Other Updatey Stuff
Apr. 27th, 2021 12:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
helwenL and I got vaccinated, a few weeks ago now. J&J -- would have preferred one of the others (I forget which one I most wanted now), but getting something is better than getting nothing. Anyway, it will do the job and it isn't like we're frontline workers. G (one of the people in our house) is doing one of the 2 step ones -- he works at a small brewery. Happily everyone there is on board with observing protocols.
So far the only real Covid scare we've had is when G and T finally decided to try sending the girls back to school. The school had set things up as best they could but you know, the parents have to cooperate as well. The classroom setups weren't ideal either. They do have multiple recesses to get the kids outside as often as possible and the lunch times are staggered.
But one week of school, and then a phone call Sunday evening. G had to stay home from work of course, until all the testing could happen. Communications weren't clear, so the person on Sunday said to get tested on Monday, which they did. Then the board of health called and said first possible day to test was Wednesday (5 days after a person tested positive). So then they had to do it all over again. G was able to go back to work on Friday finally.
They and a number of other parents pulled their kids, so now there's more room between the students who are still in-person. The school is prepared for online teaching this spring, so we picked up the Chrome books and class work and the girls are doing classes online as of today. A few hiccups while learning where things are, etc. but overall seems to be going well.
***
Gardening is more or less happening. We bought some plants, none of which are in the ground yet, but if we waited they'd be gone so... Whenever the weather's decent we go out and work on ground prep, trimming trees, etc. L's started work on building some raised beds for the courtyard.
We got 2 Plum trees, 2 Holly bushes, 1 Forsythia bush, 2 Dead Nettle, 1 Lady's Mantle, 1 Rose Campion, 2 Silver Mound Artemisia, 1 Chives. Yesterday we added 3 six-packs of Pansies because why not.
More herbs will come as time goes on -- my Thyme unfortunately did not survive. They made it through the winter and then we had a storm with a ton of rain that covered them over and froze them :(
Ah, we've moved stuff that was too near the barn to over at one side of the meadow. Also moved some Stinging Nettles from by the stone wall to the same area. They can do what they like over there. A friend was informed her garden was going away in the autumn so I offered a home for her grape vines. They're a bit mature for moving but we figured it was worth the effort.
***
I've managed to take some swagging down in the library, put up a long curtain rod and valances, a hanger and lantern, and some decorative bits here and there. More functional work on the library will happen later this year, at least as far as working on the doors some more. Next project in the library is putting up a couple of shelves, at least one of which will house my Breyer horses. Just a touch of Rohan ;)
***
I'm trying to get myself sewing again. I'm at least mending and I cut out a skirt to work on. Lyle found a replacement pedal for my Kenmore, so I'm hoping we can get that up and running again soon. I like the Juki for some things but it can't do stretch stitch or zigzag.
Artistically, even drawing is hard for me at the moment. I shall keep doing the best I'm able. I did draw a logo for the new site, and the new scanner is set up, so I can at least work on components that I want on the site, even if I can't figure out how to put them up there. I may just hire someone, if I can afford it. I know someone who does the work professionally -- don't know if she's allowed side work or if I have to go through her company. We'll see if I can get the hang of the stuff or not. I might see if I can hire her to teach me how to do my own updates at least.
So far the only real Covid scare we've had is when G and T finally decided to try sending the girls back to school. The school had set things up as best they could but you know, the parents have to cooperate as well. The classroom setups weren't ideal either. They do have multiple recesses to get the kids outside as often as possible and the lunch times are staggered.
But one week of school, and then a phone call Sunday evening. G had to stay home from work of course, until all the testing could happen. Communications weren't clear, so the person on Sunday said to get tested on Monday, which they did. Then the board of health called and said first possible day to test was Wednesday (5 days after a person tested positive). So then they had to do it all over again. G was able to go back to work on Friday finally.
