Happy Thanksgiving!
Alright, yes, I do realize that by the time you have read this, it will be over. You will probably be home from fighting off the hordes of people trying to by stuff for their loved ones I sincerely hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I know for a fact that I did. It was honestly one of the best Thanksgivings I have ever had.
Thanksgiving day started out the way all holidays start out-behind schedule. I woke up early enough, sure, but still managed to get behind. I skipped breakfast (for a good reason), got ready early enough, and yet, still ran behind.
On an errand for my grandfather, I met my sister at a local grocery store. From there, we went to where my best friend works and we were fortunate enough that we got there before they closed. When we arrived, she literally met us outside; even though another rush was about to begin. Even though she was busy, we spent a little time together and she was able to walk us out.
After that, we headed back down south to the grandparents (on my Dad's side) house for Thanksgiving dinner #1. There was a lot of laughter and fun and a lot of food. Also, there were lots of pictures. It's rare that my sister is able to come out to visit, so we definitely made the most out of it. I was even able to get a (sort of) four generation photo. I say sort of because instead my mother being in the photo (she spent it in Bellingham), it's my aunt.
After that, we (my sister, niece, and I) went over to our other grandparents. I don't see them very often and on my Mom's side there are a ton of people. Luckily, everyone made it there, which is a feat in and of itself. It seems like everyones lives have become so busy over the past few years that even holidays there's quite a few people missing. And like I said, that side of the family has a great number of people, so it's not too surprising.
My niece slept the entire way from one set of grandparents (actually, great grandparents to her) to the other and through about half the evening. This gave us the pre-dinner conversations and most of dinner in relative peace. Don't get me wrong. I love my niece. I really do. Ask anyone. But she's definitely at the age where she can be a total handful. She's doing a fine job of running me into the ground. When she did wake up, she was rather cranky before she totally woke up; which was when she became the life of the party. Such is the life of an almost two year old.
As the evening went on, I reconnected with family members that I rarely see and updated those I see a bit more frequent. This was definitly one of the largest Thankgivings I can remember. It felt good to see so many loved ones that I don't have a lot of chance of seeing. It felt like one giant family again.
Anyway, that was my Thanksgiving in a nutshell. I would love for you to share with me your Thanksgiving experiences; as well as your Black Friday experiences as well. It was seriously the slowest Black Friday that I have worked. There were times when I was literally looking for something to do.
Anyway, it's after two am and bed is beckoning me. Take care and I'll talk to you soon.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Guess who's coming for dinner?
My sister, that's who! And she will be here for an entire week!
Okay, for those of you out there who don't follow my blog all that often-I have an older sister who very much lives out of state. In fact, she just moved from one state to another very recently, but is still no closer to home. She is happily married and has a daughter who will be two in the beginning of next month. Man, time flies.
Anyway, I'm lucky if I get to see her once a year and this year it will be twice! I spent my week vacation at the end of June at her (well, now old) place and now she will be spending a week here. She will be staying with a friend and she will be bringing my niece along with her. Her husband will be spending Thankgiving with his family.
She will be flying in tomorrow (okay, technically today) afternoon and I will be meeting her at the airport with our grandparents. After that, I'm not sure what will happen; but my coworkers are really anxious to meet her. Hopefully we will spend a lot of time together this week; but whenever she's out here, she's busy visiting everyone she rarely sees. I know for a fact that she will be spending Thankgiving dinner with me and then we will go over to the grandparents on our Mom's side for dessert. At least, I think that's the plan. I'm not sure.
Anyway, I know I'll have a crazy week. I hope to post again on Thankgiving, but no promises. Take care and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
My sister, that's who! And she will be here for an entire week!
Okay, for those of you out there who don't follow my blog all that often-I have an older sister who very much lives out of state. In fact, she just moved from one state to another very recently, but is still no closer to home. She is happily married and has a daughter who will be two in the beginning of next month. Man, time flies.
Anyway, I'm lucky if I get to see her once a year and this year it will be twice! I spent my week vacation at the end of June at her (well, now old) place and now she will be spending a week here. She will be staying with a friend and she will be bringing my niece along with her. Her husband will be spending Thankgiving with his family.
She will be flying in tomorrow (okay, technically today) afternoon and I will be meeting her at the airport with our grandparents. After that, I'm not sure what will happen; but my coworkers are really anxious to meet her. Hopefully we will spend a lot of time together this week; but whenever she's out here, she's busy visiting everyone she rarely sees. I know for a fact that she will be spending Thankgiving dinner with me and then we will go over to the grandparents on our Mom's side for dessert. At least, I think that's the plan. I'm not sure.
