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.

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Here's my grandson, Zeke, wearing Alex's hat looking very pleased with himself. His best smiles are when he screws up his eyes.

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This is my grandson Zeke, who'll be two on Sunday. He's talking so good now that it's fun having a conversation with him. His little brother Riley was born last Saturday morning, and he's so cute.Zeke wanted to kiss and cuddle him on Sunday night and it was so sweet to watch. He was getting so excited about him, jumping up and down and nearly bursting out of his skin. It must be like having a real-live doll for someone so young.

Lauren will have her hands full come Sunday. She was going home from hospital today if everything was okay. Her husband Daniel has the next three weeks off work to help out while the family adjusts to a new addition. Zeke didn't seem at all put out that there's someone else around. We were all worried that he might start with some attention-seeking behaviour, but so far, he's just rapt to have a little brother. That could change down the track so having Daniel around will be a big help to Lauren, especially when she's feeding Riley.

Emily is due to have her baby in about six weeks, and finishes up at work this coming Friday. It's such a nice feeling to know the family is growing. Emily's having a baby girl who'll be called Scarlet and because we've all been saying it for so long now she feels like part of the family already. Riley was dubbed on Sunday so I still need to get used to calling him by name. This Christmas there'll be extra presents under the tree and it's not over yet. Emily wants at least another one.

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I'm not much of a mechanic myself, but Alex is learning how to be with his new birthday present, a petrol remote control car. He thinks it's totally awesome, and he's not alone. We took it to a big carpark in Wagga on Thursday night, near the local skate park, and ended up with lots of the crowd from the skate park looking on while he gave it a spin around the ashphalt. It flies! He told me later it's the best present he's had so far... I don't know how I can top it.

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The football season has begun and with it we have the cold weather. Last week we still had the air-cooler on, this week it's the heater. Alex has been to Wagga twice in the last week for Rugby League trials, and was picked in the first round, but did no good today. I'm not particularly sorry, those picked have to go to Queensland, by plane, and it's the parents who have to pay. Alex isn't too upset about it, he realises we couldn't afford it.

Tomorrow there's games at the ground to choose each age rep team and again Alex is hopeful. This time it's local so I don't mind if he's chosen. It's more football and more trips away, but I enjoy our Saturdays driving all over the country-side. It's a great family day out where we see some of the scenery. Not that the kids care about the scenery. I'm always pointing out a nice view and there responses aren't very encouraging. Not to worry, I enjoy it even if they don't.

Everyone's talking about a cold winter this year. We've been lucky for the last couple of years with quite mild winters. We got an early summer, and now we're getting the colder weather earlier than usual. Weather has gone crazy all over the world, it seems, with extremes in all seasons. Looks like some winter clothes shopping will be on the agenda soon.

Cross-posted on Toni's Alternate World

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I think there's something special about two sisters being pregnant together. My sister and I had our children a couple of years apart but they've grown up very close and were always around for the family celebrations. My two daughters, Emily and Lauren, only live a few blocks from each other and are both pregnant, six weeks apart. It was a race to see who could fall first, and Lauren, perhaps with a head start because she already has Zeke, was the first with the good news. Emily wasn't far behind, and come June and July I'll be a busy grandmother.

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