Home-Time in August 2021

Baby Time

We spent pretty much all of August, at home in Texas.

But on the first day of the month, we spent time with this little one in Portland. We flew home on the second. 

We were forced to enjoy Charlie's half-year birthday from afar. It seems so long ago that this little girl joined the world on Valentine's Day.

House and Yard
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Most of August was centered around home chores.

We finally faced facts that our palms weren't coming back to life.

After 22 years, these tall friends left us. It was at least very entertaining to watch.

Finally

Also after 22 years, we decided it was time to face the aging kitchen.

I don't love shopping and I don't like big home improvement decisions. But Don and I spent some time educating ourselves and we are beginning to make some changes.
 
Cabin Time
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We had no travel in August, but we headed to the cabin and faced more plants, that died in the winter freeze.

We dealt with spiderwebs and plumbing issues and celebrated over the palm that survived.

It was sizzling hot during the day, but we managed to sit outside and enjoy the quiet evening. Popcorn and martinis! Classy. 

Cautious Socializing
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After a few months of feeling safe with our vaccines, we were back to worrying over surging Covid cases, in August. More news of the Delta variant and breakthrough cases, made us go back to wearing masks and avoiding indoor dining.

We haven't really done much socializing since Covid began. But we did safely enjoy a few friends in August.

Cheers to friends who are vaccinated and cautious. 
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Hurricane Ida
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On the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Ida made landfall in New Orleans.

A few days before on Friday, Don and I stayed up late watching the news. That's not stuff for a Happy Blog... 

But these dogs made us happy. My brother and wife, their niece and the two bulldogs arrived at 1 am. They made a last minute decision to evacuate from New Orleans, on that Friday afternoon.

​Waiting and Watching

We spent a few days watching the TV and hoping for the best. On Saturday we toasted to my bro and sis-in-law's anniversary. 

On Sunday, Ida made landfall and by evening all of New Orleans was without power. Again, that is not "happy" news, except that we were so glad they had chosen to come. When you have family spread out over the country, it's hard to help during a crisis. It felt so good to have them safe, in our home.

Last Day of August
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Here's a photo taken on the last day of August. It's not my most flattering portrait, but I'm smiling behind that mask.

I took the selfie in the waiting room at my oncologist's office. I chose a seat underneath the donkey photo. (Donkey was my symbolic mascot, when I dealt with cancer treatments 5 years ago.) ​
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The arrow is pointing to the green dot, that I was given when I checked in for my appointment. That was odd. It was to show I was vaccinated. 

When I met with my oncologist he pointed out the good results on my labs. He looked at my records and said it was time for me to stop seeing him so often. Yay for ending the quarterly visits! What a good way to end the month!