What do we do now that Yellowstone is closed???

In 2016, our family started taking road trips on the even numbered years. It all started when Maggie went into the 4th grade and we decided to take advantage of the National Parks Every Kid in a Park program.  Our next trip was planned for June of 2020 and reservations had already been made at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks when the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country.  We still haven't actually canceled our reservations because we are keeping fingers crossed, saying prayers, and holding out hope that we can still make it this year. We have until May to cancel and not lose all of our deposit. We will just have to patiently wait and see.

We started talking about what we would do if we were all still grounded through the summer. Even making a short trip someplace close seemed foolish, given the situation. Once they closed the state parks as well, we knew we needed to make new plans.

Scott had been thinking about putting up an above ground pool for a while now. He was planning on waiting until after his workshop was built and place the pool nearby.  Unfortunately, the way the city of Killeen is starting to encroach on our area of the county is making him consider selling and moving. He doesn't want to go to the expense of building a work shop, only to be miserable here if the city reaches us.

I told him we could still put up an above ground pool because it can be moved if necessary. And, I offered to split the cost of the pool if he would go ahead and get it put in so we would have someplace for the family to spend time if we are still in some form of lock down.

Scott found a pool the size he wanted on Amazon and ordered it. It was delivered by freight on Monday, April 20th. Ron and our grandson, Seth, had picked up a load of cross ties the previous weekend, and they all worked together to get the site mowed and ready to place the cross ties. Scott placed them in the general area so we could get a rough idea of how much fill we needed to order.

Ron supervising Seth as he mowed the west
end of the property.

Seth then helped Ron pick up a load of cross ties
from McCoy's in Belton. The things FILLED the
back of our truck.

Ron then ordered a load of sand to be delivered on Wednesday. We worked on getting that sand spread for 3 days!

Scott and Seth used the dolly to move the cross
ties and get them placed on the exterior of the
pool pad.

It took 20 square yards of sand. I made Scott stand
next to the pile to show how large it really was.
He is over 6 ft. tall and the sand was almost as tall.

EVERYONE pitched in to get the sand spread. Seth came down after work a couple of days. Molly worked on her lunch breaks and after her work hours ended. Ron helped as much as he could. I was out there every day and racked up the steps on my fit bit!

Ron, Scott, and Pete taking a break.

I love this little dump cart. We have used it to haul
brush, rocks, and now sand. 

The south side of the pad is finished.

That's me raking out the sand in the center of the pad.

Scott came up with some crazy contraption to pack
down the sand. It worked pretty well. With everything
closed or shut down, there was no where to rent something.

Scott working on the north side of the pad.

Seth packing sand.

Molly packing down sand.

Ron and Molly packing down sand.

Molly raking out the high spots.

And Scott shoveling more, and more sand!

Scott just kept saying, "Man! That's a lotta sand!" and it felt like we would never get it spread. It really didn't help that the crazy dogs loved the sand! I was constantly raking out their paw prints. Boom spent most of the day, laying in the sand and watching us work. I guess he really loved the cool sand on his belly.

Silly Boomer, laying in the sand. 

FINALLY FINISHED WITH THE SAND!

We were all so glad that job was done.

Leslie and her family came down on Thursday evening to spend the weekend in our family RV, Miss Lippy. They all helped finish the sand packing and helped put up the pool. I was so busy working with the family that I didn't get any picture during set up. There were a few things Scott changed about the pool he ordered. He added a sand filter and in stead of using chlorine, he treats it with salt. I don't understand how it works so I won't even try to explain it. But, eventually the thing was assembled and we put the water hose inside!

Sophie helping to distribute the salt.

Maggie working on the salt.

Completely full, deck box assembled, and ready for use.

We now have a trampoline, tree fort, archery set, yard games, fire pits, picnic area, and lots of shade. I'm putting together a box of activities that can be done inside to avoid the worst heat of the day and not be sitting in front of a screen. As for sleeping arrangements, we have the family RV, our 5th wheel, and Scott's house. Plus, there is space to set up tents or even camp out on the floor in the quilting room. I think we can accommodate the family for a Searls Family Compound Getaway this summer. It might not be as cool, temperature wise; but, it will still be cool to spend time together.

Staying Busy During Stay at Home Pandemic

The country has been in lock down status because of the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March. It started when the grandkids began Spring Break and continued until school was finally canceled for the year. They have all been busy working from home, distance learning, enjoying special activities their parents dream up to keep them all from going insane, and messaging Mimi or Poppy at random times throughout the day. Being retired, our lives haven't changed... that much.

Ryan and Sophia on Troll night.

The Gutierrez Harry Potter night.

The Glenn-Searls Fiesta night.

We do miss the freedom to drive north and south on I-35 and see the grandkids, going to the theater and watching movies, going out to eat, shopping when we want to do so, attending church or going to the temple, taking an RV trip, or just having the freedom to go anywhere at anytime! Ron seems pretty content with his phone and TV remote; but, I have intense moments of cabin fever. As a result, there are a few things that I do to fill the days.

