My week was all over the place as I'm sure it was for you. We had a mini Christmas celebration here at the house. I had a few tears of joy and sadness. It was awesome as I did not have to do much except set up the dining room and some cleanup. My sister made the delicious lasagna as well as sauce/meatballs and dessert. My oldest nephew Shamus was home for a quick visit with his significant other Shayla and her daughter Eliza. I made a new best friend with 3-year old Eliza as I have many musical decorations and for some reason small kids like me...LOL! We explored the house together and played every decoration a few times. For a 3-year old, Eliza was excellent with my mom and with Lady. She was gentle and kind. Oh I'm sure she could throw a good tantrum when necessary, but not this day.
I had told my mom for several days that Shamus was coming as she always called him "my boy." Although my mom did not speak, she watched every move Shamus made. I did not realize he liked my dad's hats until he tried on the one I have out for my mom to see. I've only seen Shamus wear baseball caps and my dad wore flat caps and he had many. When Shamus told me I got them out. He sat where my mom could see and tried on many of the hats. He looked so good in them and he took a few - which made me happy. I guess I kept them for this reason. He looks so much like my dad (except for the scraggly beard) that I wonder if she was having memories of younger days.
During our celebration I had a phone call from the elderly neighbor I drive back/forth to the nursing home to see her brother. We were going to visit the next day and she wanted to confirm. She said the nursing home called and he took a turn for the worse. I said I'm sorry I can't take you now, but tomorrow I will come get you. Well he passed during the night and I knew when he appeared in my dream. Talk about feeling guilty for not taking her to see him. She called me first thing in the morning to let me know and I expressed my sorrow and guilt. She said it was ok as I had already done so much for her. I did take her on Friday to pick up his things and see the aids that took care of him. Still a bit of guilt lingers (I know I'm the one who tells everyone guilt is a useless emotion), but I am so grateful that I was able to help her all these months.
This past week I was able to do a little reading and finished a couple of murder/mayhem books. I also ordered several books that were recommended as part of the FB challenge a while back. Yes, I wrote down all the recommendations and I am slowly working my way through those that I had not read. What are you reading? I gave Eliza a few books for Christmas - I usually try to give the younger kids books to help get them started. When there were many bookstores, I remember going to their gift trees and purchasing quite a few books for others.
Yesterday I spent almost the entire day watching Christmas movies...LOL! There are at least four channels showing Christmas movies and I record at all different times. The day was gloomy so I sat with a bag of cheddar cheese popcorn and chilled. Lady and my mom slept most of the day so it was quiet time.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
17 National Maple Syrup Day
18 Bake Cookies Day
18 National Roast Suckling Pig Day
19 Look for an Evergreen Day
19 Oatmeal Muffin Day
20 Go Caroling Day
21 Crossword Puzzle Day
21 Forefather's Day
21 Humbug Day
21 Look on the Bright Side Day
21 National Flashlight Day
21 Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year, date varies
22 National Date Nut Bread Day - or September 8!?
23 Festivus - for the rest of us
23 Roots Day
For those who participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremonies in different cemeteries...Thank You! Such an outpouring of love and caring.
I am going to leave it here for today. The sun just came out at least for a short time. I need to think about breakfast...maybe even breakfast for lunch today...LOL! I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Giving your presence might be the best Christmas gift you could give someone this year." – Ken Fite
“I opened two gifts this morning. They were my eyes.” - unknown
"Create a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks good on the outside." - unknown