Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I've made the side dishes that I bring every year, and they are waiting in the refrigerator, just waiting to be transported to Granny's house and eaten.
If you're wondering, one of them is my great grandmother's Orange Salad (cottage cheese, orange jello, mandarin oranges, and cool whip - so 1950's, isn't it?) and the other is The Stuffing.
For every year that I have been considered an adult by my family (that's 6 years...I was not officially an adult until I married), I have made The Stuffing. And I have used a different recipe every year. I am hoping this year will be a winner...I used a Paula Deen recipe with lots of butter, so how could it go wrong? I mean, other than the bread that was drying in the oven that I forgot about, causing some major smoke, but NO FIRE! So, uh, I did have to re-do that part. But other than THAT.
Along with every other person who celebrates Thanksgiving, I'm thinking about what I'm thankful for this year. Here's my top five:
1. My extra flab. WHAT?!?!? Well, I figure it means that we're doing well enough for me to grocery shop often, and to eat. To eat very well. And that is an excellent thing.
2. My husband. He is such a wonderful guy. He probably would have EATEN the burned stuffing. And he's hot. So many of my friends are going through trials with their spouses lately, and I realize every day how lucky I am to have him. I love him ever so much, despite his odd Lego obsession (more on that later).
3. My friends. In high school, I was one of those people who KNEW a lot of people, and most people KNEW me, but I never felt popular. I was friends with lots of groups of people - The Athletes, The Smart Kids, The Stoners, The Country Kids, The Popular Kids - but I never felt like I REALLY fit in with any of them.
And now, at thirty, I feel like I have more friends than I've ever had in my life, and they still come in very diverse groups - Teacher Friends, College Friends, Childhood / School Friends, Mommy Friends, Scrapbooking Friends, and Blogger Friends.
I love the diversity, and I've finally realized that I don't HAVE to fit into one certain group. The groups don't come together as one very often, but that's okay. I can be scrapbooking with a group of girlfriends one night, at the park with another mom the next day, and call up my favorite College Friend for a drink that night. I love the INTEREST that it brings to my life.
4. Scrapbooking! To paraphrase Jennifer, a scrapbooking friend, scrapbooking, altering, and creating things feeds that six year old girl inside me, the one who has always loved to make a mess, color, glue, and make things sparkle with glitter. It makes me so happy, and I have met so many cherished friends through this special kind of art.
5. Staying home. I longed to stay home for years. The wish finally fell in my lap last May, and it has been a harder job than I ever thought it would be. I was terrified of walking out of my classroom, where I at least knew what I was doing.
I still have really terrible days, filled with temper tantrums (mine AND the children's), unimaginable messes, tension, and stress. But that comes with ANY job.
I love that I can wear elastic-waisted pajama pants with a t-shirt ALL DAY LONG and call it "dressed".
I love that when I go "out" now, it's a really special occasion and I can really appreciate getting all fixed up.
I love getting to watch Oprah, or take a nap, or take a bath at two in the afternoon if I feel like it.
I love that I can help my son make Jello dinosaurs the minute he asks me to, instead of saying, "Maybe this weekend".
I love that I get to hear an excited, drawn out "Hiiiiiiiiiii!!!" from my daughter every morning, knowing that I have the whole day ahead to enjoy her.
I love the freedom of not having to GO to a job every day. I am right here in my own home, and most of the time, my husband is home too, working downstairs in his office. This is the way I always wanted it to be, and I think I'll look back on these years as the best of my life.
Or that could be just be my excellent medication talking. But whatever. I'll take it.
Everybody have a great Thanksgiving!
If you're wondering, one of them is my great grandmother's Orange Salad (cottage cheese, orange jello, mandarin oranges, and cool whip - so 1950's, isn't it?) and the other is The Stuffing.
For every year that I have been considered an adult by my family (that's 6 years...I was not officially an adult until I married), I have made The Stuffing. And I have used a different recipe every year. I am hoping this year will be a winner...I used a Paula Deen recipe with lots of butter, so how could it go wrong? I mean, other than the bread that was drying in the oven that I forgot about, causing some major smoke, but NO FIRE! So, uh, I did have to re-do that part. But other than THAT.
