Greetings from “The Home” front ….

WOW!! Mother Nature sure showed us what winter can be like in North Dakota!! Another big THANK YOU goes out to all those staff members who worked double shifts, came in early, and stayed late to help keep our residents safe and comfortable. I have a personal BIG THANK YOU to Rahni Smith and Jason Holkesvig who shoveled and towed my car out of a big snowbank after it had sat for 5 days being snowed upon. I was finally able to go home after spending 5 days/nights here at LMH!!!

Another big THANK YOU goes out to resident Chris Larson who organized and led our Blue Christmas Service last week. His rendition of “Mary Did You Know” was breathtaking. If you would like to see the full service it is available for viewing on our LMH Website and on our Facebook page – it is really worth watching.

Molly was here on Sunday to play a new game called Who & What. Four clues were given and residents had to determine who or what she was describing. We had some great answers from our residents! Monday brought reminiscing about Classic Toys – didn’t every boy wish for a Lionel Train for Christmas or a Red Ryder BB gun (put that down or you’ll shoot your eye out). And every girl longed for a Betsy Wetsy doll. We also had Etch a Sketch, Mr. Potato head and Dr/Nurse kits. Later on, the residents played Jeopardy and had Bingo in the evening. After Newscurrents on Tuesday, everyone decorated Christmas Cookies and then enjoyed taste testing them. We also played the Left/Right story game. Wednesday brought a Christmas Singalong, Crafts, and made rosettes and krumkake in the afternoon. We also had a special Christmas Caroling visit from the Riverside AWANA children, we sure enjoyed their songs! Wednesday (December 21) was also the first day of Winter – really??? Then what was all that white stuff coming down before December 21??? The staff members also had an ugly sweater contest and hot chocolate bar in the break room. Hopefully there will be a picture of the winning sweater in next week’s Tribune. We Finished the Song Lyrics on Thursday morning and had our Resident Christmas Party in the afternoon. The residents received presents and also a visit from Santa Claus. Pastor Deb was here for Church on Friday morning and the ladies got their nails done at Pretty Nails in the afternoon. Just in time for Christmas! Pastor Deb was back for a Christmas Eve Church Service on Saturday followed by Bingo and Sit & Be Fit.

Sunday we will have a special piano performance by Kathy Baldock, we sure enjoy listening to her beautiful playing. Monday will have us hearing Mad Libs followed by Show & Tell and Bingo in the evening. There is Newscurrents on Tuesday morning, along with Kitchen Capers in the afternoon. I know that Lysa and ChiChi along with the residents will be making something yummy to taste test. Wednesday brings Choir and Crafting. What Am I is on the schedule for Thursday morning followed by Pretty Nails and Bingo. Our New Year’s Party is scheduled for Friday afternoon. Pastor Deb will be here for church in the morning. For those that have recovered from the holidays, there is Sit & Be Fit on Saturday morning and then Bingo in the afternoon. We will also be making our New Year’s Resolutions.

With all the Christmas hoop-la I missed a few birthdays last week – belated birthday wishes to Theresa Nelson whose Birthday was December 20th, Jeff Chandler whose birthday was December 24th and Eric Eken who celebrates his birthday on December 29th. We also have one more VERY SPECIAL birthday on December 26th – our therapy dog Princess turns seven!! Happy Birthday Princess!!!

Until next time – have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and please remember the true meaning of that special day.