gbmifan

It is cold here. Finally up to 11 degrees. We went to church at 3pm yesterday then out for Chinese dinner. My oldest son and girlfriend came and picked us out. We had gotten about 4 inches of snow and the roads were horrible. Glad to get home and watched Die Hard(yes it is a Christmas movie) and then DH went to bed and I finished my book (was reading 12 days of Christmas by Patterson) and then went to bed. Today oldest son, x wife, and two of my grandchildren coming around noon for lunch. My son and his x continue to be on good terms and do not pit against each other for the kids. My son always says the love is there they just can not live together.

Got tickets for 5/2 to Newark, Ohio. We got row 5, center.

Going to talk to my traveling friend today to see what she would like to drive to. I really can not go the third week in May and those are places we have driven to before. The night of Carmel, Indiana I have my awards dinner and ceremony for work. I have my 50 year award so I really need to show up. On Saturday that same week I have a banquet for ski patrol. I could skip that if I had nothing to do for it but my DH is in charge and I have to help with everything. I do not think he would appreciate it if I left him doing everything. So right now I am thinking of Newark, Ohio. From here it is a 4 hours drive. A little shorter then the others. We also could go to Canada but the drive is longer. Maybe up to 6 hours. Have to see what she thinks since she will be driving. Newark goes on sale on Monday. Any other year I would not have any interference.

Here are some photos my friend took in Detroit.

We had a blast. Clay looks like he is having so much fun. He had some great one liners but I am horrible at remembering them. One did have a mention about placing his hand over someone's mouth. He looked great. The show moves pretty well. The announcer person comes out in the audience and keeps things rolling as they get the new contestants fitted with their mic. My girlfriend had signed us up to play and I was praying my name did not get called. I did take a picture with the poster. I will give it a whirl and try to post below. If these shows are an audition he would do great. He is such a natural. We ate at a place called Union Assembly and the food was great. To much to eat. We should of shared. It actually was 23 feet from the Fox. My friend who has a bad knee was concerned but had no problem.

Excited about the Gala but have one weekend in September that would not work.(That is probably they weekend they will pick.) My nephew is getting married in Nashville and my sister would never forgive me if I missed it! Also when it comes to Ruben and Clay tour. Have not seen anything about something near me but if they do not have one close to us by June 1st I again would not be able to go. Plans on bike tours are being made. So if I do not make either the Gala and the tour I will be really sad. Put need to pull up my big girl pants and accept if that happens. I am going to WOF on Saturday. My friend signed us up to play. I hope they do not pick me. I am horrible at this game. Give me Jeopardy and I would be better.

I will try and check in if wifi and phone coverage is ok. You never know in Northern Michigan. I am leaving Sunday for 12 days of camping and bike riding. Trying to get in shape for our bike tour at the end of August . There are some pretty steep grades to practice on. Our area where we live is pretty flat, just have some short hills. Clay will probably come out and play while I am gone.

Got home last night from a bike tour. Campground we were at had no wifi and cell coverage not always great. So pretty much offline for the week. We had a very hot week of riding so we cut some days short(we stayed at one campground and rode out every day, so could do what mileage we wanted) We rode from 32-67 miles per day. Temps were around 90 wi'th high humidity. Luckily we were in our small motorhome so we could use the air. We are home a week then another bike trip that we will be riding about 10 days. Again from one point so can do whatever miles we want. Temps look like they maybe around the mid 70's which will be ideal. Hope everyone is having a nice summer. Hope Clay will be around soon. Miss him.

I plan on going but have not got airline tickets yet. If they do not go down by next week I will have to bite the bullet and pay more than I have ever had to do. Also I think I am able to stay on the sofa in a room with Gaye Marie and Lori. The person I was going to room with back out when the price of airfare and hotel went up. I hate the time of our return on Sunday. We will not get much sleep because I have to be up at 3am to leave for the airport. May just get dressed and take a nap on the sofa and have everything ready to go. The later it gets the more expensive the fare. I love it when we leave in the afternoon and can take our time going to breakfast and saying goodbye to everyone.

I just love that picture of Clay from wedding. I miss him so much. I am hoping to go to the Gala this year but the airfare is really high. Hope it comes down some. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year.

Had to get use to the hair but after seeing it in videos and still picture I like it. He sang great. Wish I could of gone but I was on a bike tour even if I could of afforded it. Can not wait to see him in September.

I also was on a 10 day camping/biking trip. First 5 days we were at a campground that had wifi, the next 5 days we were at a National campground so I was able to get my 4g to pick up once in awhile. My traveling buddy got us tickets for Karaoke night. After I rode yesterday I sent a text to see if we got in. No response so I called her. She had sent three text messages and they finally showed up 6 hours later. I guess I was enough off the grid that it took longer. I justify going to this because my airline voucher expires in December and I have not been anywhere for a long time. DH did not care, so I am going.

