Welcome, ladybugs, to Sentence a Day, 05.2020 – my May in one run on sentence a day. These posts such a great way to journal your day-to-day life. If you haven’t joined us for this link-up before, June has just begun! Grab your pencil or laptop and dive right in. And if you are interested in participating each month, let me know in a comment below and I will add you to our email group.
Want to thank Rebecca at Knit by God’s Hand for dreaming up the SaD idea and Sarah at Foxy’s Domestic Side for always sharing the link-up code. Please be sure to check out their posts and those of some of the other bloggers linking up with us. With all the crazy this virus has injected into our lives, I am sure everyone’s experiences will make for an interesting read.
SENTENCE A DAY 05.2020
May. What can I say? It looked something like April. And March. Take a look.
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Behind From the Get-Go
- Already behind…but just by a day. Waited all day for the Ocean Pools to come look at the rust spot they supposedly repaired in the pool early in the week; washed master bedroom linens, curtains, blinds, windows, ceiling fan as the kick off to spring cleaning; played Barbies and dinos with my grands, smiled at the pet rock giveaway hosted by neighbor kids. 05.01.2020
- Stayed up waaaay too late last night watching “Waco” on Netflix but it was kind of fun to do that for a change; slept until after 9 am, French toast for breakfast, long bike ride, Barbies and reading with Cady, mom had a very difficult day, she cried all day long which breaks my heart, rust spot is worse than ever, waited all day for Ocean Pools to return again, not sure where the day went. 05.02.2020
- Happy anniversary to Brennyn and Mustafa, happy birthday to my sister Valerie. Quiet Sunday, online church service during breakfast, morning run, cleaned the master bedroom, PC was busy working on the yard, scrapbooked with my sister, refrigerator began leaking again but my PC got it fixed. 05.03.2020
Step Towards Normalcy
- First day back on track babysitting Cia and Cami, hot, hungry, thirsty stray black pup stopped by for water and breakfast, took Cia to the park, got baby Cami snuggles, home by 1:00 pm, cleaned master bedroom, pool people were back again trying to fix the rust spot that is now a leak, hamburgers, baked beans and baked jalapeño poppers for dinner. 05.04.2020
- Happy anniversary, Francisco and Lauren. After early QT and a quick workout, I was over the mountain to be with my babies again today, colored, had a mani/pedi thanks to Lucia and took both girls for a walk, helped Cia with her homemade ABC flash cards, finished spring cleaning the master bed and bath, did some blog reading and writing, mom’s dinner was a plate of lettuce with a few tomatoes and they called it Cobb salad, not enough nutrition or calories to get her through til morning…RIDICULOUS, PC’s dad is back in the hospital on the hospice wing. 05.05.2020
- Better day…up at 5:15 for QT, then a workout and run with PC, breakfast and over the mountain to help with my babes, we watched butterflies and played with a ladybug on our walk, Kevin called on my way home to advise I stock up on more meat…duly noted, too tired to do anything when I got home but blog read, pizza for dinner. 05.06.2020
Return To Difficult Days
- Sad day, Paul’s father Wally died of congestive heart failure this afternoon in the hospital alone, he was 88 years old; Paul’s mom May had her court hearing and won’t be going to jail because of the wreck, but will be on probation and possibly fined, now we wait to hear about civil suit, she and John visited Wally in the afternoon and then he passed a short time later, praying he is at peace, playing baseball in heaven. 05.07.2020
- Long, long day…PC and I are kind of on auto-pilot going through the motions of the day, I helped with the girls, then worked all afternoon with much help from my sweet Prince, loading books onto mom’s tablet so she can start listening to them, leftover soup for supper, talked with May and John to see how they are hanging in, told us to wait to come up once the virus isn’t a threat, up 76 new cases. 05.08.2020
- Weepy all day long, a combination of losing Paul’s dad, the health struggles of my mom, and quarantine; morning workout and run, cleaned the upstairs guest bedroom and PC’s office, one room left to spring clean upstairs, comfort food – grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner, blog reading tonight after a quick bike ride. 05.09.2020
Self-Imposed Sabbatical
From 05.10.2020-05.22.2020, I stepped away from social media and blogging. I fell apart a little bit over these 2 weeks. Couldn’t get motivated to blog or to visit the blogs of others. We had another death in our extended family on the same day that Paul’s father was buried. My mom was really struggling. And our Covid numbers just kept increasing daily.
During this time, I completed my spring cleaning, began running most mornings with PC, and was faithful to my morning quiet time. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to blog. To even read others’ posts. To add entries to my gratitude journal. Or even write my sentence a day.
Just needed some time where I didn’t have to think much. Do you ever feel like that?
Back at It Again
Returned to my SaD post in time for Brennyn’s visit.
