The Last Week of the Year

 It's COLD here in the Midwest.  Dangerously cold.  We had the week off between Christmas and New Years.  I needed some rest from all the festivities, so we took a couple of long rides in the car.  I didn't really want to get out of the warm car, so we drove and listened to Christmas music.  I am slow to give up that holiday feeling.

 Our girl stayed over one night.  We were in bed trying to think of someplace to go, just to get out of the house.  Grandpa thought of Ikea, and Penny seconded it.  Off we went.  Here is the traditional photo, taken on the streets of Paris, aka Ikea's art section.  I love how this girl plays along with my crazy ideas.  She is game for anything...

Then she was homesick and we took her back home to Mom and Dad.  They called later to ask if Penny had complained about her leg.  She was really in pain.  We couldn't think of anything out of the ordinary...she is always on the move and jumping around.  By the next morning it was serious.  Penny couldn't walk, it was too painful.  We headed back to the city and Penny was in bed but asked to be carried (48lbs) to the living room.  I sat her on her beanbag and we played as I helped consolidate all the gifts and recycle boxes and whatever.  Penny seemed fine, in good humor but not moving from the spot I put her.  I suggested that we go to the bathroom and that I would help.  You could see the pain on her face when she tried to put weight on her leg.  Being the holiday weekend we packed up and went the local Immediate Care Unit. 

We were the last patient of the day.  Mom carried her into the office.  Kristen texted from inside that they were going to take some Xrays.  I was scared.  They were probably in the office 45 minutes to an hour, but it seemed like hours to this anxious Grandma and to a cool and collected Grandpa who kept telling me,"she'll be fine".

Kris sent me another text saying the X ray was fine.  Soon Kris came out carrying Penny.  I took her and put her down on a chair in the waiting room.  We have a long standing tradition, if you are good at the doctor, you will be rewarded with something, usually from the Drug store where we fill the prescription.  Penny immediately remembered this fact, stood up and WALKED around the waiting room.  The look on Kristen's face, well, I know it well...  Disbelief!  The diagnosis, growing pains!
She wasn't completely better, but I guess she was relieved too.  It took at least ten years off my life, and the graying of the few hairs I have left. Kris shook her head all the way home...

Something similar happened to me with son Jon when he was just 2 years old.  So sick, lethargic with a horrible croupy kind of cough.  Same thing, weekend, ER. He was pitiful, I thought I was gonna lose him.  Xrays and doctors assuring me he'd be fine. There we got a prescription.  I ran through the drug store picking up the things we needed and also grabbed a Nerf soccer ball for Jon.  By the time we got to my Mom's house, he had a miraculous recovery.  He was running, kicking the ball and healed! Disbelieve and relief!  So I knew exactly how Kris felt in the moment.

Back to Penny. We stopped at a Drug store where I persuaded Penny to stay put and I would get her a surprise.  Freezing cold, car seats, snow on the ground, even she thought it was a good idea.  She's been much better, and keeping Grandma amused with Face Time and emojis and gifs of all sorts. She is growing like a weed, and as each day passes she is more and more precious to me.  Glad to see her up and around, able to enjoy her winter vacation. Growing is hard work and some children have more pain than others. (Later, DIL Charlotte mentioned that she had ended up in the ER when she was younger with the same growing pains diagnosis.)

 We did go to a thrift last week  I found this Marjolein Bastin birdhouse box and the small oval platter. Did you notice the photo?

 I won it in our Christmas lottery, a thoughtful photo of my dearest daughter Kristen.  Kris' good pal and photographer Lizz took the photo.  I had to steal the box back a few times to finally get it. (It was wrapped in gold and knew it was something special.)  I think it was meant to be.  I love this photo and the beautiful woman, daughter, wife and Mother that she is.

 From the Nature's Sketchbook collection.

 The oval tray will get plenty of use.

 Bought some flowers to celebrate the new year.  Baby's Breath, an all time favorite.  We used to wear it in our hair when we performed or sang at Church services in my choir days.

 A five dollar bunch of spray roses lasts for weeks and dries beautifully.

 At Ikea we found some no calorie snacks for my new cake dome.

 Which brings us to New Years Eve.  A quiet evening, just the two of us.  Able to relax since Penny had a good day, most of the kids were staying in since today is a work day for a couple of them.

 These beautiful frost covered wine glasses were a Christmas gift from our friends Jean and Tom.
Jean is a treasured friend and a faithful reader here. Thank you so much. 

 The last sunset of 2017. 

 A decoration I almost forgot to share.  Made by my SIL the talented Elizabeth.  On a stack of birch logs, these beautiful greens taken from right outside her door. 

  Thank you Betty.

My wish for you this new year dear reader...

Health enough to make work a pleasure,

Wealth enough to support your needs,

Strength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them,

Grace enough to toil until good is accomplished

Charity enough to see the good in your neighbor,

Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others,

Faith enough to make real the things of God,

Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.

- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Happy 2018 to all of my dear family and friends.

Thank you for visiting and for your friendship.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny