Nursing home card and Staff gift

Since this is the last day of December, I though I'd show you that one card I mentioned that mom got from a boy named Andy.  I thought it was the cutest thing. 

 

I had wanted to get beautifully fresh cut flowers in a basket for Christmas for the nursing home staff.  I thought they would last at least 1 1/2 weeks or so. I also thought the staff and residents could enjoy them.  My husband didn't care for that idea at all. 

 

BTW, the flower and candy votes were 4; cookies vote 8.My husband wanted to give cookies or candy. 

 

When I looked on the Internet about what kind of gifts to give staffs at nursing homes, they suggested buying something for each shift.  We thought to buy cookies for each shift and then also different people working  on the weekends that would cost us a small fortune.  Because people, I don't bake ;-)

 

We decided even though the vote didn't go this way, with candy.  My husband came up with the idea of buying some hard candy and other kinds.  That's what we did.  

 

He bought a tin and as you can see there's a lot of candy there.  We thought the workers could put a handful in their pockets and eat them all shift long.  We took it on a Friday and when we went the following Monday, I noticed there was some candy left that they put in a smaller container.  I think it was a very good choice and I'm pretty sure everyone got to eat some.although I still like the flower idea but I'm not bitter 

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Have a safe New Years Eve. 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas cards and stuff

These are the Christmas cards I received this year. I don't get as many as I used to but I still send to the people who don't send them back. I've noticed on a lot of blogs people talking about not getting a lot of cards this year.  I don't know if people were just late sending them, it's getting too expensive or with the Internet people are in more contact so they don't send them anymore. 

 

I used to tape them to the inside of the front door.  Now I tape them to the mirror in the dining room.  My aunt originally had it in her home.  She then gave it to my Mom and she had it for many years.  Then when Mom didn't want it anymore, I took it.  I'm thinking this is probably an antique mirror by now LOL.

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Nothing much has been happening.  I'm doing this and that around here but nothing that anyone would notice but me. 

 

I'm seriously thinking about taking the Christmas decorations down.  I talked to my son and he said he doesn't really care if they are up or not when he comes for a visit.  I would like to get the house back in order.  We'll see.

Ornaments and snow

I'm getting to the end of my decorations.  I have a whole lot more that I didn't put out this year.  Someday I would like to decorate every room in my home and I would still probably have a lot left over.  I thought I'd show you some tree ornaments.

This is our angel tree topper.  We bought it about a year or so after we were married.  So it's at least 30 years old.  I think we only had to put new light bulbs in once in all those years.  She's held up pretty well all these years.

These two were from a craft fair.

These two were from catalogs. 

This is a snowman my sister-in-law got for me.

 This little dove my husband had before we were married.  I have another Nativity that I used to put under the tree and we always hung this dove right above the Nativity.  The stable is kinda rickety now and I haven't put it up the last couple of years.  We still have been hanging the dove on the lower branch.  It's just waiting there for the stable to get fixed or if we ever get a new one.

 

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We finally got our snow that we didn't get on Christmas.  We probably got a few inches since Sunday. 

Bah Humbug and misc.

This is my husband's favorite decoration LOL.  Although technically, I guess it's not really a decoration.  He puts this button on his coat sometime right after Thanksgiving. We don't remember exactly when or where he originally got it but as you can see from the picture and it's somewhat ratty appearance, it's pretty old.

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We visited Mom yesterday and then went to her house.  She got a super high water and sewer bill and I think it was because her toilet was constantly running.  My husband turned it off.  We took a meter reading and will go next week and see if it slowed up the numbers.  There's been a little drama with the house which I don't want to get into but suffice it to say, I'll be happy when it's sold.  That made me a little Bah Humbug but thankfully, it didn't ruin Christmas for me. The real estate agent said after the first we will drop the price. 

Last night, I went to a friend's house for a little Christmas gathering and to exchange gifts with her.  Magellan and I bought her a Scentsy candle warmer.  We went to a party a few weeks ago and she wasn't able to come.  We decided then that's what we would get her for Christmas.  She happens to be a Snowman collector LOL.  Naturally, we got her one with Snowmen on it. 

From Magellan, I got a Scentsy plug in candle warmer.  In fact, we each picked one out at the party for our Christmas exchange to each other.  We figured this way we would get exactly what we wanted.  I also bought a bigger candle warmer.  Neither of them are Christmas.  I'll take a picture of both in January and show everyone what they look like.  They are pretty cool and are wickless. 

Santa, Snowman and not so much

I have these glass framed Snowman and Santa Claus. I hang them on either side of the felted snowmen picture.  Most of the things I got from catalogs were from a place called Terry's Village. I believe that is where this came from. I haven't bought anything from them for a few years though. 

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I didn't do much yesterday.  I did some laundry, a few dishes and ate leftovers. I was pretty lazy.  I guess it's the aftermath of all the hullabaloo over Christmas.

 

I hope you have a good Sunday.

Snowman and Recap

This is a snowman that sits atop my dining room table.  When you take it apart, it all fits into each other. 

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The Nativity scene from yesterday came from my brother and sister-in-law.  They brought it back from Mexico when they went on a trip years and years ago.  I still keep it wrapped up and in the same Christmas bag they gave it to me in.  Pretty soon, I'll have to get rid of the bag.  It's seen better days.

