forever thankful

Each year, I ask various relatives to get me a short list (three things) that they are thankful for. I compile them into one giant list, and we share this list at dinner. Some things are serious, some are silly, almost all of them are heartfelt.

This year, I only got responses from five people, not including my kids or husband. Once I beat an answer out of them, I'll be up to eight. Not such a big list this year ...

But, instead of being all ho-hum about what I did not get, I'll focus on the list that I did get. I'll be working on that first thing in the morning, while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the bread and brownies are baking. Then, we'll load up the car and head to my Aunt & Uncle's house to spend the afternoon there. My bio-dad is up near the UP in Michigan with his girlfriend for the weekend. My step-dad is in Florida, he'll spend the day with his friends. My in-laws will go out to dinner, but we may stop by on our way home from Aunt & Uncle's House.

I have so many fond memories of Thanksgiving growing up ... the smell of sage that went into the stuffing that I never ate, unless it was cooked OUTside of the bird, the steamy kitchen windows from all the cooking going on, the pie my mom "flew" across the kitchen when the oven rack came flying out of the oven one year - it's amazing the mess an almost cooked pumpkin pie can make. My grandma's cornbread dressing (she spoils me!), the funny little ridge that is on the can of cranberries (I don't eat those either, unless they're made fresh), green beans and corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with melted marshmellows on top ... then an afternoon of football.

I remember way back when ... before we had vcrs and dvrs and what not ... it was every year that we got to watch The Wizard of Oz, and it was always on Thanksgiving, and it was such a treat! That may have been the highlight of my day ... we always had to be home in time, so we could get pajamas on, make some popcorn with a little bit of garlic salt, and watch the movie. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

Thats why I want my Thankful List ... I want my kids to have a memory of something special we did on Thanksgiving, maybe they'll keep if for themselves and their families, maybe they won't, but I just hope that when they look back at Thanksgiving, they'll look back and smile too.

more political talk

So, as Q is sitting here having a snack before bed, he's talking politics again.

Q: Who is the old president, I forget his name
Me: George Bush is president until January when Barack Obama moves to the White House and becomes President.
Q: Oh, that's right.
Me: Yes, because right now Barack Obama lives in Chicago, then he will move to Washington, DC
Q: Yes, even if I'm an artist, I can be president
Me: Yes, you can ...
Q: I'll be an artist in the morning, and then when they call me in the afternoon, I'll drive there. But I won't move to Chicago. I won't take all my stuff, just a few things that I need. You don't want to bring all your stuff.

So there you have it ... my son the lightly traveling, future Artist President. Both are evidently going to be part time jobs too. You think that'll fly?

serious crafting going on

I'm taking a bit of a break today from a serious crafting session. I don't know what has gotten into me, other than the cold I feel coming on, so I highly doubt it's that, but I am on a serious roll. In the last twenty four hours, I have finished;

two pillows for the living room sofa
two baby blankets
a rice bag for my father in law for Christmas

Yes, it doesn't sound like much, but if you also factor in six hours of sleep and the three hours of company/cook dinner/entertain, I've gotten quite a bit done, for me anyway.

I'm hoping to get a start on curtains for the spare bedroom tonight too ... that would be sweet.

Aah ... it feels good to get something done and have something to show for it.

results

The results of the election are in, and Barack Obama has won. He will be going to the White House and John McCain will be going back to the Senate.

Q is six years old, and in First Grade. Both at home and at school, we have been discussing the election and the voting process, on his level.

This is what he did to last weeks Time Magazine cover.

Do you see the word "helps" over John McCain, with the arrow pointing to Barack Obama?

I think he gets it.

getting political

This is about as political as I'll get, so get ready ...

Today is Election Day - don't forget to go out and vote, if you haven't already taken advantage of early voting.

If you ask The Bee, we'll be voting for Michael Phelps.

Why is it?

Why is it that the toy you remember playing so fondly as a child is so much louder now that you're a parent?

A few weeks ago I wandered through an antique/thrift store, looking for a few specific things - some fabric to make produce bags, cloth handkerchiefs for the upcoming winter season, anything that might make Halloween costumes a bit easier to assemble.

On my way out, I stepped into the kids/game aisle. Much to my surprise, I found Hungry Hungry Hippos, the 80's version - not the snap together version, but the all in one, big piece of plastic version. Woo Hoo - let's relive my childhood! I had been looking for this, because I wanted the kids to have the solid piece version of the game. And, even better, it was 50% off the yellow tags, so I got it for $1.50!

So, now as my kids play this on a fairly regular basis, why do I find the noise so loud and irritating? I don't remember the game being this loud when I was eagerly attempting to eat marbles in the early 1980's. I just remember the joy from watching marble roll into the catch basin ...

Ah well ... they're having fun, and I've got Tylenol.