My Mom was really in a good mood this year and it was apparent that I needed to rise to challenge. So I did. I got up and prepared the turkey-adding a package of extra legs in order to take one to cousin Helen at the nursing home. We were a bit late getting to breakfast and the opening of gifts.
After the festivities of paper and bows, I promptly finished up the rest of dinner in a hurry and we took it out to enjoy our shared feast with my parents. Because it was late, Mom and I opted to take Helen her Christmas dinner before we exchanged gifts with the parents. One thing after another hinder our speedy trip to the nursing home but we finally arrived in the late afternoon and had a nice visit. It is always fun to listen to these two older ladies talk about past relatives and adventures. I learned a bit yesterday about my Aunt Opal, evidently when she was younger she was quite "fixy" meaning that she dressed and looked the part of the modern and contemporary woman of the 20's, 30's and early 40's.
After a nice visit, we returned home just in time to have a light supper and then we did our gift exchange with my parents. Mom loves Christmas and some years so does more than others. This year she had gotten out and shopped and had everything ready and wrapped (I think she had a little help from some little helpers). And this year there were even some tangible gift requests and needs which we were able to fulfill. Dad got more large print books and another pair of jeans (which he requested) but he was most particularly excited about his electric blanket.
I gave them a couple of daylight LED light bulbs to increase the brightness and to help make up for the winter lack of sunshine factor in their apartment. We put them in promptly and they seemed to like them. In the coming the months, I will try to replace some of their other bulbs with these LED's. The biggest grump about being here in the winter has been the gloomy days and lack of sunshine.
Mom put thought into every gift that she gave this year and each of us were very thankful for her kindness and her thoughtfulness. It was a great Christmas Day for all of us--EXCEPT poor mid-kid, who was very ill all day due to her Lyme. The poor girl had fevers off and on all day and was unable to eat due to the severity of gut pains. This is the worst I have seen her feel in quite some time.
The following is a slide presentation for your enjoyment.