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We had a very nice Christmas Eve.  My brother and sister-in-law went and saw Mom.  He brought her a bunch of sugar free candy.  He left three bags there and brought the rest so I could disperse it to her over time. They then came over here. We had stuffed cabbage, ham, potato salad and baked beans with sausages.  I also had some candy and nuts out.  After we were done eating and were talking, I brought out the photo album to show my brother and his wife that I made for Mom.  We talked about all the pictures and wondered what happened to us.  We were all much skinnier LOL.  We had an apple pie from Schwan's and some vanilla ice cream but no one was hungry. We opened gifts.  I was happy to have the chocolate covered cherries for them  ;-) . It was a very nice time.  I gave them a tray of stuffed cabbage to take home and some potato salad.  They had ham at home so we didn't give them any. 

 

When we went to see Mom on Christmas Day, she was so excited.  Santa Claus had come in the morning when she was in her room.  She had me take her back to her room to show me what she got.  She got some candy in a bag, a calendar and a little picture frame.  There were a lot of people visiting residents today and the parking lot was packed.  We called my son and Mom talked to him for a little bit.  I think Mom was very pleased with the photo album.  She went through the whole album.  Hopefully, she will look at it again and again. 

 

Did you all have a good Christmas Eve and Christmas?

 

 

The Reason for the Season

Luke 2:9-12
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

4 snowmen etc.

I bought this through a catalog. I love how each snowman has a jingle bell, a wooden sled, broom or the birdhouse.  They are so fun.  The whole thing reminds me a quilt with appliques (if that is the correct term)

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Right when we were getting ready to leave yesterday from the nursing home, some carolers came.  Probably about 6 or 7 young people with Santa hats on.  I can't even imagine how many times carolers or Christmas entertainment have come.  I bet January is going to seem pretty boring there when the holidays are over. 

 

My cousins and their husbands came over the weekend.  Mom got a cute little stocking with a snowman in it and a Santa Claus ornament that lights up.  Also, some money which I will probably use for haircuts for her.  I think next year I'm not even going to bother with decorating the bulletin board, she got so many cards and stuff that I hung over the decorations. 

 

We cooked and did more prep work yesterday.  I'm waiting for my brother to call and tell me what time they will be coming.  He's going to see Mom first.  My husband and I will go Christmas afternoon so she will have family both days.  It will seem weird not seeing her on Christmas Eve. When I talked to my son today, I told him I would call him on mom's phone from the nursing home (it has an amplifier on it) so he can talk to her for Christmas. 

 

I decided we would eat leftovers here for Christmas so that will at least be good. 

 

I better get going, I've still got a ton of stuff to do.  Have a good Christmas Eve.

 

Gingerbread and stuff

Just pretend this isn't a little blurry.  I don't know how many pictures I took of this but I just couldn't get a clear one for some reason.  Kinda like my plan with the gingerbread.  I had the bright idea that I wanted to do my kitchen in all gingerbread stuff.  I bought some little garlands that a few years we taped on the cupboard doors.  Also, I bought some hot pads that I hung up above the stove.  I never really followed through with getting more gingerbread stuff.  This year the only thing that made it up were these blurry gingerbread people LOL.  Oh well, maybe in the future I will get back into it and get more gingerbread stuff.

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We went to the meeting at the nursing home.  It was like I thought it would be, everything was good.  I had a couple of questions but I could have just as well asked the nurse on duty. We probably were only in the room 5 or 6 minutes.  I think the next time there's a meeting, if there's no problem, I will probably pass on it.  As long as we were there, I just went in to say hi to mom for a minute and told her we'd be back today.

My husband went with the list and got all the food for Christmas Eve.  He was able to get the half of ham cut into quarters, so we'll be making that.  I'll put the rest in the freezer.  I can probably use it for Easter.  I did a few thing to prepare for cooking today.  I couldn't believe it when he came home, he thought to buy the chocolate covered cherries.  OMG, I completely forgot about them.  I was so happy. If I don't write things down, I completely forget.   I told him I would have just felt terrible if we hadn't have got them.  He really saved the day ;-)

Placemats et al

These placemats I have on my coffee and end table.  I do have snowman ones that are similar LOL but I decided not to use them this year.  Don't remember where I got them from but probably a catalog.  I used to get a lot of my Christmas things from catalogs.

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When I first saw Mom yesterday, I thought what's that on her head.  It looked like a headband.  Sure enough it was.  Supposedly, the "coughing guy" gave it to her.  When I looked at the decorations on it more closely, they were all little skull and crossbones.  I don't know what that's supposed to mean LOL. 

 

On our way out to go home, I talked to the receptionist about Mom not getting her haircut last week.  I asked if the beautician would be in on Tuesday and she said she was there now.  She called up and the lady said I could bring Mom up right away.  So, I went back and got Mom, took her up, she got the wash, cut and blow dry and came back right in time for lunch.  I guess the woman had so many people to do and with not coming in on Thursday she decided to work today.  It was a good thing I asked.  She did put the headband back on when she left the beautician ;-)

Another craft fair find and 2 mysteries

I bought this at a craft fair.  Every year I would go with my friend to this one craft fair.  I would always see these framed scenes.  You can't really tell from the picture but the snowmen are popped out a little almost like 3D.  I probably looked at them for 5 years.  I would always think before I went that I would buy one. Then when we would go, I would debate with myself if I should buy one, but I could never justify spending the money when it came down to it.  Then finally one year, I saw this little one and it spoke to me LOL and I shelled out the money.  Plus, I was afraid that sooner or later this person would stop selling them.  Believe me, that's happened to my friend and I.  We didn't buy something thinking it would be there the following year and it wasn't. 

