Spitting Into the Wind

We had a lovely Christmas day lunch with most of the family and everyone was in great spirits. There were lots of presents exchanged, hugs and kisses, with good food and good feelings. Christmas is a special time of year in my house.

It's always good the next day too, because all that rushing around that leads up to Christmas is behind us. I don't go back to work until the Monday following New Year, so this year I'm going to get a few jobs done that I never seem to get around to. Like re-potting some plants, and hanging a few photos. Alex is going to spend 2 weeks with his father at Cowra and if I can get him to clean his room before he goes, that would be better than any Christmas present. I remember doing as I was asked when I was young. Alex is out the door as soon as he hears "Can you .....".

We hit the shops for the big sales on Boxing Day to spend the gift vouchers we all received and everyone came home excited about their purchases. It wasn't as crowded this year and I suppose the economy has much to do with that.

Tomorrow I'm going over to Wagga to visit two low-care nursing homes so we can get the ball rolling for Dad. He's allowed to stay in the residential ward at Junee Hospital until early March, but then he'll need somewhere else to go. I have forms for nursing homes all around the region and although I don't want him to end up at Tumut or Narrandera, if a bed comes up we'll have to take it. Dad's slowly getting about now. He uses a walking frame to go to the bathroom and twice a day the nurses take him for a walk up and down the corridors. He has to get some mobility back and he's doing his best to co-operate. His feet are bandaged because he has post-op sores on his heels that are taking forever to heal so it's making walking even more difficult.

I thought I'd share a photo I found, it shows how some people in India spent their Christmas.

A giant-sized Santa Claus carved by internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik in the town of Puri in India's eastern state of Orissa.