Nov20
Category Archives: Thanksgiving
Nov21
THANKSGIVING 2011
Hope this holiday comes with many memories for you all.
Family gatherings often bring up memories of the past.
A memorable Thanksgiving for me was when I lived in
Ca. The family was gathering. It was a first for me, as I had
just moved to Ca. from Michigan. I had never seen some of
the relatives, nor they me. It was like being a stranger, only
not. They were all polite and friendly and caring. It was
truly an eye-opening day. So many people and so many
conversations that you really had no idea what or who
they were talking about. I remember so much food, so many
dishes and such a large bird. It took up the entire built-in
oven and had been cooking practically all night long.
A whole table full of desserts of all kinds and a room full
of chairs and tables and people who sat any place they could
find a seat. So much noise, everyone talking at once it seemed.
Kids.. kids running all over and playing in the yard. It was nice out,
the sun was shining and the air was actually warm to me. So different
from the cold snowy days in Michigan in November. It was great
to sit back and observe everyone and the real “family” dynamic.
Up until then I had spent all my Thanksgiving dinners around a table
with only my parents and my sister and brother. NO kids, no relatives,
as the closest ones were over 500 miles away. It was almost always cold
and or snowy and quiet, as after lunch we would take a nap. Dad was not
into sports and we didn’t watch much tv. California was totally opposite.
This gathering was normal for them, but not for me.
It was special for me, like a family reunion.
Learning names and who went with who, I wished I had name tags as
they got all jumbled up in my head. My grandmother, who I had not been
around any in my life, took me aside and reassured me ..”don’t you worry
none, you ‘ll get used to them all.” I have to say I did, but it took a long time.
Grandma is gone now and so are many of the aunts,uncles, and cousins that brought
the whole clan together. Today they go off to separate places and don’t really
gather like they used to in the “old days”.
For some, the “gathering” for dinner at a relatives is normal.
For me it will be a memory that I will never forget.
This year, without mom around, it will be another one for me that will
bring back memories of the past. Steamed up windows in the kitchen
from all that baking and cooking. Turkey baking in the oven and homemade
cranberry sauce on the stove. Mom’s candied sweet potatoes and cornbread
stuffing from scratch. YUM! Miss you Mom!
HOPE WHEREVER YOU ARE..
YOU HAVE A SAFE AND GREAT THANKSGIVING!!
Nov23
COMMUNICATION NIGHTMARE..
You bet.. there are so many communication problems here. So
many doctors she had and so many people trying to move and
make appointments and such that it is a real nightmare. I spent
time with Rn’s and social workers and staff today trying to get
things organized.. and what things they were doing we HAD
NO idea of. Sheesh it never ends..every day it is something else.
Good thing mom doesn’t have to deal with it because she couldn’t
even begin to. I feel so sorry for those who have no help or no
family and they get lost in that mess. 
It is truly sad!
It is truly sad!
Meanwhile life goes on.. I know Thanksgiving is at hand.
We have been invited to eat at the Rehab with mom. Sis
may have to work so I will probably be there with her.
I still will make some pie because I just can’t help myself!
Everyone will get PIE!! 
What’s the holiday without
What’s the holiday withoutpumpkin pie?
Time moves on..
I am going to school..
the booklets and paperwork I am being handed almost daily will keep me
busy for some time trying to learn what is going on with mom’s
condition. Good thing she doesn’t have to read it because it
is something else! I guess I will be an expert when I get done!
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
Nov28
BLACK FRIDAY.. WORTH IT???
Do you really think Black Friday is worth it? Standing ,sitting or
waiting in 18 degree weather for whatever article you wish to buy.
My memory of that day is etched in my mind. It happened about
15 years ago. I wanted that comforter set so badly. I waited in line
at 6 AM in the cold for the “big discount”. Many others huddled with me.
Drinking hot cocoa and hot coffee. One woman brought her whole
McD’s breakfast with pancakes and sausage! The rest of us drooled
over the smell! This was before the stores began opening at 4 AM.
The sun was up when we stood there at least! 
The mad dash
The mad dashat the doors was something to behold.. I was so glad I had scoped out
the best place to stand when they opened the doors or I would have
gotten crushed. I got the set and it was a great buy.. but I vowed
then NEVER To do that again. I have kept that VOW.
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OH those squirrels had a feast for Thanksgiving!!
I have heard on TV and by e-mail that those gift cards for certain stores
will not be any good after the holidays. Some stores will be closing and or
going bankrupt. Those cards are not guaranteed. I won’t be buying them.
It seems that many I speak to this year are opting for the old fashioned
Christmas of giving what one makes, or giving the check or cold hard
cash. This works for everyone.. no one turns down MONEY,not even
the smallest child who knows that the paper money is worth more
than the coins. They might not know by how much, but they know it.
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As you can see by the photo we still have little or no snow
here and that suits me just fine. Temps are still hitting near 40 during the
day and that is great. Colder air is coming in December they say, so I
am enjoying every day of sunny skies and wamer than average temps.
Well we have celebrated this Thanksgiving, giving thanks that we are still
together and relatively well. Hope you all had a great day too!
YES.. it’s FRIDAYYYY. not SUNDAY OR MONDAY.. and will be a long weekend!! 
Nov19
THANKSGIVING MEMORIES..
glitter-graphics.com
Over 40 million people will be traveling this Thanksgiving
holiday. Whether they be by train, plane or car they will
be going someplace away from home. Some won’t go far,
perhaps less than 50 miles. That is what the AAA predicts this
year. Weather plays a part in travel but I am thinking that
the economy and the gas prices play big parts too. People
are more likely to travel with the gas prices being low like
they have been lately. We know over the holidays they will
probably rise though. It always happens.
A memorable Thanksgiving for me was when I lived in
Ca. The family was gathering. It was a first for me, as I had
just moved to Ca. from Michigan. I had never seen some of
the relatives, nor they me. It was like being a stranger, only
not. They were all polite and friendly and caring. It was
truly an eye opening day. So many people and so many
conversations that you really had no idea what or who
they were talking about. I remember so much food, so many
dishes and such a large bird. It took up the entire built in
oven and had been cooking practically all night long.
A whole table full of desserts of all kinds and a room full
of chairs and tables and people who sat any place they could
find a seat. So much noise, everyone talking at once it seemed.
Kids.. kids running all over and playing in the yard. It was nice out,
the sun was shining and the air was actually warm to me. So different
from the cold snowy days in Michigan in November. It was great
to sit back and observe everyone and the real “family” dynamic.
Up until then I had spent all my Thanksgiving dinners around a table
with only my parents and my sister and brother. NO kids, no relatives,
as the closest ones were over 500 miles away. It was almost always cold
and or snowy and quiet, as after lunch we would take a nap. Dad was not
into sports and we didn’t watch much tv. California was totally opposite.
This gathering was normal for them, but not for me.
It was special for me, like a family reunion.
Learning names and who went with who, I wished I had name tags as
they got all jumbled up in my head. My grandmother, who I had not been
around any in my life, took me aside and reassured me ..”don’t you worry
none, you ‘ll get used to them all.” I have to say I did, but it took a long time.
Grandma is gone now and so are many of the aunts,uncles, and cousins that brought
the whole clan together. Today they go off to separate places and don’t really
gather like they used to in the “old days”.
For some, the “gathering” for dinner at a relatives is normal.
For me it will be a memory that I will never forget.
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DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THANKSGIVING MEMORY???
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
