Gobble Gobble: Memories and THE list

Ahh, Thanksgiving. I love it!

My first memories of Thanksgiving are waking up to the smell of turkey cooking. I also remember always watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. For some reason I remember one year there were these really big pig balloons and we were teasing this guy who really liked my oldest sister about them. Odd memory, don't you think?

My mom is a pie maker. She make tons of pies. All on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. She is amazing with the designs she makes on her crusts. And the smells, Oh, the smells. I loved and still do, when I come home walking into the warm house and smelling apple pies, cherry pies, pumkin pies all baking in her oven. It is welcoming and amazing! See why we typically go there for Thanksgiving.

We would always eat on my mom's best china. Many a goblets were broken at Thanksgiving. My sister actually bit one just to see what would happen. It did. We usually had other friends or family at our house, so I was always at the little kid table. Even when I was big. Even now. Okay, not now. But that's only because it isn't called the little kid table. That or there are little-er kids than me. Hmmph. Someday!

The rest of the afternoon was usually spent eating pie, playing games, eating left overs, cleaning up, more pie, watching and playing football, visits from friends, still more pie, sometimes a movie, and finishing up the pie. Good times!

Just so you don't think I'm un-grateful because I haven't mentioned being thankful all month...here is my thankful list:

I am thankful....

...for allrecipes.com and other websites/blogs with recipes on them. They make me look good.

...for a full night sleep without interruptions. That happened last night.

...for laundry. Just kidding!

...for a good book, a warm blanket and the dream of having time to use them both at the same time.

...that Hubs decided, on his own, to put up Christmas lights, for the first time evah!!!

...for my iphone. I really can do everything on there.

...for my blog. I had no idea how much fulfillment I would get from blogging. It really is fun for me. Both in my writing and in reading others' too. Thank you!!

...for my dog. He greets me every night when I come home to a dark, quiet house. A lot of comfort comes knowing that murderers, theives and other varments are detered from getting us because there is a mean sounding bark on the other side of the door.

...for friends. I am thankful for the friends who will call me in a weak moment and share their yummy chinese craving with me, because I am supportive that way.  Or the friend who has a coupon for the new peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks and drops one off for me.

...for my children. They are the joys of my life. I thank God every day for the opportunity to be their mother. And am so glad how forgiving they are of my many, many flaws! Plus, they provide great blogging material!!

...for Hubs. This handsome guy lets me write about him. Every week. On a public forum. And he still loves me. Who wouldn't be thankful for that? He is the best!! Then, as if that isn't enough, he is the "champ" dad ever. (Excuse the ASL speak.) Plus he's handsome. I tell ya ladies, I scored...big time!!

But mostly, I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who blesses me with everything that I have. He loves me, even when I am unloveable and mean, undeserving and always falling short.  So much so that He sent His Son to make it possible for me return to Him. For that I am eternally grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

What are you thankful for?

So I Married A Deaf Man: Pick Me! Pick Me!!

Hubs can play football. I mean, really play football. He is an all-around athlete. There really isn't a game that he can't play.

Okay, so maybe not musical chairs, but who is good at that game anyway.

You know what happens every year on Thanksgiving morning, right? The Turkey Bowl. If you aren't up to speed, let me explain. The Turkey Bowl is when all men, old and young, fat and slim, athletic or awkward... all come together and relive the glory days. Football, folks. That's what it is.

I am not sure how this tradition started. Perhaps it was the woman who had had it up to her eyebrows with her Hubs coming in asking, "Is it ready yet?" She finally looked at him and said, "Can't you call a few friends and go throw the football around for a few hours????"

Perhaps some husband needed an excuse to not help with the clean-up? "Oh, honey. I totally twisted my ankle this morning at the Turkey Bowl. I think I need to sit right here in front of the TV with my pie and ice my foot. I wouldn't want to strain it or anything. By the way, can you bring me a soda?"

Whatever it's origins, it is an annual event for Hubs.

The first time he goes to a new Turkey Bowl it is a guarantee that he will be the last one to be picked. Guaranteed. I don't know if people think you have to hear to play or if they just aren't sure how they will communicate. Maybe they can't judge his ability because he isn't out there talking shmack. Whatever the case...always last picks.

Element of surprise.

He is short. He is fast. He is Mr. Athlete.

And he is Deaf.

Take that!

Sock it to 'em.

Dad had a sock drawer.

I don't think that there were many socks kept in that drawer. At least not that I remember. I only remember one sock residing in that drawer. It was dark brown and it was full of change.

"Why did your dad keep his change in a sock?"

This was back before piggy banks were invented. Huh? What? No, that's not right. Come to think of it, I am not sure why he did that. I just know that he did. Maybe he was trying to hide his change from the likes of me.

Obviously, if I am telling you about the sock, then you know that I found the sock. And the goods therein.

Once I found it, I came up with the most brilliant plan. Take some of the change, go to the Circle K and buy a ton of candy. Bring it home and sell the candy for half the price that I bought it for.

Genius!! (Remember, I was maybe 8 years old.)

Apparently making money wasn't as important as making friends. I was a hit. I mean, why go to the store and buy a candy bar for $.45 when you can buy it from me for $.25? They loved me. Sometimes they could haggle me down to $.15. This may be where my displeasure for haggling began.

