One thing I love about Thanksgiving is homemade turkey soup. I remember the smell that would fill the house as a kid when my mother would cook up a pot. I never loved the vegetables so she would sit and remove everything except the turkey. I am not great in the kitchen but I make a grand attempt with my soup. I dropped the carcass into the pot around 9 this morning. Celery, carrots, onion all which I will remove. What can I say, one good thing about homemade is it is made my way! The house smells wonderful.
Yesterday was a very nice day. Watching the parade with the girls was a pleasant start to the day. They love to sing and dance around with the performers. The big balloons are always a hit. My brother came over for a few hours and the kids had a blast. Frank did a great job with the Turkey. And for desert, the extremely untraditional, yet totally delicious chocolate cupcakes made by Frank and the girls.
I was a good day! I enjoy spending time with my brother’s family and look forward to Christmas!
Had a parent teacher meeting with Madison’s teacher today. I was not really sure what to expect. I know that she enjoys school and I know that she is bright. I also know that she is very hyper and never stops moving or talking. Sometimes she reminds me of a kitten who runs from room to room. The meeting went very well. Although her teacher and I agree that she is a “pistol” she assures me that Madison does understand when it is time to play and time to work. I was so proud to sit there! She is doing so well! She has tested in the top 97 percentile, she is helpful and very happy. All great things a mother wants to hear about a child! I am so proud of my baby!
In my “pre-surgery effort to ensure all things are taken care of”, I pulled the pile of holiday dresses out of the closet. I am so thrilled that Megan’s Christmas dress from last year fits just fine and Madison fits into an older dress of Meg’s. Being as these dresses are worn for a few hours, one day a year, I am just so happy that I do not need to spend money on dresses this year! There are layoffs all around, treats of property tax increases due to Superstorm Sandy on top of the already slow economy. Really need to tighten things up this year! Frank’s company has had two rounds just in the last month. Nerves are a bit raw.
Tomorrow some food shopping for Thanksgiving. A few days until surgery…
The day after Thanksgiving for years was a huge headache for me due to my years in retail. Many that I worked with love the day, I dreaded it! Arrive in the building somewhere between 3 and 6 am after eating enough to last a week and then work 12-15 hours. I am first to admit I am not exactly a “people person” and the crowds of crazy, pushing people who are annoyed that tens of thousands of other people had the same idea to shop, does not help my feelings toward people. The lines are longer than any other day of the year, yet many seem annoyed and openly want to share that annoyance with any and all who wish to listen. Now many stores are opening on Thanksgiving which I find ridiculous. IF they are only having employees working who volunteer to do such then fine but my many years lead me to believe that people probably working for minimum wage or close to it are not given a choice to keep their job or spend time with family.
But I digress. So once I left retail, Black Friday became Christmas decoration day for us! I have more Christmas stuff than I do normal everyday knick knacks. I collect statues of Santa Clause. I have the cheerful soul in many occupations, fireman, golfer, pirate, toy maker I even have a wall street santa, (don’t tell the occupy folks!) I have them in Lenox and cloth, big and small, standing and seated and I love them all!
It hit me Sunday that this year that may not be possible since I once again have surgery Monday. The breast revision, revision. Although it should not be too earth shattering, I do expect that I will have lifting restrictions and soreness for a bit. Next weekend we are swamped and then surgery so the decorating had to get done this weekend. It took the better part of yesterday and a few hours today but everything except the Christmas tree itself is up inside the house. Frank is in charge outside. Just like before each of the surgeries, going through my checklists of everything that must be handled before my forced down time.
The best gift ever! Took me 6 years but I finally did it!
Saturday was Madison’s birthday party. It was a nice day. The kids all had a great time at the karate school party. The family also seemed to have a nice time back at the house. Madison was thrilled with her gift, Baby butterscotch. She is one spoiled child! I can not believe my baby is six. Time flies!
My baby and I with a giant Hello Kitty Balloon. Can you guess the theme?
Decisions for my Family 