Since my last post, my beloved Gabriel has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. On Saturday, January 4, I made that most difficult decision that many pet parents have to make. I was with him, as was Clydie (Brian was out of town). He was so sweet and peaceful. It really sucks, but it's so unfair to let an animal suffer because you don't want to lose them.
The Coronavirus has hit all over the country. My son most likely had it in March. No one would test him, but he was told that it was almost certain that he had it after a trip to urgent care and 2 trips to the emergency department. He's all better now, and back to living his life.
And speaking of the Coronavirus - it has wreaked havoc at hospital systems across the country, not just from having to treat patients that are sick with this virus, but with not being able to continue their normal services such as elective surgeries. Many hospital systems did not perform any elective surgeries for over 30 days, and are now in a position to eliminate positions, and furlough employees partially or completely. Those that have to draw unemployment are eligible for the state $ as well as the additional money from the federal government.
I'm one of the ones affected by the partial furlough, and I've decided to look at the blessings this situation has provided. I'm able to spend every other week at home, working on things that I just would never get around to under normal circumstances. I work every other week right now, and I'm doing my best to make my weeks off count around the house. I actually created to-do lists of things I wanted to accomplish on these furlough weeks, and while I still have a ways to go to get it all finished, I've made a dent in the list. Here's what I've gotten done on the 4 weeks I've had off over the last 2 months:
- painted the wall by the refrigerator
- cleaned the stairs (wiping down the kick plates and spindles on the railings)
- cleaned the foyer (walls, baseboards, door)
- cleaned out and organized the hallway closet
- cleared the spare bedroom of a desk, boxes, tubs, and a closet full of miscellaneous stuff (our great-nephew moved into that room)
- went through all the things removed from the spare bedroom and sorted into trash, donation, and storage
- completed a partial water change and gravel cleaning on the 75 gallon aquarium
- cleared out the assorted stuff in the master bedroom to make room for the desk from the spare room and the gun safe
- finished putting down newspapers and straw in the garden to keep control of the weeds
There's still so much more on the list to get done, but here's the project I'm in the middle of - cleaning and painting the kitchen cabinets, and changing out the knobs and drawer pulls. I think that whomever painted the cabinets before we moved in didn't bother cleaning them first, as a lot of the paint is coming off around the knobs and at the tops where the grease accumulates. I've got all but 2 of the cabinet doors off the cabinets, hardware removed and soaking in paint remover (trying to save the hinges so I don't have to replace all 47 of them). I have the new drawer pulls, and will put those on after the painting is completed. The cabinet knobs will arrive in about 2 weeks, so we'll just do without until then. The paint will be the same color as what was on the cabinets, just refreshed. I still have several of the cabinet doors to clean, then the sanding begins. Thank goodness Clydie is helping me with this project! We are really looking forward to the subtle changes we are making!
We have a new addition to our household - Red is no longer an only pet! Bentley arrived in our home the first week of February, along with a broken leg. He was about 7 weeks old when we got him, and he spent his first night at the vet to have his leg set and casted. He was so stinking cute, hobbling around with his cast, and it didn't even slow him down. By the way - we don't know what Bentley is. We were told he was a miniature dachshund, but there's no way he's not mixed with something as he doesn't look 100% weenie, and he's entirely too big for a mini-weenie (estimated at 20 lbs @ 5 1/2 months now). He's got he cutest personality, and Red has come to like him. Mostly.
Speaking of Red - he's under the weather pretty bad at the moment. He has an abscess behind his eye, causing his eye to swell, the 3rd eyelid to stay out, and it hurts him to yawn and eat dry food. He made his 3rd trip to the vet yesterday, as he's just not improving. He's on 2 antibiotics now, and a pain medication. Poor baby really needed the pain meds this morning. He sleeps most of his days right now, suffering with all this discomfort.
So folks, that's my life at the moment. I'm sure I've left some things out, but it is what it is. Have a great rest of the weekend, and wish me luck that I'll get the painting done this weekend! I have to be back at work on Monday!
