2013: The Year of Awesome
I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day. It's a charmed life I live. I try to remember the line from that Ben Harper song - "If you have everything, you have everything to lose." - keeps things in perspective and reminds me to not take any of it for granted. But of course I take things for granted - practically all of them. I bitch about my job, my husband, my sweet baby's hatred of sleep - and then remind myself how lucky I am to have every single complaint, because my problems ain't that bad. I strive constantly to remember not to bitch about my bounty of blessings.
I'm thankful that I don't have to stretch to find things to be thankful for. I can hit the big things without blinking - new baby, adoring husband, stable job, robust health, loving parents and extended family, warm home, food in the fridge, money in the bank. I feel guilty sometimes for having so much - what makes me so special? Why do I get to have everything, when so many people in the world have nothing?
I was going to get so much deeper with that line of thought, but Geneva woke up from her nap. I'm so thankful for that little girl.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday Presents: Weekly Wall of Words
What was that crap I was blathering on about the other night? I'm afraid to even look. I shouldn't be allowed to drunk blog, drunk Facebook, drunk call, drunk text - none of it! (The texting's not such a big deal; I hardly ever text.)
Thanksgiving was awesome; I hope yours was too. My whole family was together for the first time in years and years (even when Brother was around to attend, he often didn't; I think he felt judged and unloved by some extended family, but hopefully we've turned that corner). I was worried that everyone wouldn't be nice, but it was perfect and wonderful.
For the first time in ever, I went out to a store on Black Friday. Of course, it was Lowe's, and it was 11 o'clock before we got there, but there were people and sales and stuff so it totally counts. And then we went to the Meijer because I wanted to buy the newest Harry Potter movie but I couldn't fathom going near a Best Buy to get their $9.99 BluRay special, so I paid $34 at Meijer. I almost didn't buy it because of that price, but then I figured if we'd actually gone to see it in the theater like we were s'posed to, it would've cost us at least that much dollars, and hey, this comes with an extra disk full of bonus features and a DVD. Anyone want a Harry Potter 8 DVD? It was free. What in the hell am I supposed to do with an extra copy of the movie?
Poor Jimi, all he wanted to do on Friday was play in his garage and get his new workbench set up. On our way home from the Meijer, though, I got a phone call from Rick and so we detoured over there - and got stuck for hours and hours. Rick's friend Billy was in town from Denver. Billy is from Hawaii and California, and just not at all the type of guy you're used to chillin' with here in Kentucky. He and Jimi talked for hours, about everything from surfing to religion. Billy was completely amused by our "country" accents - I almost protested that we're not country, we're from Louisville, but then I listened for another second to his "You know what I mean? Right..." surfer dude lingo and realized that he's probably feeling like he's in Hillbilly Central. I wish he'd been in town longer - I would've loved for him to meet my extended family, show him what Country REALLY looks like. He wanted to eat some good Kentucky food, but as Jimi told him, good Southern cooking isn't something you can get at a restaurant; good Southern cooking has to be gotten from someone's home. For a moment, I was afraid the party was going to move back to our place for Jimi to whip up some yums, which would've sucked because our house has lived in a permanent state of disarray and mess for the last 2 months. We ended up at Flabby's instead, a Germantown staple that is known for its awesome fried chicken and rolled oysters. I think Flabby's has changed ownership recently or something - the place was completely empty save for the guy working the counter, and the food wasn't quite up to par. Billy's thigh had blood dripping from it. I was embarrassed, as if I'd spent the time preparing and serving bloody chicken, but dammit, we all talked this place up, and they back that up by serving raw chicken? WTF?
We all parted ways after dinner, and Jimi and I both paid a hefty price for eating fried pickles and pan-fried oysters and french fries and fried fish. God, I feel unctuous just rehashing that greasy meal.
