Countdown to Christmas
~*~
Much thanks and appreciation to abigail89 , davinator ,rachet , whimsicalmuse , avidbeader , annearchy , alissomora , and chaos_all-year for the lovely cards I’ve received recently. I’m enjoying the Artist’s Way book you sent, whimsicalmuse , and it is inspiring. :) I bought a poster frame yesterday, chaos_all-year, for the Dumbledore’s Army poster you sent and it looks awesome hanging on my wall. Thanks again to everyone! You guys are wonderful.
~*~
After Thursday’s purge of a post, the next day brought new medical happenings. Here’s the run down for assorted extended family members’ hospital happenings on Friday. One (my BIL’s grandmother, we all call her Granny) had a bad fall resulting in a broken sternum and ICU admittance. Another (Aunt Sue) was admitted to the hospital to receive 3 units of blood and a colonoscopy/endoscope. No definitive diagnosis so a CAT scan is now scheduled. Another (my cousin’s husband Rob) was letting his five-year old grandson practice his golf swing. Rob bent over to place a ball on the tee at the same time little Noah’s full golf swing got Rob in the face with the follow through. Rob passed out and woke up with a broken nose. He was actually in the ER the same time as Granny C. Let’s see, what else. Dad’s doctor told him in addition the kidney infection, tests also showed the presence of E. coli. That fall he had caused more internal problems than originally thought. The antibiotics are working though. *deep breath* And now a Merry Christmas to all ye fortunate enough not to be related to me. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if the partridge in a pear tree came down with Avian bird flu.
My uncle is not doing any better, still steadily declining. I decided to give him his Christmas present yesterday. I’d bought him one of those Vellux blankets. He stays cold, and his skin is so paper thin he bruises easily, so I thought a soft blanket might make him more comfortable. I took my mom and aunt to visit him Saturday and he didn’t recognize any of us. It’s such a sad thing to witness. My uncle has been in the nursing home for two and a half months and we’ve sort of adopted a few other residents during this time. Yesterday we started delivering some of the presents that my mom, sister, and I have bought for the residents who don’t have any family. Also, my niece and nephew’s church youth group went to the nursing home Friday night for caroling. They saw my uncle but he was sleeping. Actually, he’s been sleeping about 23 hours of the day for the past week. That’s still hard to fathom.
~*~
On December 14th, my son celebrated a birthday. His 21st. One minute you bring home one of these, then you feed and water them, and they grow up on you. This is a favorite pic of Matt with my niece and nephew. He was on a road trip with friends on his birthday but we had a family gathering with pizza and cake when he came home. What he asked for and what I bought him for his birthday? A new suit and a pair of Doc Martens. He chose a beautiful black pinstripe suit. My little boy's a grown-up now. Well, he looks like one at least. *g*
This past Monday, I spent the evening with my kid. We both had haircut appointments and went together. The same lady cuts both our hair but we seldom schedule them together. Actually it was my appointment, he needed one, and she stayed late for him. She’s related to Matt, being his father’s cousin. Yeah, I let my ex’s relative cut my hair. After our haircuts, we ate at a Chinese restaurant and then went Christmas shopping. He wasn’t any help with gift selections but did carry all the bags. Also, he never complained once during the entire outing. He did grin as he said he could lie down in the floor and have a tantrum for old times sake. I told him, if I recalled correctly, he only did that once. He said, if he recalled correctly, I walked off and left him lying there. Ahh, good times.
~*~
Every year I give all the immediate family at least one practical gift, usually a product I love and think they should have. Last year, it was memory foam pillows. Once before it was the Oral B toothbrushes. This year my across the board practical gift is microplush throws. The entire family is a bunch of nappers so they will enjoy them. I’m not a napper but I like to snuggle under one when I’m reading.
I may be enjoying Christmas shopping too much. I know it’s better to give than receive but I noticed something on my last two orders from Amazon. Nine of the fourteen books ordered … were for me. Er, Merry Christmas to me?! *g*
~*~
You Are a Fruitcake!
You taste like nothing else in this world.
And get ready, you're about to get tossed!
What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?
I iz a fruitcake? *token protest*
The Part of You That No One Sees
You are compassionate, caring, and soothing.
You like other people to depend on you...
In fact, you don't feel right unless you are helping someone out.
Underneath it all, you feel the burden of everyone's problems.
Without your guidance, you fear that many people's worlds would fall apart.
You like to feel in charge, even if it brings you a lot of stress.
What's the Part of You That No One Sees?
Well. I feel analyzed.
Sherry
- a teaspoon of promiscuity
- 2 heaping tablespoons of seduction
- 1/2 a cup of charisma
Mix together and serve hot.
'What is your personality recipe?' at QuizGalaxy.com
That’s missing a double shot of reality. Yes, but why is the rum gone?
~*~
My Christmas shopping is 95% complete and most of the wrapping done. Today I’m going with my friend to Louisville to pick up her daughter for the holidays. We have to wait until after her last performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol so we got tickets for that show at 7:00 pm. Before that, maybe a little shopping at the mall and then dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. We'll be getting home late and I plan to work half a day tomorrow. I probably should stay home today but I'm taking this opportunity for a little getaway before the two day family fest begins.
