Last two days of 2025

Tuesday December 30

We had received the call the day before with the time. We were supposed to be there at 6:30 am. Fine with us. We had hoped for that.

This was taken at 7:24 am when I was called in too. But he was not the first one and it took some time until he was finally wheeled away and I was sent into the waiting room again. James had been in good spirits. He had been in so much pain in November when we had to cancel our long-awaited trip. After that we only could take little walks. We were hoping and looking forward to be more active again.

There were two other ladies waiting and we were chatting. One lady was finishing the binding on one of the quilts she had made. She told me that this is all she does: churning out quilts. She has a longarm machine and quilts her own and even for others. I got permission to take this photo.

Around noon I was the only one left in the waiting room. Yeah for solitaire on iphone. And my app for monitoring our new birdfeeder (but more about that later). The doctor had called that he was done and "James had done very well". But I still had to wait quite a while until I was finally taken back to James again. It must have taken quite a while until James was awake after the anesthesia. He is a very good sleeper. Finally I could take him home.

Of course we stopped at our pharmacy to pick up the prescription painkillers. We also had a big envelope with discharge papers to read. But ... all is good. Look at him. A cup of tea and that gingerbread man on the rim. 

We were surprised how good James already felt. He had a good nights' sleep. 

And this is Wednesday December 31 - the last day of the year. Silvester in Germany!

Sarah invited Helen and William to go with her and boys to a basketball game at 4 pm. I think they saw the Richmond Spiders who unfortunately lost. It would have been more fun if your team wins. But they did enjoy it anyway.

When Helen and William were back they had to get ready for their trip home again. Some washing of clothes had to be done, some packing and some prepping of food for the road. 

This photo was taken at 22:05. The three of us played another game of Five Crowns, our last one this time.  Of course James and I play every day. It is so nice though and we love it when William joins us.

This was the strangest New Year's eve in a long time. I can't even remember whether we really stayed up til midnight. I am sure it was 2026 already somewhere in the world!

James and I are wishing all of you a wonderful 2026 and may your dreams come true.

 Health and Happiness! 

Visitors

Saturday December 27

Helen and William left Nashville very early in the day to drive the 600 miles and visit us. Our way to let each other know when we make that drive is by sending a photo from a stop. We know exactly where this is.

This German specialty was bought in Nashville and I find the box quite unique.

Sunday! William wanted to come with us to our church service. There was not much time for breakfast. Since we had big plans for a dinner, we decided to have breakfast for lunch since they had also brought eggs from William's and Ben's hens. Free-range eggs are lovely soft-boiled and it is very efficient to also have hard-boiled eggs for later at the same time.

And yes, William didn't forget to "trick" Papa.

The cousins were eager to see each other so in the afternoon we headed there. 

I cropped the above photo to have a better look.

I think the two moms where a bit tired from all the things moms do around Christmas and after the big Hello just enjoyed chilling with Stella.

I am not sure how much I had blogged about our anniversary. We had planned a service and party at our church on the 31st, the day of our church wedding in Germany 50 years ago. But since James is now scheduled for a back surgery the day before we decided to cancel it.

Sarah had sent a text to me before Christmas with this link: oceanorva.com = a restaurant close to them. She suggested a dinner for the 28th to celebrate my birthday and the anniversary. Good idea! I asked her to make a reservation for all of us. 

Yes, it was a good idea. We all could relax. Our grandsons are excellent in these situations. They carefully read the menu and make selections. So grown-up.

Caleb took the selfy from one end of the table and Owen from the other.

Is this sharing or stealing?

Sorry I didn't do a better job caption the two older boys enjoying their special burgers.

Helen went for shrimp & grits. And, of course, we had to talk about that she got a reputation in a hotel when she was about 2 1/2 years old and we stayed there while looking for a new place when moving from St Louis to Kentucky. She was known as the toddler who liked grits for  breakfast every morning.

My rockfish was very delicious and as I don't see it often on a menu I was very happy.

We all went back to the W-house. I think the children had baked the birthday cookie. We also have a "hip hip hurray" video but I just could not upload it properly.

Then it was already Monday December 29. Early in the morning William helped us to pack up the Adventcalendar puzzle. 

With help of the cover of our puzzle board we turned the finished puzzle upside down. Then we could separate the pieces of each day and put them back into their boxes. THANK YOU, Helen. We have enjoyed your gift now already twice for 24 days each. 