Along with every other person who celebrates Thanksgiving, I'm thinking about what I'm thankful for this year. Here's my top five:
1. My extra flab. WHAT?!?!? Well, I figure it means that we're doing well enough for me to grocery shop often, and to eat. To eat very well. And that is an excellent thing.
2. My husband. He is such a wonderful guy. He probably would have EATEN the burned stuffing. And he's hot. So many of my friends are going through trials with their spouses lately, and I realize every day how lucky I am to have him. I love him ever so much, despite his odd Lego obsession (more on that later).
3. My friends. In high school, I was one of those people who KNEW a lot of people, and most people KNEW me, but I never felt popular. I was friends with lots of groups of people - The Athletes, The Smart Kids, The Stoners, The Country Kids, The Popular Kids - but I never felt like I REALLY fit in with any of them.
And now, at thirty, I feel like I have more friends than I've ever had in my life, and they still come in very diverse groups - Teacher Friends, College Friends, Childhood / School Friends, Mommy Friends, Scrapbooking Friends, and Blogger Friends.
I love the diversity, and I've finally realized that I don't HAVE to fit into one certain group. The groups don't come together as one very often, but that's okay. I can be scrapbooking with a group of girlfriends one night, at the park with another mom the next day, and call up my favorite College Friend for a drink that night. I love the INTEREST that it brings to my life.
4. Scrapbooking! To paraphrase Jennifer, a scrapbooking friend, scrapbooking, altering, and creating things feeds that six year old girl inside me, the one who has always loved to make a mess, color, glue, and make things sparkle with glitter. It makes me so happy, and I have met so many cherished friends through this special kind of art.
5. Staying home. I longed to stay home for years. The wish finally fell in my lap last May, and it has been a harder job than I ever thought it would be. I was terrified of walking out of my classroom, where I at least knew what I was doing.
I still have really terrible days, filled with temper tantrums (mine AND the children's), unimaginable messes, tension, and stress. But that comes with ANY job.
I love that I can wear elastic-waisted pajama pants with a t-shirt ALL DAY LONG and call it "dressed".
I love that when I go "out" now, it's a really special occasion and I can really appreciate getting all fixed up.
I love getting to watch Oprah, or take a nap, or take a bath at two in the afternoon if I feel like it.
I love that I can help my son make Jello dinosaurs the minute he asks me to, instead of saying, "Maybe this weekend".
I love that I get to hear an excited, drawn out "Hiiiiiiiiiii!!!" from my daughter every morning, knowing that I have the whole day ahead to enjoy her.
I love the freedom of not having to GO to a job every day. I am right here in my own home, and most of the time, my husband is home too, working downstairs in his office. This is the way I always wanted it to be, and I think I'll look back on these years as the best of my life.
Or that could be just be my excellent medication talking. But whatever. I'll take it.
Everybody have a great Thanksgiving!
10 Comments:
that was a very good list, stacey. i am actually really proud that you listed your "flab."
you're a beautiful person, inside and out, and you've got a lot of wonderful things in your life.
happy thanksgiving!
rhanks agian for being uoi. nive!!! alwats a smile. happy thanlgibing,. I will erawe tomoorow but kudos.
Shmelby, did you have some pre-thanksgiving cocktails?
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I am so glad to know you. :0)
ok cleary, last night is kind of a blur! I kinda sorda remembering reading some blogs, but i distinctivley remember telling myself not to comment. It appears that I did and I do have to apolgize.
Man my head hurts!!!
Merry Thanksgiving!!!
I will add something to your list... I'm thankful that your family does crazy and funny things, and that you can see the humor in it and share it with us! Happy Thanksgiving!
I love your list,a few of your thankfuls for, made me cry. I especially love #5. It's a great gift to be able to recognize that these truely are "the good old days". After reading Silly Hilys last post I feel like I want to say thanks to some of you who make my day so many times a week. I have just 1 child left at home now and when I read your posts it brings back so many memories. So anyhow,thanks Stacey,you make me laugh and sometimes you bring a tear to my eye. It's all good. Oh and also,I love that your husband loves Legos. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving sweetie! May your stuffing be the best dish on the table and your weekend be full of love and laughter.
What a great list. Sounds like you have a pretty spiffy life.
And to echo Debi's comment, I, too, feel thankful for all the friends I've met through blogging. Nobody else is allowed to disappear!
You are very lucky to be at home and have your husband there too working. What a great life.
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