Daughter and I had a good Christmas Eve today.
I finally gathered the energy I've been lacking and got some house cleaning done which was badly needed. Only took about two hours and I knew it wouldn't take long. So, that's an indication of how badly dragged out I've been. Used to be able to do two hours of strenuous work standing on my head. (Figuratively.)
We also painted clay ornaments. Finally. Been trying to get her to do that with me for quite a while.
We made candelarias, set them out and lit them. Kinda funny thing that I hear what a Hispanic/New Mexican tradition they are, yet don't see many of them. One neighbor made some besides us but we're definitely the whitest people in the area.
We made gluten free cookies, had hot chocolate and watched Rudolph, Frosty and The Grinch (original) on DVD. Then had a long discussion on various holiday observances around the world.
She doesn't quite believe in Santa any more but is taking a safe fall back position on the subject. I'm also minimizing the Santa image a bit. She has too many intellectual questions on the subject. There won't be a Santa here next year. That's okay. Means I can get to sleep at a better time!
We are having a positive impact here! The first year we were here, only one neighbor besides us put up lights. Then slowly others have been adding lights over the years. Now it's up to 6 houses putting up lights out of 8 houses occupied. In addition, we got a card from one home, a call from one home and gifts from two others. We have given gifts to all the neighbors nearly every year since moving in. This has been the best response so far. Most of the neighbors now acknowledge each other driving by, nearly all know each others names and speeding/squealing tires has ceased. There is occasional loud music but not nearly as loud and definitely less frequent. It's turning into a real neighborhood! Oh, and I am picking up far less garbage in front of my house than at any point since moving in. People have finally accepted the concept that a poor neighborhood does not have to equate to a ghetto neighborhood. It works! Being a good neighbor works!
I finally gathered the energy I've been lacking and got some house cleaning done which was badly needed. Only took about two hours and I knew it wouldn't take long. So, that's an indication of how badly dragged out I've been. Used to be able to do two hours of strenuous work standing on my head. (Figuratively.)
We also painted clay ornaments. Finally. Been trying to get her to do that with me for quite a while.
We made candelarias, set them out and lit them. Kinda funny thing that I hear what a Hispanic/New Mexican tradition they are, yet don't see many of them. One neighbor made some besides us but we're definitely the whitest people in the area.
We made gluten free cookies, had hot chocolate and watched Rudolph, Frosty and The Grinch (original) on DVD. Then had a long discussion on various holiday observances around the world.
She doesn't quite believe in Santa any more but is taking a safe fall back position on the subject. I'm also minimizing the Santa image a bit. She has too many intellectual questions on the subject. There won't be a Santa here next year. That's okay. Means I can get to sleep at a better time!
We are having a positive impact here! The first year we were here, only one neighbor besides us put up lights. Then slowly others have been adding lights over the years. Now it's up to 6 houses putting up lights out of 8 houses occupied. In addition, we got a card from one home, a call from one home and gifts from two others. We have given gifts to all the neighbors nearly every year since moving in. This has been the best response so far. Most of the neighbors now acknowledge each other driving by, nearly all know each others names and speeding/squealing tires has ceased. There is occasional loud music but not nearly as loud and definitely less frequent. It's turning into a real neighborhood! Oh, and I am picking up far less garbage in front of my house than at any point since moving in. People have finally accepted the concept that a poor neighborhood does not have to equate to a ghetto neighborhood. It works! Being a good neighbor works!
No comments:
Post a Comment