Monday, November 30

Since we needed to be ready this morning to go to a tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by Caring Hands Hospice, I skipped going to water aerobics. I also wanted to be home because someone from the ophthalmologist's office was supposed to call to give last-minute instructions about Mother's cataract surgery tomorrow morning. The call came about 9 a.m. We're to be at the surgery at 7:10 in the morning.

Mother came over shortly after that, and we went to a local bank for the tree lighting ceremony that included caroling by a quartet comprised of a teacher, two high school students, and a bank employee. They did an excellent job. After that, the Caring Hands Hospice coordinator presented pewter dove Christmas tree ornaments that folks could purchase in remembrance of loved ones. Those who bought the ornaments signed white paper doves with the names of their loved ones, and these were hung on the tree. I bought one in memory of my brother, and Hubbie bought one in memory of his brother-in-law. Then it was picture taking time, and I was asked to pose in front of the tree with the bank president and the home medical service director, since I'm an advisory committee member.

Back home, we did this and that around the house until lunch time. After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the bank, the pharmacy, the Post Office, and the WDCS.

Back home, we relaxed for a while, and then I dug out more Christmas ornaments and wreathes to finish decorating the house.

For supper tonight, we had spaghetti, salad, and garlic toast made from the remainder of the yeast bread. It was a welcome meal after several days of Thanksgiving food.

Later, Hubbie and I watched TV, including the Hallmark movie, "A Dog Called Christmas," that I'd recorded on DVR. Like sports related stories, as animal lovers, we also like dog stories.

The second movie we watched was "The National Christmas Tree," also a Hallmark film. It's about a majestic spruce that represents cherished memories of a son, who lost his mother when he was a baby, and his father. The tree was planted when the 17-year-old boy was born. Naturally, father and son have relationship problems, and the tree becomes central to their bonding process.