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Number 1 mystery: Sunday morning when I opened the blinds I looked for the newspaper in the driveway and it looked like the newspaper wasn't there.  Although there were signs that it had been there.  Then I noticed on the walkway up to the front steps there were little paw prints, even on the front landing.  So, I get a coat on and go outside to look to make sure the newspaper isn't really there because I thought maybe with the snow I just wasn't seeing it.  I got a couple of feet from where the newspaper should have been but it was gone.  I saw more paw prints on the grass but neither those nor the ones by the walkway were really close to where the newspaper was supposed to be.  There also weren't car tracks in the driveway or footprints where someone would have come and taken the newspaper. I went back in the house and I'm thinking what could have happened to it.  I decided to open the door and take a look outside once more and then I spot the newspaper.  It was by my neighbor's evergreen next to our driveway.  I can't figure out how it got there.  Evidently at one time it was in the driveway.  I thought maybe a deer (because that's what my husband thinks walked on the front grass) or a cat (that's what we think walked on the front walkway) seemed to be close enough to pick it up to put it where it was.  I guess this will be one mystery that will go unanswered but that won't stop me from trying to figure it out ;o)

 

Sunday when we went to see Mom, she was playing bingo. She won two little candy bars.  She said they had already done the rosary.  Then at 1:00, they were having Christmas carolers come in.  Boy, she is busier than me.

 

Number 2 mystery: When Mom was playing bingo, I took her pop and candy that I bring her when we go to her room.  I noticed when I was in there the stuffed animals were gone.  Then I saw that the gorilla stuffed animal was on the night stand but I didn't see the teddy bear one.  I'm not sure what happened to it.  I didn't ask Mom because I figured if she didn't know it was missing I wasn't going to tell her LOL.Maybe eventually this mystery will get solved.     

Santa clock et al

One year my husband bought me this Santa clock.  Usually I have batteries in it but for some reason I didn't put them in this year. 

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 Yesterday, I got most of my cleaning done.  I'll finish up today.  I had one more thing to wrap and that should be it.

On Friday, we took what we bought for the staff.  I think it was a good choice.  I took pictures and I'll explain why we decided on it.  I think it was a pretty logical choice, if you ask me LOL.

My son's girlfriend and mother came to visit on Friday morning.  That was very nice.  We visited for probably a half hour.  It was good to see them.  They brought Christmas cookies which was a good thing.

We've been lucky in the snow department.  We hardly got any which is unusual but I'm not complaining LOL.

Door Hanger et al

I have this snowman door hanger on the inside front door and it has a couple of bells on it.  So, I guess I still have a little bell action going on with the door ;o)  I'm not sure where I got this.  Probably a catalog. 

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I'm going to be busy getting my house cleaned and writing my list of what food we have to buy for Christmas Eve this weekend.  I'll probably make the stuffed cabbage Wednesday then I will just reheat it.  I'm debating on if I should get a ham or not since there will only be the four of this year.  Last year, we gave my brother half of the half of ham to take home LOL.  I guess that was good for them because they had something to eat for a few days.  I will have to see. I had a few presents to wrap and I did that last night. 

Earlier in the week, I mentioned to the nurse that Mom's legs looked like they were starting to swell again.  It just so happened that the doctor came in that same day.  He decided to just have them elevate Mom's legs when she is in bed to see if the swelling will go down on its own because double dosing her with the water pill isn't that great for her kidneys. 

I was a little upset because Mom didn't get her haircut this week.  The person that cuts it is only in on Tuesdays and Thursdays (the days I don't go, it figures) and the regular receptionist wasn't in yesterday.  I will have to talk to someone Monday to see if the beautician will be in on Tuesday and can cut her hair then. Otherwise, she will have to wait until after Christmas. 

When we got there yesterday, Mom wanted to show me something in her room.  I wheeled her down and sitting by her TV were two little stuffed animals.  A teddy bear and a gorilla.  Apparently, they had something the other night and they were on the tables and everyone was allowed to take one.  She said the guy that was sitting at her table didn't want one and he told her to take it. 

Christmas magnets et al

My son when he was little and my husband for a while were giving me Christmas magnets for Christmas. One year they couldn't find any so they made their own. You'll notice in the last row; one was a little Christmas bag I had that they put a magnet on; the other two are Christmas tags and they put magnetic backing on.  I thought that was pretty clever.  That was, however, the last year I got magnets  LOL.

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I got Mom's photo album almost done.  It took me a long time to pick out the pictures.  Then I kept putting different ones in and taking others out.  I finally decided enough was enough.  Yesterday, I put tape behind the pictures because they are all different sizes and I didn't want them to fall out when she looks at them.  Overall, I think it looks pretty good. I hope she likes it and will look at it frequently.  The only thing I'm still thinking on is the title on the front of the album.  I have a picture of her and I titled it "This is Your Life" but that seems too corny to me now and reminds me of the old TV show.  So, I have to think up a new title.  Then I'll be done.  I've got one more week LOL. 

I had a Christmas miracle [I hope saying this doesn't jinx me].  My tooth stopped hurting since I've been on the antibiotics.  I called the dentist and I decided to wait and see what happens with this tooth.  I hope I don't regret it. 

Friend decoration and Mom

 

I got this decoration from a friend of mine.  "Friends melt your Heart".  I learned something about this decoration when I took a picture of it and was going to blog about it.  On the one little snow person it has my name.  For some reason all these years I never noticed it. Must be my bad eyes LOL.  Plus, now that I'm thinking about it she probably hand painted it.  She is a very good artist and other years she's given me something handmade.  I love it even more now that I figured that out ;-) (It actually looks better in person; must be the camera flash that makes it look so shiny, oh well)

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When we went to visit Mom on Monday, she said some person came down and took something off her bulletin board and wrote something and put it back up.  I went and looked and didn't see anything.  Then I took her back to her room and she showed me.  On the back of this paper that has her room number on it, is a list of things.  It reminded me of a "report card" but with checks.  It had categories like confusion, behavior, how many people they need to assist to get a person up one or two, etc.  Some were blank and some were checked off.  I think this is so if anyone has to do something for mom that doesn't know her they can look at the paper and no what she can and cannot do for herself.  On December 22nd, we will have our first care conference since Mom's been in long term.  I never thought of it this way but now that I've seen the "report card", this conference reminds me of a "parent-teacher" conference.  I'm glad Mom told me about the list so I could look at it so I'll know pretty much what they will say. Thank goodness there weren't any checks for bad behavior LOL.  I had a friend recently email and write  "when did we become the parent" and I knew exactly what she meant.

Wreath et al

A few years ago, my son's girlfriend made us this wreath.  It's out of tied material.  I think it's the cutest thing. I really love handmade things. It looks like it would be easy to make but time consuming.  I remember years ago making wreaths out of coat hangers and tissue paper.  Anyone do this?

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When we went to see Mom on Monday, she was in the day room and the activity person was handing out things to each resident.  They must have come from children at a school or church.  When I went to get Mom to take her to the lounge, she had in her hands a glittery decorated ornament on a piece of paper.  Also, a reindeer head made out of popsicle sticks.  It was really cute. 

As I started to push Mom away to go the lounge area, I noticed the woman sitting next to my mom was either licking the reindeer head or was trying to eat it.  I think she doesn't see real well because she had these black lenses in her glasses.  Usually in the morning they give the residents a glass of ginger ale and sometimes a little treat like cookies, chips. 

I felt kinda bad for the woman.  So I said "Oh, that's not something to eat.  That's a reindeer decoration."  She said "That was silly of me."  I told her "Don't worry about it."  I don't know if I should have said something or not.  The activities person was a few people away and didn't see. But I didn't want that poor woman to think that was something to eat.  I just never know when I go there if I should say something when I see something or not. I certainly wouldn't want to embarrass anyone.

Santa wreath, dentist, tour

Another craft fair find.  This Santa Claus Welcome wreath used to hang where the Snowman Happy Holidays (the one in my header) sign now hangs.  When I bought it, I thought it was going to look great.  When I put it up and took a picture of it, I realized it was way too small.  I did use it there for a couple of years until I found the decoration in my header.  Now the Santa Claus Welcome hangs on a small wall and doesn't look quite as small. 

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I went to the dentist yesterday.  OMG, this might turn into a project.  I thought I would have to have root canal on that tooth but guess what?  I already had root canal on that tooth.  Who remembered?  Obviously not me. He thought it could be because my bite was off or it could be an infection.  So, he drilled some off the tooth and took an x-ray. The x-ray showed nothing.  He said he would put me on an antibiotic and see if that helped the annoyance/pain which is no guarantee if it helps that it couldn't return.  He ended up taking an impression for the other tooth next to it since that needed a crown because the filling was so big.  I have to call him back on Thursday and let him know if it is better.  If not, I would need what ever is left of that tooth to get pulled.  Joy to the World, just want I want to have done right before Christmas. I guess that would be one way of me not overeating for the holidays ;-) .  He is not going to send the impression in for the crown on the other tooth until he finds out about the hurting tooth because I would need a bridge made (to know where if you ask me).  I'm hoping and praying that the tooth stops hurting.  The receptionist said she could get me in on Tuesday if need be.  Oh boy, lucky me.  If I do, I suppose I could take a chance and wait until after Christmas but the way this is going I could imagine waking up on Christmas Day and finding myself in much more pain.  I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it LOL. 

Did anyone go over to Nester's Christmas tour?  I've only looked at about 50 so far. There's already almost 1000 links.   I'm determined to go look at every blog even if it takes me until next Christmas to do it.  I could really use a wireless lap top LOL.

Decorations galore

For my regular readers all two of you these pictures will look familiar.  Over at Nester's she is doing a Christmas Tour of Homes. I decided to put up a few of the decorations you've already seen (since I am trying to feature one a day in Dec and tell you a little something about it) because I want you to be able to go there and see all the beautiful decorations of other peoples homes.  Believe me, there will be 100s and 100s, etc., of blogs you can go and visit.  So over the holidays or into January when you get a chance, go look at some of them every day.  You will get many ideas of something you might want to do in your home.  Go on, it will be fun. I know I will.

Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes go here: http://www.thenester.com/2009/12/christmas-tour.html

Snowmen again

I bought this at a craft fair.  It hangs above the couch.  It took me years to find something to put there.  Normally, there is a picture that hangs there.  I used to put red shiny wrapping paper over the picture with a big bow.  I liked it but it got old after about 15 years or so ;-)

 

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I haven't done much over the weekend.  My son's girlfriend is coming home for about a week so I had to get her Christmas presents together and wrapped because we will see her sometime. 

 

I've also been nursing my tooth, trying to eat soft things.  Right now it's more annoying than hurting.  I hope it stays that way until Monday. 

 

My brother dropped some mail off from Mom's so I gave him her nativity set so he could get it up before Christmas.  I was looking at a couple of old photos of him and there are a couple of him with the stable.  One he's standing in front of it and the other he's laying next to it.   So, I think he was meant to have it.

gift poll

I put a little poll up if you have the time can you vote? You see it; it's to the right.  I would like to get the nurses and aides something at the nursing home for Christmas.  Of course, I first have to find out what the rules are which I'm going to do.  My husband and I have two different opinions.  If you have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comments.  Thanks.

Jingle Bells

Another craft fair find.  This used to hang on the inside of my front door.  I only had it for 2 years and then we got new doors.  So much for that. I didn't want to wreck the new door.  I now just hang it on a wall and every once in a while I go and shake the bells to hear them ring LOL.

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I made an appointment for Mom to get her haircut next week.  It's starting to get a little unruly again.  She will look nice for Christmas.

I forgot to mention when I was there Wednesday, the first thing Mom told me was her roommate got in trouble.  I don't think I mentioned but when Mom first came to that room the nurse told me that the roommate slept with no clothes on and sometimes walked around naked.  In fact, the first couple of days Mom told me it was true because she had witnessed it.  I guess Mom has gotten used to it now and it doesn't bother her.  Occasionally, when I've been there she gets out of bed with a top on and walks to the bathroom just in her underpants.  I just pretend I don't notice. My husband leaves the room when he sees she's getting out of bed.  Other times, she gets out of bed when I'm there and puts her skirt on.  One time when we were visiting in the lounge with Mom, I took some pop to her room and there was the roommate walking back from the bathroom with no underpants on LOL.  Anyhow, the woman across the hall passed away a couple of weeks ago.  It's a private room and a new person moved in there.  Apparently, someone from that room, I don't know if it was the resident or someone from their family, complained that Mom's roommate was being indecent.  Oh,Oh.  The nurse must have came and said something to her about having to wear clothes.  Mom was really ticked and saying," how could they see from that room.  And who cares, she's an old, wrinkly lady" ;-) .  So, I think Mom and the roommate have bonded.

Nursing Home decorations

When we go see Mom we sometimes take her to the lobby.  This is a picture of her sitting in front of the fireplace there; not looking at the camera LOL.

To the right of the fireplace is this Christmas tree

This is her bulletin board I made for her this year.  Probably next year, I will look for something else.  The red handmade Christmas card on the left bottom was from a group of kids that came to sing Christmas carols to the residents.  They gave each resident one. Mom really liked that.  Mom just loves singing.  In fact, I think she is known for HER singing there ;-)

Every Friday some residents sell crafts that they make or sometimes they have a bake sale.  Since mom doesn't have room for a tree I bought this for her.  It's very cute.  It's made out of Styrofoam, with doubled up ribbon stuck in with hat pins and little star decorations.  **********************************************************************************

Since it worked out so well giving the roommate some Thanksgiving decorations I decided to do the same for Christmas.  I took all the little Thanksgiving stuff and just left them on her little dresser under the bulletin board.  I put some of the snowflakes and snowmen up and I also bought her one of those little Christmas trees that I put by the window for her.  When we came back a few days later, not only did she have the decorations that I put for Christmas, she put the Thanksgiving decorations back up on the board too LOL.  I'll probably leave up a few of the decorations for mom after Christmas because it will still be wintertime.  I think I'm going to leave the roommates decorations alone and see how long she keeps them up.   

Joy - not so much

This is one of my craft fair finds.  I just love the reindeer with the sticks for ears.  Cute.

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I don't feel very joyful right now. 

When I went to the dentist on Monday, he mentioned I should start having crowns put on some of my teeth that have really big fillings.  I said okay but I would start next year after the holidays.  I think he jinxed me or the hygienist did too good of a job on my cleaning and riled my teeth up. Tuesday night, my one tooth started to bother me.  Yesterday it starting hurting a little more.  I was going to wait a couple of days to see if it stopped but then I decided to call the dentist.  I forgot they weren't in.  I left a message for them to call me.  Hopefully, I can get in soon before it really starts hurting worse.  Unfortunately, I see root canal besides a crown in my future.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so.  That's what I get for going LOL. 

Tomorrow I'm going to take a detour from my decorations.  I took a few pictures at the nursing home and I'm going to show those.

edited: I can't go to the dentist until Monday.  BooHoo. I hope it's not hurting worse by then.

Star Ornament & Memories

I've been in a melancholy mood the last couple of days. I chose this picture because when my son was in kindergarten, he made this ornament for us.  When I think back to that time, besides reading to him during the day, I was still reading him a story before he went to bed at night.  From the time, he was old enough to listen I felt it was very important to read to him and we always got to spend that one on one time together.

I always used to say the same thing to him before he went to sleep:  "Good night. Sleep tight.  I love you as big as the whole universe.  Happy dreams.  Good night. See you in the morning."  Eventually, I stopped reading to him but it was many years before I gave up the saying to him before he went to sleep.  When he was in junior high, they went to Washington, DC for their spring trip.  I even slipped a little note with that on it in his bag.  Did you have anything special you did with your children before they went to bed?

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I must be in this mood because of looking at all the pictures for my mom's photo album.  I have vague memories of my mother's mother.  From the time I remember her, she was ill.  She had Parkinson's disease and I always remember her sitting in a chair and shaking.  My grandfather was a character and a good man.  He had a two family house that you shared a bathroom and we lived in the back and he lived in the front.  I remember he used to make these really good fried potatoes, real thin.  I used to sneak in his kitchen when he was in the living room and take a few out of the frying pan LOL.  I'm sure he knew but he never said anything.  We used to watch TV with him and watched the polka show and wrestling.  It's nothing like the wrestling they have now LOL.

My father's mother was from Europe.  She came to America when she was pretty young. Every year for Christmas, she would give us a box of chocolate covered cherries.  Oh, how we loved them.  After she passed away, I picked up the tradition and gave them to mom, dad, my brother and sister-in-law.  Every year I wrap them and everyone laughs because they know what they are but if I didn't get them I know that my brother and sister-in-law would miss them.  My husband does the same for me. My grandmother was married twice and widowed twice before I was even born. 

