How do I ... ?

How in the world do I keep my promise when things like this happen? What happened? 

December is always a very busy month. I had committed myself to several workshops at our church. Usually, I must say, I love it. But maybe not so much happening in so short a time. And then there is always the monthly newsletter. Something else which challenges me but also in a good way. Here is the link to the December Cloak if you are interested. Needless to say that James and I love our church family. 

With Advent starting, we slowly started decorating our house. The Chrismon tree first. James always put the trees up and added the lights. The "German" tree is second. All straw ornaments. And we love all the nativities collected on our travels. All so different. The third tree in the bay window was still "empty", that one holds all the memories, the ornaments the girls made when they were little etc etc.

Monday December 11 started quite well. There was some snow in the morning which quickly disappeared. 

JoAnn fabric store had a really great sale and I had permission from the church women's group to spend quite a nice amount of money to buy material to make blankets for cancer patience at a couple of meetings. Had already bought some material in the store close to us but James and I went over the river to the newer store which usually has a larger sellection. James is excellent in helping me to find matching fronts and backs.

When we were almost done I received a text from Sarah whether we could pick Owen up from the school because he might be having "pink eye". I told her that she was in luck because we were already almost there anyway. So we picked him up, took him to her workplace to get some drops into the eyes and went to our house. 

We had a really nice time with him until he and Papa went to the mailbox in the afternoon. James tripped and fell on the concret driveway. I was inside speaking with my friend Corry in Germany. Owen came running inside shouting that Papa fell.

I run outside and immidiately called the ambulance. Nice neighbors stopped and help. Owen kept running inside retrieving a hat and blanket etc for Papa. We did not move him at all which was a very good thing. He had broken his right hip. The surgeon told me later that it was not like a scheduled replacement but a more complicated repair and he had to insert an extra long rod. 

I was very happy when he was out of surgery and smiling at me.

While waiting to hear and playing with my iphone I found this photo on Facebook. Somebody's elf on the shelf. Sarah told me that their elf could not do that in her household. The boys were too upset about Papa being in the hospital.

Three days later they visited and all were happy.

James and I tried to make the best of it. And yes, I did bring the cards into the hospital. Nurses were always interested who was winning.

It took a while until PT could start. In the beginning his blood pressure went rock bottome every time he stood up. Finally the doctors got it under control. 

Sunday December 17 was the pageant at our church. Our three were the Kings (or wise men). James and I watched it on my computer. Our church streams all our services online.

And life goes on. One evening Sarah called with Owen on her lap because one of the dogs had "hurt" the stuffed animal he sleeps with. We convinced him that "Squishmallow" had to go to the hospital. Sarah took it to her workplace where I could retrieve it before going to James.

I fixed it while keeping James company and Sarah could pick it up in the evening before going home.  All good.

Decorating had come to a halt but it looked like Advent already anyway. 

Helen and William had given us an Adventcalendar before Advent had started. James and I had opened one of the little boxes every day. It was a lot of fun. Now, after James' accident, I would do one day by myself in the evening when I didn't feel like doing anything else. 

Ah, how we were happy about every little progress which seemed a milestone.

On December 21 I could pick up Helen and William from our airport. Their visit had been planned quite a while ago. We were sorry that we couldn't do things as we had hoped but we had a good time anyway. It was so nice to see them and spend time with them. Helen and Sarah had sister-time and William had time with his cousins. They love him so much.

December 23: looking so much better. 

Our children were so sweet and caring. Sarah had changed the Christmas dinner to Holy Eve after the 5pm service. All of them went to the Christmas service at church. William and I watched the service with James in the hospital on my computer. It is actually fun when they and others waved at us (the camera) especially during the peace. 

It was arranged that afterwards I would drive with William to their house. I had found some British Christmas crackers in my "stash" and we had fun with them after the meal which, of course, had been very delicious.

Helen and William spent the night there. Cousin time is so important. They all love it. 

I went back to James for a little while and we read some of the jokes from the Christmas crackers. 

Next day, Christmas Day, in the afternoon, I had to bring Helen and William to the airport. It was great seeing them. They liked the direct flight RIC to BNA.

Thursday December 28 I finally could take James home. Needless to say ... we were happy.

Our mantra: One day at a time! Make the best of it! 

We played our card game. I finished the puzzle. James promised to take it apart again after Christmas. It would be fun to do it again next Advent time.

When the sun is shining our sunroom is a perfect place for James to read. We found three chairs in our house with armrest which are perfect for him. 

Saturday the 30th Sarah announced that they would be coming for lunch. It was such a lovely sunny day that I asked her whether she would cut Papa's hair. I know he wanted it so badly. Of course she would. And she did. The sunny patio was the perfect place. James was so happy.

Ha-ha, the boys helped. Caleb took the blower and blew everything off the patio. He was beaming when I asked him to do it.

They also had brought birthday cake for me. So nice of them. Who doesn't like to hear the song and blow out candles?

New Year's eve was the anniversary of our church wedding. We are so grateful for 48 wonderful years. One day at a time!

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I had to write this blog because my sister Ute called from Germany. She had searched my blog but could not find whether I had reported about James.

She also was happy to report that she had tried and was able to leave a comment on the previous blog. 

She knows that I like comments. Thank you Ute! Well done!

And since I have just today finished (late, sigh) the January church newsletter, you can find the LINK HERE!