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| Homemade Holiday Decorations |
The Christmas throw I crocheted and the cushion covers my mother sewed have been spread out in the living room. There are six cushion covers in two Santa designs:
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| Santa at Work |
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| Santa at Rest |
Well, it seems that it is very doubtful that my daughter will be able to come home for the holidays, after all. Her friend who was to give her a ride has two roommates and apparently one roommate (who works in a school) has been exposed to a student who has tested positive. They just found out, today. Even though the friend and roommates have all recovered from their own bout with Covid, her friend is unsure if this new exposure means they can now be carriers, even if they, themselves, aren't likely to get ill, again. Her friend is trying to get tested, again, but, it is possible that the trip will be delayed. Daughter is unsure by how long.
She and I are very disappointed as we've both been looking forward to her coming home for the holidays. We've spent the whole evening discussing options, over and over again. Flying down is not an option as she has to take public transit to the airport and the risk of exposure is too great. Option number one, I've offered to drive up to pick her up, but, she doesn't want me to (it's an almost 400 mile drive). Option number two is for her to rent a car and drive down on her own. Considering the fact that she hasn't driven such a long distance by herself and dislikes driving, I am a little worried about that. The third option is for her to stay up there, but, she is really sad about having to spend the holidays on her own.
I wish I knew what the Universe is telling us, but, since I don't know, I am hoping that whatever happens will be for the best.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter's friend finding out about the roommate's exposure before they drove down and not after!
- Having options (whether feasible or not is another question!)
- Our current good health and being alive
- We have safe and comfortable homes in which to stay, even if we have to stay apart
- Being able to video chat
Today's joyful activity has been trying to count our blessings and trying to stay positive.
How was your day?
Oh, I do so hope that her driver can get tested (and be negative) so that your daughter can get a ride. Maybe her visit will just be delayed a little. When I was growing up, we celebrated Christmas when everyone could get there. Sometimes it would be a week afterward, but it was all good.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. That's what I told my daughter, last night, that we can delay celebrating Christmas until whenever she can get here. She just didn't want to spend her Christmas break alone (they are obliged to take that one week between Christmas and New Year's Day off, including a couple of furlough days due to the current budget shortfall). I am hoping and praying that things will work out. I had taken her off my car insurance because she doesn't drive up there, however, yesterday, I put her back on my insurance, so she can drive down if needed.
DeleteSo sorry that your daughter may not be home for Christmas. Is there any other safe option for transportation to the airport? Will be praying that you two are able to see each other soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. Well, I suppose she could hire a car and drive herself to the airport, if needs be. She'd really rather not fly because the more she gets exposed to other people, the more likely she is to transmit the virus to me! She does not want her coming home to result in me getting sick!
DeleteYou must be hugely disappointed that your daughter won't be home for the holidays. I hope you will be able to work something out between you. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. Yes, we are disappointed, but, we are hoping that we can find a way for her to come home. "Where there's a will" and all that! :D
DeleteI hope you can work it out somehow to have your daughter visit. That's a long drive but might be worth it?
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you as you figure things out. xo Diana
Thank you, Diana. Yes, it is a long drive, but, one I have made several times. However, it's over 4 years since I last drove up - my daughter has been flying down since then because she didn't want me to get too tired, driving. She has never driven down by herself, but, as I told her, there's always a first time for everything!
DeleteLovely touches to your Christmas sofa, and all so beautifully handmade! Must run in the family :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that the Christmas visit from your daughter is currently in doubt. I know it was particularly important to you, having been apart for ages and celebrated Thanksgiving separately. I think your attitude in the gratitudes is completely right, but I know how hard it can be to focus on these "bright sides" when it feels as if something has been taken away. I'm thinking of you and really hope that you manage to find a way for your daughter to get to you. Keep us posted!
Here in England a relaxation of restrictions was announced some time ago, which would have allowed max. 3 households to celebrate together. My sister and I have taken every precaution to 100% ensure that we will can do that without exposing our parents to risk. However there is now talk that the relaxations might not be granted. I too am focusing on the fact that even if that happens, we have all made it safely through this year and are warm and safe ... but it would still hurt and most of all I know that my parents would be really miserable on their own at such a special time. Let's hope and pray that we are able to be with our families when the time comes!
Thank you, Lady Ella. Yes, it is hard to focus on the positives, but, it is the only antidote I know to feeling sorry for ourselves! I am still hopeful that my daughter and I can be together, soon.
DeleteI hope that you, too, will be able to spend the holidays with your sister and parents. Could you and your sister visit your parents in separate visits? There are restrictions, here, too, but, my daughter and I have been very careful. I've only attended medical appointments and stayed in my car during grocery pick ups and deliveries (when I took food to my friend). My daughter has left her apartment building only about 3 times since March 17 - once to clear her office desk and a couple of times when the fire alarms went off and they had to evacuate the building!
Hi, no, separate visits would make no difference if the rules were changed to allow only two households to mix. i.e. it would be two households in total which could form a bubble. At the moment no change has been announced but there are loud voices demanding it. It's unsettling. Like you, my family too has been ultra careful and not taken advantage of any of the summer relaxations. We took the view that just because it was allowed, didn't make it a good idea. My sister and I are exercising the utmost caution to prepare to have Christmas with our parents so it would be annoying if a rule change made it wrong. (Mind you, so many people have flouted so many rules n recent months, I wonder whether it even makes a difference!!)
DeleteOh, I hope the rules will be relaxed so you could be together over the holidays. I watch BBC News, some days, and according to today's news, Mr. Johnson has said that families will be allowed to visit over Christmas. I hope it continues to be so.
DeleteI'm really sorry that it looks like you and your daughter may not be able to spend the holiday together.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a tough time for so many families.
I am hoping for us all to find ways to manage these trying times in a way that gives us comfort.
Thank you, Debra. We are hoping that we can still be together. I think she is determined to make it down here, one way or another!
DeleteWould renting a car and driving halfway and you meeting her halfway work? Son3 and DIl3 are renting and driving from New York. They were supposed to leave tomorrow but Mother Nature has other plans~!
ReplyDeleteOh, meeting her halfway never even occurred to me! That's a good suggestion! Thank you, Anne! I will mention it to her! I hope your Son3 and DIL3 will be able to make it home safely! Keeping my fingers crossed for them, too!
DeleteWhat a good idea Anne has suggested.
DeleteIt is, isn't it? I texted it to daughter. :)
DeleteYour throw and cushion covers are gorgeous Bless! I am sure glad they found out now and not after too. I like Anne's idea of meeting halfway, then it's not too long of a drive for either of you. Let us know what you decided. I know you were really looking forward to seeing each other.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. Yes, I texted daughter about Anne's suggestion. :)
DeleteI do hope that something works out so that you can safely meet up with your daughter or better still that she can find a way to travel all the way to you. ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady; things are looking a little better, as of today! :)
DeleteI love your counting of blessings every day. I used to do this with a work colleague who used to get depressed. We used to email each other 10 things to be thankful for- it really is a lovely thing to do!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kezzie. I find that it helps me to focus on the positive aspects of my life instead of concentrating on the negatives. :)
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