delivering Meals on Wheels twenty some  years ago. In these past twenty years Mom has helped her move, carried her to the doctor, visited her daily in the nursing home during various stays, transported her on weekly grocery runs, assisted with paperwork and so on.  Currently Betty is on hospice in the nursing home just around the corner from mom's condo.  If it wasn't for Covid, I am sure mom would be visiting daily at she had been prior to March.  As it is last Sunday found mom and I standing at her bedroom window waving at her.

In all these scenarios, mom has been there at the end helping to wrap up the loose ends. Honestly that is not a job most of us want to do for our family members much less a non family member. Last weekend mom and I were cleaning out Betty's house because her POA (not mom) is going to rent the house after it has sat vacant for a year.  Betty has no family and mom knew the POA though he cares for Ms. Betty would basically go in and put what little she had into the dumpster.  Mom and I went in and found things that would be sentimental to Betty's few friends or useful if donated to a thrift store. Mom boxed up the important papers that testified to Betty's life. As I saw it, mom gave dignity to Betty's life by not just letting it all be swept into a dumpster.  

The first Betty had only a few estranged family members.  Ms. Ida's daughter was far away with no family nearby.  And Ms. Betty A has no family living.  And my mom took them in.  She didn't just invite them in for a Christmas meal or let them flip the switch at the Christmas tree Lighting.  My mom invested in these women's lives for the long haul through the less than glitzy moments.  She loved these strangers and made them family.  I think this is what Jesus was talking about. I am so grateful because the truth is the Plants' family as a whole has been enriched because of these women and  the example mom set before us.  And let me tell you, I think that is way better than a Hallmark Christmas Movie. 

Follow Up

 MORE TO BE THANKFUL FOR:

I learned the lesson that even with 2 weeks uninterrupted at home, I will NEVER get my to-do list all done.

A negative test result Friday morning allowed me to visit school that day.

The very exuberant welcome of a bunch of little three year old's.

The amazing work my co-worker did for 2 weeks plus in my absence.

God's financial provisions in the face of missing two weeks of work.

Released from isolation in time to take packages to the post office and deliver greetings/gifts to friends.

Timing allowed me to help Mom this weekend as she cared for the needs of a friend.

A wacky glitch in a system helped to direct Peter regarding employment decisions.

Mom's health seems to be good as of Monday and plans for Christmas at the beach are currently still GO.

THE DRYER, THE GIRL, AND YOUR RESPONSE:

It has been really funny to me that of all the blogpost thus far the one that has created the most response is my story about fixing my dryer.  Thank you for the cheers I received today. I grew up with a dad who could fix or devise a solution to just about anything.  I would often say that I needed to marry a man who could do the same because I was spoilt in that area.  Well Obviously I didn't.  However one of my roommates while living in Uganda was a girl raised on a farm and she had the same "We can fix it!" spirit that my dad had.  I found it inspiring as well as helpful .  After I returned to the US and when dad began to decrease in his ability to fix things I grieved the loss of my "I can fix it" dad.  In his place God has often sent a skilled husband of a friend, a church member or occasionally a professional to fill the gap.  However I love it when I can channel the spirit of my "Lets fix this!" dad while employing YouTube and some perseverance to do it myself.  Those moments in my mind are akin to when Diana Prince twirls around becoming Wonder Woman and rescues a school bus of children from collision.  It feels pretty epic!  So thanks for sharing in that with me.

PETER

Peter had made attempts to contact Amazon over the past few days with no success.  So I took him to the warehouse last night prepared to work.  Upon arrival he was informed that he had been terminated and he would have to reapply. (He had been through this process before when his hospital stay delayed his start) As he tried to reapply he ran into a glitch with the e-mail address that was not allowing him to log in.  The issue had begun prior to his getting sick.  It is unexplained how a former e-mail address of Peter's instead of his current e-mail became connected to his account midway through his employment.  It is an account he has been unable to access for several years and basically his inability to access it has locked him out of his Amazon work account.  We made attempt to seek help from HR and for privacy reasons basically they couldn't help him because it was not coming from the e-mail connected to the account. It is strange and unexplained but basically has been used to cause Peter to not pursue continuing with Amazon.  To do so would mean having to totally start over with the application process. Due to the distance and long hours I do think it is probably best.  I noticed Peter's demeanor changed from when he was headed to work than when we were headed home knowing he wasn't going to have to push through a 12 hour night shift. He had been silent going out but was more conversational on the way back. He wanted to keep the job for the financial benefit but it evidently was very stressful for him.  None the less, this has Peter back in the place of being unemployed.  We have had discussions last night as well as this evening in which I assisted him as he applied for a couple of jobs.  I am proud of him for trying to make the most of his current situation dealing with life without a car and the fatigue of his medication. I am also proud of him for his willingness to try a variety of jobs.  Your continued prayers for a job that will be a good fit for Peter and provide good social support and influence are much appreciate.

The Dryer and The Girl

This is the dryer.

This is the dryer a girl has had for 10 years.

This is the dryer the girl paid a repair guy  to come fix 7 years ago.