Yesterday, Jimi still didn't get the workshop sassisfaction for which he was hoping; he helped his brother clean out their Uncle Joe's gutters, then he helped Steve finish his bathroom. (Steve has a toilet again! I really want to tell you that story, about how Steve hasn't had a toilet for like 6 months and has been pooping in a bucket, using a pizza box as a seat, but it almost feels like making fun of him, and while I want to make fun of him, I don't want to hurt his feelings. Of course, I'm not sure how many feelings one can have if they're willing to shit in a bucket for six months...and really, now that I've told you this much, there's not much to add, except that his girlfriend will probably spend the night at his house again now. Because there ain't no woman I know who's willing to take their morning constitutional with a pizza box, a Kroger bag, and a bucket.)(Unless you're camping in the woods, but that doesn't count.) By the time he made it home last night, Jimi was beat and had no energy for workshop work.
I spent my day yesterday doing a whole lot of nothing, which is always my favorite way to spend a Saturday. I did have to go in to work for about an hour, to do month-end billing (because Boss-man couldn't wait till Monday to find out if we'd had a million-dollar month - we did!), but once I was back home, I retired to the porch with a book (The Fellowship of the Ring, now that I've finished The Hobbit). For the rest of the afternoon and evening, I alternated between book, internet, and Sims Pets - and was wholly unproductive. It was fabulous.
I did hear back from Kat. She asked me if I'm okay, said she worries about me. I hate that. I hate it because if she was here, if she knew me, she would know that her worry is needless and unfounded. I told her life is awesome, almost wrote, "the only thing missing is you," but didn't. I can't decide if it's true or not. I miss Kat; this person she is now, though, I don't know her, and I don't think I'd have the ability to put aside my heartbreak enough to get to know her now. The betrayal I feel is still so strong; like a wife who's been cheated on, I don't think I could ever forget enough to go back. Not that that's even an option or anything...I'm just rambling. My feelings got hurt really bad, okay?
From Facebook, just now: "Never chase love, affection, or attention. If it isn't given freely by another person, it isn't worth having." True 'nough, Facebook. True 'nough.
I just spent 15 minutes looking up a video called "WTF!?" by Dead Monkey Comics, because I love it with mouth and it is the source of that word I used up there - sassisfaction. But the video doesn't work. I can't get it to play. If you go to that link and get it to work for you, let me know, will you? Cause I embedded it and everything, but it ain't workin'. "Email!!" is going to have to do. It's good, too - it added silly shit to my vocabulary, like K THX BYE and SHUN!. I have a better story about "WTF!?", but I'll save it for when they get the freakin' video working. For now, here's Email!!:
Happy Sunday!
Thanksgiving was awesome; I hope yours was too. My whole family was together for the first time in years and years (even when Brother was around to attend, he often didn't; I think he felt judged and unloved by some extended family, but hopefully we've turned that corner). I was worried that everyone wouldn't be nice, but it was perfect and wonderful.
For the first time in ever, I went out to a store on Black Friday. Of course, it was Lowe's, and it was 11 o'clock before we got there, but there were people and sales and stuff so it totally counts. And then we went to the Meijer because I wanted to buy the newest Harry Potter movie but I couldn't fathom going near a Best Buy to get their $9.99 BluRay special, so I paid $34 at Meijer. I almost didn't buy it because of that price, but then I figured if we'd actually gone to see it in the theater like we were s'posed to, it would've cost us at least that much dollars, and hey, this comes with an extra disk full of bonus features and a DVD. Anyone want a Harry Potter 8 DVD? It was free. What in the hell am I supposed to do with an extra copy of the movie?
