Monday 19 November 2018

November News

Good news for my family: My Dad is coming home today!! He has made great progress over the past two weeks at the rehab clinic, and I am very proud of him - it must have been really hard work to get to where he is now. There is still room for improvement, of course, and we are sure that returning to his familiar environment will give his mind another boost, and further increase his motivation to continue working on his physical condition.

Unfortunately, I won't be there to welcome him, as I am out of town for work for the next two days, and there are two more work-related events I am supposed to attend later this week. But as soon as I can, I'll pop in with my parents to see how my Dad has been settling in. Actually, I think it is good for my parents to have time to themselves at first, before the round of visitors begins!

So, it looks like my biggest Christmas wish this year - to have my Dad back with us, and him really being my Dad again - is coming true.

Now I've said it: The C-word... some of you dread it, I know from your blogs. I love it, as you know from my blog. It is still a bit over two weeks until the opening of my home town's Christmas Market, but it has turned cold enough now to see the first frost appear on my neighbour's lawn, as spotted this weekend from my kitchen window.

So far, November has been very colourful and not at all the grey, dreary month it is often thought of. Here is photographic evidence :-)

At quarter past 7 on the 10th of this month, this was the morning sky as seen from my bedroom window:

And here the view from my kitchen window:


A walk with O.K. around the perimeter of his village on the 11th:


The mountain range in the distance are the Vosges:




It was foggy on the morning of the 14th, as you can tell from this (yes, another one!) view from my kitchen window:

The mulberry tree in front of my bedroom lights up the day with its yellow leaves, no matter how thick the fog is:

After visiting my Dad yesterday, walking from the clinic to the train station, my Mum and I came across this car - look at the license plate! I don't think I've ever seen a car bearing my name :-)


I hope November is full of colour for you, too.

26 comments:

  1. That's fantastic news about your dad, Meike! I'm so glad for you and your family! As to the "C" word.....noooooooo!!!!!! Too soon!! Hahaha!

    Beautiful photos, and I love the plate on the car.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer! Yes, it is good to know my Dad is home, and doing better than we could have imagined only a few weeks ago.

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  2. Very glad that your Dad is coming home Meike! Your pictures are lovely as usual. Enjoy your working trips.

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    1. Thank you, Francesca! The working trip went well but was of course rather exhausting. I wish I didn't have to go to work for the rest of the week :-)

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  3. OH, Meike, I am so happy for you and your Mom and sister! This is the best news. May his health continue to improve! And may you all have a wonderful Christmas together. Beyond that, I am amazed by that license plate with your name on it.

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    1. Thank you, Kristi! Yes, that license plate was unique - at least for me, I've never seen one with my name before.

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  4. As you are besotted with Christmas may I suggest that you dress as one of Santa's elves throughout December when you go to work? I am thinking red pointy hat, green tunic with shiny brass buttons on the front and black leather knee-length boots with buckles. It would be nice if you could post a fashion photo with you in the elf costume.

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    1. The boots would come in handy now, it has gone really cold. Pointy hats? I don't think that would suit me! Besides, German Christmas does not know Santa's elves by tradition. We have angels looking like little girls in long dresses.

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  5. You should have waited on the owner of the car and told him that was your name and see if he/she would give the car to you! HA!
    What great news that your Dad has improved so much! I know it must be such a relief for you all. Continued best wishes for his health and well being!
    Christmas? Yes, but first we have Thanksgiving here in the USA! This year, it will be this Thursday. Wonderful time, just get with your family and try not to eat too much! xx

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    1. Ha ha, yes, we should have waited, but then who'd have driven it home? My Mum and I both do not drive!
      I've seen my parents last night and it was good to have the settee occupied by its rightful owner again :-)

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  6. Such good news about your dad, and you must all be so thrilled that he's making such good progress. It can be such hard work. I hope you all have a lovely run up to Christmas. I think you're right that your parents might be glad to have a little time together to settle down again. What beautiful skies - November can indeed be a lovely month, particularly the early part of the month, when the leaves are not yet gone from the trees but have turned amazing colours.

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    1. We are, Jenny, thank you!
      The last third of the month has begun today, and by the looks of it, will be mostly sunny and dry again. But it has become really cold (frost on the grass and roofs), and we could really, really do with some rain.

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  7. Wonderful, wonderful news!! I love Christmas!!!!

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  8. I'm so pleased to hear about your dad Meike! It will be lovely for him to be back in familiar surroundings, and back with your Mum, more importantly.
    Specialised or personalised number plates go for an absolute fortune here, It would have been a nice piece of 'art' for your flat as you aren't a driver though no doubt at a high cost!

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    1. Thank you, Karen! I saw my parents Tuesday night and my Dad said how good it was to be within his own four walls, looking out of his own window again - he said "Nobody can give you that, no matter how well they care for you" (which they did at the clinic).

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  9. I was very pleased indeed to hear about your Dad's return home. I hope that Christmas will be extra special for you all.

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  10. So happy to know your dear dad is home again and doing well Meike.
    Your Christmas will be extra special having him back with your mum and the family.
    I would love to come with you to the Christmas Market, they always appear to be so wonderful, especially in Germany, from photos I've seen.
    Blessings to you all at this time - will continue to wish your dad better days ahead.
    Hugs - Mary

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    1. Thank you, Mary!
      My home town's Christmas Market is beautiful; you have probably seen the photos on my blog for a few years now. It starts next week... and now that it has turned cold and I have seen the first snow (on my business trip), I am looking forward to it even more.

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  11. I hope your dad's homecoming was good and that you are all looking forward to Christmas.

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    1. It was, Jenny, and we are :-) My sister and I have already been to the Christmas Market - the first of many visits!

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  12. Sorry I'm late, but wishing your Dad and your family a happy holiday season. Wonderful that he is home and recovering ... a real blessing.

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    1. It is never too late for kind words and good wishes, Jill - thank you!
      He is getting better a little bit almost every day. Yesterday, even went to do the groceries shopping together, helped by my sister who drove them to the shop.

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  13. Some lovely skies in your photos! I'm hoping all has gone well with your dad; and wish you a happy Advent time leading up to Christmas! (Not sure why I missed this post until now... But I've been busy with some pre-preparations for Advent/Christmas myself!)

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    1. Thank you, Monica! My Dad keeps making progress, we are even planning a visit to the Christmas market all four of us together.

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