This is the dryer the girl paid $60 to have the repair guy fix a broken timer.

This is the dryer that was spitting out clothes when the girl opened the door for the past several months.

This is the dryer that the girl turned off before opening the door so it wouldn't spit out clothes.

This is the dryer that decided not to work at all this past Friday night.

This it the dryer the girl was prepared to call that same repair guy to come fix.

                                        This is the girl.

This is the girl who decided to look at YouTube to see why the dryer might not be working.

This is the girl who watched an hour of  YouTube videos about why a dryer might not work.

This is the girl who diagnosed the problem to likely be a broken door switch.

This is the girl who watched several YouTube videos on how to replace the switch.

This it the girl who ordered the $7 switch from Amazon.

This is the girl who replaced the door switch in less than 20 minutes.

This is the girl who did a happy dance when the dryer started working again!

Woot Woot!

The Concerns of Today

When I learned I would spend two weeks at home, I envisioned writing lots of blog post.  And although multiple ones are in my head, few were transferred into print.  And now that the isolation is over I still have so many things I want to share but life's responsibilities are calling loudly limiting time.  I have a couple of stories I do hope to share but at the moment I feel a need to write some of my anxiety and fear in hopes that sharing it will lighten the load of it.  I tease my mom because she says she doesn't worry, she just has concerns.  I think it is kind of the same thing. So here are my concerns.

Tradition is that we go to the beach for Christmas.  Due to the state of this year, we delayed making plans until this past Thursday.  We were at the end of Covid for Peter and I, mom was still well and a condo popped up in VBRO that met all the criteria so we took a risk and booked it.  Since then mom has had a headache, Peter seems slow to bounce back, and I am feeling a bit paranoid about the virus.  So we just seek wisdom in knowing if we are to go and the grace to handle it if we are not.  The Christmas beach trip started after we spent one miserable Christmas at home following Larry's death.  We have discovered Christmas at the beach is a refreshing way to counter the sadness of missing Larry and Dad during the holiday. Wrapped up with that is gratitude that mom stayed well for the two weeks that Peter and I were down and prayers that she will continue to stay well.

The other concern is Peter.  I am not sure if I shared that when he returned from Peachford Mental Hospital Nov 19, he seemed to be in the best mental place I'd seen all year.  His 60 hour week of night shift was hard but I was so proud of his attitude and perseverance.  With Covid and perhaps the medication he takes, he has slept a lot of the past two weeks.  His sleep cycle is topsy turvy again with him sleeping through the days and up during the night.  This is good for a night shift but without the night time work I do think it has stirred up depression, though he won't admit to it.  Peter says he is returning to night shift this evening but evidence makes me think maybe he is not so sure.  He admitted yesterday to still just being so tired.

Due to various driving events over the past four years and a recently acquired newer car, Pete's car insurance had reached per month just shy of what I pay for car insurance in one year.  He came to the decision to park the car in Mama Millie's garage for awhile.  He took the high paying night job in hopes of paying off some debt to his grandma and saving up to eventually move out. Evidentially still living  with his mom adds to his feelings of being "a looser." so he communicated.  The Amazon job is temporary and it is 30 minutes away. I had committed to help him with transportation because it was high paying, temporary and the young man needs some encouragement.  Plus the travel time has its benefits as he had been talking with me during the travel.  Peter recognizes that 12 hour shifts and night time work is not helping him as well as he needs something closer he can get to.  I have offered to help him apply for jobs but he does seem to be struggling to do much more than sleep at the moment.  

So you know I am concerned.  Like my preschoolers tell me, I am over here telling God what Peter needs!  As I have emphasized to my threes, what I say I need may be a want and not a need, there is a difference.  I do belief Peter needs Jesus, needs to recognize Jesus as he savior.  But what I WANT for Peter is to feel loved and valued, to have purposeful work and experience some independence.  I want Peter to have a job that is not too far and he can navigate getting to on his own.  I want him to have a job that feels purposeful and  fits a schedule that supports his mental health.  I want him to have a job with reasonable pay and benefits so he can meet his responsibilities.  I want him to work with people who will have a positive impact on him.  As we enter 2021, Peter and I are changing insurance carriers. My hope is that this is going to be beneficial to Peter. What I want is it does not totally disrupt the cart but brings about positive changes for his mental and medical care. 

Okay, just knowing I have shared it helps.  I know that some of you will pray for these things and it lightens my load and helps me stop feeling like I am carrying it alone.  God has been faithful all these years with Peter and I know he will continue to do so.  Sometimes it is just easy to forget.

The Thankful List

Did I ever share the story about how during my early and very challenging days of living in Uganda, Rosemary Jensen told me to Thank God for Everything in following  the teaching of  1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Honestly I thought she was crazy. I even was slightly sarcastic as I started making list.  But as I did it, my attitude  began to change. That was a valuable life lesson.  Thankfulness really does change one's perspective.  I think I even read it is scientifically proven. So in light of Covid 19 visiting my house I have kept a list of things I can truly be grateful for.

Peter and I were diagnosed positive at the same time. Made things less complicated.

