Sunday, January 24, 2021

Quilting, Vaccines and Hockey Games! Another January Weekend!

 I start tonight's journal entry with pictures from hours after I posted on Thursday night.


After I finished my blog post, I moved from my desk chair to the one at the sewing machine and proceeded to finish the quilt top for great-granddaughter Kaitlyn.


The top is finished and folded in the basket.
I need to get quilt batting now.


Louis Dean and I closed out that night with wine in the living room.
Normally we end our evenings in the den when we can't be in the gazebo.
But the den is a mess and I have not done much after taking Christmas out.
The only time we go in there is to watch a TV program.
I'll get to it soon......and the first thing I do will be taking the Santa wall down.
Louis Dean is never ready for them to go. 
Plus I still have the Santa wall up in the hall, too!

I woke up Friday morning when my phone rang.
It was Janey at BSW Medical Center here in Irving, but I didn't know that when I answered.
Normally I do not answer the phone when the caller is unidentified and I'm not sure why I answered it then. She was calling to say they have been trying to reach Louis Dean regarding a Covid 19 vaccine.
I told her he was still asleep and got a return number and said I would call her back.

That's because Louis Dean has been loud and clear that he would refuse to take the vaccine!
I went ahead and got up and had my quiet time with God and my coffee and prayed about what we should do.
I determined that I would not talk him into anything. This would be his decision.


Once he was up and had a little stupor time, I fixed us fried egg, ham, and cheese breakfast sandwiches.
Then we talked. And prayed together. He decided it would be foolish NOT to take the vaccine so I called Janey back and left a voice mail.
Not 10 minutes later she called me.
She had not checked her messages but called me because she wanted to make sure she finished her first list before she started on the next one and felt like she should call me one more time.
I really like this lady!
I talked to her about the vaccine and she told me how it went when she took it.
I love it when people are real!! We talked and laughed and made an appointment for Louis Dean.
He could have had it done that very day! Albeit at 4:45 at Baylor in downtown Dallas.
I asked if there was another available appointment.
11:55 the next morning.
SOLD!!!
I can drive in traffic but I would rather not.
5:00 traffic in Dallas on a Friday is not pretty or easy!
Saturday morning is a totally different thing!
She asked about me and offered to see if I was on the list.
She did find my name along with my picture with Dr. Abraham. But, alas, I was not on the list yet.

Now in between the call from Janey here in Irving earlier that morning , I received yet another phone call while Louis Dean and I were still talking about it from yet another Baylor Scott & White source - this time with a San Antonio area code. She was offering Louis Dean an appointment at a Covid Vaccination Clinic in Dallas for next week. That second call helped us decide to go with it but I opted to continue with Janey.


We shopped Walmart for a freezer later that afternoon to take down to the ranch with us - whenever it dries out enough to get in! And we bought a drop in sink for our new counter tops at Home Depot.

Friday night we had a taco supper, watched Blue Bloods and went to bed early.
We had some place to be on Saturday!


It was gray, chilly and wet when we drove from Irving to the Baylor Hospital district in downtown Dallas. I used Waze for my traffic directions and we arrived at 11:15 for his 11:55 appointment. He could go in 15 minutes prior to that so we had a few minutes to wait.
I parked in the big lot across from the entrance so I could watch him go in and keep an eye out for his return.


I was a little scared but we felt this was the right thing to do.


There he goes!!


The police were there to insure the safety of everyone crossing the street and directing the flow of traffic for those who had to drive into the parking lot to unload ones in wheelchairs.
It all looked very well organized and I had kept the car window open in order to hear what people were saying. Everyone seemed very upbeat and happy.....including the policeman.

When Louis Dean was out of sight, I posted my photos on Facebook and didn't notice anything until I looked up after he tapped on my window. A nurse had escorted him back to the car with paperwork for both of us. She said I qualified for a vaccine since I was over 65 and a 'caregiver.'
Louis Dean protested that he doesn't need a CAREGIVER....but he was happy that I could get the vaccine as well.


I am telling you that the people in charge really know what they are doing.
Everything was so organized and everyone was so warm and friendly.
It was as much a party atmosphere as I have been around lately!
People were happy and laughing and you wouldn't know we were all there to get shots in our arms by the way we were all acting!


We arrived in the parking lot at 11:15 and left at 12:15!
One hour later and we each have our first dose!
Our appointment has been made for the second dose on Saturday, February 13th.
From all I have heard, the second dose makes you feel crummy.
Louis Dean felt absolutely NO discomfort whatsoever from his shot.
My arm was sore immediately after the injection - but not at the site but further down my arm.
Not bad at all.


We celebrated with breakfast at IHOP!

From there we drove on over to the Dr Pepper Stars Center for the grands hockey games.


We were so early!
I drove us around the beautiful rsidential area and historic area close by.
We found a pretty park and walked around taking a few pictures.

We were inside the center waiting when the Bells arrived!!
I didn't get pics of the games but they played across the ice - Kailey and Trystan on one team - at one end of the ice. Logan and Harrison played at the other end and BOTH Bell teams won their games!!
Kailey and Trystan's team is undefeated!


