Good morning. Foggy Sunday here in Iowa. With storms possible all day and overnight.

Wow! I haven't posted on my blog for such a long time.

Here is an update on our life.

We sold our 100+ year old house in April of 2021. Moved closed to family in Waukee. It has been a great move. We live in townhouse that actually has more living space than our old house did. It consists of two bedroom (we have made one a den) open concept living room/kitchen and a office/craft room for me. We, also have a attached two car garage and a patio off my office.  We are so blessed to be close to family and in a very friendly neighborhood. Have a made many new friends in the two years we have been including a group of us ladies that have coffee hour every Friday morning. Our neighborhood gives us the small town feeling.

And speaking of FAMILY. Boy have we had changes there. Out of 13 grandchildren, 7 are married, 3 engaged with a wedding Labor day weekend and 6 great grandkids, 3 girls and 3 boys. It is so fun to be closer to all them. 

I am still making products on TPT but during the pandemic I attained a new hobby, making greeting cards. I started out making them for family and friends because you couldn't go out to buy any. I had been thinking about it for a while anyway because I thought the cost on a card was crazy plus I hated standing there forever, or at least it seemed like it to me, picking out just the right card for a lot of people. There are 35 in our immediate family plus family and friends. A lot of cards a year plus I enjoy creating.

We are still going to church from our living room. Both of us have physical issues with walking etc. Would love to go in person but for now this works. Thankful for technology for making this possible.

Our days are full and time flies. Very thankful for  a wonderful move and supportive family.

Have a good week.

Rose

                                       Another view of Iowa on April 17,2020

Stunning photo of Iowa State Capitol in April snow by the amazing Mirza Kudic! 

♡

Just "WOW!!!!" Winter just won't go away.

Winter Wonderland In Iowa on April 17,2020

2020

 This came across my FB feed this afternoon. A lot of us adults are having a hard time with social distancing and working from home etc. This little article makes us realize that it is hard on all of us humans.

Hello everyone. Nice snowy day here in Iowa. So ready for deck weather. Being outside sure helps during this Covid 29 pandemic and its stay at home and social distancing. Spring flowers are under snow today.

View out our Bay window April, 16 2020

So glad our little grocery store 6 miles away is doing curbside pickup. Fareway, 20 miles away, is where we do our major shopping, also, is having curbside pickup. You call your order in and you pick it up two days later. Gets us out of the house for a bit. And our Pharmacy brings it to your car, too. So on we go.

Just being thankful that all of our family, so far, is doing well. Everyone is now working from home except the Granddaughter working in a long term care facility. We did our Easter gathering via Zoom. It was fun to see everyone and visit a bit. 30 people do make for a large zoom gathering. lol. So glad for technology that lets stay in touch with family and friends.

Praying for a sunshiny day soon. That always make everyone feel.

Take care and stay safe.

Rose.

Hi everyone. Hope this is finding all of you safe and sound. Been just a bit over a week since I blogged. Boy, hasn’t things changed in that time. Our state isn’t in a lock down yet but it looks to me like it is coming. Two son in laws have documents to keep in their glove compartments for proof that they can be out and around. Most of the grandkids are working from home. Thankful for that. One granddaughter works at a nursing home. We worry and pray for her. Another is on two week paid leave,a Covid case in her building. Another worry. Another one has to meet with her clients, mostly by video, but not always. They are working now for her to do videos from her home. Hoping that is up and running real soon.

The weather was so nice for a few days. We were able to walk the trail. Felt good to get out of the house and feel the sunshine and hear the birds. Spring was here, or so we thought. Two mornings ago heavy freezing rain woke us. 

I managed to safe these gals from the freeze that was coming. And was rewarded in the morning with blooming daffodils. A ray of sunshine.

Spring left and hasn’t returned yet. Back indoors with the fireplace going. Sounds like spring will make a return for a couple of days next week before rainy and cooler weather gets here. Plan on taking advantage of the couple of days we get.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. It will seem so strange to go to Mass sitting in my easy chair. And Easter will be on the sad side this year. For many years, over thirty, our family has gotten together on Holy Saturday. Started when the girls were in college and we have gone from the six of us to over 30 last year. It won’t seem like Easter this year. But we are thankful that we are all well and hope and pray that continues.

Have a good week. Stay in, Stay safe.

Rose.

Boredom will be setting in for a lot of us. Especially the kids. They are used to being around friends and having a structured routine during the day. With schools closed and most working from home, “cabin fever” can be real.

Here are some sites for all ages that might help pass the time and still be educational.

20 VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS TO TAKE WITH YOUR KIDS

https://adventuresinfamilyhood.com/20-virtual-field-trips-to-take-with-your-kids.html?fbclid=IwAR3izPIdm63NOha6KFkeY1IZZMhI8ihFBQBeLj_2zC191baJPVPmZZXKKGo

Virtual School Activities for all ages

https://virtualschoolactivities.com/

Virtual Disney World rides-scroll down for links to rides.

https://www.ketv.com/article/virtual-disney-world-rides/31788233

Check out more ideas on these sites.

https://www.facebook.com/Smalltowngiggles/

https://www.facebook.com/promotingsuccess/

https://www.facebook.com/RosaMauerTeachingTools/

https://freewritingpromptsforall.blogspot.com/