Poor Jimi, all he wanted to do on Friday was play in his garage and get his new workbench set up. On our way home from the Meijer, though, I got a phone call from Rick and so we detoured over there - and got stuck for hours and hours. Rick's friend Billy was in town from Denver. Billy is from Hawaii and California, and just not at all the type of guy you're used to chillin' with here in Kentucky. He and Jimi talked for hours, about everything from surfing to religion. Billy was completely amused by our "country" accents - I almost protested that we're not country, we're from Louisville, but then I listened for another second to his "You know what I mean? Right..." surfer dude lingo and realized that he's probably feeling like he's in Hillbilly Central. I wish he'd been in town longer - I would've loved for him to meet my extended family, show him what Country REALLY looks like. He wanted to eat some good Kentucky food, but as Jimi told him, good Southern cooking isn't something you can get at a restaurant; good Southern cooking has to be gotten from someone's home. For a moment, I was afraid the party was going to move back to our place for Jimi to whip up some yums, which would've sucked because our house has lived in a permanent state of disarray and mess for the last 2 months. We ended up at Flabby's instead, a Germantown staple that is known for its awesome fried chicken and rolled oysters. I think Flabby's has changed ownership recently or something - the place was completely empty save for the guy working the counter, and the food wasn't quite up to par. Billy's thigh had blood dripping from it. I was embarrassed, as if I'd spent the time preparing and serving bloody chicken, but dammit, we all talked this place up, and they back that up by serving raw chicken? WTF?
We all parted ways after dinner, and Jimi and I both paid a hefty price for eating fried pickles and pan-fried oysters and french fries and fried fish. God, I feel unctuous just rehashing that greasy meal.
Yesterday, Jimi still didn't get the workshop sassisfaction for which he was hoping; he helped his brother clean out their Uncle Joe's gutters, then he helped Steve finish his bathroom. (Steve has a toilet again! I really want to tell you that story, about how Steve hasn't had a toilet for like 6 months and has been pooping in a bucket, using a pizza box as a seat, but it almost feels like making fun of him, and while I want to make fun of him, I don't want to hurt his feelings. Of course, I'm not sure how many feelings one can have if they're willing to shit in a bucket for six months...and really, now that I've told you this much, there's not much to add, except that his girlfriend will probably spend the night at his house again now. Because there ain't no woman I know who's willing to take their morning constitutional with a pizza box, a Kroger bag, and a bucket.)(Unless you're camping in the woods, but that doesn't count.) By the time he made it home last night, Jimi was beat and had no energy for workshop work.
I spent my day yesterday doing a whole lot of nothing, which is always my favorite way to spend a Saturday. I did have to go in to work for about an hour, to do month-end billing (because Boss-man couldn't wait till Monday to find out if we'd had a million-dollar month - we did!), but once I was back home, I retired to the porch with a book (The Fellowship of the Ring, now that I've finished The Hobbit). For the rest of the afternoon and evening, I alternated between book, internet, and Sims Pets - and was wholly unproductive. It was fabulous.
I did hear back from Kat. She asked me if I'm okay, said she worries about me. I hate that. I hate it because if she was here, if she knew me, she would know that her worry is needless and unfounded. I told her life is awesome, almost wrote, "the only thing missing is you," but didn't. I can't decide if it's true or not. I miss Kat; this person she is now, though, I don't know her, and I don't think I'd have the ability to put aside my heartbreak enough to get to know her now. The betrayal I feel is still so strong; like a wife who's been cheated on, I don't think I could ever forget enough to go back. Not that that's even an option or anything...I'm just rambling. My feelings got hurt really bad, okay?
From Facebook, just now: "Never chase love, affection, or attention. If it isn't given freely by another person, it isn't worth having." True 'nough, Facebook. True 'nough.
I just spent 15 minutes looking up a video called "WTF!?" by Dead Monkey Comics, because I love it with mouth and it is the source of that word I used up there - sassisfaction. But the video doesn't work. I can't get it to play. If you go to that link and get it to work for you, let me know, will you? Cause I embedded it and everything, but it ain't workin'. "Email!!" is going to have to do. It's good, too - it added silly shit to my vocabulary, like K THX BYE and SHUN!. I have a better story about "WTF!?", but I'll save it for when they get the freakin' video working. For now, here's Email!!:
Happy Sunday!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
My whole family was together today.
