My Favorite Christmas Carol

go ahead sing it - it will make you feel better

WE WISH ME A MERRY CHRISTMAS

WE WISH ME A MERRY CHRISTMAS

WE WISH ME A MERRY CHRISTMAAAASS

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Year I Ruined Christmas

When I was eleven years old I was a master at sneaking downstairs and opening presents and putting them back so no one would ever know they had been touched. I caught my mom away from home shopping one day and opened every present that I had under the tree. I knew there would be more on Christmas day so it was no big deal.

Christmas day came and we went downstairs and I looked around the room and the only presents were the ones that I had already opened under the tree. They weren't scattered all over the room like they usually were on Christmas morning. I did not have even one surprise. Even worse I had to open my gifts in front of my parents and feign surprise with each one.

Don't get me wrong. I had plenty of presents that day. I had a very good Christmas, it was just that I already knew everything that I had already. It was a lesson that I never forgot and I have never tried to find out early what a present was even to this day!

It's not an insult....

...TO WISH SOMEONE

1. Merry Christmas

2. Happy Chanukkah

3. Season's Greetings

4. Happy Kwanzaa

5. Happy Holidays

6. kuwa na krismasi njema

7. any other seasonal greeting that I can't think of right now

If someone cares enough to wish you a "happy holiday", please don't give them a lecture about how it is a crime to say "merry christmas" nowadays. Nothing turns my stomach more than to wish someone well and get a lecture because of it...and that includes my comment section!

If someone wishes you a "merry christmas", please thank them and take these lovely seasonal greetings in the spirit in which they are intended.

None of them was EVER meant to be an insult.

Last night I had a lovely conversation with a woman who enjoys Christmas as much as I do - It was refreshing.

My Christmas Festivities with the Governor Tonight

Eddie and I went to the lighting of the West Virginia State Christmas Tree tonight. We went early to accommodate my need for frequent rests when I have to walk anywhere. Luckily he wanted to show me the inside of the capitol because he used to work there, otherwise I would have just stayed in the truck and missed most of the festivities.

We went inside and there was a group playing bells and a lovely bench for me to rest. Then we made our way upstairs because he said he knew where I could get a good view of everything. That is when we discovered that there was a band and a tree in the back of the capitol as well as the front.

I was trying to rest on the railing when we saw the governor's wife and a security team go outside. I didn't want to miss anything so we followed them out. I thought they would be going down the steps to the tree. They didn't. So, there stood I and Eddie with the Governor of the great state of West Virginia and his wife and their team of people. I made my way to the side of the podium and I sat down because I could go no further. I thought for sure that one of the state policemen would come and tell us we had to move but they didn't. Two of them came and stood by us for a few moments while the band played Christmas carols but that was the extent of it.

Then they introduced the governor and Santa Claus and lit the tree. Eddie and I made our way inside. We went to see if the tree had been lit on the other side of the capitol. As we made our way out the door at my super speed of mosey the Governor and his wife and security team followed us out onto the majestic front steps of the capitol. Once again we stepped off to the side as the announcer introduced the governor and we giggled to ourselves that we were in the presence of true dignataries.

By this time I was worn out and we went in and I found a bench and we listened to the bell ringers some more and then the governor came in and made another presentation for the winner of the state Christmas ornament. At least time we were just ordinary West Virginia Citizenery and not part of the heads of state.

It was quite fun.

Yah, stress test canceled!!!!

visit rescheduled for the 14th. with no stress test....now that's progress

No progress on the medical front

Back from the gyno visit. Saw a nurse practioner. She is referring me to a resident....

My Christmas Miracle

In 2001 my dad was in the hospital dying on Christmas Day.

He was in so much pain that they had him in a medically induced coma and he was still lying in the bed stiff as a board and there was blood on his lips because he was clenching his teeth so hard. He was a diabetic and he needed to have his leg amputated because of sepsis but he was too weak for them to do the surgery and they did not know if he would make it through the day.

Needless to say I was miserable, not only was my dad dying but it was Christmas Day and Christmas would be ruined for the rest of my life! I promised God that I would do whatever I could to help him if he would let him live.

They decided to do dialysis on Christmas Day saying that it was the absolute last thing they could try for him. Fortunately the dialysis worked and he became strong enough a couple of days later to do the surgery. Also he never had to have dialysis again which is one of the complications of having it once - being on it for the rest of your life!

Daddy became strong enough to come home with me on February 4, 2002. They told me that he had around 10 days to live. I was blessed with taking care of him for another 2 3/4 years. He had lost around 100 lbs. during the course of his illness. When I took him home and he still didn't want to eat, I would make him delicious,appetizing foods. When he would turn them down I would sit there in front of him and eat and smack my lips and just enjoy the hell out of the meal in front of him. Usually he would lean over and peep at the plate and say "I think I'll have a little of that." I managed to put 50 lbs. back on him but I also put 50 lbs. on myself! I definitely didn't need it, but it was worth every pound.

Taking care of daddy by myself was hard. I had a little help from my uncles but for the most part I took care of everything for him. I do appreciate the help that they did give me though.

There were lots of ups and downs but he eventually became well enough that he was quite happy. I told him that if he could bear with me that I might make mistakes and do a lot of things wrong but I would always do my best and never intentially hurt him.

That is exactly what happened.