Winter to Spring?

So, where did the time go? Since January's last blog, Winter has ended, and Spring has arrived in Minnesota. That doesn't mean it's no longer cold...it still is cool @ night, the furnace still kicks on, I still wear a coat, the wind still bites, but the sun definitely feels warmer, the tulips are pushing up, the cottonwood and maple trees are budding, and the birds wake me up with their chirping. Even the grass has turned green. We even were teased with one day of 90 degrees, definitely not cool. But I'm still waiting for more constant warmth, where I can turn off the heat, put on capris or shorts, and start planting flowers. At least it's not snowing here, as in Colorado, or up north, but I long for more warmth and sunshine.
So what's been happening? Well, we started tackling the kitchen re-model. So far, I've painted the upper cupboards an antique white with black handles, which sets them off quite well. We've moved the refrig to the opposite wall, and took the upper cupboards over the countertop out. I've collected paint samples for the walls, looked at tile for the backsplash, countertop colors and material, flooring, and planning islands, and recessed spaces for the refrig. Any further progress has been delayed, as Earl was out of work for 4 months. But luckily in April, two jobs came about. First, Walmart called, and he was hired as an assembler of bikes, grills, and such, and Rice Hospital called, and hired him as a patient safety sitter, a casual position. So he decided to keep them both. He started at Walmart the beginning of April, and is being oriented to Rice the end of April. I was surprised he gets close to 30 hrs. of work each week @ Walmart, and he likes the job as he can work at his own pace, and stays in the back away from everyone.
Before he started we were going the the YMCA almost everyday. He misses that. I have been going just 2-3 times a week now, playing pickleball with one of the staff who's teaching me the game. It is a combination of tennis, ping pong, and badmitton, using a wooden paddle, and hitting a wiffle ball over a tennis net. It's fun, and really gives me a good workout. I've also been meeting with the retired nurses from Rice once a month. I'm the only one not retired, but they've included me, and we visit different places for coffee.
I joined an area faith choir for the Chrism Mass we had @ Our Lady of the Lakes in Spicer. Only had one practice beforehand, but we pulled it off with all new music and it sounded great.
In between times of working, I've had to attend several nurse education courses, attend church meetings, gather clothing and such for the Epilepsy Fund pickup.
After helping Earl give out communion, and support to his Hospice patient, we attended his funeral in February. Getting to know the family, and give them support was very rewarding, and the family really appreciated all Earl and I did for them. Now, hospice wants me to join them as a volunteer, so Earl and I can be a team. I wasn't able to take the course in April, but am considering it for October.
Our Easter this year was spent in Evergreen, Colorado, visiting Chris and family. It was a long day trip(14 hrs), but thankfully, we had good weather, and no problems. Jonnie and Mac came along too. I can't say enough how great a kid he was...a wonderful traveler, and Mac loved having him next to him. Colorado is beautiful, but pictures don't show the beauty. Chris lives in the foothills past Denver, 20,000 ft elevation. Not kidding, I felt the difference in air...I was lightheaded, short of breath if I walked outside at all. I felt weird! Easter is always very special to me, esp. the Vigil Mass. We attended a church down the way from them, decorated as you might visual a typical Rocky Mtn. place with stone and wood beams. It was a very meaningful service. And on Easter Sunday, we all attended the Johnson's church with breakfast first, and then their service. We sat facing the most beautiful view I have ever seen. there was a huge window from floor to ceiling with the mountains in the background. There was a live band playing, scripture readings, communion(which we didn't participate in), and a wonderful homily by their young pastor. Chris fixed a great dinner of ham, potatoes, corn, and rolls. then we watched movies all day, including Marley and Me, and bawled our eyes out, as it rained, sleeted, and snowed, then rained again. the next day, it was beautiful, in the 60's, so we all went to the Denver Zoo. It's a really nice one, where you can get close to the animals, is open and not too crowded. Then, we headed back home the next day, for our 15 hr drive, as we lost an hour heading back.
Our last event has been Alaina's band concert, combined with the Jr and Sr High. What a great idea, to hear the progression of talent as the years go by, with practice and application of their instruments. Both of us enjoyed it immensely. I just have to remember to bring more treats for Sawyer, as I only had 3 candies for him to eat, and keep him occupied.
This week, Earl took up the carpet on the upstairs and hallway. We bought new carpet for the stairs, still deciding about the hall. I painted the hallway, and am tackling the woodwork. The plumber is coming Wednesday to fix the tub leak,and install new fixtures for the tub and sink. Gosh, there's alway so much to do to get this house updated. But we'll keep working on it slow but surely.