Anyway, I know I'll have a crazy week. I hope to post again on Thankgiving, but no promises. Take care and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"-John 15:13
I would like to dedicate this post to the men and women in the armed services. Whether they are in the mud and sand of Iraq or still in boot camp hardening themselves for battle; their sacrifice is why we are still free today. While we may go to the parades and the sales at the malls; they are out there living the struggle. They eat and breathe and die on foreign soil so that we here are free.
My Dad was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Although he was stationed in Hawaii, he still had to deal with the war. He was on the crash crew and had to deal with some very hairy situations. I have a lot of family members who were in the military and for a while I was seriously thinking about joining. I still haven't given up the notion completely.
This is Veteran's Day. A day set aside so we may honor those who have served our country. We have this day to honor those who give their all. Who live each day with literal blood, sweat, and tears. Throughout my years of working with the public, I have met people with true stories of amazing courage. The stuff that would be a guaranteed box office hit. And all they say is that they were just doing their job.
So I have a request for you, dear readers. If you know a vet, thank a vet. Just this simple gesture is enough to brighten their day, maybe even their week. They may not immediately show how happy it makes them feel, but it does.
Anyways, that's all for me right now, dear readers. Take care and safe journeys.
I would like to dedicate this post to the men and women in the armed services. Whether they are in the mud and sand of Iraq or still in boot camp hardening themselves for battle; their sacrifice is why we are still free today. While we may go to the parades and the sales at the malls; they are out there living the struggle. They eat and breathe and die on foreign soil so that we here are free.
My Dad was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Although he was stationed in Hawaii, he still had to deal with the war. He was on the crash crew and had to deal with some very hairy situations. I have a lot of family members who were in the military and for a while I was seriously thinking about joining. I still haven't given up the notion completely.
This is Veteran's Day. A day set aside so we may honor those who have served our country. We have this day to honor those who give their all. Who live each day with literal blood, sweat, and tears. Throughout my years of working with the public, I have met people with true stories of amazing courage. The stuff that would be a guaranteed box office hit. And all they say is that they were just doing their job.
So I have a request for you, dear readers. If you know a vet, thank a vet. Just this simple gesture is enough to brighten their day, maybe even their week. They may not immediately show how happy it makes them feel, but it does.
Anyways, that's all for me right now, dear readers. Take care and safe journeys.
Monday, November 05, 2007
The waves are calmer
Today, my best friend and I took a walk down on the waterfront. It has been a couple months since I've seen her and it felt really good to spend some time with her. We had stopped and were watching the waves. She asked me what I was thinking and I told her "life".
For me, life has been a lot like the open water on the ocean. Rather calm and serene, a few waves to make it interesting. But since my Dad passed away, life has been more like the choppy waters that we saw today. Full of uncertainty and complications that have been making it hard for me to keep my head above water. Do I blame him or his passing? No! It's just how my life has been, that's all. It had to happen sometime.
2007 will definitely be a year that I will remember. I have endured quite a few storms this year that have caused the waves to rise up and come down hard on me. The most blatant example is that I lost my job of six years because the company went belly up. Yes, I have moved on to another job. This other job has provided even more chaos in my life and I struggle with it daily. Not just the physical demands that I go through on a daily basis, but the psychological ones as well. I literally have no clue when I start my work day whether it will be a good day or not.
How is it that I have kept my chin up, despite it all? Easy. I have a very close set of friends and family who are looking out for me including my best friend who cares about me and wants the best for me. She calms my storms and quiets my seas. I can have the worst day and all it takes is to talk to her and spend time with her and all is right with the world. I am most at rest when you are in my life.
Today will go down in my highlights for the year. All because of you.
Today, my best friend and I took a walk down on the waterfront. It has been a couple months since I've seen her and it felt really good to spend some time with her. We had stopped and were watching the waves. She asked me what I was thinking and I told her "life".
For me, life has been a lot like the open water on the ocean. Rather calm and serene, a few waves to make it interesting. But since my Dad passed away, life has been more like the choppy waters that we saw today. Full of uncertainty and complications that have been making it hard for me to keep my head above water. Do I blame him or his passing? No! It's just how my life has been, that's all. It had to happen sometime.
2007 will definitely be a year that I will remember. I have endured quite a few storms this year that have caused the waves to rise up and come down hard on me. The most blatant example is that I lost my job of six years because the company went belly up. Yes, I have moved on to another job. This other job has provided even more chaos in my life and I struggle with it daily. Not just the physical demands that I go through on a daily basis, but the psychological ones as well. I literally have no clue when I start my work day whether it will be a good day or not.
How is it that I have kept my chin up, despite it all? Easy. I have a very close set of friends and family who are looking out for me including my best friend who cares about me and wants the best for me. She calms my storms and quiets my seas. I can have the worst day and all it takes is to talk to her and spend time with her and all is right with the world. I am most at rest when you are in my life.
Today will go down in my highlights for the year. All because of you.
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