Blue Birds – If you see a blue bird, especially early in the morning, you will have a very happy day. If you hear a blue bird chirping, you will receive good news. If a blue bird nests outside your door, it is good luck. ...etc.
Red Birds – When you see a red bird in winter, you will prosper in spring. When you hear a Cardinal sing, your sadness will soon be lifted. When a red bird shows up, help is on the way.
December December December! Can you believe it? Do you feel the Christmas spirit or are you so stressed out from trying to make everything perfect? I have most of my shopping done, but can always find a few things here and there. I'm trying to be more practical this year in my gift giving. Even papa keeps saying he has everything and has told me exactly what to tell the kids to get him. He is appreciative that I take the time to pick out gifts for him to give since it's easier for me to go to the stores. Papa even liked a couple of new items I purchased for decorating. I find myself tipping servers a little bit more this time of year - especially when they are doing the best they can. I think their jobs are hard enough and I know it's definitely a job I would not want. I also try to exercise patience with cashiers in stores by smiling a bit more or just being nice - it does help that I try to shop during the week when the crowds are a bit less. I do have some cookies to order and gift certificates to purchase - hopefully will cross that off this week along with getting the oil changed and the car inspected (glad I wrote that as I just made the appointment online).
Papa is doing great after the doctor said no more immobilizers and he can put full weight on both legs. He started out-patient physical therepay and that wore him out a bit. He is moving quite a bit quicker. I do worry a little that he will try to overdo, but I won't interfere (LOL!). His theme this past week has been he wants me to get back to my regular life. I explained that this is my regular life now and we will live one day at a time. Good insight from my little sister! I have told him that I will be here as long as I need to be and there is no time limit on that. He wants to remain in his home and independent and for that to happen I will be here for him.
Mema is definitely resting a little more as well as eating and speaking a little less. We are pretty sure she has had a mild stroke (TIA) or two in the past few weeks. This is normal with her heart condition. She has latched on to a baby doll and although she won't tell me the doll's name, she tells the staff when I'm not there that her name is Marie. I think it's because she has blue eyes and no hair (just like me as a baby). The staff decorated the dining hall simply and beautifully for Christmas with just white lights, garland and a tree with red bows. Lori, the recreational person, indicated in her research that the colored Christmas lights can be too stimulating for Alzheimers patients so she went simple. Most of the patients (including Mema) seem to like the simpleness and listening to Christmas music. Several of them were able to help make paper plate snowman faces for the wall.
As a former news junkie I have to say I feel a bit out of it these days. Don't get me wrong I know what's happening in the world, but I don't find myself glued to the TV news as I was in the past. I actually find myself trying to find good news stories as I'm so tired of the negativity. I want to know there is good in people (don't worry I know there are bad things and people out there), I want to maintain some positivity in my world. I'll never put on the rose colored glasses, but I do feel the more positivity we have in our life the better off physically and mentally we are as a whole. I think that's why I like Hallmark movies in general...I know you are laughing! I like the happy ending - do I believe that it happens always? "NO!" but I like the overall idea. I also get to shed a few tears now and then.
I finished reading a book this past week (feels like forever since I have been able to say that). "THE RAINBOW COMES AND GOES: A MOTHER AND SON ON LIFE, LOVE, AND LOSS." By Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt. I found this book so interesting. A fascinating email conversation between them over the course of a year. What a fascinating life Gloria has led. I passed it on at the coffee shop. I am now reading murder and mayhem. What are you reading?
In the genre of you never realize how you touch other people. For the past several months when I finish a book I leave it at the coffee shop with the staff. I just hand the book to the cashier and they share it or pass it on. A few weeks ago, one of the cooks (who I had not seen in a bit) came out of the kitchen and handed me a beautiful book marker. She said you probably have a lot of these, but I thought of you when I saw this. You have us all reading and we so appreciate the books you drop off. Thank you so much. I was so touched I almost cried. I believe this is the reason I so love small locally owned shops as you get to know the people in them. We chat, offer advice and guidance when asked, and look out for the other person. Do you realize how you impact others?
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care chat soon. Marie
“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.”– Josiah Gilbert Holland
“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”– William James
“Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.”– Winston Churchill
Referrals are always appreciated.B