Fun in Washington

Another trip to see my family! Saturday I arrived late in the afternoon, so it was a good time to just relax and talk (or in my case, listen).

Sunday, though, we got busy. First I put up Mom's Christmas tree and decorated it. Mom has a 3 foot tree now, with no lights or tinsel but lots of little size-appropriate decorations. Then I drove her to the Goodwill in Washington, and Kroger, and Walmart. And after we came home, I colored Kathy’s hair for her. It's our regular Sunday thing. 

Monday we were up early for an appointment to draw Mom's blood. The phlebotomist had a hard time of it and Mom was ready to quit, but the nurse came in and managed to do it. We stopped by the bank on the way home, then recuperated/relaxed at home for the rest of the day. 

Tuesday I took Mom to get her hearing aids adjusted, then we came home and had a wonderful family lunch. Kathy, Ruth, Mary and Becky all made it over for some of Mom's great hamburgers. We played cards awhile, then Becky brought out some of the old games we used to play as children - dominos and Chinese checkers. It's been a long, long time since we saw these!  

Eventually Ruth, Kathy and Mary left to go home, but Becky came along with Mom and me to see Christmas lights. The first stop was the East Peoria Festival of lights, with lots of big floats are parked in the field but turned on for viewing. Later they will be on parade.

Then Becky used the GPS on her phone to direct me, from the back seat, to a special light show in the Farmington area. I say “area” because the GPS took us through so many turns through back roads that I have no idea where we ended up!  But Mom is used to being lost when I’m driving, so it was not a big deal. And when we finally got there, it was amazing. We must have sat there for 40 minutes or more, watching the beautiful light show that was synchronized to several different Christmas songs.

After we sat through the whole show we drove back to Washington and randomly turned down a street that looked like it had some lights up.  Good choice - it was filled with decorated houses. A couple of houses across the street from each other were in fun competition with each other to get the most votes for “best” lights. 

Wednesday we went to the dentist, and Mom got the happy news that she probably wouldn’t lose her two front teeth, which were damaged in the fall she took earlier in the year. We celebrated by going to Etcetera in Eureka.

Thursday I drove Mom to the library so she could give her friends there some of her excellent goodies. They were all so impressed with how much she had recovered from her fall. And everyone was eager to assure her that whenever she is ready, her position will be waiting for her. They are such good people!  I took Mom home, then spent the rest of the day with Ruth and Kathy.  We visited for hours at Ruth’s house, then I went with Kathy to her Bible study class. 

Friday we went to another doctor.  Afterwards we found time to flip Mom's mattress before going to East Peoria Goodwill, then to Target. Mom doesn't usually go to Target but she was looking for a dish drainer and we couldn't find one. Didn't find one at Target, either, so she probably won't go back. Since we were already out, we drove to Peoria to go thrift shopping at The Church Mouse.  And on the way back we went to the Restoration store in Metamora.

Saturday I finally found time to fix Mom's eyebrows before playing cards again with Kathy.  And then it was time to leave. It was just one week, but we did a pretty good job of filling it up with fun!