Sometimes life seems to happen in a blink of an eye.

Christmas candy dish et al

This is my Teddy Bear Candy Dish.  My husband makes sure it's supplied with Christmas Hershey Kisses and Christmas Reese Cups.  I used to share them with my son.  Unfortunately, now that he's not here it looks like I'll be eating 99% of them myself.  My husband can eat just one and be satisfied.  Who does that LOL???

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I went Sunday to Office Max and bought a little album to put pictures in for mom for Christmas.  There's not much she needs and since her room is so small, she has no pictures of family.  I've been going through her old photo's and picking some out.  Unfortunately, she never labeled most of them and I'm not sure who a lot of these people are.  I'm also going to add newer photo's that we've taken over the years. 

I really have to start going through our photo's too and labeling them.  Looking through them, there's some people that we knew at the time but now I don't even remember their names.  Oh well.

I went for my six month cleaning and check up at the dentist yesterday and they are doing a new thing.  They usually check my mouth to see if there is any oral cancer.  Now, they have a new test.  You have to swish around this liquid in your mouth for a minute.  Supposedly, it's vinegar (which it tasted like) and raspberry flavoring and then in the dark they shine this light in your mouth.  It's supposed to light up differently I guess if there is any start of cancer.  Unfortunately, insurance doesn't pay for it but I let them go ahead and do it anyhow. When I came home, I read up on it.  It seems like it's kind of an iffy test if it works or not.    I guess this is all related to the wellness thing.  Hopefully, these tests will work out and people will be able to find out sooner rather than later if they are starting to get cancer.  Now, if only the insurance companies would see the value in paying for this.  That would definitely be a good thing.

Gift Exchange & Dinner Friends Part 2

This silvery, sparkly Merry Christmas sign was the second gift I got from the gift exchange. 

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Now for the rest of the story... Before we went to the restaurant my husband told me one time when he was 12 years old, he painted some of the upstairs of this place.  It was a bar at that time.  His uncle was a painter by trade and when he needed extra help and was running up against a deadline, he would sometimes call my husband to help. 

The restaurant was an old brick Victorian Mansion.  When we went in, they took us up this big steep staircase to a separate room (I'm thinking it must have been a bedroom at one time).  There were only like four tables in the room that you could seat eight at each table.  The food was really delicious.  I had a stuffed cornbread pork chop.  MMMMMMMM Whatever everyone had to eat they loved it. We caught up with what's been happening with everyone. Then I had to use the restroom.  OMG, there was a shower in there.  I was tempted to try to turn the shower on to see if it worked but I was afraid I would get wet LOL.  It sure was tempting though. Over the years, we've been to many restaurants and seen many things in them but I never saw something like this.   

After we ate, we went to my friend's house for a while that doesn't live far from there.  We did the gift exchange, talked some more and had some wine.  Her husband had placed some goodies on the island in the kitchen before we arrived.  Even though I was stuffed, I ended up having a couple of cookies.  I finally went in the family room and talked to her husband to avoid the treats.  Their daughter lives in Maryland and they had just gotten back.  She hurried up and decorated for Christmas knowing that we would probably come over.  I wish I would have thought to take some pictures.  Her decorations were beautiful. 

When it was time to leave, we followed another friend until Magellan and I knew we weren't going to get lost;-)  We had a wonderful Christmas gathering.  Unfortunately, some were unable to come because of health problems in their families and we missed them.  Hopefully, all the dinner friends will be back together for January. 

When I got home, my husband and I talked about the evening.  He then told me when he was young the place was rumored to have been a brothel at some point in the past LOL.  I wish I would have known that before I went.  I really didn't get to see the downstairs of the place at all..  I think I will have to go back with him now and check out the whole place a little more closely. 

Gift Exchange & Dinner Friends Part 1

I went out with my dinner friends on Friday and we had a gift exchange.  I got two gifts. Since these are decorations, I thought I'd add them to my list of things to show.  Isn't this the cutest Christmas penguin you've ever seen?  In its arms, is a throw.  I haven't taken the throw out to look at it yet because I pretty much know I won't ever get it back in the arms the correct way. 

I decided to show the other gift tomorrow.  When I wrote the post about my evening, it turned almost into a book.  You would have had to grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or depending on the time of day, a glass of wine to read it.  So, part one is today. I found out something very interesting about the restaurant we went to after I got home which will be in part two. 

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The drive to the restaurant was very eventful.  I asked my friend who was driving if I could use it for blog material. She said okay but I should call her Magellan LOL.  She is probably one of the best friends I've ever had.  I've known her since our kids were in kindergarten and they are 28 and 27 now.  We've been through the good, the bad, the funny and the ugly together.  Sometime I'll have to tell you about some of the things we've been through but probably only the good and funny stuff ;-). 

So, she picks me up and we start driving and I think we're going to the freeway but then she makes this turn.  I then thought she must have forgot something at home but we didn't turn down her street.  It ended up we were talking so much she was thinking we had to go another freeway (this happens a lot to us). We turned back and got to the right one. 

We were supposed to be at the restaurant at 6:00 which is still rush hour.  There's also a big mall the way we went. Unfortunately, there was so much traffic that we had to stay in the lane where you get off to the mall.  Needless, to say it was bumper to bumper traffic.   

We finally get passed that and it was clear sailing until one friend called from the restaurant.  I told her we were running late and we were close to the exit.  Being on the freeway Magellan was driving pretty fast.  All of a sudden, I start paying attention and instead of driving on the freeway Magellan accidentally starting driving into the rest stop.  OMG, I thought we were going to die because she was probably driving at 55, 60 or 65 mph.  I yelled and said "Magellan you're driving into the rest stop."  LOL, I can only imagine what our friend on the phone thought.  Thankfully, no dying happened. 

