When is a holiday weekend pretty much like any other weekend? When there is a crazy pandemic closing everything down. I know some folks did indeed get away for the weekend but we stayed home... us and the cats. On Friday, I got this sweet picture of Vinny.
We invited Helen and Cheryl over for an indoor cook-out (Joe did burgers on the grill) on Saturday. Not a great photo but it's the only one I took. The usual July 4th fare... corn-on-the-cob, burgers, deviled eggs, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, cherry pie with ice cream.
Helen gets a perm this week and she can't wait. She has complained about her hair for weeks now so hopefully, a new perm will help her feel better about herself. Some of you may not know that Helen is like family to us. She and her hubby (also a CPA) were our first friends here in Lakeland 31 years ago (this month!). Al died seven years ago and Helen asked us to be her POA and health-care surrogate. She is 92 now. Of course, we agreed to help in any way we can.
After Al died, her niece moved in with her (Cheryl) and is there during the night and a good part of the days. She works for the school board as a school bus attendant so Helen isn't alone for too long. Cheryl is able to do the shopping and take Helen to her appointments. We also have a healthcare worker coming twice a week to help her in the shower, to do some light cleaning, and she also does Helen's laundry. We call every day and see her at least once a week. So that is why Helen and Cheryl are in many of our photos and are usually with us for the holidays. Al and Helen did not have children but she does have a few nieces and nephews. Cheryl is the only one here in the south.
My sister, Patti, sent this GIF to me in a text. I thought it was so cute that I had to save it to my photos and wanted to share it here!
I'm looking forward to reading about your weekend and wish you a good week ahead!!
Thanks for your visit!
Your 4th of July food sounds so good and I know all enjoyed it. I didnt know you had known Helen and Al so long so she is like family to you. Hope the new week is good for you.
ReplyDeleteHelen is very blessed to have you and Joe and Cheryl in her life! And I imagine that feeling is mutual. We have often "adopted" non-family members into our family circle who needed a family, and it has always been such a blessing to us. Since our move here last year we seem to have run out of those special kinds of friends and are making new friends, but so far none that seem to need that extra kind of attention. But as soon as I say that I can imagine God will send someone who needs a family nearby soon. That's okay with us. It is always a mutual blessing. Thank you for being there for your friend. And yes, we did have almost the same 4th of July meal. I did have a watermelon, but when I cut into it it seemed to be a bit "old" and overripe...and so out it went. Didn't want to make anyone sick on it, especially me! LOL. We did have some fresh cantaloupe that was good, however. Have a blessed and wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a nice weekend. We didn't do anything. We ordered pizza. That was our weekend highlight. lol
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Well, good morning, Vinnie! What a handsome boy he is. Helen is so very blessed to have friends like you and Joe and you two are a real blessing and inspiration to the rest of us on how to live our faith. I'm glad you had a nice day (please say you ate a deviled egg for me?). We didn't go anywhere, either. Have a blessed day and try to stay cool.
ReplyDeleteMore than one! LOL
DeleteI loved having this background story on Helen and Cheryl, Terri. Yes, they are much more like family than simply friends. Our weekend was quiet, but we were able to see some fantastic fireworks from our deck. That was such a wonderful surprise! May God continue to bless our nation - let's keep praying!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Vinnie is adorable, smiles. I had no idea you were Helen's "caregivers"--as you know, I am my mil's and her husbands POA/Financial guru and Health care surrogate (and now court mandated)...and its not easy...just saying.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't go anywhere either and it was just the three of us. Have a great day Terri.
That is a cute pic of Vinny. It was a quiet one around here too. Lots of neighbors did fireworks of their own, so the 4th was quite lively. Jeff and I sat outside on the deck and watched. We grilled some ribs and had a quiet meal but all was good. Y'all are doing a good thing to see about your neighbor and friend. That is how life is meant to be.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the week.
As we grow older, good friends are such a blessing. Sounds like a really good 4th to me.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a nice weekend. So did we.
ReplyDeleteAhh - you'll have to share a pic of Helen & her new hair do :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a nice 4th. I love Vinny in the hat!
ReplyDeleteThe patriotic kitty is very cute indeed! I love our blogs for photos and things like this. I want to do my lasagna recipe on my blog....so that I can find it more easily! heehee! We made it this weekend and it was SO good. Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteI want your lasagna recipe too!! :)
DeleteVinny's a handsome fella, indeed! Your holiday meal looks delish, Terri! Who would have guessed way back when, that you'd come to enjoy such a great bond with Helen?! Don't you know, Al's so pleased.
ReplyDeleteTerri, can you tell me HOW you're managing to personalize messages over your lil' bitmoji?
I allowed it to attach to my Chrome so there is a little icon I can click and just type in what I want to say. It gives me several avatars to choose from. If you don't use Chrome I'm not sure how the others work with Bitmoji. I will take a picture/screen shot and send it to you in FB messenger.
DeleteSounds like a swell time.... we have learned that we will be "free" one week from today... no more stuck in our apts with meals brought to us.. Free....and so happy.... first thing I am going out for a cheese steak wid... as they say in S. Phila... :)
ReplyDeleteHooray!! Have one of those cheese steaks for me too!
DeleteI enjoyed hearing the background story of Helen and Cheryl. You two are a blessing!!!
ReplyDelete