December 1 – 15
Friday, 12/2 – While I was working at food bank, Emma started participating in an after-school soccer program.
Saturday, 12/3 – There was a plant sale, Christmas decorating and school arts and crafts sale at church from 8:30 to 12:00. Emma decorated most of the tree below.
Sunday, 12/4 – After Sunday school, church, and lunch Emma and I visited Dad.
Monday, 12/5 – Emma and I decorated a new Christmas tree for the front porch.
Tuesday, 12/6 was a busy day for me starting early at the North River Care Pregnancy Center, then getting a haircut, rushing home to eat and change clothes to go to Freedom Plaza for a Family Christmas photo session. It was so nice that my brother, Rick, was able to join me and Dad for this activity followed by a nice visit.
Then, I went to see my doctor to get the results of my blood test last week. She said I was doing very well keeping my diabetes under control.
Wednesday, 12/7 – A new movable murphy bed was delivered today to go into my second bedroom to replace the bed that moved with Dad to the memory care center. It is on wheels and, when not in use, it looks like a chest. I’ll be making some more additions to the room after the first of the year.
Saturday, 12/10 – Last Sunday, friends from church, Kathi and Linda, gifted me and Emma a gingerbread kit. We spent some time today putting it together.
Thursday, 12/15 – Emma and I joined my brother, Bill, and his wife, Mary, with Dad at the Freedom Plaza Family Christmas Party
We were entertained by a saxophone player and everyone loved singing Christmas songs with him.
December 16 – 31
On Saturday, 12/17, my brother, Bill and his wife, Mary, came over for the afternoon. We had turkey, dressing and green beans for supper before they returned to Mary’s mother’s home in Temple Terrace where they are staying for the winter.
On Saturday, 12/24, Palm View First Baptist Church’s Outdoor Christmas Eve service, the temperature was 45 degrees (5 p.m.) Emma woke up with a fever this morning, so she did not come with me.
After the service, I picked up my granddaughter, Vanessa, and brought her home to spend the night so we can all spend Christmas morning (early) together.
On Christmas morning, Sunday, I opened presents with Emma, Vanessa, Kellie and J.P.,
then went to church service, picked up Dad and brought him home. We welcomed my brother-in-law, Edward, and opened more presents with all mentioned including Kellie’s parents, Judy and Roy. After our ham dinner, Edward headed home to Ormond Beach and I took Dad back to Freedom Plaza in Sun City.
Monday was still very cold (for Florida) so I mostly rested but started taking down some Christmas decorations inside. By Tuesday night, I had a very bad head cold and spent the rest of the year trying to get over it. On New Year’s Eve, I woke up at 11:56 p.m. – just in time to watch the crystal ball drop over Times Square.
Our journey has been inspired by Joy and Steve Fredrick. You can see more of their story at