A Working Week

Back before Thanksgiving, I made the commitment to take two days of vacation (December 29 & 30) to provide daytime childcare for 1 year old "E." Both his parents work and the grandparents who normally provide his childcare were traveling to see other grandchildren. I arrived both days at 8:30 AM to find a happy, busy boy on the verge of walking. (He actually took nine steps in the evening between my two days.) He was absolutlely delightful, so easy to play with, feed, and put down for his scheduled naps. I ALMOST felt guilty getting paid.

What do babysitters/pet sitters get paid these days? I struggle with pricing.

So, I'm scheduled to babysit New Year's Eve for my regular family when they come up a proposal: We're having a party and we don't want anyone to not come because they can't get a baysitter. Would you provide childcare for the party? Each family will pay you individually. We are encouraging everyone to find their own childcare but if you are willing the children can come here. You will have at least one child (ours) but possibly as many as NINE.

I ended up with six children; youngest, 4 - oldest, 9. The girls played in the guest bedroom and the boys played in Ben's bedroom. I sat in the hall between the two, with one eye watching the girls and the other eye watching the boys. I am sure I resembled on of those roly-eyed lizards. I brought crafts for the kids to do but that really didn't catch on. Everyone played well together and there was not even an occasion for me to threaten a time-out.

At 10 PM, the parents took over and the children were asked to lay down in their room. I was invited to join the grown up party. At midnight we all (kids, too) banged pots and pans together on the front porch.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Christmas Week

I've gotten things a little out of order but suffice it to say that I stuffed an activity in to every corner of Christmas. December 19 was the Senior Adult Joy Fellowship and it was very well attended. December 20 was the party at the Riviera and December 21 was another of my favorite Christmas parties: the Bryson's open house. They host this lovely party so graciously that it just makes you feel like family. There's always good food, including a coffee bar, dessert table and kid friendly snacks

My boss was now gone on vacation and I tried to concentrate on getting the masses of clutter and paperwork out of my office. (Doesn't everybody have a bottle of chocolate syrup on their desk?) We had a candlelight service on Christmas Eve and we provide nursery for birth to three years old. My car was already packed so that I could head to my sister's house immediately after the service. Although we talk on the phone almost every day, it was very good to see her. She made lasagna for our Christmas dinner and I contributed salad and bread. We arrived at Mom's house around 10 AM on Christmas Day, expecting that Mom would not let us in the door before she put us to work on projects that she could not accomplish with her arm broken. It was fun to come to her rescue. I have no pictures of Christmas Day. We returned to Carol's late Christmas night and after a good night's rest, Dennis gave me the gift of new brake pads and an oil change - just what I always wanted. I returned to Daytona later that evening because I had an overnight babysitting job the following day. "Ben" and I were scheduled to fight some bad aliens beginning at 12 noon on the 27th. In between the intergalactic encounters we managed to go to the public library and get a pizza from Little Caesars.

My Favorite Christmas Parties

For the past, hmmm, six(?) years it has been a part of my Christmas season to help Arlene with the food for her open house for FBC preschool workers and staff. Everything is made from scratch. At first we studied Southern Living books and magazines to find unique yet simple recipes but we have settled on 7 or 8 favorites through the years. Preparation of the menu begins with a trip to Walmart. Good thing I enjoy food shopping!

Next, I organize ingredients and make a list for another trip to Walmart, besides the last minute runs to Publix(peppermint ice cream and coffee ice cream) and Gaff's Meat Market (ham loaf).
Three years ago (or was that last year?) I made my first pumpkin rolls. We forgot they were in the refrigerator so they were not served They've been a big hit ever since.

Punch

Peppermint Eggnog Punch(with gingerale) and the famous Coffee Punch. Yummy!

Stuffed Mushrooms (a personal favorite) These are an easy do-ahead and then they can bake at the last minute.

Mini Quiche We've always had a (made from scratch) mini quiche on the menu. We've made crust with everything from layered biscuits to circles cut from sour dough bread. Last year I found a crustless recipe but it was a little bland. This year, crustless and tasty! Hot Cheese Dip Baked for two hours, inside a hollowed round of white mountain bread this cheesy beef dip with chilies is irresistible! And in the crockpot, Ham Balls. Oven baked in a sweetened tomato sauce, we can do these ahead and keep them in the crockpot. I'm missing a few items like cranberry horseradish sauce over cream cheese and mini ham and swiss sandwiches but we'll save those for another post. Arlene expertly covered the sweets by making the best peanut butter balls as well as assorted cookies and bars.