They and a number of other parents pulled their kids, so now there's more room between the students who are still in-person. The school is prepared for online teaching this spring, so we picked up the Chrome books and class work and the girls are doing classes online as of today. A few hiccups while learning where things are, etc. but overall seems to be going well.
***
Gardening is more or less happening. We bought some plants, none of which are in the ground yet, but if we waited they'd be gone so... Whenever the weather's decent we go out and work on ground prep, trimming trees, etc. L's started work on building some raised beds for the courtyard.
We got 2 Plum trees, 2 Holly bushes, 1 Forsythia bush, 2 Dead Nettle, 1 Lady's Mantle, 1 Rose Campion, 2 Silver Mound Artemisia, 1 Chives. Yesterday we added 3 six-packs of Pansies because why not.
More herbs will come as time goes on -- my Thyme unfortunately did not survive. They made it through the winter and then we had a storm with a ton of rain that covered them over and froze them :(
Ah, we've moved stuff that was too near the barn to over at one side of the meadow. Also moved some Stinging Nettles from by the stone wall to the same area. They can do what they like over there. A friend was informed her garden was going away in the autumn so I offered a home for her grape vines. They're a bit mature for moving but we figured it was worth the effort.
***
I've managed to take some swagging down in the library, put up a long curtain rod and valances, a hanger and lantern, and some decorative bits here and there. More functional work on the library will happen later this year, at least as far as working on the doors some more. Next project in the library is putting up a couple of shelves, at least one of which will house my Breyer horses. Just a touch of Rohan ;)
***
I'm trying to get myself sewing again. I'm at least mending and I cut out a skirt to work on. Lyle found a replacement pedal for my Kenmore, so I'm hoping we can get that up and running again soon. I like the Juki for some things but it can't do stretch stitch or zigzag.
Artistically, even drawing is hard for me at the moment. I shall keep doing the best I'm able. I did draw a logo for the new site, and the new scanner is set up, so I can at least work on components that I want on the site, even if I can't figure out how to put them up there. I may just hire someone, if I can afford it. I know someone who does the work professionally -- don't know if she's allowed side work or if I have to go through her company. We'll see if I can get the hang of the stuff or not. I might see if I can hire her to teach me how to do my own updates at least.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-28 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 04:46 pm (UTC)J&J is still trying to track what's up with their vaccine. The 15 people who got blood clots were all women, with 13 of them being under 50. Of the 15, two died but I don't know those ages. The period of concern is apparently all in the two weeks after the shot, so I'm free and clear, as are all the women I know who've gotten it.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-30 12:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-04-30 12:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-04-30 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-05-01 02:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-05-01 04:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 01:35 am (UTC)You've been doing so much. I hope the spring is good to you.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 05:04 pm (UTC)One of our young adults is getting his second shot this Saturday and the other is getting her first one tomorrow. Both of his parents (whom they see fairly often, part of the pod) have theirs as well. Everyone is happier now that things are moving forward to that degree.
We all agree that things overall won't change much over this coming year, but at least it's now possible to have some visiting with other vaccinated folks. We'll still keep it small, of course.
lol I guess I've been busy. I feel like I spend half the day not doing much because the energy just hasn't been there. Still, things are progressing.
Spring has been all right, thanks :) Hoping the same for you.
I re-found the birch leaves I found and was going to send you, but I don't know if they'll still be any good. I'll try to get some more this spring anyway.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 11:52 pm (UTC)I started nasturtium and put in a bunch of thyme, today, and I think I have eradicated most of the false strawberries.
I do plan to start to travel to visit people who are comfortable with distanced and vaccinated company, soon, now that it is pleasant enough to sleep in the vehicle. My epidemiologist friends are comfortable with that, so who am I to second guess the pros?
no subject
Date: 2021-04-30 01:35 pm (UTC)If you're interested in acquiring a Paw Paw tree or two, I might be able to arrange something. There's a guy here who's starting them from seed. We got some babies from him and will be putting them out this year.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-01 02:50 am (UTC)