A Quick Christmas Update...

 

How could I have NO photos from Christmas Day?

Christmas Eve, Tammy and I went to pick up my friend, Shirley, so we could attend my church's candlelight service.  It was beautiful.  I did take a photo of Tammy and Shirley.

The luminaries along the driveway to the church were lighted and lovely.  You will have to take my word for it (no photo).  Shirley invited us in to visit when we brought her home.  She had cookies and made us all a rich cup of hot chocolate.  We enjoyed an hour or so visit before Tammy and I headed home.

We opened our gifts on Christmas Eve and enjoyed a speakerphone visit with our sister, Patti.  I took a picture of the gift bags (no wrapped presents) before we opened them...

Santa was good to us. We watched some TV and had shrimp and other goodies before heading to bed, quite happy and sated. 

We went to church Christmas morning.  Arriving early, Tammy and I helped collect the luminaries from the night before.  It was COLD and many hands got us all inside quicker than just one or two working on it would have done.  Our Christmas service was full of beloved old Christmas hymns.  So nice.

Before we left for church, I had put the turkey on in my roaster. When we got home, the house smelled great!.  Gregory couldn't come because of a migraine so we put his plate away.  Cheryl arrived at 2:00 and we ate turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, broccoli, cranberry sauce, a pickle plate (with beets), and rolls.  Cheryl brought a coconut cream pie.  There were also cookies and candies.  We ate well.  

Tammy and Cheryl had yet to see the new Elvis movie.  I told them it was on HBOMAX and I was happy to put it on if they wanted to see it.  They did, so I started it for them while I cleaned up the kitchen and put the food away, then joined them.  They enjoyed it.

I sent Cheryl home with some of the leftovers.

Yesterday, I made omelets for our breakfast with onion, sweet peppers, and cheese.  I also had bacon.  Coffee, of course.  We went out for a little shopping, mostly just looking but it was fun. We went to Gosh, Asian Bistro, and had Pho for lunch.  Leftovers for dinner.

I am working today and (unless something changes) Kali and her family are coming to Lakeland for lunch.  Kali is my son, Jeff's, girlfriend.  She came down for Christmas with her family.  They live about an hour north of Lakeland, in Clermont.  It will be great seeing them.  Last year, we met at a Starbucks - a halfway point.

Her dad Stuart, her sister Leslie, Kali, me, and her mom Maurene.

This was the first time we met them, in 2016.  Jeff was down that year, and we were invited to their house.  Left to right, Jeff, Stuart, Joe, me, Kali, Maurene, and Leslie.

Tammy leaves in the morning.  It has been a very nice Christmas week with her.  Now it's time to start deconstructing the decorations and getting the house put back in order.  On to February when Elaine and Jim come for a nice visit!!  Happy New year to all!!

Helen update:  I saw Helen on Friday and she was awake.  I could engage her in some conversation!  There were a few times when she seemed to understand.  She asked me "why am I here" and I told her she broke her hip and needs to heal.  She also asked me to take her out of there.  I told her she needed to get stronger and work hard with the therapist.  The nurse asked me to bring her some nightgowns of her own so I went to her room (a building next door) and gathered two gowns and a robe and dropped them off for her.  The nurse said she would request another evaluation from the therapist.  Of course, nothing is happening fast because it is Christmas.  Please keep her on your prayer lists! Thanks.  Cheryl told us she saw Helen on Saturday and she was awake and seemed to recognize her.