The kiddos and I drove up to Monterey, CA today to celebrate Thanksgiving with my sis-in-law, bro-in-law, my in-laws (flew in from Utah), and my hubby (who, God willing and please let the riots stop so he can do this, will fly in tomorrow night from Saint Louis)
My oldest kiddos and I just finished a raucous game of pinochle. Pinochle, you say? Isn't that a mellow card game that elderly people play? Oh, you haven't seen us Henrys play... we're brutal. And loud. And it's oh, so much fun.
And I haven 't worked a puzzle, per say, unless you call arranging schedules, work, home showings, etc so the kids and I could be gone this week. That's a puzzle!
2. What is one place you were thankful for this year?
My job. To have regular hours, health benefits for the kids and I, and to be in a place where I feel supported personally, and valued professionally, is such a God-send right now.
3. Take a nap, watch football, go for an after dinner walk, or hit the stores...which ONE is on your must-do list for Thanksgiving day? For those of you playing along who aren't in the US, answer as it relates to any big holiday meal.
Um, i think all of those are on our list for Thanksgiving! Well, except for the stores... but we WILL be going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 'cause my bro-in-law works there and can give us the behind-the-scenes tours that are just SO cool.
4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite home cooked meal?
Anything where I don't have to clean up afterwards!
5. What product from an infomercial would you most like to own?
The total gym. As long as it came with a trainer to show me how to use it effectively, and to not just use it as a handy place to hang my laundry after I iron. Hahahaha - as if I actually iron! I crack myself up.
6. Christmas shopping? Have you begun? Finished? Will you shop on Black Friday? How do you feel about stores opening on Thanksgiving Day? What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?
I have started my Christmas shopping. I have also begun creating Christmas/birthday wish lists on Amazon (I've got two kiddos with birthdays in December) Almost 90% of my shopping is done online, especially this year because I truthfully just don't have the time to go shopping from store to store. Online is so much easier, many times cheaper, and I can have it all delivered to my work so my kiddos won't find them!
Personally I think it is awful that stores are open on Thanksgiving Day - I mean seriously, we can't take ONE day off where no one has to work? A time to be with friends and family? Good grief.
7. What are you most grateful for that adds beauty to your everyday life?
This door hanging bucket that I have on our front door. I bought it from my sweet friend Martha, who used to be a consultant for Mary & Martha home decor. I change the flowers with the seasons - but what I love most is the blessing that is etched on the front - it makes me smile! "As you enter through our door we ask the Lord to greet you with peace and comfort, joy of heart, and blessings sweet and new"
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I've got to brag on my kids a bit - on Sunday our landlords put the "For Sale" sign in our yard. Sigh. After a long day, I went to bed, woke up Monday morning, and went to work. The kiddos were on their own all day, as they have all week off, but I didn't have off until today. As I left, I asked them to please clean up the house so that when we left for Thanksgiving the house would be ok for the landlords to show, and for them to pack their clothes for our trip. I completely expected to come home from work and still have cleaning and packing to do, and we would leave for Monterey sometime late morning on Tuesday. Instead - I walked in the door Monday night, and my house was SPOTLESS. They had run the vacuum, mopped the floors, tidied up their rooms and bathrooms, done the laundry AND put it all away, AND packed their bags... I was speechless. And so proud. And so relieved! As a result, all I had to do was pack my things, and we left early this morning!
They are awesome. And I am so blessed. And thankful.