I hugged my Momma, my Daddy, my Brother, and my Jimi. I told them each how much I love them.
I played games with my cousins, the ones who were all born after I started growing up.
I rubbed Stacy's belly, and hoped to feel the kick of the next generation, but she, apparently, was sleeping.
Stacy and Pam took Granny's old recipes and turned them into a book, with family pictures included.
They handed me a wrapped box, inside of which I found three dresses - dresses I wore when I was a little girl. A picture of me wearing one, sitting on Granny's couch, hangs in my parents' hallway.
I cried a lot this evening.
I came home and wrote to Kat. Fuck.
I kinda hate that. I won't hear back, or if I do, it won't be what I'd want to hear, but fuck it. You only live once, right? May as well lay it all out there.
By the way, my name is Princess Awesomesauce, and if you don't like that, you can fuck right the hell off.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I hugged my Momma, my Daddy, my Brother, and my Jimi. I told them each how much I love them.
I played games with my cousins, the ones who were all born after I started growing up.
I rubbed Stacy's belly, and hoped to feel the kick of the next generation, but she, apparently, was sleeping.
Stacy and Pam took Granny's old recipes and turned them into a book, with family pictures included.
They handed me a wrapped box, inside of which I found three dresses - dresses I wore when I was a little girl. A picture of me wearing one, sitting on Granny's couch, hangs in my parents' hallway.
I cried a lot this evening.
I came home and wrote to Kat. Fuck.
I kinda hate that. I won't hear back, or if I do, it won't be what I'd want to hear, but fuck it. You only live once, right? May as well lay it all out there.
By the way, my name is Princess Awesomesauce, and if you don't like that, you can fuck right the hell off.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday/Fridays are my favorite.
Yesterday was Monday and today was Monday again, even though it was Friday. (Of course, it's REALLY Tuesday, but not for me, not this week!)
Are you following me?
(If not, you should. I'm pretty awesome.)
Oh! About that - today my name is Princess Awesomesauce. Just so you know.
No one called me by my proper name today. They just don't get it.
The new name thing, that is - they totally get that I'm awesome.
Do you hate it when bloggers blog a series of tweets that aren't meaty enough to be statuses?
I bought a new plant light to help my sad outdoor plants this winter - and Jimi, brilliant man that he is, suggested perhaps I could make my orchids very very happy, too. (They usually just live in the window-sills.) I'm enjoying watching my plants so much, I'm seriously considering buying another couple of lights and turning a large section of my basement into an indoor greenhouse. I could grow lettuces and herbs and tomatoes and all sorts of awesomesauce things - and I really, really enjoy watching my plants grow. It takes so little effort, but it's so rewarding to see a little sprout become a big, hearty, happy plant. Sometimes I fantasize about going back to school and getting some sort of plant degree - how badass would it be to get paid to grow plants?
Have I mentioned how excited I am about the facial and massage and haircut tomorrow? OMG, I can hardly wait. Am I a selfish bitch? I'm sure Stacy is going to love this just as much as I will, and that's why I want to do it for her - but I totally needed an excuse to do it for myself, too. Just like when we were kids, and someone always made sure I got at least one present on her birthday, so I wouldn't feel left out of the excitement...but it's not like I'm going to take her to the day spa and sit in the waiting area for her. Gift certificate smishertificate - I want some good touch too!!!
This 5-day weekend couldn't have arrived sooner - I'm so ready for some time off. I love the holidays for that reason, if no other (though there are many more). 5 days in November, 9 days in December - recharging time. Much needed, just in time.
TGIF, and all that jazz.
Are you following me?
(If not, you should. I'm pretty awesome.)
Oh! About that - today my name is Princess Awesomesauce. Just so you know.
No one called me by my proper name today. They just don't get it.
The new name thing, that is - they totally get that I'm awesome.
