Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, like the last one, we spent home.  The Mister usually has to work the Friday & Saturday after the holiday, so we don't travel to be with family anymore.
Like last Thanksgiving, I made the Mister a turkey breast, because he lubs him some turkey.
Unlike last Thanksgiving, I made myself a ham, because I lubs me some turkey.
I also made some broccoli & cauliflower gratin, crescent rolls, sourdough, wild mushroom and bacon dressing, and blueberry cheesecake.
I'm so sick of leftovers now, I may not eat again until Christmas.
Here's some shots of the spread....

Nothing says nutrition like veggies smothered in cheesy goop.

Turkey & ham, just hanging out....

I love Mom's stuffing, but this stuff is really damn delicious.

I'm proud of myself, ok?

While I made dinner, I persuaded the Mister to complete a small project we've been putting off for awhile.  

Back in the spring, we had some little birdies break into the exhaust vent for the guest bathroom fan.  The little birdies made a little birdy nest and laid little birdy eggs in the nest that ended up becoming more little birdies.  The Mister, being the kind, nature-loving sort he is deep down inside, didn't want to move the nest until the little birdies had moved out for the year.

And so, after putting it off....the Mister made this while I made dinner.

Sadly, there was no ceiling cat awaiting us.

He found stuffing, too!

It snowed in our house on Thanksgiving.

What we originally thought would be a rather small task turned into a pain in the arse.
The little birdies managed to rip apart the vent tubing.  And, since it was Thanksgiving, there wasn't a hardware store open to get replacement tubing.  The birdies also managed to almost completely block the vent, which managed to explain why the fan had been so loud....
Anyway, the Super Mister got up at 5 AM on Black Friday to go to Lowes and get some replacement tubing.  How awesome is he!?
On top of that, he put the tubing in and re-wired and re-mounted the fan by the time I woke up at 7.
He's awesome, that Mister.

Mother

I should be cleaning.  My Mom is coming for a visit and she'll be here in two hours, hopefully.  Who knows, with the roads being winter and all...

I've mentioned my Mom a time or two before.  She's a big part of my life.  We have a really great relationship and I can't imagine who I'd be if not for her.
The most impressive thing about my Mom is her heart.  It's huge.  I think her entire body is heart.  If not, then her entire spirit is.
Mom welcomes so many people into her heart.  She's become the mother figure to so many cousins and friends.  If you're down on your luck, if you're an emotional mess, my Mom is who you go to.  She's let people move in when they needed help, she knows the healing power of a hug or a shoulder to cry on.  She's forgiven the many slights of her children.

Mom yelled at a cop, for me.  She chased down a bus on a two-lane highway in fog, for me.  She's done much more for others.
I'll never understand how she does it, but I'll always admire her for it.

Mom loves to laugh.  It's so easy to make her laugh.  Her huge heart has got to be filled with laughter, and joy.  Her close friends have been laughing with her for my lifetime.  She's loyal and a wonderful friend.

We have differing views on some things, like politics, but when I speak, she listens, and vice versa.  We respect each other's opinions, even if we disagree.

When I was a kid in elementary school she worked 3 jobs, one full-time and two part-time, to support her kids.  I never once heard her complain or felt any kind of resentment against us.  She's loved us so much, no matter what.  Even when my brother left for Washington and came back a different, mean person.  Even when my sister came home drunk when she was 16, or moved out 3 times, or called her nasty names.  Even when I went against her wishes to go to Canada alone, at 18, and see a strange man.

She hasn't always agreed with my decisions, but she's always supported me no matter what.
She went to every band concert I played in, no matter what.

I hear horror stories about other mothers who are nasty to their kids or really opinionated or extremely disapproving of everything and appreciate my Mom all the more for the amazing woman she is.

Mom used to make me clean the house when people were coming over and I always swore  that I would NEVER clean before someone came to MY house because, please, if they know me, they know I'm not a super clean person.

But whatever.  Mom's coming, so I need to get back to cleaning, so she knows she didn't raise a disgusting, messy kid.

I love you, Mom

I had to put it in bigger letters so she could read it in case she's got watery eyes.  ;o)

This Thanksgiving, and every Thanksgiving, and every other day, I'm so grateful for my wonderful Mom.

Dear Retail Stores

Yes, I understand that Christmas is coming.
And yes, I understand that Christmas is the biggest sale season all year.
I also understand that you want to remind people that Christmas is coming so they get out their credit cards and spend, spend, spend in your store.