Granddad and his Kailey girl!


I can't believe how good these two are at hockey!!!
What a pleasure to watch them!


Uncle Ben came out to cheer them on!
I gave him the last tin of Texas Trash.
I guess I made HALF as much as I usually make so I will be making up another big batch this spring.
Hopefully the quads can come over and help!


The kids LOVE their Uncle Ben!!
I think he's pretty proud of them, too.


We lingered long after the game to visit and take some pictures.


These are the children of my old age.
I prayed for 5 years before I got pregnant with Amber. I was 36 years old when I had her - and she will be 36 this June. Benjamin was also an answer to prayer....I was one month shy of my 40th birthday when I gave birth to him.
I can't even imagine my life without them.


I am so proud of all four of my chldren!
This is a picture of us on June 25th, 2005......the day I married Louis Dean!

Tonight Louis Dean and I have been watching football!
He picked up hot wings from Little Caesars while I roasted a pan of veggies in the oven.
It is so exciting that Tom Brady has led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl!!!
And it's pretty safe to say that the amazing Patrick Mahomes will be taking his team, the Kansas City Chiefs!

It's been a fun way to end this weekend!
So who are you rooting for in the Super Bowl??


12 comments:

Great-Granny Grandma said...

Lots of great family photos in this post. You have a lovely family, and LD looks as though he is getting younger. He must have discovered the fountain of youth, haha.
Love the picture of the two of you with your masks on.
I am still undecided as to whether or not I'll take the vaccine.

Deb J. in Utah said...

So glad you and Louis Dean decided to get the vaccine. I got the first dose and am supposed to get the my second dose Feb. 12 if our state has enough vaccines. My aunt, only 69 years old, passed with Covid yesterday. I hope my husband can get the vaccine soon as well. I had my first baby at 21 and my youngest when I was 36, so I know how precious those late life babies are. Actually, all our babies are precious, aren't they. Hope you and Louis Dean have a great week and I will see you again soon.

Ginny Hartzler said...

It is so awesome that you got yout vaccines! And if you need to be labeled a "caregiver" in order to get the injection, so be it! The vaccine lists are all a terrible mess here and I doubt that we will be getting ours any time soon, even though we both qualify now. Your cooking always looks so good, especially that big sandwich!

Sharon Larson said...

Tiger balm works really well to put on your arm after the COVID injection- especially the 2nd one. Take care Linda! (Your blog is a treasure!)

MadSnapper said...

Bob is rooting for Brady, but not the bucks. ha ha.. he is excited and watching the game right now. even though he knows who won because it was all over the 5 am news.
your children and the quads are so beautiful and good. wild clapping for both of you getting the vaccine, we have no way to get it and it is getting worse here.

Arlene G said...

We are still waiting for our vaccinations here in Alabama. Hopefully it will not be too much longer. I took my mother for hers in GA last week and it went very well also. Very organized, in and out in about 20 minutes. Looking forward to seeing your new kitchen cabinets. I agree that anytime you have work done in your home, it is just such upheaval. We need new carpet upstairs and I know that will be an ordeal!!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I'm so thankful you were both able to get the vaccine. I'm still waiting to hear when I can get mine. According to the news, It's going to take awhile for everyone to get it. We just have to be patient.

Beth said...

That's great that you both got your vaccines! And to have them just call you. Our system, as of now, is to go into a website and try to find an appointment. It can be time consuming, as there are more people seeking the vaccine than vaccine available. I was able to get us scheduled this week and I am grateful.
You talk of children of your "old age." 36 isn't so old to have a baby these days. My daughter had her babies at 34, 39, and 42! (I had mine at 24 and 28.) May God bless you and your beautiful family with good health, peace, joy and give you the desires of your heart. Hugs.

Jackie See said...

I am so glad you both got your shots. I can remember going to get flu shots at the Armory here way back when. They used an airgun and everyone just waited in line. Thehubs has the VA and the past two months they have been way behind and unable to do their full jobs. We haven't heard a word from them. I will take my Mom (91 yrs old) next Monday and will ask our family doc for more information. Our adopted daughter works at the local hospital and she says the Covid floor is completely full and they have all of the IC units full too. So we have been staying home, here in the boonies, and painting the inside of our home. Today is wet, cold and windy outside and meatloaf, creamed peas and new potatoes for supper. Have a totally awesome day and week!

photowannabe said...

I have such mixed feelings about the vaccine and won't get it for a long while.
California where I live is such a mess in every way so I will be patient and give it to the Lords leading.
Your quads are adorable. Glad you get to see them and get your hugs.

Sue

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Glad you both decided to get the vaccine when you were called and we also registered and will bo for the first dose on Feb 13 when you both are getting the second. It's a no-brainer to us as well

Carla said...

Glad y'all got your shots. David and I have gotten an email from BSW saying we were on the list of being eligible for the vaccine and we will get a call or message thru the portal when to schedule an appointment. Wish they'd hurry up. I just can't get over how the Little Bells have grown. I love that picture of you and all your babies.
I like your denim quilts with all the varying shades. I just finished a crown royal bag quilt. It's at the quilters now.
Stay safe.. Hugs