And what is a party, after all without friends to help you consume all the goodies. It was, again, a lovely party and a very special part of my Christmas.

Riviera Nursing Home

I was invited to be a part of the Christmas program at the Riviera Nursing Home. Michael and Suzan Gauthier pour their lives into this ministry and it was a privilege to do this little bit to serve with them. I read my Christmas Story and then Pastor Tim sang "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Sylvia bought her "if-you-can-count-you-can-play" handbells and that was a fun part of the program. I really appreciated the Patsch family joining us with their five (teenage and school
age) children.

Behind the Scenes of Christmas

I love being in the nursery for the Christmas program.

Kayden's Nana was Raggedy Ann in the Toy Store. It was if she was asking, "Is my Nana in there somewhere?" Landon played the part of infant baby Jesus. He was just discovering his voice and won everybody's heart with sweet baby noises.

We had a small but fun group. Jamie played the part of 2 year old Jesus and came with his costume on and his shoes off. Tyler was tired and sat very still in a in a chair. It was as if he put himself in time out.

And now for the surprise

After two nights with Doris, I moved in with one of my babysitting familes. Dad was traveling with work and mom needed help while rocovering from outpatient surgery. They provided a home away from home while the floors were getting done but more importantly, it ended up being a real time of bonding for the three of us. After work that day, I picked up 4-year-old "Ben" at school and he asked me if I was gong on vacation (because my suitcase was in the back seat.) He was actually very excited that I was spending the night. That night he moved to his top bunk so I could sleep in the bottom bunk. And, as he drifted off to sleep, he said "Goodnight, Gwen" (Ben Ten Alien Force part alien cousin). Getting us both to school and work on time was not easy but was accomplished with only one wardrobe meltdown. (I'll leave you wondering which one of us did the melting.)






I made arrangements to leave work early on Friday to get my hair done and I was sitting in the chair, all dyed up - even my eyebrows - and my phone rang. It was Carol, my sister. It's never good news when the conversation starts out, "Mom's ok, but ... " She had fallen at home, broken her wrist and split her lip to the tune of ten stitches. She was in the emergency room. As the Lord would have it, my brother David and his family were visiting from Lawton, OK, so, when Mom fell, she was not alone. They had a flight out of Orlando the next morning so when I got "Ben" settled at home that night, I drove down to Vero Beach. I spent the next five days in Vero taking care of Mom. We called the orthopedic doctor first thing Monday morning and after initially telling us they had no openings, they asked us to come in as soon as we could. The physician's assistant (Doogie Houser) settled mom in the room and then we met the othopedic doctor (Doogie Houser's YOUNGER brother) Doogie, Jr. was a sports injury specialist so he referred us to his collegue, Dr. Cohern. Sugery was scheduled for the next morning and we spent the rest of the day doing bloodwork and paperwork.

We reported to the hospital the next morning. I can't remember the last time, if ever, I sat in a surgical waiting room. (That's how blessed I am!) It made me think about how it felt to be waiting on me. After a while I thought every patient should be mom. They kept mom overnight.

We went straight to the therapist from the hospital and they made a lighter plastic cast for mom's wrist. Mom was a good patient and a pleasure to be around through the whole ordeal.

I had to come home on Wednesday night and go back to work on Thursday morning. (Carol came stayed with mom through the weekend.)

December: a blur of activity and surprise

On December 1, my carpeted floors began turning to tile. I took the day off to check in with the installers but quickly realised I was in the way. George came to take out the front toilet and turn off the water line to the ice machine. It was not small part of the project that the blue tile already on the kitchen floor would be replaced. (sigh, I fell in love with that house because of the blue tile.) I spent the afternoon away from the

house helping Danella wrap her Christmas presents and then I spent the first of two nights with Doris, hostess extraordinaire. (Danella and Bob graciously hostessed Shelly and Precious.)

Ok, so, the "before" pictures are plentiful," and uh, not so many "after" pictures. I am asked almost daily if I like my floors. Truthfully, the house is still too dismantled to get that "walk through the door ahhh" feeling