Monday, November 30, 2009

White Christmas

*stretches*

Whew! That was a relaxing break. Did you have a nice holiday? Anything new and exciting to share? A lot has happened in the past week but rather than tell you everything in one post, I'm going to string you along.

The most exciting news is I'm heading home for the holidays!

If you recall, my grandmother had spinal surgery in October, and she's been in and out of the hospital and rehab facility/nursing home ever since. She is healing but will need assistance her first couple weeks back in her apartment, and that's where I come in. My wonderful mother offered to fly me home to play nursemaid/grocery shopper/Christmas-tree decorator/game aficionado for her first couple weeks at home.

My mom and aunt have shouldered the bulk of the responsibility, so my being there will relieve them for a bit and allow them to catch up on two month's worth of work/cleaning/family obligations. I'll fly into Chicago December 11th and because of a trip my parents' already had planned, I won't actually see them until midway through my visit, but I will get to see my aunt and lots of cousins.

Even more exciting, several of my friends from Absolute Write have a get-together planned the same weekend I arrive in Chicago, so I'll get to meet several of my friends! One is staying with me so we'll really get to know each other. ;)

I won't return to Zihua until December 29th and I'm a little concerned about leaving my boys for so long, especially now that Ibis is working again. Owen is used to me being here 24/7 and while Ibis understands that I'm just going for a visit, Owen doesn't seem to understand what I'm telling him. I am leaving the house more often so he sort of gets used to being without me, but there's only so much preparing we can do. Our neighbor has offered to look in on him midway through Ibis' workday, so hopefully that will help.

Now please excuse me while I dig out my sweaters and mittens. :)

14 comments:

Jewel Allen said...

I hope you get a pretty snowfall to welcome you in :-).

Glad you had a great holiday break.

Penguin said...

That is great, too bad there is no snow up here. But it will be good to help out your mom and aunt.
I forget, where is your grandma live?
Will I get to see you?

Janna Leadbetter said...

It's so great! Glad you've got such an important purpose for coming back. I hope all goes well.

Adam said...

With you helping, I'm sure your gran'll be backflipping again in no time. ;-)

The time away from Owen will likely do him some good in the long run, though I can't say the same for your furnishings... :)

Adam

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Jewel, I would LOVE a pretty snowfall, but preferably not welcoming me in. I want my plane to land!

Penguin, she's just outside of Detroit. I'll be taking the train from Chicago to Detroit so I won't be able to stop off anyplace. You could wave at the train as I pass by...

Janna, I hope it goes well too. :)

Adam, we're practicing leaving him alone more, but so far it's not going well. I was gone for 40 minutes this morning while I went to the grocery store and he was still howling when I returned.

ab said...

Squee!!! :)

JLC said...

Oh YAY!! I am so excited for you!! I had no idea you would be gone for so long!! How wonderful it will be for your grandma to spend so much time with you. I am sure she is looking forward to it. :D

Spy Scribbler said...

Awww, poor baby! For 40 minutes! Awww, the Owen. Ibis can't do the Saturday Owen pics while you're gon, can he?

Melanie Hooyenga said...

AB, I KNOW!! I'm so tempted to bring Jillian along.

JLC, yeah, it'll be my longest trip home yet. My grandmother is apparently very excited for me to come.

Natasha, I might plan ahead for the Owen posts. Since I link the pictures from photobucket, I can just upload them before I go.

Robin said...

Yay for you! I'm so glad you're going home for a visit/nursing grandma gig. I bet it will be wonderful seeing your family. You should have Ibis take over the blog while you're gone. That would be highly amusing. He could just post Owen pictures.

(I just read Spy's comment. Great minds and all that.)

Elana Johnson said...

Exciting, but yeah, cold. Have fun!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, I'm a little frightened at what he would come up with to talk about.

Elana, I'm so excited to wear my knee-high slippers!!

erica m. chapman said...

Yay! So glad you are getting a trip back home. I'm sure it will be nice visiting with everyone too :o)

Owen should be fine. At least he has Ibis. That will help.

That's awesome news though :o)

Nothing really on my end... looking forward to the holidays-- well sort of. LOL

Nadine said...

I am so excited you are going home!! That will be so much fun!!

Take lots of wintery pics!

I'm sure Owen will be fine, it will just take a little bit of adjusting. And great that your neighbor can check in on him.