Christmas Spirit and The end of another state survey

Okay, so it has taken be a while to get in the holiday spirit but reading Judith's blog at Flight Song helped. I've never been this late and not finished with everything. I have been making gifts for about a month and a half and that should have put me in the mood, but it didn't.

As I posted on the 10th, state inspector were at my work last week, Tuesday through Thursday. That really didn't help my holiday spirit at all. They had the nerve to stick around for 4 whole days ( actually, that's how long they stay at any facility), which meant going in early each morning and staying until late. We weren't allow to leave until all the inspector had left for the day. Some days that meant 7am to 7 or 8 pm. We had our exit on Thursday afternoon. It was truly a GREAT survey! Unbelievable! We only got TWO tags, both in dietary (not that I would wish that on any department). It was a better survey then either of the last two years. If they have to come in December, right before Christmas, it's a nice gift not to get any serious tags.

In my department, I had three musical entertainers scheduled in the 4 days they were scheduled to be there. Can't beat that! Of course it is December. The month everyone is in the giving spirit and wanting to give back. ( I have 14 special events scheduled in the month of December. That's nuts!)

Everyone was on cloud nine Thursday afternoon. Management got to leave early on Friday. When the inspection was finished and the inspector were gone, our administer / owner had the secretary announce, "Elvis has left the building". Pretty cool!

My Christmas spirit was definitely picking up with the survey behind me. I've been listening to Christmas music all weekend. I still have a few things to pick up but for the most part, I did manage to get most of my shopping and projects done this weekend. I even have them wrapped and under the tree.

I made the mistake of leaving the wrapped gifts for my grandchildren under my tree. I thought my grandson would never let up during our quality time on Saturday night. He wanted to open one of those gifts sssooooooo bad. Who cares that there was 12 days till Christmas. I managed to find a big, stripped, blue and yellow snake that satisfied him for a time. He kept going back for that small glimmer of hope I would give in and let him open them.

We have a party every year at church, reaching out to the neighborhood with a pot luck, entertainment and a chance to get a picture with Santa. This year I had the pleasure of finding the entertainment. We had a couple clowns that did skits and clowning around, and bringing the real meaning into Christmas. They were called "Fools 4 Christ". They did a great job. They were at the nursing home I work at the day before. What a nice ministry.

As for Santa, the same guy has dressed as Santa for many years. This year was different. One of the other older men in our church did the job. I don't think they really notice who's in the suit, just that he visits and is willing to lend an ear for their latest Christmas wish.

God Bless and Good Night. And if you were one of the people out there saying a prayer for a good survey for our facility, Thank you! God hear our prayers.