Not every day sparkles in sunshine but every day should be one of gratitude!
The Muddy Pond down the street from my house is a place of peace.
It was a gray sky day with rain soon to follow as we piled into the car to travel to the other side of the county. Rain started as soon as we entered the vehicle. It was one of those stay-in-the-house cozy days with the rain falling as soon as we entered the car. Today marked the end of a long wait for a COVID vaccination for my son. He was the last one in our household to be vaccinated but the journey to get a vaccine has been a long wait.
We basically gave up on idea that my my son would receive the shot/s on Long Island when we knew the closing date on our Long Island home. On January 16th, I registered Derek for COVID vaccination in Prince William County, Virginia and today he finally received the vaccination. Here is a peek into Virginia's mass vaccination site's procedures. Derek lined up outside in the rain for a 12:30 PM shot. He first had to fill our paperwork. When admitted into the building, He had to show his proof of residency in Virginia which was scanty because of his disability status. He showed his Virginia disabled parking placard, his NYS non-driver enhanced ID card, and a piece of mail sent to the new address. After that, he waited, and was finally ushered into a large hall (basketball court). There were approximately 25 people waiting for the J&J shot. 3 lines were formed, data taken, and then another wait. The head nurse spoke to the group with a mic and then, 3 pharmacists started the vaccination procedure. Derek sat for the required 15 minute time frame and then we traveled back to our new home in the rain. Next in line on April 1st my daughter and son-in-law will receive their first dose of the Pfizer shot.
chilled rain falls
winter blues dampen earth-
daffodils bring hope©CV, 2021
☔
Every St. Patrick's Day we wear green, celebrate with corn beef and cabbage, and enjoy the festivities surrounding the event. Several years ago my husband learned how to make corn beef and cabbage from a close friend. Even though most of my kitchen and dining room items were still in boxes (we closed on our Long Island home on Monday afternoon), we wanted to celebrate in some fashion.
Before my husband started the cooking, he drove me to my daughter's house to grandma-sit my one-year-old granddaughter. She spiked a very high fever a few days ago leading the doctor to give her a COVID test. I was worried about her when I arrived but she not only looked so much better than the first day of the illness she was in a happy mood. I had little time during the day to do much else than watch her so it was up to my husband to cook the meal. The thought of an traditional Irish meal was tempting so at the end of the day, my daughter, husband, and two little ones followed us back to our house where all the food was ready.
Upon arrival, we quickly set up the patio at two different tables outside. It was chilly but we made do with the weather since the dinner was delicious. The outside fireplace provided a warm glow and heat. My three and a half-year-old granddaughter was so excited that she shared the box of mini black and white cookies (better known as half-moons in Central New York)that I bought her with the family after dinner.
What a great way to celebrate an event that has always had memories attached to it. I even got to hug my granddaughters for the first time since since COVID brought such sorrow to earth.
"Shall we move to Florida where it is warm or Virginia where our granddaughter lives with her Mommy and Daddy?" It was a tough decision that in the end was not made lightly. We visited friends in Naples and my cousin in West Palm Beach. We explored Virginia each time we visited my granddaughter. We thought deeply, weighed options, and finally found the right community in Northern Virginia to build a new home, our dream home.
I think back on that time. Our intentions were genuine and our enthusiasm bursting with joy. Home builders we were, just like my Bessie Peace Gutmann framed print that was above my fireplace for years. After we signed the contract for our new home at the end of February 2020, COVID reared its ugly head just like a monster from a medieval tale. We were living in Long Island near the epicenter so there was nothing we could do but work virtually with Toll Brothers until the heightened alert was lifted months later. By June 2020, we were able to travel to Virginia to meet with the Design Center consultant face-to-face.