Under One Roof
- My baby and her baby came today! Put finishing touches on the last of my spring cleaning, had my hair cut…it’s been sooo long, and had gotten so long, splurged by having my eyebrows threaded; picked up groceries and then my girls at the airport, Taco Tote for dinner with Lauren and her family – wonderful to have everyone together under my roof! 05.23.2020
- Family fun exercising, then walking on the westside walking trail followed by ice cream, swimming and Francisco treated us to Victoria’s Mexican food for dinner at Lauren’s followed by an after-dinner walk in their neighborhood. 05.24.2020
- Morning visit to Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, so proud of Cady’s respect for those buried there, fixed chicken cordon bleu lasagna and these easy bars for dessert, swam, tried a new Hawaiian margarita recipe, early to bed. 05.25.2020
- A little tension in the family over wearing or not wearing masks, everyone is just tired of this crazy virus; Target run where I splurged buying a two-piece bathing suit top and some clothes for Cady, late lunch of leftovers, quiet time then swam before Lauren and the girls came for dinner, Brennyn treated us to Panda (Express) food as Lucia calls it, Cady and Cia painted rocks after dinner, Cami in her Cincinnati Reds dress enjoyed Campa snuggles, my girls enjoyed sister chatting. 05.26.2020
Just Like That They’re Gone
- Up early for a teleconference with my psychiatrist to get refills for my OCD and anxiety meds as his office is closed; Cady and I took our painted rocks to the park, then I dropped Bren and Cady off at the airport, ran to Target and Walmart, home to plant some ivy, start laundry, worked out with PC, leftover chicken cordon bleu lasagna for dinner, quiet evening. 05.27.2020
- Busy putting the house back together after the girls’ visit, made a pot of weight loss magic soup to get us back on track with eating more healthily, discovered my baby Cady’s bathing suit on the washer so packed it up to mail; Lucia asked to have her hair cut like Cady’s. 05.28.2020
- Over the mountain to Cia and Cami sit this morning, Cami is trying to crawl…oh, how that is going to shake things up!; home to put together our pretty new patio furniture (frustratingly, one chair is bent) and have our windows professionally washed (spring goals), soup supper and early to bed. 05.29.2020
- My kinda day…slept like a champ, quick Hasfit workout, long bike ride, brunch with eggs, sausage and cinnamon toast, scrapbooking with my sister, working on a 4th of July garland, PC and I swam and sat in our new patio chairs!; pizza for dinner, “Bohemian Rhapsody” on TV, read our books on the balcony under the stars before bed. 05.30.2020
- Slept well again, ran after our stretching and abs workout, fixed this detox smoothie for breakfast; took a masked walk around the outlet mall, DQ blizzard on our way home, feeling tired and achy and most of all, lazy and uninterested in doing the laundry or making dinner; my book club has selected our next read Beach Read by Emily Henry. 05.31.2020
Your Turn
What kept you going during May? Did you have any pleasant surprises? If you have a month summary or sentence a day 05.2020 post, please link up with us below.
What are you looking forward to most as the country begins to ‘open up?’ I think I am nervously anticipating my first meal in a restaurant. And our first movie date. Miss that theater popcorn so much.
Before I bid you adieu, here’s my 1 sec a day video for May.
Hugs and kisses,
Joanne
I am so sorry for your losses; I think we all have times where blogging just seems like too much to handle. It’s understandable that you needed time away. Seems like perfect timing for a family visit too! Glad you’ve gotten to spend more time with them all this month.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Joanne. Your comments are always so kind and thoughtful.
Retirement Reflections
Hi, Leslie – I’m so sorry about Paul’s father, and the other tragedy in your family.
Big hugs to you both. Thinking of you.
Natalie
Hi Leslie, How wonderful that all your girls come to see you! We’re still under emergency orders that prohibit gathering of 5 or more people unless living together so no big family get-together for me yet. I’m sorry about Paul’s father and other stressors you’ve been experiencing. I’m glad to see you back on the blog. I hope June is a kinder month for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your May updates and photos.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Natalie. We probably shouldn’t have been together either. And Francisco, Lauren’s husband, was a little worried about Brennyn visiting and all of us being together in my house and hers. Brennyn was just so anxious to meet Cami. She wants to come back in July and I hope to heavens by then we will be mask-free.
Karen
I found a painted rock in town. I hid it again & noticed it was gone several days later. Fun! Looks like an awesome visit with your family. Sorry for the family’s lose & difficulties along with this Covid stuff going on. Glad you got to take & break & glad your back to writing.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Love that you found and hid the painted rock!! I want to paint some more. It was therapeutic. Going to help my four year old granddaughter paint some ladybug rocks. And when my 9 year old visits again in July, she wants to do more rocks.
I enjoyed stepping away from social media and blogging but I am glad to be back among friends.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Looks like you and your family have been busy, hope the summer months will be happier for you all ♥
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Dee. Hope you and yours are staying well.
Christie Hawkes
What a busy month you had Leslie–with its ups and downs. I’m sorry to hear of your loss and during a time when you couldn’t be together. Sending love and healing energy your way. All my best for your mother-in-law as well. I am happy to hear that you are able to spend time with your grandchildren again.
As for my May, we had our first sleepover with the youngest granddaughter since before the pandemic. It was so wonderful! And I finally got a much-needed new Mac Book Pro. I cannot believe how much faster it is than the old one.
