Monday, December 14, 2009

Warming up and a winner

He's a little bit Jewish and I'm a little bit Catholic so our house is beginning to look a lot like Christmukkah. I'm finally getting out our decorations (other than the new menorah that we've been lighting) and trying to make the house festive. Bug did his part by sporting a Santa cap although as the day goes on and I untangling Christmas lights or trying to remember when I put something from last year I feel like I'm playing Scrooge while trying to be cheerful. Ho ho humbug.


I had a good trip to SD and am still amazed that I didn't get stranded in Minneapolis for a day. Those first few blasts of cold air upon leaving the airport are rough. It was 1 degree when I arrived and the windchill was minus 16 or 20 (does it really make a difference if you have to say "minus" before the number--it's all just cold, right?). I was convinced I wouldn't have feeling in my toes until I returned to DC. It was so cold that we decided my mom shouldn't go outside. Mom wasn't happy but after hearing the temps a few times she agreed she would stay put.


Thursday and Friday mornings I did some holiday shopping for Mom and finished everyone on her list. We spent the afternoons wrapping presents in her room. On Friday there was a heatwave break and the afternoon temp hit 20 so Mom and I went to the mall. We were there for four hours and only hit two stores. She was thrilled. We had dinner at the food court (Taco John's anyone?! Yum!) and by then she was exhausted. It takes us a bit of time to adjust to the wheelchair, getting in/out of the car and I always feel like we're channeling Lucy and Ethel with some of our movements but we manage.


While I was back I got to see several people I knew. I had a lunch with four classmates while Mom had physical therapy. (One of them even visited my mom--how nice is that? Of course, it was Russ and he's pretty much the definition of a good guy.) While we were at lunch, I saw my cousin and his family then ran into other people from my hometown. (Everyone in my hometown goes to the town where my mom now lives to shop because it has the nearest mall [42 miles away] so it's not uncommon to see people you know.)


There's something very comforting being back there. Of course I get to spend time with Mom and see my brother and his family (and drink wine with my sister-in-law!). These trips are so different from past visits now that Mom is in the nursing home but it's great to be there for/with her and nice to see friendly faces and have people ask about Mom or stop by to visit her. Many of them know her from their childhoods. It's true there's no place like home...and no matter how cold it gets the hearts are always warm.


Dee from Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is the Santa cake pan winner. Happy baking, Dee! Email me and let me know where I should send it.

15 comments:

  1. I'm so excited! Thank you so much-I can't wait to use it. I just emailed you back!

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  2. speaking of winners, you won the $25 AmEx giftcard on my blog... email me your shipping address, please.

    shuey6 at mac dot com

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  3. Isn't it great to go home, especially at Christmas. Nice that you were able to take your mom shopping, I bet she had a wonderful time with you. Yeah, funny I notice too all the people I know from way back when I visit home. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good Lol!

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  4. Congrats to Dee! I can't wait to see what you make with that thing! ;) How fun. We're slow on the decorating, as well. And I've got a Christmanukah household here, too. Fun stuff!

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  5. Yay...I am so happy that you are home safe and sound. and Guess What? I think that you and my hubs could maybe might possibly have been in the Minneapolis airport AT THE SAME TIME!!! That would make me sad; I would have wanted to be there too. hmm.

    Happy Christmukkah. (you need to patent that or whatever it is you do with words.)

    ;)

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  6. I used to feel that way about coming home too. Then I moved here so I don't get that feeling anymore.

    I'm glad you had a nice time!

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  7. Glad you made it back home safely and glad you got to see some familiar faces!

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  8. It is so nice to go home, especially this time of year. Sounds like a good trip.

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  9. We celebrate Christmakkah at our house, too! I just decorated the Hanukkah bush last night.

    Have fun with all your visiting.

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  10. I know your Mom loved having you home - so sweet of you to brave the cold. Holy cow!! My girlfriend is also a little Catholic and a little Jewish. She calls it Christmas trees and candlesticks. It always makes me laugh!

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  11. Christmukkah is a good word! :)
    I'm so glad you didn't get stuck in the weather, I was kinda thinking you might, it was ugly! It's so nice that you take the time to go visit your momma. So many people don't after their family members have to be moved to a nursing home. :(
    Congrats to Dee! :)

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  12. Excuse me while I go and put my jacket/long johns/mittens/ear muffs on so I can finish reading your post...oh my gosh that's some cold weather! I'd be happy they had warm hearts there..at least I know someone would let me in to enjoy the heat! Glad it was a nice visit with your mom and you got to run into some familiar faces.

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  13. Please forgive me...

    Along with the Circle of Friends Award, (which is over at my place for you), one is "supposed" to list 5 of their favorite things.

    I forgot to even do it. dumdum

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  14. "Christmukkah". That's awesome!

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  15. Christmukkah! I love it! :)
    So glad you had such a wonderful visit. :) And the weather is like that right now in good ole Wisconsin. Boo. ;)

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