"Childhood Memories"- Day 22

NC @ Christmas circa 1970, with my mother & cousin...

                                             

"Hello Winter"- Day 20

Key root word here might be hell...what was I thinking when I did two full online grad classes at the same time? This is my winter- reading & when I finish that reading some more & when I finish that watching videos then more reading and writing. The courses are super interesting but APA formatting may be the death of me! 

                                           

"All Wrapped Up"- Day 21

Christmas is bittersweet for us. My mother is one of nine. In 2000 when my grandmother got cancer she knew it was likely her last Christmas. The one thing she wanted was everyone down in NC for Christmas & for our large family to come together in fellowship as often as possible. She got her wish that Christmas; surrounded by family singing hymns throughout the morning she quietly passed away on Christmas Day. We got down there about two hours later.  It was a night with family to be remembered. To my mother- she is the best & I hate that this memory clouds Christmas for her every year, but she goes above & beyond for all just like always.

                                                    

Day 19- "Shine a Light"

Who doesn't love this peacefulness at Christmas? My only wish is it would fit into the room where we spend the most time, but it doesn't, & it's not my biggest problem - I'm beyond fortunate, even on the tough days. & even if it's a little crooked at the top - too many years of me being too short to put it up correctly most likely- even my tall guy barely could reach (9' didn't look so big in the store, & I wasn't thinking about having 9' ceilings).

                                                

Day 18- "Snowglobe"

No one likes when their child is sick, but when they have an infection that leaves the hospitalized for four days minimum- we will know more tomorrow morning- it is scary. Your child is fighting for his life. Human error that doesn't usually happen at this hospital, we are talking in the United States one of the best, has happened twice, one of which caused this. Our first Christmas together as we became a family my mother gave us a set of snowglobe ornaments with each person's name; she has welcomed them all wholeheartedly into our family- that's who she is. I'm hoping that tomorrow morning's blood culture is clear- if not it's another 24 hrs each time it isn't. 

                                                               

"Quilt"- Day 17

I could think of my family as one- different parts planned but some by happenstance - none by accident. I feel guilty I didn't do enough grad school work this weekend but there's time for that this week. Instead I made soaps & scrubs & cookies with the girls, went driving with my son, wrapped & cleaned & got us "together," watched football with my son & just got to be a mom I realize there aren't many more holiday seasons with my daughter home with me, so I plan to give her all I have when it comes to time together.  My family keeps me warmer than any quilt xo.

Day 16 - "Baby it's Cold Outside"

...which is why I will be taking a shower & putting on clean pjs. Lockdown mode to do homework & make cookies, wrap, put away clothes, do some little projects...it's going to be a two day event. No other choice after an exhausting week that bordered on being a comedy of errors! I am grateful for my co-workers who never stop short of "whatever it takes," which often is s sense of humor and goodwill!