Many Thanks---Part Two

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Brad, the kiddo's, Doyle and myself enjoyed dinner with my Mom and her friend, Terry. I forget just how good a cook my Mom is sometimes. We provided the turkey and ham and she did the cooking. She also made most of the sides. I made a cherry cheesecake and a pumpkin pie on Thursday morning. We had so much food, but isn't that "normal" for Thanksgiving?? Mom sent most of the leftovers home since she is by herself.

I wimped out on Black Friday shopping. I just couldn't muster up the energy to get out on Thursday night and I was enjoying being at home Friday too much to leave the house. I figure I'll take Miss Emily shopping in Springfield next Saturday. She has her heart set on shopping in Springfield and Nana can't say no! I think I can get by with taking Patrick to West Plains! Doyle and I finally got out and went to Wal-Mart this morning and got a little shopping done. I had to bribe him with breakfast out, but it was worth it.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is over and now we are moving on to Christmas. I am so far behind this year. Usually by this time I'm pretty much ready, but not this year. Hopefully, I can get in gear and get things done in the next couple of weeks and enjoy the rest of the holiday season--we'll see!!!

Many Thanks!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this. I have so much in my life to be thankful for. I'm posting tonight because I don't think that I'll get a chance tomorrow. The grand kids are here tonight with Brad and will have dinner with us at my Mom's tomorrow. I had to work today, so I'll be doing my cooking tomorrow morning. After dinner I hope to take a little nap in preparation for "Black Friday" shopping (beginning Thursday night). I wish it would go back to being "Black Friday", I don't really like this starting on Thursday business! It cuts into my football watching!

I'd like to take a few minutes and list what I am thankful for this year: First of all, my family. Doyle is not only my husband, my better half, but also my foundation. Brad and his kids are my world. My extended family (on both sides) are a true blessing. I'm also thankful for a good job, a nice home, and some really great friends. Thanksgiving always makes me think of my Dad as it was his favorite holiday. I always seem to miss him the most at this time of the year. He never got to see Brad as a man or meet my grand kids and I'll always be sad for that.

Lastly I would like to say that somedays I think of the "other side of the fence" but having been there, I know that the BEST side is this side! Not just on Thanksgiving, but everyday I am thankful that Doyle and I were able to find out way back to each other after a while apart. My wish for everyone reading this is that you are happy and thankful for all that you have , just like I am!!!!

How Hard is it to Just be Nice??

I'm at home today (yeah, for a three day weekend) and noticed something. I went to Subway to pick up a sandwich for lunch, and as I'm ordering, a man came in. He waits his turn to order but as soon as the clerk asked for his order he turned into a real jerk. Who goes to a sandwich shop and doesn't expect to be asked "which bread"? If someone answers "just regular bread" would you not ask for clarification? Then when he's asked about what kind of cheese, he gets even more agitated, grumbles something under his breath, and has to go back outside and ask whoever is with him. It all just made me very uncomfortable. All I could do was tell the clerks that I hoped they had a good day as I was paying. Maybe it's my upbringing as a child of restaurant owners that makes me sympathetic to all service workers. Whether it's at a restaurant, a grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc..., I always try and "think" before I speak. I never want to be "that" person that is talked (or complained) about after I leave that establishment. I can't help but think "if you're in a bad mood" or if your day "isn't going that great"---it's NOT that person behind the counter or cash register's fault!!!

Momma Bear

Okay, note to my brother. Don't come in MY house, sit on MY sofa, and trash MY son. You will get a ear full and you will get shown the door!! That is all!!!

Happy Day

Today is Doyle's birthday and we celebrated by spending the day together in Springfield and here tonight at home. What a trooper---he tagged along to every store that I wanted to go to. He didn't complain when we had to backtrack around Springfield after I couldn't find what I wanted at a craft store. He also didn't say a word when I wanted to stop by Kurt's, and he had already told me how hungry he was getting. When we left the house this morning his list consisted of one stop (Lowe;s) and my list grew as the day went on. Thankfully we did get some Christmas gifts bought, that makes me feel better. Days like today remind me of why I love this guy so much and why being with him is the BEST decision I ever made in my life. I love you, Doyle---Happy Birthday!!!

Time

Where has 2011 gone?? I can't believe that it's time to start Christmas shopping (actually, I should have started long before now) and Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. And although I should take my Mom's advice and "never wish your life away", I will be glad to see 2012. This year has just had too much heartbreak. We lost Roy, something that we think about every single day, and have yet to get over. Then, Brad and family moved to Utah only to move back a couple months later (which was a good surprise), but in the end their marriage couldn't survive. Now we deal with those consequences daily. It's just so hard to stay neutral and to know what to say, when to say it, etc.... It seems like I'm on edge all the time, and I hate it that I sometimes can't enjoy the kiddo's when they are here. My nerves are fried and I'm walking on eggshells in my own home. Needless to say, I've got to get a hold of this situation in my own mind and make some changes. It doesn't help that besides Doyle I really don't have anyone that I can sit down and talk to. I'm leery of some people that I once considered my closest confidants. This is not where I planned this post to go but I do feel a little better to get it out there. Maybe I'm just dreading the holidays and the potential headaches that could come with it. Life adjustments take time and I hope we all come out better on the other side of these.