The Sun has shined more than not.

Several people generously dropped food by our house.

People have called, txt or emailed to check on us.

Church deacons checked in and offered help

Peter is catching up on sleep from working 60 hour night shift at Amazon the week before.

An awesome co-worker, Emma who is doing a great job in my absence, making Christmas fun for the kids.

Although not decorating a tree this year, I had put up enough festive decorations to make it Christmasy and pleasant.

I had my yard and porch festively decorated for Christmas before the cold weather and virus hit.

I uncharacteristically decorated my bedroom with Christmas items including the new "Christmas tree on a VW Bus" pillow covers  I splurged on. I have been in my room a lot to enjoy them.

For that friend who knows nothing of what is going on and left a really cute Christmas VW Bus dishtowel at my house last Wednesday.

Amazon, Target drive up, and Instacart Pubix delivery.

Drive through and Drive Up Covid testing and the people working them.

Plenty of food in the pantry and freezer.

Mom has remained healthy. (At this point she is 11 days out from her lunch with Peter the day before he took ill.)

Super duper supplements have helped me fight the virus and I have not felt horrible most of thet past week and a half.

I have maintained some energy, thus able to work on lots of projects, even some dreaded, put off one.

The lack of hard labor made my Color Street nails self manicure last a whole 11 days - my new record.

I have been home long enough to make meringue cookies (they take forever!) 

Extra time at home means 2 phone chats a day with mom instead of just our usual one.

I had time to address Christmas cards and make Christmas ornaments.

I made decorations for my outdoor "bird" Christmas tree.

I took the time to read the sporadically written diary from my first year in Uganda, 2000. 

I have saved minimum of $50 because I haven't been in the Dollar tree in over 2 weeks.

I am catching up on sleep.

Yesterday's Covid retest was positive so I get more time at home.

I really like home and I have had a valid reason not to go anywhere.

12 days of Christmas , the Covid 19 version

The following is dedicated to one of my Besties, May, (and her girls) whom I inadvertently exposed to Covid 19 this Christmas .  

On the first day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me, a Covid  test resulting  positivity.

On the second day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the third day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the fourth day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the fifth day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me,  5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid  test resulting positivity

On the sixth day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me 6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the seventh day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me 7 baths of detoxing,  6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the eighth day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me 8 hours of Hallmark, 7 baths of detoxing,  6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the ninth day of Christmas my  Best Friend gave to me 9 doorstep deliveries, 8 hours of Hallmark, 7 baths of detoxing,  6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the tenth day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me 10 days of quarantining, 9 doorstep deliveries, 8 hours of Hallmark, 7 baths of detoxing,  6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the eleventh  day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me 11 missed Christmas events, 10 days of quarantining, 9 doorstep deliveries, 8 hours of Hallmark, 7 baths of detoxing,  6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

On the twelfth  day of Christmas my Best Friend gave to me 12 Immunity booster Supplements, 11 missed Christmas events, 10 days of quarantining, 9 doorstep deliveries, 8 hours of Hallmark, 7 baths of detoxing,  6 extra hours sleeping, 5 FUZZY BLANKETS, 4 text apologies, 3 shots of Elderberry, 2 Tylenol and a Covid test resulting positivity.

When I realized I may have given my friend Covid for Christmas, the first line of this song kept dancing through my head .This is written with an attempt at lightening the situation.  I am grateful that currently Peter and I are basically experiencing mild symptoms and just a lot of inconvenience.  None the less it does not negate the seriousness of this horrible Virus.  I know people who have lost loved ones or been hospitalized.  I currently sit here praying that my mom who we also inadvertently exposed does not come down with it. We so appreciate the kind acts bestowed on us, the well wishes and prayers on our behalf.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

 I recently found in my bible a paraphrase of Habakkuk 3:17-18 that I wrote in August 2013.

Though my computer wont turn on and there's no "xtra" for replacing it,

Though Peter says he wont go to Riverside Military School and I have taken all he possesses,

Though Larry suffers poor health and my responsibility feels huge,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

I remember that time, it felt so heavy and yet it all worked out.  I replaced the computer perhaps even twice over now.  Peter did go to RMA for 2 years.  Larry had a great final year in the nursing home and is with Jesus now.  The Lord remained faithful through that time of trials.  And now I can trust that he will continue to do so as I write my new version.

Though Peter and I both tested positive for Covid today,

Though we have unknowingly exposed beloved family and friends,

Though we are missing freedom to roam, income and Christmas festivities,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

For the past 4 months I have prayed with my little ones during naptime asking God to keep our classmates and their families as well as our school from getting sick with the virus.  I recently shared with a friend that by praying this, I didn't presume that I would never get sick but that by praying it, it gave me confidence to know it came sifted through the loving hands of my father if I did. This has been put to the test. I did have lots of emotions when the Nurse Practitioner confirmed that Peter and I were both positive.  Symptoms had me highly suspicious but hearing it was jarring.  I realized I now had the opportunity to act upon what I said I believed  This is not ideal nor fun but it in no way negates the faithfulness of my God.  So I choose to rejoice in him.