We get back on the freeway and we finally reach the exit.  The restaurant is in the town my husband grew up in and I was kinda familiar with where it was but instead I decided to follow the person's directions that planned the dinner so we could see the town square decorated.  In the over 35 years that I've gone to this town, I never once saw them so I thought it would be neat.  Naturally, once we were close we didn't make the correct turn but we figured out how to get back on track saw the lights and ended up at the restaurant.  I was pretty happy when we got there in one piece. 

I would like to think if it wasn't dark when we were going,  we would have had an easier time getting there but knowing Magellan and me who knows LOL. 

The Surprise decoration

I was invited to my friend's house to make gingerbread houses a few years ago.  We all brought are own kits and extra candy to make them.  What we failed to realize was that once you made the houses (one person brought a little train kit) you had to let them dry in order to put the decorations on.  Duh!!  Some of us (who shall remain nameless) couldn't even get the houses to stick together at all. I think we even used a hair dryer to try to dry it more quickly.  Two of the some of us (I think there were 4) got theirs to at least stick and somewhat decorated.  One of us ended up taking it home and putting it in the basement to do the following year.  The next year when that time came, one of us decided it was way too much trouble and pitched it LOL.

Anyhow, when I was at this friend's house, I saw this picture of the snowmen hanging on her wall. I must have told her 30 2 times how much I loved it.  A day or two later, there was a knock at my door and standing there was my friend with the picture.  She gave it to me.  Now doesn't that just warm your heart.  I know it did mine.  Every time I put it up for Christmas, I think of her.

Santa, the Angel and the Snowman et al.

Forget that they aren't evenly spaced. I didn't notice until I took the picture.

The Santa Claus was another Christmas thing my son bought for me. I fell in love with it the instant I saw it. I've never had a Santa Claus with anything other than red clothes. The green on the clothes is so pretty to me. It also plays White Christmas. Beautiful.

The Angel was from Party Lite. I'm sure everyone in their lifetime has been to at least one, two or three of these parties ;o) Normally, there is a white taper candle that goes in this but I never light it and you can't really even tell there's supposed to be one there. This year I decided not to add it.

The Snowman was from one of my Dinner Friends and naturally there's a story to that. We had our Christmas dinner at a fancy, fancy restaurant. I checked my coat. When I was getting my coat, I put the gift exchange on a chair by the coat room. I don't know what happened but my one friend and I were there and somehow it broke. She took the blame for it. I'm not really sure it was her fault. It could have been mine and she went out and got me another one. Don't I have such nice friends.

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Tonight is my Christmas dinner with my dinner friends.  We are going out a little farther than usual so I hope the weather will cooperate.  We might get some flurries.

I'm thinking I didn't win anything at the raffle at the nursing home.  Unless when we go today and they say I'm a winner LOL but I'm not counting on it.  Oh well, it was for a very good cause.  I really have more stuff than I can put out anyway.
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edited: Kelly's Corner is doing Show you Life - Christmas trees.  If you go down to my Dec. 2nd post you can click on the link and see some people's Christmas trees.  

Snow people et al

Every day through December I'm going to put a decoration from my house up.  Lucky you, ha.  To make it more boring fun I might tell you something about it.  Since I put the Snow People Welcome up by the 1st and the Tree up on the 2nd, so far I'm right on track. (Wasn't that convenient, since I just thought of doing this during the middle of the night last night).

I love, love snowmen.  In fact, I'm somewhat of a collector of them.  I didn't know I was until a few years ago when I started looking around my house when it was decorated and noticed most of my decorations were snowmen.

Every year I always ask my son to buy me something Christmas.  He got me the stuffed snowman on the left and also if you can see the little Rudolph the Reindeer (musical) were from him. Just click on the picture to get a larger view.

Then there's a glass snowman I got from a friend.Also, the small tiny duck snowman.

The Let It Snow people were actually a gift gone awry.  I bought them from a catalog,  It was supposed to be for a gift exchange.  Believe it or not, it was under $15.  I was expecting this little thing and when UPS came and brought it; I was flabbergasted at the size.  I guess I didn't notice the size when ordering.  I decided to keep them for myself.  They  fit perfectly on that shelf.

The snow people in the bucket, I bought at a craft fair.

edited: I forgot.  You see that shelf?  My husband made that for me one year before Christmas just so I could put more holiday decorations up.  He is very talented.

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Not much is going on.  We went to see mom yesterday.  Everything was good over there.

I did laundry and have one more load to do today.  I can't believe I'm going to say this but I cleaned out my sock drawer LOL.  I lead such a fun life.

Have a good day.

Ta Daaaa

DONE

edited:  There is another edition of Show your Life with people showing their Christmas Trees at Kelly's you might

want to check them out . http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2009/12/show-us-your-life-christmas-trees.html

What I learned this week (through the years)

When we were dating and then got married, at first my husband and I did Thanksgiving at both families.  That didn't last long because it was just too much driving and too much eating.  We decided to go to my parents for Thanksgiving and we would visit my in-laws on the weekend.  At Christmas time, my immediate family celebrated on Christmas Eve and we would go to my grandma's on Christmas Day.  My husband's family celebrated on Christmas Day.  So again for a couple of years we did both.  Then grandma went to a nursing home and we just went to my husband's family for Christmas Day.  We still celebrate Christmas Eve with my family but when my in-laws passed we now do it on another day.  It could be before Christmas or after, like this year we won't be celebrating until after the new year.