~*~
Much thanks and appreciation to abigail89 , davinator ,rachet , whimsicalmuse , avidbeader , annearchy , alissomora , and chaos_all-year for the lovely cards I’ve received recently. I’m enjoying the Artist’s Way book you sent, whimsicalmuse , and it is inspiring. :) I bought a poster frame yesterday, chaos_all-year, for the Dumbledore’s Army poster you sent and it looks awesome hanging on my wall. Thanks again to everyone! You guys are wonderful.
~*~
After Thursday’s purge of a post, the next day brought new medical happenings. Here’s the run down for assorted extended family members’ hospital happenings on Friday. One (my BIL’s grandmother, we all call her Granny) had a bad fall resulting in a broken sternum and ICU admittance. Another (Aunt Sue) was admitted to the hospital to receive 3 units of blood and a colonoscopy/endoscope. No definitive diagnosis so a CAT scan is now scheduled. Another (my cousin’s husband Rob) was letting his five-year old grandson practice his golf swing. Rob bent over to place a ball on the tee at the same time little Noah’s full golf swing got Rob in the face with the follow through. Rob passed out and woke up with a broken nose. He was actually in the ER the same time as Granny C. Let’s see, what else. Dad’s doctor told him in addition the kidney infection, tests also showed the presence of E. coli. That fall he had caused more internal problems than originally thought. The antibiotics are working though. *deep breath* And now a Merry Christmas to all ye fortunate enough not to be related to me. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if the partridge in a pear tree came down with Avian bird flu.
My uncle is not doing any better, still steadily declining. I decided to give him his Christmas present yesterday. I’d bought him one of those Vellux blankets. He stays cold, and his skin is so paper thin he bruises easily, so I thought a soft blanket might make him more comfortable. I took my mom and aunt to visit him Saturday and he didn’t recognize any of us. It’s such a sad thing to witness. My uncle has been in the nursing home for two and a half months and we’ve sort of adopted a few other residents during this time. Yesterday we started delivering some of the presents that my mom, sister, and I have bought for the residents who don’t have any family. Also, my niece and nephew’s church youth group went to the nursing home Friday night for caroling. They saw my uncle but he was sleeping. Actually, he’s been sleeping about 23 hours of the day for the past week. That’s still hard to fathom.
~*~
On December 14th, my son celebrated a birthday. His 21st. One minute you bring home one of these, then you feed and water them, and they grow up on you. This is a favorite pic of Matt with my niece and nephew. He was on a road trip with friends on his birthday but we had a family gathering with pizza and cake when he came home. What he asked for and what I bought him for his birthday? A new suit and a pair of Doc Martens. He chose a beautiful black pinstripe suit. My little boy's a grown-up now. Well, he looks like one at least. *g*
This past Monday, I spent the evening with my kid. We both had haircut appointments and went together. The same lady cuts both our hair but we seldom schedule them together. Actually it was my appointment, he needed one, and she stayed late for him. She’s related to Matt, being his father’s cousin. Yeah, I let my ex’s relative cut my hair. After our haircuts, we ate at a Chinese restaurant and then went Christmas shopping. He wasn’t any help with gift selections but did carry all the bags. Also, he never complained once during the entire outing. He did grin as he said he could lie down in the floor and have a tantrum for old times sake. I told him, if I recalled correctly, he only did that once. He said, if he recalled correctly, I walked off and left him lying there. Ahh, good times.
~*~
Every year I give all the immediate family at least one practical gift, usually a product I love and think they should have. Last year, it was memory foam pillows. Once before it was the Oral B toothbrushes. This year my across the board practical gift is microplush throws. The entire family is a bunch of nappers so they will enjoy them. I’m not a napper but I like to snuggle under one when I’m reading.
I may be enjoying Christmas shopping too much. I know it’s better to give than receive but I noticed something on my last two orders from Amazon. Nine of the fourteen books ordered … were for me. Er, Merry Christmas to me?! *g*
~*~
You Are a Fruitcake!
You taste like nothing else in this world.
And get ready, you're about to get tossed!
What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?
I iz a fruitcake? *token protest*
The Part of You That No One Sees
You are compassionate, caring, and soothing.
You like other people to depend on you...
In fact, you don't feel right unless you are helping someone out.
Underneath it all, you feel the burden of everyone's problems.
Without your guidance, you fear that many people's worlds would fall apart.
You like to feel in charge, even if it brings you a lot of stress.
What's the Part of You That No One Sees?
Well. I feel analyzed.
Sherry
- a teaspoon of promiscuity
- 2 heaping tablespoons of seduction
- 1/2 a cup of charisma
Mix together and serve hot.
'What is your personality recipe?' at QuizGalaxy.com
That’s missing a double shot of reality. Yes, but why is the rum gone?
~*~
My Christmas shopping is 95% complete and most of the wrapping done. Today I’m going with my friend to Louisville to pick up her daughter for the holidays. We have to wait until after her last performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol so we got tickets for that show at 7:00 pm. Before that, maybe a little shopping at the mall and then dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. We'll be getting home late and I plan to work half a day tomorrow. I probably should stay home today but I'm taking this opportunity for a little getaway before the two day family fest begins.
~*~