I have been walking and biking through the last 15 months with no mask. I do wear one in the gym, grocery store, or any other store inside. It is the mandate of our Governor. Not sure what she will do now. I had to wear one skiing all winter which I felt was a overkill. We were outside and did not ride a chair with anybody. It was hard telling people to get their mask up as they entered the line. Most people complied but some did not. I did not get into it with them. Just said if we get closed down it was because the rules were not followed.

It is a little warmer here but strong wind makes it feel very cold. Glad I do not have ski patrol today. I have had my two vaccines and my DH had his first last week. I did not have any side effects except for a sore arm. When I go into a patient room and they have their mask off I ask them to put it on. I tell them I am old!

Got my vaccine today. So far no side effects. Not even a sore arm

I for one have worked on and off. My nurse manager has been great to work for. I am 68 years old so we are trying to keep me off the adult floors. Especially the covid floors. I have been working my pediatric and neonatal floors. She has allowed me to be on call if our census is low. So far since March we have had only 2 positive kids. One test came back positive but had no symptoms. Was in for something else. The other was in last March and we eventually transferred him to a big medical center. We eventually heard he did well and was discharged. I enjoy working but will not take chances. I will not have to take a child if they have covid. I have been there 48 years and would like to make it to 50. We shall see. Still love Clay and read the boards to keep up.

Well, I am not ready to give up my passion of cycling and skiing. One by one my bike tours are being cancelled this summer. Plus my skiing came to abrupt stop in March. I am going to be 68 soon and know I do not have that many years left to be able to do both. It is like I am losing my time to do things I enjoy. Part of these activity are social. My DH and I have been going out on our own when the weather has been nice but it is not the same as riding with friends. I do not want to pick a new passion. I am a very active person and these have been taken away from me plus my gym I was going to. I do not want a "new norm". I did not listen to Obama speech. I am not a fan of his and did not want to listen(Just like many of you do not like Pres. Trump). We make our choices who we listen to. I am not trying to be political just stating an opinion. Almost all of my friends are the opposite political side than I am so we have all agree not to talk about it. I do feel bad for my grandchildren, I just feel that their education and even being with friends are hurting them. Their mother has been great with doing their work but she can only do so much. Right now our Governor does not even know if she can open up schools in the fall. There are a lot of poor areas around us. Many of those kids have no computers or internet at home and were going to the library to do work then they closed the libraries. Some of them will be so far behind because their parents do not or can not help them at all. My hospital is hurting because of our Governor not allowing elective procedures. Some of these would not even be in the areas where inpatient room are. They say they can test people before any procedure so people feel safe. We are testing all inpatients. Our census is down 60%. Our covid 19 patients are half of what they were two weeks ago. All the major hospitals in Detroit have laid off 8,000 people. We have to get some things moving. Ok I am off my soap box. Just frustrated.

Missed this in Raleigh and also missed Grease with timing with a bike trip. Looks like those dates may work this time. Something to think about.

I have been to the grocery store a couple of times but normally do not go into places. Been out walking everyday and occasionally biking. Do not wear a mask when walking or biking but do stay at least 6 ft away. We gave up riding the bike trails because they are to busy with walkers. Hard to social distance when they will not move to the grass. We tried moving over to the grass with the bike and almost buried it into soft grass and mud. I have been off work all of April and will return on May 8th. Will have to be refitted for N95. I have one in my locker that I was fitted along time ago and never used. Not sure if it is the right size. One of the girls who works with me dropped off my mask that I will have to wear when I enter the hospital. They gave us all mask and they need to washed every day we work. Have to wear all day while working. If we have to wear a N95 we have to send it down to sterilization after our shift with our name and unit on it (placed in a brown bag) then returned by the next day in a white bag. Hopefully the number of patients will be falling when I go back.

I am on a 14 day self quarantine before I can go back to work. I was out skiing in Colorado when they closed the ski hills and I drove back. I was not scheduled to work till the 30th of this month. Because I was out in a area that had cases they made be quarantined. I have not been out to any place since they told me but I have gone out for a walk with no interacting with people. I have talked to my nurse manager and we agreed that I will not take any patients with the virus because of my age. So far we have not had a case at my hospital. Started my spring cleaning early. Finishing upstairs today then will take down my curtain and wash them. Exciting!!

Glad your husband is fine. That was scarry.

Where were you at in Michigan? We are camping in Nothern Michigan now for 12 days.

I also will be camping and bike riding for the next 12 days. Limited access also. Some internet and poor cell service. Miss Clay. Maybe he will come alive.

What kind of trouble can we get in. Clay where are you?

Thank you for the pictures. Did not go to the Founders Brunch so did not see what he was wearing. Looking good in those pictures. I had so much fun this weekend seeing everyone. We did not stay at the Omni but it worked out we were there a lot. Our hotel was about 4 blocks away and had free shuttle in the city center so we took it many times. I walked back and forth a few extra times to get some steps in. The concert was great. He sounded wonderful and I even got to hear some early songs that I never saw live since I did not start going to concert to Christmas 2004. TITN and Invisable were fun. I did not want it to end.