 

Besides the normal stress of getting your decorations up, buying presents, the never ending holiday commitments; the biggest one for some families is whose family are they going to celebrate with on the actual holiday.  In some families this can be trouble with a capital T and very complicated.

 

It seems to me some envision the actual holiday like a "Norman Rockwell" painting which it seldom is.  I've seen on blogs; people in such turmoil over where to spend the holidays.  I have a friend when she was married and her kids were little have such a dilemma over where to go every year.  Traditions are good but sometimes you and your extended family have to be flexible with them. 

 

So what I learned through the years is it's not that important what day you celebrate the holiday with family but that you get to enjoy the day you celebrate because you are not pulled between the families. 

 

To see what others have learned this week - head over to

http://www.musingsofahousewife.com/2009/12/what-i-learned-this-week-15.html

 

 

 

Not much

My slowly but surely, didn't get my tree done LOL.  I fooled around all day off and on decorating it and then it got too dark where I couldn't really see where I needed to put more ornaments.  I WILL definitely get it done today. 

Did anyone when their kids were little read a book called "Snow"  by Philip D. Easman & Roy McKie.  I used to read this all the time to my son when he was little.  We used to especially laugh when it said "Do you like it in your face" and then the child would say "Yes, I like it any place".  I think I used to laugh more than my son.  Every time we have the first snow, I always laugh and think about that little book.  How I miss those times.

This and that

Yesterday when I was opening a can for the dog, I cut the top of my index finger.  Ouch!!  It was bleeding a lot.  I almost thought I was going to need stitches.  We put peroxide on it and bandaged it pretty good.  I cleaned it again in the evening and it was still bleeding but only a little bit.  So I put another band aid on.  This morning it's fine.  Thank goodness, I would have hated to go to ER.

We went to see mom as usual.  We sat in the lobby by the fireplace.  It's so cozy.

I bought some raffle tickets there.  They are raffling off some little decorated Christmas trees and wreaths on December 3rd.  Each department made them.  The raffle is for Alzheimer's.  This is the first year they did this and she said they've gotten a good response.  Hopefully, we might win something.

I'm decorating the tree slowly but surely.  I'll probably get it done today.  After that I still have a few more things to get out and then I should be done.

Have a good day.

Black Friday and decorations

Did anyone go out yesterday for Black Friday?  I didn't.  I went one time when my son was younger.  I went to Best Buy with my girlfriend to buy a video game.  I think we went about 6 a.m. When we were standing in line I told her, I wasn't going to fight somebody for a stupid game LOL.  That was the first and last time I went. 

We didn't get the tree up yesterday, wah!!  Ron just wasn't into it.  He's putting it up now.  Usually he puts it up on Friday with the lights and I decorate in on Saturday.  I don't know when I will do it.  Did you start putting up your decorations yet?

Thanksgiving recap

We had a really great time at my brother and sister-in-laws.  Good food and good company.  I hadn't seen my sister-in-laws family for years.  It was good to catch up with them.  I was so stuffed.  I ate more than usual (not good for my weight).  I think it had a lot to do with the fact that we didn't have to cook it, just eat it.  They didn't want us to bring anything but my neighbor behind gave us a pumpkin roll.  We left some here but took the majority of it there.  My brother took mom's dining room set so we were able to use that to eat at.  Also, the buffet.  Mom never really used it to put food on so it looked nice.  I wouldn't mind going there again next year ;0)  We got some leftover turkey which we will probably have tonight. 

We went to see Mom for a little bit yesterday morning before we went to my brother's.  Everyone was in the day room watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  I asked her today did she have a good Thanksgiving meal.  She said they had turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, corn, beets and pumpkin pie.  I'm pretty sure she was talking about lunch and supper but she said it was all good.

First Snow

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. this morning - I think because when we got home from my brother's I laid down to watch Survivor.  The next thing I knew it was 9:00 p.m. oh oh.  This is what I saw (I had to brighten it up a little bit) when I opened the blinds this morning.

 about 6 a.m.

Then about 7:30 a.m. I saw this. Although the first picture of the posts are a little dark, look at how much more snow is on them.

                                                             and the trees

I'll be back later after I see mom to let you know how her Thanksgiving and ours went.

Things I am thankful for....

I am thankful for my husband.   He is such a good and thoughtful man.  I am very blessed to have him in my life and I know it.

I am thankful for my son. Even though he won't be with us this year (I'll miss him a lot) for Thanksgiving. I'm happy that he's having an adventure and living out of state. He was brave to do that and I know he's going to learn so much. He really turned out to be a kind, compassionate guy (although I will always call him my kid). I will be so excited to see him in January. 

I am thankful for my Mom. A few months ago I thought she might not be here.  She is just thriving now.  She is safe, healthy and happy.

I am thankful for the Nursing Home.  They are taking such good care of her.  You worry when you choose a place for a parent to live.  I know I picked a winner.

I am thankful that everyone in my family seems to be doing pretty well.  Although some have had trials and tribulations this year, I know the future will be better for them.

I am thankful for my brother and sister-in-law for having Thanksgiving this year.  That means no cooking and cleaning for us; and that's a good thing.

I am thankful for that little picture on the top of this post.  One year my husband got a recipe for stuffing, I typed it out and he had our son draw a picture of a turkey on it. I don't remember how old he was.  Every year I print it out and my husband uses it for the stuffing and I see that little turkey and it makes me smile. This year since he won't be making it - I thought it would be apropos to still honor this little turkey by putting it in a post ;-).  I'm just so thankful that I saved it all these years.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.  Hope it's a good one.  See you all on Friday.