NEW NEIGHBOR UPDATE

Well, I guess that I'm not going to get what I wanted as far as the new next door neighbor thing goes.  Word has it that my new neighbor is going to be a forty-year old bachelor with no children.  Oh well.  I guess that Derek will not get his new playmate.
  

this is not him (I don't think)

 
I'm sure that he's very nice, but this is like the worst case scenario.  I can only hope that he is quiet and keeps to himself.

HEARTBREAK

THE GIRARDIS ARE GONE.  

It was a date that I had been dreading for a while.  Derek is beside himself because his best friend is gone.  Lots of hugs and good luck wishes, and then Derek sat on his bed in his room, heartbroken.

I can only hope that whoever buys this house next door is at least on half the type of people that the Girardis are.  I am going to miss my friends, and will try to stay in touch, but they moved to Texas.  They may as well have gone to the moon.  We probably will never see them again.

UN-DECORATING IS A DRAG

Well the tree is down and the Christmas decorations are put away.  It's January 7th.  It's kind of depressing, really. 

It seems that every year, I get so caught up in the lead up to Christmas.  I baked cookies like a madman.  Shopped at the mall for family and friends.  Ran here and there, visiting the old age home, etc.  I had Derek's picture taken at Sears and had it made into photo cards, then sent them out.   Before I knew it, Derek's Christmas concert happened, and Christmas was right around the corner.   December seemed to go so fast.  Too fast.

So now it's a new year, 2015.  Our neighbors are moving away in a month.  Derek has to fit as much playtime as he can with his best friend before he moves to their new house in Texas.  I'm not looking forward to it, and I have no idea what to expect from a new neighbor.  They have not sold the house yet.

SHE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE ME, BUT THAT'S OKAY

Every week I visit the local nursing home.  I sit with Frank, a World War II vet, and read him sports scores.  I bring Sister Rita cookies, and I sit and talk to a woman named Mary, who has Alzheimer's.  Each person enjoys my company and is glad that I stop by to tell a story.

For the past half year, I've noticed that the light has gone out of Mary's eyes.  It has been a slow process, as with other people who have this disease.  I've heard it called the "long goodbye", and I can understand where that came from.  It is a long and torturous process.

When I first met Mary, I used to sit with her and tell her stories about my husband and son.  She always gave a big smile when I walked into the room, especially when I walked in with Derek.  She knew who I was, she asked about my family, and enjoyed our conversations.  I looked forward to seeing her every week.

Now, things have changed.  Lately, Mary has been on pain medication, which makes her sleepy.  When I walk in the room, she does not who I am, and conversation is one-sided.  Sometimes, it is almost like I am looking into her eyes and she does not see me, almost like she's somewhere else.  It probably is the pain medication, but without it, she would be miserable.  

My only comfort is that once in a while, she does smile, and sometimes she does recognize me.  It does not happen that often, but if I can make my friend smile, it is worth it.

THANKSGIVING ANXIETY

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  So much to do with so little time.  We are having company at our home this year.  We are having turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings, and will have the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade playing on the background.  It is one of my favorite holidays, outside of Christmas.

I'M TOO TIRED TO EAT

I've spent a couple of sleepless nights since we found out about our next door neighbors's move.  Maybe I worry too much about Derek.  I don't know.  However, I never had my best friend move away when I was 7 years old.

Nevertheless, on the bright side, my lack of sleep has made my appetite go down.  Two days into the diet and I'm doing very well.  I haven't touched Derek's Halloween bag and it hasn't tempted me, either.  Had a salad with chicken today for lunch, some almonds for a snack.  Keeping away from the killer carbs.  It's tough to keep away from the bread and pasta, especially when I'm from Italian descent.

I've gotta get some sleep.  Derek's been in bed for an hour, and Philip is watching some kind of sport on tv (I guess).  Time to lift a book and relax.

HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

We had a very busy two days.

Today, I was at Derek's school, helping with the class party.  I made 24 white cupcakes with orange icing (with pumpkin faces on top).  There are sixteen kids in the class, but there were no cupcakes left over.  They were a big hit.  I had made Halloween spice cookies (A Martha Stewart recipe), but I decided that maybe it would be a little too spicy for the kids.

Last night, there was a Halloween parade at the park.  The kids walked around the baseball fields a few times.  It was dark, and a little cold.  I was not thrilled about that, since it started at five, and we usually have dinner at 5:30.  It screwed up my whole schedule, but Derek had a good time, and that is what was important.

After dinner yesterday, Philip and Derek carved the pumpkin and displayed it in the bay window.  Afterwards, we watched “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on DVD.

Today(Halloween), Derek dressed as a pilot, in a brown jumper with Air Force logo and white helmet.  I do not know where he got the idea, but he has wanted to be a pilot for the past year.  Unfortunately, it was so cold and windy outside today that Derek had to wear his winter jacket.  He was not happy, but I did not want him to be sick for a week.  There were not many kids out there today; meanwhile, Philip, Derek and I were out for two hours.

Once home, I made apple cider for the three of us, then we went through Derek’s bag.  I was so happy to be home and done with Halloween for this year. 

It is time to start planning for Thanksgiving.