Highlights from my Christmas Vacay and other stuff

So, officially we've had about a week out for Christmas vacation.  In the past it's been two weeks, but I'm thankful for the time away.  So, curious friends of mine, what's been going on around here?  Well, let's see...

Christmas Day
We went to our usual 10:00 a.m. church service and afterwards, my mom and I traveled to her mom's town.  About 4 hours away.  Of course it was different with my dad not being there, but it was nice to have a change of pace and to see aunts and uncles and cousins.  And of course, my grandma!

We finally finished ordering and thumbing through a gazillion photographs enough to create my grandma two albums - one for my brother's wedding 2 years ago (yeah, we were seriously behind) and the other for her 80th birthday celebration.

My gift to her was a framed set of black and white photographs of the different generations: (1)Grandma and all her kids and (2) Half of the grandkids and 1 great-grand.  I wish everyone could have been there, but that's very difficult to make happen.

After a tasty meal (can you believe I didn't take photos?), I started feeling sleepy around 6:30.  I decided to take a nap, which I never do, and guess what?  I woke up 8:00 a.m. the next day!!!!  My grandma has those shades that filter light and apparently I was exhausted.

Then, the following day, we made visits to other family still in my mom's hometown.  At one uncle's house, I took great pleasure in looking at his old photo albums.  And guess what I discovered?  Photos of my family from waaayy back in the day.  I took a photo with my cell phone, but on my next visit, I plan to bring my scanner and get copies of all these memories that none of the rest of us have seen.

So that's me to the right, hiding behind a plate of food.  I was very picture shy in those days.

And this is my brother on the right.  Not so shy.

Other Christmas Things and Acts of Kindness
So, for some reason, I like to open my gifts when I'm feeling a certain way.  Sometimes I have a gift sitting before me for days before I'm ready to open it.  The kids at school gave me some gifts which I finally opened yesterday, so I wanted to share them with you.

crocheted dish cloths, potholder, and dish detergent cover; plus a reindeer cover for Kleenex

a plaque

sweets, a jumbo eraser, lipgloss, and a Christmas mug

In addition to these gestures of appreciation, four of my aunts got together and presented both my mom and me with this huge care package.  I mean huge.  She opened hers that day, but again, I opened mine last night.  Everything was carefully placed inside and full of so many wonderful, thoughtful things.  This was their way of helping us through these difficult days and to let us know that they continue to keep us in their thoughts and prayers.

 

 

and this was an additional gift - a piece of pottery made by my aunt (it's a spoon rest)

And did I get to see my dad over the holidays?  Yes, twice.  We decorated his room with Christmas cards and a poinsettia.  I was just glad to see him.  More on that later.

And guess what?  The director of speech pathology is teaching me how to successfully swallow pills.  So far, I've been able to swallow 3.  He told me next time I visit I have to report to him.  lol

There's much more to share, but that's enough for now.

Happy New Year's Eve,

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Christmas 2012

For those who celebrate...

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 Love,

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Life As I Know It - Weekly Update #28

Thursday marked the last day of work and the beginning of my official Christmas vacation.  In times past, we would get an entire 2 weeks off, but I'll be thankful for my 7 days or so.  Every moment of it will be needed to regroup and prepare for the new year.

So what's been going on?

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My mom and I have been playing "catch up" with the tons of pictures I take.  Suddenly she wants to give out gift sets and let me tell you, I have been sorting through thousands of photos within the last two weeks.  I'm not kidding you one bit.  5 wedding albums with almost 200 pictures a piece in them have been made.  Now birthday celebration albums are in the process of being made.  When I can see straight, I'll be sorting through those hundred and hundreds of photos.  All of this must be done by Christmas Eve.  Mom's orders.  Many have already been mailed out.  Let's just say, thank goodness for online services that offer discounts during this season.  These are the types of gifts we typically give.  That, and fresh, raw peanuts.  My grandmother lives in a town with a peanut factory and my dad usually buys the peanuts for families, so mom's doing that part for him.  Our car will be loaded down with pictures and peanuts this season.

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Well, we went to visit my dad and add a little Christmas cheer to his room.  His roommate's side was already so festive.  I'm currently looking through tons of my photos to find the perfect ones to put in frames in the window ledge.  I think it helps the workers and visitors get a better perspective of the patient's life before becoming a patient. While thumbing through a camera I borrowed from work a long time ago, I realized my dad and I had taken a picture together back in May.  Not high quality, but I still love this photo very much.  Now you may see why I always have a camera.  Capturing memories with every shot.

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Let's see.  I'm still very sore from the wreck and have been having sessions with this special contraption.

And guess what?  Normally during this season, all the way up to the tail end, this would be my motto:

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But the doctor has banned me, banned me from crocheting until further notice!  Last year, it was my hand.  This year, it's my neck/back.  So, when I get the chance, I'll show you the last item I finished which happened to be a Christmas order, before hearing the news that the hooks must be put away.  I had two more orders but they weren't Christmas gifts, so they'll have to wait for a while.

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And so you won't think this is all that's been going on, let me just tell you, it's not.  You know I've been saving and hoping for a Macbook Pro for years now.  Well, my job lent me one which I just received.  Problem is that I can't log in because I don't have a wireless network at home.  Thanks to a friend who gave me a Staples coupon for $10 off and the $40 of Staples Rewards Coupons I received through my email for recycling my ink cartridges, I was able to get a very nice wireless router for $20.  I'm so excited.  I'm still saving for my own Mac, but this is just one step closer to my dream.  Don't you just love a good deal?

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And finally, tonight one of my students had invited me to a Christmas Program at her church.  I really enjoyed seeing both sets of plays.  The first one was conducted by the little kids and told the traditional Christmas Story and the second one was put on my teens and adults and gave a modern version of the true meaning of Christmas.  Very lovely.

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And now I'll leave you with this video that shows how children process what Christmas is all about.  Some get it and some haven't quite grasped it yet.  But to truly enjoy it, you have to know the "story" yourself.  :-)

Happy Saturday,

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