Do you hate it when bloggers blog a series of tweets that aren't meaty enough to be statuses?
I bought a new plant light to help my sad outdoor plants this winter - and Jimi, brilliant man that he is, suggested perhaps I could make my orchids very very happy, too. (They usually just live in the window-sills.) I'm enjoying watching my plants so much, I'm seriously considering buying another couple of lights and turning a large section of my basement into an indoor greenhouse. I could grow lettuces and herbs and tomatoes and all sorts of awesomesauce things - and I really, really enjoy watching my plants grow. It takes so little effort, but it's so rewarding to see a little sprout become a big, hearty, happy plant. Sometimes I fantasize about going back to school and getting some sort of plant degree - how badass would it be to get paid to grow plants?
Have I mentioned how excited I am about the facial and massage and haircut tomorrow? OMG, I can hardly wait. Am I a selfish bitch? I'm sure Stacy is going to love this just as much as I will, and that's why I want to do it for her - but I totally needed an excuse to do it for myself, too. Just like when we were kids, and someone always made sure I got at least one present on her birthday, so I wouldn't feel left out of the excitement...but it's not like I'm going to take her to the day spa and sit in the waiting area for her. Gift certificate smishertificate - I want some good touch too!!!
This 5-day weekend couldn't have arrived sooner - I'm so ready for some time off. I love the holidays for that reason, if no other (though there are many more). 5 days in November, 9 days in December - recharging time. Much needed, just in time.
TGIF, and all that jazz.
Friday, November 26, 2010
We had two dinners yesterday, one with Jimi's family and one with mine, but I only ate at the first. I drank wine when we got to Momma's. :) And then vodka when we got home. I'm pretty sure last night's depressing post about Granny was alcohol-induced melancholy. My bad.
We're hosting a meal for our BFFs tomorrow - a brined and smoked turkey, my Momma's cornbread dressing, roasted potatoes, fresh green beans, cranberry-orange gelatin, pumpkin and pecan pies, Hawaiian rolls. I love having people over. I love having a house full of good smells and laughter and happiness and our favorite people. I'm not crazy about the clean-up before/after any gathering, but that's why God made dishwashers and boyfriends, right?
I missed Brother yesterday. I kept thinking about him, wondering what he'd had to eat, knowing he wasn't having seconds or thirds or watching The Godfather with Daddy or playing LRC with Momma and Pam and Sheila and the kids. Kristin asked about him a few times. Momma told Sheila the truth about where he was spending his holiday. She found out that if he's not able to get shock probation next month, he's not eligible for parole until April 2011. Mom handled it well not having her baby home on Thanksgiving; I don't think she'd manage Christmas quite as easily, certainly not without tears. I'm torn between wanting him to come home (for Momma, for his comfort) and wanting them to make sure to keep him long enough to convince him that he never wants to go back there again. I don't want anything bad to happen to him, but I want it to sink in with him that the shit he's been doing is no way to live, and that prison or death are very real options if he doesn't make some serious changes in his life.
Meanwhile, Jimi's preparing the brine, Jason's on his way over, I'm doing laundry. Life goes on.
Jimi and I shopped earlier; Kroger was the only plan, and it was easy. Black Friday apparently doesn't apply to grocery stores. Well, at least not at noon. As we were loading our foods into the trunk, Jimi said we needed to go to Wal-Mart so he could get some hardwood for the smoker tomorrow. Wal-Mart, he said. On Black Friday. Of course, my reaction was O FUCK NO. But we went anyhow, and it wasn't really bad, either. There were not-too-far parking spaces, and the aisles weren't as full as I'd expected. It wasn't as bad as a typical shopping trip there on a Saturday afternoon, in fact. The huge gaylord boxes full of holiday special sale items created more of a traffic hassle than the shoppers. I was surprised and pleased.