Poppy doing Poppy things.

I usually walk the dogs each morning or evening. If we don't walk down the road, I'll walk the path I've cut around Scott's property.  In the early days of spring, the bluebonnets were simply beautiful and I looked forward to watching the patches grow each morning.

One of many beautiful bluebonnet patches along the roadside. 

Part of my walking path.

I spend a lot of time in the sewing room. It has become my own fortress of solitude. I've organized fabric, labeled boxes, and worked on inventory for the Etsy shop.

Sorting and organizing is ongoing as fabric is used.

I have managed to throw away several boxes!

Some of the newest inventory items.

... more inventory

and more inventory.

When not working on inventory, I've made masks for the family members, to include Jamie's mom and Molly's parents, masks for hospital ERs, NIC units, the brethren at church who minister to the home bound, and members of our church family. I've worked on quilts for the unwed mother's shelter and the Quilts of Valor program, and made pillow cases for the residents of Rebecca's nursing home.  I've had to be resourceful at times when the elastic ran out and was hard to find. Some of the masks were made using headbands, and some were made using parachute cord. 

The first batch went to Alisha's hospital in Oregon.

...one of my Quilts of Valor donations

...modeling a mask

... attaching binding to a donation baby quilt

The second batch went to the NIC unit.

The third batch went to the brethren at church.

Rebecca presenting the first batch of pillowcases
at her nursing home.

...picture of Becca taken from the Gatesville
Messenger

... donated pillowcase

... another

and another.

When I'm not in the sewing room, I'm outside. We put in a very small square foot garden to grow zuchini, squash, peppers, tomatoes, and a few herbs. I spend time caring for my hens, Rockelle and Little Red Hen. I mow grass, trim trees, pick up rocks, burn brush, and enjoy the best season in Texas while it lasts. I also tried my hand at cutting hair, which is NOT one of my talents. But, Ron was a great sport and we both enjoyed a day of laughter. 

The garden when we first put it out.

The garden this morning after Pete dug up
one of the squash plants and I found even more
dog paw prints in it.

My hens; Rockelle on the left and Little Red Hen
on the right. Red is the only one that
still lays. 

Ron with a front view of the mohawk 

... and the rear view. 

I have been thankful for the wonders of technology which has enabled me to watch sessions of general conference and weekly classes from church, do some indexing of historical records for FamilySearch.org, zoom with the family, message the grandkids, and watch junkfood for the brain on the idiot box. 

watching conference

Zoom piano concert and family meeting

screen shot of indexing page

Shopping has never been a big deal to me, so I don't miss taking shopping trips. When I do go out, it is to replenish the freezer and cabinets to replace items that were previously stocked. I take advantage of HEB curbside pick up and Wal-Mart's senior hours on Tuesday morning. When I see an item that is scarce, I grab it. Like a huge pack of toilet paper! The one thing I do seem to splurge on is Bluebell ice cream treats. My comfort food!

Comfort is a stocked freezer and cupboard.

We didn't need it; but, we have to restock as we use.

YUMMY!!!

The whole experience hasn't been horrible, other than not seeing all of my family on a regular basis. I see Scott and Molly daily, which is a great blessing. They both run errands for us and help out with anything we need.  

Molly and Scott

We got to see Ryan's family when they did a drive by visit for Molly's birthday. 

Jamie and the girls keeping 6 feet away.

Ryan... 6 feet away.

Delivering Molly's birthday gift.

We were able to see Seth when he came down to help with the pool. (I will have an additional post about putting in the pool.)

Seth, packing down the sand with Poppy.

And, Leslie's family spent last weekend in our drive way camping out in Miss Lippy. We were heartbroken to not be able to send out a message to all of our kids, saying, "Come and help put up the pool then swim with us!" But, those days will come soon enough.  Gov. Abbot is relaxing the self distancing expectations as of Friday, so we hope we do not have a spike or resurgence in the numbers. If not, we will continue to resume a normal life style. 

Before Leslie's family arrived, I sanitized Miss Lippy.

She hadn't been used since our trip to Palo Duro at
Thanksgiving. 

Thank goodness Scott has her remodeled
to accommodate 7 people!

Leslie brought hair dye to color the girls hair.
Sophie went with a dark blue.

Maggie went with a magenta shade of
pink, or purple??

We added a little color to Boomer's tail...

And a dab of color to Pete's head. 

Sophie and Maggie helped put up the pool and were
the first to enjoy it while they distributed the salt.

Sophie

Maggie

Looking forward, we know that that resumption of normalcy will not be easy or happen quickly. We've pretty much canceled our family road trip that we take on the even numbered years. We were going to travel to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. But, the National Parks are closed until further notice. As a result, we will make plans for some sort of family gathering at home. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do. We now have the trampoline, tree fort, archery equipment, assorted yard games, and the pool. We will most likely just spend time here as a family as restrictions are reduced. And that's just fine with me!