Sunday, December 31, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Whole Gang
presents. Be sure to click the photo to see the larger version.
Photo by Sara, 12/27/06.
The Pink Pantsuit
Photo by Sara, 12/27/06.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Grammy Opens Presents
When I arrived this morning for my Christmas morning visit at Loretto, Grammy was gathered in a circle of residents watching a holiday movie in the lounge. I was delighted to see that her wheelchair was parked next to an easy chair, where an aide was sitting holding her hand. It pleases me to think of her receiving affection like that from the staff. Many people there, staff and patients alike, have told me how much they enjoy Margaret, because she is so good-natured and friendly all the time. I almost felt bad tearing Grammy away from the cozy scene, but I'd come bearing gifts and didn't have enough for everyone.
So I took her down to her room, and got her started with the opening. I'd only brought her two small gifts, but had two gifts to deliver from Rob&Vonnie, one from Tom&Rita, and one from Rosy. I remembered how she's always used scissors to cut the tape on her packages, and unearthed those to speed things along. Even so, it took her the better part of an hour to open all six gifts. I watered the plants, and hid the scissors away again (Grammy became quite taken for a while with the notion of cutting open the cushion on her wheelchair). I let her sample two holiday chocolates, and then moved them out of reach, not wanting her to fill up and miss the special Christmas lunch. She had chicken cordon bleu and twice cooked potatoes, and was digging in with gusto when I left.
And one final shot, of Grammy and me:
Photos by Sara, 12/25/06.
So I took her down to her room, and got her started with the opening. I'd only brought her two small gifts, but had two gifts to deliver from Rob&Vonnie, one from Tom&Rita, and one from Rosy. I remembered how she's always used scissors to cut the tape on her packages, and unearthed those to speed things along. Even so, it took her the better part of an hour to open all six gifts. I watered the plants, and hid the scissors away again (Grammy became quite taken for a while with the notion of cutting open the cushion on her wheelchair). I let her sample two holiday chocolates, and then moved them out of reach, not wanting her to fill up and miss the special Christmas lunch. She had chicken cordon bleu and twice cooked potatoes, and was digging in with gusto when I left.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The First Holiday Gift
When I arrived to visit with Grammy this morning, she was already in the dining room with her head down on the table, a position she often takes "to rest." Only this time she was actually sleeping quite soundly. The nurse told me she had her shower this morning, and that always tires her out. She was too sleepy to consider opening her present (although she did admire the wrapping paper), so I scratched her back for a while, and got her a small glass of orange juice. Once she perked up a little, I talked her into going down to her room.
In her room, I watered the plants, then encouraged her to open the gift, which had arrived at my house in a package from Rob and Vonnie last week. The note said to bring this one on my next visit and save the others for Christmas, so after I convinced her she didn't after to wait, she tore into the package. Grammy has always been meticulous about opening packages, taking great care to unfasten each piece of tape with the least possible damage to the paper. Today was certainly no exception. The package contained a set of red velvet reindeer antlers, comlete with jingling bells. She got quite a kick out of them, and wore them to lunch, garnishing some compliments along the way. Here's the final shot, with Grammy wearing her new festive reindeer antlers:
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Stealing my own Thunder: Christmas Card Designs for 2006
I made the top one first, but was afraid it was too cluttered. I copied out some of the flowers (dogwoods) and leaves and made two others. Let me know which you like best--you may be getting one in the mail. I am leaning toward the bottom one, but if you get to me in time, you can choose one of the others.
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