Baked Jim a batch of Snickerdoodle cookies this morning. He woke up in time to eat some right out of the oven. The house always smells good when you bake something that has cinnamon in it.
Have dinner cooking in the oven. When I was typing recipes I found some I had forgotten about. Tonight is One Dish Meal which is sliced potatoes, hamburger, rice, onion, carrots and tomato juice. If I remember correctly it is yummy but I haven’t fixed it for a long time.
Got a call from my new doctor’s office today. They got enough of my medical records that they can see me. I have an appointment for tomorrow at 1:00. That is a huge relief for me. It means making a trip to town but this one will be worth it. Staying home hasn’t worked out so well for me this week.
I called my medical insurance company to make sure I can keep the same medical insurance plan as I had last year. I can and they gave me the rate. I price checked a plan for Jim and it is cheaper than what his teacher’s plan offers and has a lower deductible. We will get him signed up. The call was one of the easier ones I have placed lately. I didn’t have to deal with an automated system and the lady helping me was very efficient. She even gave me her direct dial number so I can call back in easily to get Jim signed up. That will be another big thing off my to-do list. Now to get Jim to call in and give them all the information they need.
The wind has been gusting up to over 40 MPH today. Jim is working downstairs in a bedroom that doesn’t have any windows so he doesn’t have to hear the wind. It was getting on his last nerve today. The wind can certainly wear you out sometimes out here on top of a hill. I haven’t noticed the chickens out playing in the yard today. Both indoor cats have been a bit edgy today.
Both Topeka and Wichita hospitals are saying they can’t accept any more COVID patient transfers. The Topeka hospital is reporting a 10% mortality rate of patients admitted with COVID. This is getting serious and dangerous. I’m glad we cancelled our Thanksgiving dinner. We just can’t take any risks right now.
Ellexia and I have been texting back and forth so she can help me choose a birthday present for her. I got some things ordered for her last night so that project is completed. Now to decide what to get her and her brother for Christmas as well as for Tagen’s birthday in January. One gift down, three to go. I can do this!
As the grandkids get older, it is harder to buy gifts for them. Luckily Ellexia wanted clothes. I don’t mind buying those as I know she will use them. They certainly don’t need more stuff.
I wanted to do a knitting project so went through my yarn but couldn’t find enough of it to make the project. Does that mean I get to buy yarn? I’ll probably come up with another project instead. I have lots of yarn, just not in the right colors and quantities for a bigger project. I have lots of linen yarn that I need to figure out something to make out of it.
Jim hasn’t decided yet if and when he is going to Stillwater. He had thought about going today but decided not to drive in this wind. There are so many semi trucks on the Turnpike and this wind makes it hard for them to stay straight. I reminded him next week there will be lots of extra traffic due to the holidays.
I’m sure glad I don’t have to place a food order for McDonald’s for Thanksgiving weekend. Who knows how busy they might be this year. They should be slow if everyone listens to the experts and stays home for Thanksgiving but something tells me most won’t. I wonder what Black Friday shopping will be like. You couldn’t pay me to go out that Friday and go into a crowded store. No bargain would be worth it to me.
On Facebook I follow two young doctors that used to live in Emporia and are now working in big hospitals in KC. Both are saying the same thing – things are getting really hard for them. Too many sick patients and no end in sight. Staff continues to come down sick and they are being stretched to the max. They both are reporting a high number of people in their 20’s and 30’s with no pre-existing medical conditions being on 90% oxygen and are very sick. They have patients in the hallways and in waiting rooms now. Scary times for all right now.
I realize how much privilege I have to be able to make the choice to stay home right now. I don’t have to go to work and be around people. I have a stocked freezer and pantry and no worries about food. I wish everyone could make the same choices I have been able to make and not have to deal with the consequences of such choices. So many people are living on the edge of falling into a disaster outcome. I feel so helpless at times and wish there was a way I could do more to help others.
Grateful for a doctor’s appointment, grateful Ellexia’s birthday present is ordered, and grateful for all those on the front line taking care of COVID patients.