I was chatting with my internet British friend, and he was bitching about all the hullabaloo surrounding the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Apparently it's all royal wedding all the time on his side of the pond and he's sick of it. Guess he wouldn't be interested in knowing that my parents also married on April 29th, eh? :)
Happy Weekend!
We're hosting a meal for our BFFs tomorrow - a brined and smoked turkey, my Momma's cornbread dressing, roasted potatoes, fresh green beans, cranberry-orange gelatin, pumpkin and pecan pies, Hawaiian rolls. I love having people over. I love having a house full of good smells and laughter and happiness and our favorite people. I'm not crazy about the clean-up before/after any gathering, but that's why God made dishwashers and boyfriends, right?
I missed Brother yesterday. I kept thinking about him, wondering what he'd had to eat, knowing he wasn't having seconds or thirds or watching The Godfather with Daddy or playing LRC with Momma and Pam and Sheila and the kids. Kristin asked about him a few times. Momma told Sheila the truth about where he was spending his holiday. She found out that if he's not able to get shock probation next month, he's not eligible for parole until April 2011. Mom handled it well not having her baby home on Thanksgiving; I don't think she'd manage Christmas quite as easily, certainly not without tears. I'm torn between wanting him to come home (for Momma, for his comfort) and wanting them to make sure to keep him long enough to convince him that he never wants to go back there again. I don't want anything bad to happen to him, but I want it to sink in with him that the shit he's been doing is no way to live, and that prison or death are very real options if he doesn't make some serious changes in his life.
Meanwhile, Jimi's preparing the brine, Jason's on his way over, I'm doing laundry. Life goes on.
Jimi and I shopped earlier; Kroger was the only plan, and it was easy. Black Friday apparently doesn't apply to grocery stores. Well, at least not at noon. As we were loading our foods into the trunk, Jimi said we needed to go to Wal-Mart so he could get some hardwood for the smoker tomorrow. Wal-Mart, he said. On Black Friday. Of course, my reaction was O FUCK NO. But we went anyhow, and it wasn't really bad, either. There were not-too-far parking spaces, and the aisles weren't as full as I'd expected. It wasn't as bad as a typical shopping trip there on a Saturday afternoon, in fact. The huge gaylord boxes full of holiday special sale items created more of a traffic hassle than the shoppers. I was surprised and pleased.
I was chatting with my internet British friend, and he was bitching about all the hullabaloo surrounding the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Apparently it's all royal wedding all the time on his side of the pond and he's sick of it. Guess he wouldn't be interested in knowing that my parents also married on April 29th, eh? :)
Happy Weekend!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving 2004 was the last time I saw my Granny alive.
Thanksgiving day at my Momma's house, then the Sunday after at Acton, at Grandma Edwards' celebration. Maxine was there with her guitar; Maxine played while Granny sang "I'll Fly Away". I sang with her.
I saw "O Brother Where Art Thou" a few months after Granny died. My ex-husband and I bought the soundtrack; "I'll Fly Away" always brought me back to that day in that church meeting hall, singing the song with my Granny that I grew up listening to her sing.
I had no idea that day would be the last time I'd hug her, kiss her cheek, feel her hand in mine. I didn't know it would be the last time I'd hear her sing. I didn't know it would be the last time we'd have a face-to-face conversation; I don't remember a thing we talked about that day.
I remember talking to her when we knew she was dying. I asked her if she was afraid. She wasn't. I was.
Thanksgiving isn't the same without her. It's still full of good food, loving family, laughter, singing, smiles, happiness.
But it's not like it was when Granny was here.
Thanksgiving day at my Momma's house, then the Sunday after at Acton, at Grandma Edwards' celebration. Maxine was there with her guitar; Maxine played while Granny sang "I'll Fly Away". I sang with her.
I saw "O Brother Where Art Thou" a few months after Granny died. My ex-husband and I bought the soundtrack; "I'll Fly Away" always brought me back to that day in that church meeting hall, singing the song with my Granny that I grew up listening to her sing.
