A slackers Thanksgiving list

I know that today is Sunday...a full 3 days since the actual Thanksgiving day...but I have been giving a lot of thought to things that I am thankful for this year.
Naturally, I am thankful for my family...all of them...even Gram, who pinched my butt and asked if I were gaining weight. (she is 88, I didn't hit her.)I'm thankful for my boys, who, just like me, believe that Thanksgiving is the new Christmas and that family members are magical, and heroic, and are placed on a pedestal, where they belong. I am thankful that they have the opportunity to know their cousins.
I am thankful that said cousins shared their new baby with me. I am pretty sure I hogged him the whole time, but I fell in love. And that love made a difficult week much easier than I thought it would be. Next time I get to see him, he will be walking and talking, and the snugglefest will be long forgotten, but somehow, I think I will remember it for a long time.
I am also thankful that we were all able to be together. All of us. Even the more difficult ones. I am thankful that my parents have their health and were able to host this again. I am thankful that my 88 year old gram did pinch my butt and ask about my weight. I am thankful that she is here and is able to do it! I also know that it means she loves me.
I am thankful for the other, more routine things...like my job. I stress about it and I may or may not still have it next year at this time, but I am thankful for it right now. I am also thankful for my friends. This year has been a trying time for me. I have done something that I never thought I would or could do. I know that each of my friends brings something that I need into my life. I am thankful for that. I am thankful for one friend, in particular...singling her out isn't a bad thing, I know she doesn't read this...but she has been a source of strength for me. A sounding board. A critic. A cheerleader. An ego booster. An advisor. A comedian. A shoulder to cry on. A nurse. And much more...sometimes all at once. So, I am very thankful for her...while I hope never to see her in a position where she needs the favor returned, I can only hope to be able to help her the way she has helped me.

So...all in all...I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a job, a wonderful family, great friends, a warm house, and food on the table. It would be wrong to ask for much more.

Happy Turkey day!

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My favorite Christmas song...admittedly, I like the Perry Como version better, but damn youtube didn't have it!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving...I didn't have to look very far, to find things that I am thankful for. I am counting my blessings...

the countdown begins

Make no mistake...I love my birthday...LOVE IT! It is an entire week of MEMEMEME! I don't have to share or be nice or anything...and I do that so well, so any chance to show that off is welcomed!
However, usually, the birthday extravaganza kicks off the holiday season! Yes, some would argue that Thanksgiving does that...but whatever...it goes birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year! Birthday is a big one, second ONLY to Thanksgiving...
Thanksgiving, for as long as I can remember, has been the best that every single holiday has to offer. We celebrate it with my mom's side of the family...and while my mom does the martyr thing, and my dad self combusts, the rest of us have a grand old time. Many a family mystery has been solved over pie or hot dogs! The lamp? The disappearing beer? solved. solved.
This year will be different. This is the first year of separation holidays. The Dad will be missing. He has missed before, while serving in Iraq...but certainly, that is a different kind of thing.
I can't help but feel that instead of being excited for the holiday...I am anxious. And sad. And a million other things. I feel like this is a downward spiral clear through til New Years! And, I am not that excited for it!
We have split the holidays in a fair and agreeable fashion...but I might be stepping up my game with the therapist for a little bit!
Let's hope I am wrong. I was wrong about my bday...I thought I would be sad and disappointed, and I was a little sad, but not disappointed!
However, I broke a mirror last night...so the odds are not in my favor!

Wish me luck, the festivities start a week from today! (I will kick the day off with a trip to the shrink...) The arrival of cousins and family is anticipated by everyone...(HI B...we can't wait to meet G!!) I'll post pictures!

It's a GIRL!!

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful??

Well...we scrapped the Britney Spears look for more of a Paris Hilton kind of thing...he had a little stuffed dog in the purse and just stood around saying "that's hot" all night. It was so funny...for 11, he has a lot of self confidence...and a great sense of humor!!