Thoughts on Thanksgiving

I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoying family and friends and lots of good food! My daughter did Thanksgiving at her house this year, and although I still did quite a bit of cooking, it was all do-ahead stuff, so it was a pleasure to go and relax and enjoy! Unfortunately, my hubby didn't make it home for the big day. He is a truck driver and one never knows if he will be here. We also missed the boys and their families, but they will all be here for Christmas. It seemed rather quiet with only the 13 of us, but wait till Christmas and we'll be back up to our usual 24! Hubby has already informed them at work that he will definately be home for Christmas! We want to spend some time with the boys before they head to Iraq.

Although hubby wasn't with us, he was able to make a surprise appearance to our daughters family in Virginia. He made it in time for dinner, and the grandkids were just thrilled. He got to see them plus eat real food instead of truck stop turkey.

As for all the posts on here about shopping, crafting, etc., for Christmas, it's a lean Christmas for us this year, so the grandkids are all getting their pj's that I make (for all 22 of them) and that's it. I also made little treat boxes to put candy in. They can also double as ornaments if the kids don't rip 'em apart to get to the candy! My daughter suggested playing a game for Christmas...everyone brings a five dollar gift and they all get passed around till you end up with something else. Since noone has a lot of money, I suggested we wander around our houses and find gifts instead of buying them. They can be re-gifts, or something gently used, or something stashed away in the back of the closet that we forgot we even have! Everyone was all for that, and my other daughter keeps telling me all the stuff she's finding. Should be rather interesting and, most of all, fun!

I really do like some of the ideas posted here...like Paige with her "one thing the kids want, one thing they need, etc." I'm going to pass that idea on to the kids. And I really like the fact that Jeanne has no TV! Of course, I sure would miss watching my Steeler games! When the kids were in their teens, they decided to challenge themselves to no TV for six months. Six kids--no TV--HELP! Actually, they did quite well, and we had lots of fun playing games, etc. At the time, we lived in an old farmhouse, and we would sit around the grate where the heat came up and talk and laugh and just enjoy being together. The kids still talk about that, and it was over 20 years ago!

I guess I've rambled on long enough for now, so again, I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Now on to the sewing and baking and cleaning and decorating.................!