Elena 
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My sister’s ex-mother-in-law, Annette, passed away a few nights ago. Annette made a strong first impression on me at my sister’s bridal shower. I suppose it was because she was so different from my own mother-in-law who was in her early 60s and was very used to in-laws and grandchildren. Annette was 45 and was a first-time grandma, and a new mother-in-law. I remember my sister commenting on how strange it was to become someone’s aunt, and Annette replying that it was even stranger becoming someone’s grandmother!
Her home was beautiful and well kept and she had a real knack for elegant entertaining. I remember a few years later when her own daughter married, Annette was the epitome of what the mother-of-the bride should be in terms of grace and elegance.
25 years ago next month, Annette and her husband were guests in my home when they came to visit. I don’t remember what we talked about, but I do remember that we had a lovely conversation and I was sorry to see the evening end.
We’ve been out of touch for a long time. I did see her at my niece’s wedding in 2016. Time had changed her and she couldn’t remember who I was. But even though she was uncertain of exactly where she was or what was happening, she hanlded herself with grace and dignity.
Whenever I have people over, or have any sort of little get together, I always have Annette’s example in my memory as the example of gracious hostessing. May she rest in peace.
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In case you hadn’t heard, this weekend, Meghan Markle spent time with Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family for Christmas. Prince Harry commented, “”She’s getting in there and it’s the family I suppose that she’s never had.”
This brought out the ire of Ms. Markle’s half- sister who said, “Our household was very normal and when dad and Doria divorced, we all made it so it was like she had two houses,” “No one was estranged, she was just too busy.”
That struck a chord with me. To my memory, I did not spend a single holiday with my Father. No Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Birthday. He also missed my graduation from high school. I didn’t know that I even missed that until I started thinking about it recently – the opportunities lost and the memories that were never made.
Little Miss C. is growing up a member of two distinct but not joined households, much like Ms. Markle. She spent Christmas Eve, and Christmas Morning in one place, five hours at our house on Christmas afternoon, and then off again for Christmas night somewhere else. I was tired just thiking about it, but she’s 4 years old and is probably much more resiliant. But yeah, I guess if your busy going everywhere and seeing everyone for every big holiday (except for the ones you aren’t) that will make an impact.
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But at least Calvin and Sarah were able to share a few days with us before Christmas and they got to spend some time with Miss C. It meant the world to me to see them both.
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While Calvin was here, he noticed that I was limping around a lot. My knee was simply killing me, and I couldn’t get an appointment until the middle of January. My son, the paramedic, wondered why I just didn’t take some ibuprofen to help the swelling.
The truth was, I was afraid to take ibuprofen because the gastroenterologist I saw a few years back said it could send me into a colitis flare.
I had tried stretching, ice, rest, exercise, and a knee sleeve, and the pain was getting worse. So with Calvin’s encouragement, I took 200 mg of ibuprofen, and the pain started to lessen. Now a week later and after staying off of it as much as possible, and taking two 200 mg ibuprofen a day, it is very tolerable. At least I have hope of making it to my appointment without needing crutches! There have been no GI consequences either.
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Izzy started her new job in October. Since then she has already been Employee of the Month. This week she was offered a small promotion and a chance at more regular (albeit early!) hours.
The secret to her success? She shows up on time (which is always half the battle with an employee) and does whatever work her employer asks her to do. I’m sure being pleasant to costumers and co-workers is also a plus.
The only drawback to all of this is that she’s not driving yet, so if she has to be to work at 7 a.m., either Mr. Pete or I have to take her. Suddenly Mr. Pete seems more motivated to help her with her manuverability skills and is letting her drive more!!
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It occurred to me that in less than 2 weeks, I have to teach a general science class again! So I started looking at the curriculum and found a great experiment – that will require earthworms. In January.
Turns out, you can get em- through Amazon. But I’m a little concerned about what to do with them after that? Maybe this is the year I start composting.
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Stay tuned for some new things coming here in January. I’m looking at finetuning, a little rebranding, and some other bloggy things. Stay tuned!
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