James enjoyes looking at the new bird feeder from the sunroom. Prime seat!

I enjoy looking at the videos the birdfeeder camera sends to my phone (took a screenshot).

Helen misses her nephews most of the year. So she volunteered to have an adventure with them while her sister and BIL had to work. Not sure where they went. I think Maymont first (?). Doesn't it look like fun.

It looks like they had a really fun time.

While they were gone we received the awaited phone call informing us about the time we needed to be at the hospital for James' procedure. 6:30 am!

Our girls were very nice and wanted to support and help us. But there was nothing they could do. Helen and William spent the night over there. 

Next day Helen took the two older ones shopping. And ...

Yes, ice cream. Good Auntie!

Christmas and Boxing Day

Ready or not. The time has come. December 24! Holy Eve = Heilig Abend

Our church has a 5 o'clock service which is mainly visited by people with children. Obviously. A family service. Then there is what was always called "the midnight service". About that later. Sarah texted me that they would come to the 5 pm service which they usually do. Wade's parents were visiting them so we were 9 and occupying not only the third row on the left but also the next. 

Our services are always streamed on FaceBook so I screenshot these photos from there. 

All three boys went forward to the children's sermon. They are never shy about it. Ha-ha, they also always sit in the same places.

I love our church. I love how the gospel is read from the middle of the aisle. That's what Jesus commanded "bring the word to the people".

Ha-ha, and the peace always takes a little while too. And yes, we even hug.

Sarah had texted me that they had planned to go home via "tacky Christmas lights houses". But since it would have been relatively early after the service I had suggested that they all could come to our house for a quick dinner like soup and salad. 

They liked that idea and that is what happened. The soup was in a crockpot and was readily warm when we arrived back after the service. There was plenty for the 9 of us and it was nice to chat a little. I don't think they stopped later at any "tacky lights" because there was a lot of traffic around those places.

James and I went to the "midnight service" which actually started this year at 10 pm with 30 minutes of caroling starting at 9:30 pm. Without excited children that service of course is much different. We would not want to miss either one.

It was midnight by the time we were home and because of the late bedtime we took our time the next morning.

Christmas Day December 25

In the afternoon we made our way "over the river". As every year we were invited to celebrate with Sarah and her family. When we arrived everybody was outside in the back yard. The weather was very nice and wood was burning in the firepit. Besides Wade's parents there was also his Uncle Jon with wife and son visiting. We had not seen them for a while and it was nice to chat with them which we always enjoy. Too bad I forgot to take photos. 

Later the children showed us their gifts. We had brought some too. The kitchen island had nibbles on them. It just was a very casual nice time.

Then it was time for the feast and Wade carved the beef sirloin, cooked to perfection as always.

The boys were excited about the pretty table. We always ask where they want us to sit.

And of course we even had British Christmas crackers. 

The boys are excellent readers and had much fun with the trivia and facts they found inside the crackers. And the paper crowns of course. Note to ourselves: Sarah and my stash of those crackers is totally gone and we should not forget to replenish! 

Afterwards Sarah even took time to play ping-pong when Colin asked. 

December 26 - Boxing Day

You know what this means. First thought is my father who would have had a birthday today too. James likes it when I suggest what I would like to do. I had googled 'German restaurants near me' and found a new to us one over the river. I should have paid attention to the name: Fest Biergarten! Large wooden tables and heavy benches inside and out only. We were advised to sit at a table were we could sit with the backs leaning against the wall. It was very rustic but the people were nice. The menu listed mainly different style sausages. We had fun!

When we drove home I remembered an email I had received from the Publix supermarket just outside our community and we decided to act on it. It was a happy birthday gift. We even could select which cake we wanted. It was very yummy. Thank you!

The next day was Saturday. Since Sarah didn't have to work she offered to set up their gift to us. It was a birdfeeder with camera and solar power. We had already read the directions and thought much about where to install it. Sarah suggested to mount it at the crepe myrtle. From there it could be easily moved later. Good thought. 

It is nice that we even can see it from the inside. 

Yeah, it works!

And it didn't take long for the first bird to arrive. The camera sends 10-seconds-videos to an app on my phone whenever it senses a movement.

I have the feeling that you will see more photos like the above in future blogs. Thank you for this lovely gift ... and setting it up (smile).

A fun day! But it is not over yet. Something very good to report about this day in the next blog!