I had no idea that day would be the last time I'd hug her, kiss her cheek, feel her hand in mine. I didn't know it would be the last time I'd hear her sing. I didn't know it would be the last time we'd have a face-to-face conversation; I don't remember a thing we talked about that day.
I remember talking to her when we knew she was dying. I asked her if she was afraid. She wasn't. I was.
Thanksgiving isn't the same without her. It's still full of good food, loving family, laughter, singing, smiles, happiness.
But it's not like it was when Granny was here.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
11/26/07
The Best Time of the Year:
The last few days have, collectively, made up one of the happiest Thanksgivings in memory.
Wednesday after work, we began rearranging furniture. Nix the dining room that wasn't a functional use of space, turning it into a "theater" - or, more commonly, the room with the TV. The former living room became the "library" - the room with the bookcases, big comfy chairs to curl up in, the art box, the tree. It's a great room for hanging out with friends, when you want to sit around and talk. It was a lot more work than I think either of us had planned on (the feet on the couch had to be removed to get it through the doorway from the library to the theater), but it was completely worth it.
Thursday morning came a little too early for my liking, and I was slow at getting the day started. (I suppose i probably shouldn't have drank that whole 1.5 L bottle of Jew wine the night before.) I finally managed a shower and dressing, and we were off to a day of feast and family. Jimi's Uncle Joe is a sweet old man, with a shock of white hair and a vocabulary that was at least partially formed by his Navy days. His daughter, Laura Jo, is one of Jimi's dearest relatives, and with her warm, welcoming personality, I can see why. We bonded over our mutual dislike of peas. :) Laura Jo's son is just a few years younger than I, and had a great story about recently being kicked out of Canada (not really - he just isn't allowed into the country until 2016). He seemed genuinely interested in my descriptions of the different people I'd encountered in the different cities I'd lived; people-watching is a passion of his. We visited with them for a few hours after dinner, and then it was off to my family gathering. This year it was the same delicious food, followed by our own version of The Newlywed Game, Wii bowling, and plenty of adult beverages.
The last few days have, collectively, made up one of the happiest Thanksgivings in memory.
Wednesday after work, we began rearranging furniture. Nix the dining room that wasn't a functional use of space, turning it into a "theater" - or, more commonly, the room with the TV. The former living room became the "library" - the room with the bookcases, big comfy chairs to curl up in, the art box, the tree. It's a great room for hanging out with friends, when you want to sit around and talk. It was a lot more work than I think either of us had planned on (the feet on the couch had to be removed to get it through the doorway from the library to the theater), but it was completely worth it.
Thursday morning came a little too early for my liking, and I was slow at getting the day started. (I suppose i probably shouldn't have drank that whole 1.5 L bottle of Jew wine the night before.) I finally managed a shower and dressing, and we were off to a day of feast and family. Jimi's Uncle Joe is a sweet old man, with a shock of white hair and a vocabulary that was at least partially formed by his Navy days. His daughter, Laura Jo, is one of Jimi's dearest relatives, and with her warm, welcoming personality, I can see why. We bonded over our mutual dislike of peas. :) Laura Jo's son is just a few years younger than I, and had a great story about recently being kicked out of Canada (not really - he just isn't allowed into the country until 2016). He seemed genuinely interested in my descriptions of the different people I'd encountered in the different cities I'd lived; people-watching is a passion of his. We visited with them for a few hours after dinner, and then it was off to my family gathering. This year it was the same delicious food, followed by our own version of The Newlywed Game, Wii bowling, and plenty of adult beverages.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Going through my old blog-post drafts, I found this one. 3 years old, from the first Thanksgiving I spent with Jimi's family. (We were way too new in '06 to spend the Thanksgiving holiday together.)
I'm glad I found this. It makes me smile to remember.
And I wrote differently back then, didn't I? It sounds like a different voice.
And I wrote differently back then, didn't I? It sounds like a different voice.
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