I would buy the candy, set up shop, sell it all then take my un-profit and buy more, each time sneaking more and more from my dad's sock. My booming business lasted about 4 hours.

Well, eventually my theifery was discovered and my store went bust. I remember feeling horrible for stealing my dad's money...from the dark brown sock...hidden badly in his sock drawer.

It was then, at that  young age,  that I learned three great lessons:

Hiding your money in a brown sock in a sock drawer is just asking for trouble.

I should never go into business...having friends is still more important to me than making a buck!

Never take something that isn't yours because in the end you will get caught, feel guilty...

...and blog about it later.

Going down with style....

I've been called a lot of things...I won't name them for you...but stylish has never been one of them.

Until now...

Mary, over at Life in a Small Town thinks I am. Or at least she thinks I deserve this award. Sa-weet! Thanks, Mary. Man, have I got you fooled. I am honored!!

Now you get to learn 7 things about me. Random things. That's just how my mind works.

I mix regular Cheerios with the Honey Nut kind so I can save on sugar. Plus I leave the Honey Nut box out so my kids think they are getting sugared cereal. Nothing wrong with a little deception.

I'm a jerk. It's true. A stylish jerk. Ask the girl who was texting last night in the middle of the Harry Potter movie. You know, the one that I paid $20 to see. After her phone's light flashing in my eyes about 20 times in the first 30 minutes, I leaned over and asked her, nicely to please turn it off.  See, Jerk!

I've never made a pumpkin pie. Shocked? You shouldn't be. I've also never made lemon meringue, cherry, or pecan pies either. My mom is so good at making pies. She usually makes them all. I do, however, make a really good Dutch Apple pie. Oh, and rainbow Jell-O. It's a trade off.

I really think that Graham crackers make my children fill their diapers.

I can't walk into Hobby Lobby alone anymore. It is a requirement that Hubs comes with me. That or I can only have cash. It is a dangerous place. Especially at this time of year.

I love "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" with Jim Carey. He did an amazing job. Also "Elf." Holiday must haves. Oh, and "Christmas With the Kranks." 

I make a mean English Toffee. Not mean like, "Can you please stop texting during the movie?" mean. I'm talking "Holy Cow! I am going to die right now if I don't have another piece," mean.

Now for some of the new blogs that I have found.


Our Whitehouse  Cori is actually my cousin and I just found her blog. I'm a dork. She isn't. Check her out!

The Creative Homemaker This blog has so many cool ideas. I found out that she actually served with Hubs for a few months on her mission. What a small world. Check her out. She is so creative I am green with envy!

Deck the Halls of Home with Joy This blog just makes my mind explode. I wish I could do all of these things.

In the Gutter  I usually end up laughing on this one.

Ooops...There Goes My Butt  Is it wrong to plug my other blog here? It's my "Getting Healthy" journey. You can join me if you like!

The rest of my must-reads are on my Fav's list.

Thanks, again Mary.

Turkey Run

Once upon a November, there lived a Wifey and her Hubs who couldn't have children.

"Ah!" said Hubs. "Kids are overrated. Let's get a turkey instead."

So they bought a turkey, cleaned it up, and popped it into the oven.

When Wifey opened the oven door, out jumped the turkey.

"Pardon me," said Tom T. Urkee. "I've got somewhere to go. And how!"

And off he ran.

He ran past Wifey. He ran past Hubs. He ran right out the front door.

Wifey looked over and Hubs, both totally flabbergasted.

"Well," she said, straightening her apron, "..at least he was dressed!"

Playing Centus Saturday with Jen Matlock. You should too!! 

Whatcha readin?

I love to read.

I am not a fast reader. In fact it takes me about 3 to 4 weeks to read a book. But I love to read, nonetheless.

Best book I have read in a long time:

I could read it over and over and over again. And have. It's a must read.

Right now I am reading this:

Should be a good one to read during the Christmas season!! Short and sweet.

What are you reading? I would love to have some suggestions from some of your favorite books.

I'm serious.

Have a great weekend!!

I heart children

I love children
Yes, it's true
That's why I had
a hundred and two

Okay five

The things they do
when they are small
I know I cannot
list them all.

But I'll try.

The chocolate ring
on nose and chin
Doesn't even
bother them.

"Ehhhh," they shrug.

"Knock. Knock." "Who's there?"
I'm telling you, folks
To children, there are
zero bad jokes.

Though I've told a few.

My children have been
blessed with lungs.
No inhibition
with my young.

They can sing! Loud!!

Out of bed
They roll each day
One track minds
"It's time to play?"

.....all day.

Wearing shoes
without their socks,
Walking barefoot
across the rocks.

Why? How? Ouch!!

Fashion faux pas?
Not a problem.
At my house
we always got 'em.

Orange and purple...interesting choice.

The greatest thing
my kids possess,
The quality 
I love the best,

Should be most, I know.

 Love! That's right,
The unconditional kind,
More forgiving hearts
You'll never find.

Except maybe in a dog.

I can yell, spank,
Even forget,
You know, the usual
list of regrets.

I won't list them.

And yet, despite
all my wrongs
In my lap's
where they belong.

...and want to be. 

So come on people,
have offspring,
Greater joy can
nothing else bring.

Plus, they'll take care of you later!


Thanks to Jenny and Mama Kat for the prompt.