Here’s to a happy June! Take care of yourself. Hugs!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, a sleepover with your granddaughter!! What fun! Lucia has tried to spend the night twice but always winds up crying for mama. She is a little young for that I think. Yay for your new Mac Book Pro. Isn’t it amazing the difference there can be between older and new models??
Thank you for your loving thoughts and healing energy. My mother-in-law has never been on her own…was 19 when she married. So this has been a difficult time for her adjusting to the quiet, lonely house without her husband.
Juhli
You had quite the month – lots of ups and downs as well as being very busy. So sorry to hear about Paul’s father’s death and the struggles both Moms are having. Glad you could spend time with all your girls!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
It was wonderful to be with my daughters. Even with masks on!! Thank you.
Deb
What a month – so sorry for your losses, hard to deal with at any time but at the moment it must feel overwhelming.
Just look at you getting up close and having your family inside your house – oh I cannot wait until we are at that phase. This week we are allowed to see them keeping 6′ apart so long as we are outside in the garden and I already feel that is a big step forward for us! Went to visit our son this morning and was able to take Max out for a walk in his buggy, just me and Paul – It was so lovely to be out somewhere different and spending time with Max – hoping for many more such outings!
Let’s hope that June is a better month for everyone!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am so glad you were able to spend some time with Max. I really think Cami thought I didn’t have a mouth because I have worn a mask around her most of her little life. My daughter who lives 500 miles away is planning to come back the end of July. Hoping we can be mask-free and maybe even eat out a little.
Thank you for the sweet comments…always.
Lea
My goodness, what a May! You experienced all emotions from A to Z for sure. Hoping June will be a more settling month for you. I tried to response to your comments on two of my posts but you are a “noreply blogger” so wasn’t able to. But, wanted to tell you that we did put a roof on the middle of our pergola to protect against sun and heavy rain. Also, ordering shades to go on one side that gets the evening sun terribly. Our furniture for the pergola arrives on Friday and we can hardly wait. Blessings abundant to you!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey there, not sure how I am a nonreply blogger! Hmmm. I am following you on Bloglovin’. How can I correct that?
Oh, I would love to know where you got your roof for the pergola. Is it something you had built or a screen of some sort?
We could use at least a partial shade on the west side of our pergola, too. And then I would be out there 24/7!!
Can’t wait to see pics of your furniture. Please share everything and let me know how to become a reply blogger!!
April
I need a bowl of the magic weight loss soup, for sure.
I have definitely been there on having to take a blogging break. In fact, mine last a year. It was 6 months, blogged again for a month or two, and then 6 more months off. I’ve been blogging since 2013, and for some reason I needed an extra long time out. It was a breather that did me good.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha, you made me laugh. The weight loss soup is good but I have to add meat to keep my Prince interested in eating and losing. I have been slow to get back to social media after two weeks and don’t miss it. Going to be more selective about what I share and how I spend my time.
Debbie Harris
Oh Leslie, I feel for you with all you have going on. What a month it’s been for you. But you just keep smiling and getting on with things.The love you have for your family shines through in your words and photos. I sincerely hope June improves for you. I think the social media break and break from blogging is needed as your mind is elsewhere. Don’t push yourself too hard, take care xx
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet Debbie. It helped to step away from social media for a short bit. And I am not that anxious to get all caught up in it again. I truly love my family. Thank you for seeing that in this post.
Bri
Love this post! That adopt a rock thing was so sweet to see. I should have my kiddos do something like that, although we don’t live in a neighborhood where many come by. I suppose we could take them into town and leave some sweetness there.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Bri, do have the kids paint some rocks. My grands loved doing it. Even the 4 year old.
Gail
Such a tough month for you, stay strong my friend. Good that you took a two week break from social media. It does help. I took a break for a bit longer last year, just to get away from the self imposed pressure of getting posts and pictures ready. Hope your rust spot/leak is sorted. It’s that sort of thing which is really the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Having to constantly call the pool people over is the last thing you need. We’re all gradually coming out of lockdown so hope June will be a better month. On the plus side you’re doing well with the workouts and also the beauty treatments! Much deserved x
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, my friend, for the encouragement. We are coming out of lockdown slowly, too. It just seems like forever since we had a
‘normal’ weekend.
Laura Bambrick
What a month it has been for you! I’m so sorry about your father-in-law! My thoughts and prayers are with your family! It sounds like you have really been making your workouts a priority! Good for you! That is so impressive!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, darling Laura. We are hopeful that June is going to be a better month.
Natasha
I’m catching up on my One Sentence A Day reading as I haven’t done much blogging for the past two weeks. I completely understand your blogging break. I meant to only step away for a week and didn’t get back for almost two weeks. It happens.
I’m so sorry about the death of Paul’s dad. What a hard time to lose someone.
On a different note, what joy that you got to spend so much time with family. Enjoy those precious grandchildren.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Natasha!! It is hard to stay on top of the blogging and get anything else done, too! I am starting to feel the struggle and stress again and I only just got back to it.