However,
Christmas music makes me cranky.  It makes me not want to shop in your store.  It makes me wish for temporary hearing loss.
Christmas music is fine and great the week or two before Christmas, I can not get twitchy when I hear it.  Sadly, during that period of time I'm generally ready to never go into a store ever again because I'm so fed up with hearing Jingle Bells or Silent Night or Mariah Carey singing Christmas songs from the previous weeks of damage.

I'm not a Grinch, I'm not a Scrooge, I just hate that Christmas has become a time of one-upmanship, a day of "who got the best present?", and it's no longer what it was when I was a kid....a time for family, for being close to the people you love, for children to be A LITTLE spoiled and not feel like they got slighted if they didn't get that one specific thing they asked for, didn't you SEE their wish list on Amazon!?

Ugh.
I'm having a hard time resolving the fact that Christmas will never be what it was.  Is it too obvious?

To Do List

In no particular order....

• Alaska
• Hawaii (even though I REALLY don't like islands)
• Italy
• Southern France
• UK
• British Columbia
• Australia

Movie Recommendation

If you own a TV, know a teenager, or look at bestseller book lists, you probably know who Kristen Stewart is.  She plays Bella on the Twilight franchise movies.  It's the role she's probably best known for.

She made a movie a few years ago that far out shows Twilight (and I'm a Twilight fan!).

If you want to watch a movie that'll make you emotional, that'll make you relate, that will make you upset and inspired by strength, I recommend the movie Speak.
I watched it for a second time today--I saw it a few years ago.  I'd watch it again, in another few years.  It's not one that'll necessarily be on your to-buy list because it can be hard to watch.

Without giving too much away, Kristen's character is a teenager in high school.
If you've ever felt like an outcast, you'll relate to her.
If you've ever felt like the only way you can communicate isn't with words, you'll understand.

I'm a big supporter of the arts in public schools.  I'm not saying math & science aren't important, but if a kid excels at something, let them continue to excel, even if it's with an instrument, a paintbrush, or with poetry.
I've heard of art therapy for some people who just can't talk about something that they're dealing with.  This movie makes me more appreciative of good teachers, supportive educators.  I have a friend who is an art teacher in middle school.  Some of the worst years of a kid's life are middle school years.  It's no surprise her class is one of the most popular electives to take, since so many kids need to let out their fears, rage, frustration, joy or any other range of feelings with art.

If you have a couple of hours to feel, watch Speak.  I hope it'll affect you.

Hauntings

It's been almost 2 weeks since I got my car.  In that time, my neuroses have reared their shitty little heads.
I've had numerous dreams about the previous boss and supervisor following me to other jobs, which I had to quit thanks to their presence.  I dreamt I was back at work and it was torture, literally.
Apparently now that I have a car, my subconscious brain has reconnected vehicle with job.  I may have to go in for hypnosis to wipe their memories from my brain so I can survive daily.

Our houseguest Annie is a barker.  As a larger dog, this means she's a LOUD barker.  And she barks A LOT.
Thankfully, her owner found a place to live and Annie will be going home with her humans later this month.

Tallulah has a whopping 600 miles on her odometer.  Leaving the house whenever I feel like it has never felt so good.  And every time I get in the MINI, I realize I'm really an adult now, driving a practical (but fun!) car.  I miss Nigel and his zippy performance.  But with winter coming, I'm happy for Tallulah and feeling more secure.
Perhaps in a few years I can buy another Cooper and have it for a summer car.  You know, after I get the perfect job and the Mister is finally happy and pain free.

The Mister was missing Gunner yesterday.  A small, mix-breed puppy was brought by and the owner asked if anyone wanted it.  The Mister called me to find out how I felt about it.
With 2 Goldens, a guest German Shepherd-mix, and a cat....sure, why not.  I need less sanity in my life.
We decided against it after he came to his senses.  He's missing his buddy and I understand.  I honestly wouldn't mind another dog, just not one so small.  (Chihuahua/Yorkie/Jack Russell mix)
And I know he wants another Jack Russell, so maybe in a few years, when I have another Cooper, and that perfect job, we'll get another dog.

With Gunner being gone for 18 months now, which doesn't seem that long, and everyone saying how old Amber is, I'm getting scared about her health and age.  I'm haunted by saying goodbye to Gunner and how he went to sleep.  Amber's been my companion for 9 years now and I just can't imagine not waking up to her by my side every morning.
Ugh.  In that shiny happy future, I want an Amber who lives with me til the end of my days.

In the meantime, I've got a cat who insists on sitting in front of my monitor when I try to type.  Transparent she's not.