Friday5 on Saturday

From the Revgals:
Ah, the day after Thanksgiving--groan! Fortunately, I love Thanksgiving leftovers.

Thanksgiving is the American holiday when the greatest number of people travel somewhere else to celebrate. It is difficult to think of anything requiring much energy today, so I will keep it simple.

1. Did you go elsewhere for the day, or did you have visitors at your place instead? How was it?
My house! Weird too, because we ALWAYS go to my Mom's. Its a bigger holiday than Christmas in my family, because EVERYONE usually shows up.

2. Main course: If it was the turkey, the whole turkey, and nothing but the turkey, was it prepared in an unusual way? Or did you throw tradition to the winds and do something different?
How can you throw tradition to the wind? How do you do that? Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas (since the asparagus went bad, and I really dislike the green bean casserole thing) and a pumpkin pie. Forgot to make rolls...which was just fine. Our guests made sweet potatoes and brought apple pie. Wonderful.

3. Other than the meal, do you have any Thanksgiving customs that you observe every year?
We usually have fruit cup before the meal...trying to start off healthy I guess. Just the kids had it today while we were setting up the meal. We say my Pop's grace: Some have meat and canna eat and some havena that want it, but we have meat and we can eat and so the Lord be thank-ed. - Robert Burns I'm told. Its much better in Pop's thick brogue. He is unable to have Thanksgiving supper with us. Travel and "canna eat".

4. The day after Thanksgiving is considered a major Christmas shopping day by most US retailers. Do you go out bargain hunting and shop ‘till you drop, or do you stay indoors with the blinds closed? Or something in between?
I have gone out with Hubby's mom at before-crack-of-dawn. It was actually kinda fun, just for the crazy people value! We went to the Christian store in the next town over (Hubby needed advent bulletins) and hit the grocery store for the staples: Pull-ups and milk.

My stepfamily always goes to chop down their Christmas tree on the day after. W've gone with them the past few years. I would love to do that but it seems too early this year...and we've only been in our house 2.5 weeks folks!

5. Let the HOLIDAY SEASON commence! When will your Christmas decorations go up?
Some this weekend, some next weekend. Everything up before the 7th. Everything down by Jan 15. Has to be up through Epiphany though.

On that note, Happy Christ the King day...which is a very odd little holiday in my eyes.

where does the time go?

Thanksgiving is almost here.
and after months of living this strange life at my folks
and having been in my house (almost unpacked...settled) for only 2 weeks (!)
I am wishing I was in PA for Thanksgiving as usual.

For one thing, its lots less work when my mom does it. And its a huge holiday for us. Everyone usually shows up. Christmas is just a "nuclear" family thing for us.
We are having friends from seminary for Thanksgiving and they are staying all weekend...
I am beginning to think that might have been too much.

Anyhow, I am doing turkey, mashed potatoes (instant), stuffing (Stovetop with my additions), asparagus ( unless it has gone bad...not looking so hot in the fridge) instead of green beans, since I'm doing it! cresent rolls, pumpkin pie and fruit cup. My family always starts with fruit cup and that tradition I will uphold.

I am not as worried about the meal as, perhaps, I should be. Cooking isn't usually a big deal to me. Its the "whole weekend" thing thats worrying. House tidying and such. Our water heater is somewhat tempermental and ... I'm just making excuses now.

After living with another family for so long, I have been relishing it being "just us".
but its the holidays
and its one weekend.
Right?
And I am looking forward to seeing them.

Sunday Sunday

It must be odd
to become a pastor
and think to yourself,
I won't get to hear other preachers much anymore
because they all work on Sunday mornings!
I had thoughts of that this morning.

Friday5 from the REVgals!

"Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model.

Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you."

Wow. Ok, I'll give it a shot.
True:
Honorable:
Just:
Pure:
Pleasing:
Commendable:
Excellent:
Worthy of Praise:

Whew. Um, truthfully, this made me think of our military men and women. We had a very touching presentation at church for Veteran's Day and it has really stuck with me this week. We have a lot of ties to the military as a family, although not in our immediate family. We have a lot of ties to the military in our church and in this community. I don't think our family is a minority in this.
A local bridge was dedicated to Veteran's last week and a friend remarked that he was so pleased that his nephew, a soldier, will have to cross that bridge on his way home, when he comes home. And Hubby has recently been to the VA Home.
I guess I am thinking about Thanksgiving and gratitude to them, regardless of your politics. If Service men and women aren't on your prayer list, please put them there.

Pastor's Corner

Just thought I'd mention that our new neighbor is also a pastor.
I thought it was really funny.
His wife seems very nice and they have 3 kids.
And we have that "pastor's wife" thing in common.

Getting settled

I am washing my first load of laundry in my washer and dryer.
Never been so excited about laundry in my life.
I'm sure the euphoria will wear off soon.

also: my folks have left and Flash and I have a terrible cold.
Achoooooooo

Friday5 on Sunday

From the Revgals!:
I am writing in my official capacity of grump!!! No seriously, with the shops and stores around us filling with Christmas gifts and decorations, the holiday season moving up on us quickly for many the time from Thanksgiving onwards will be spent in a headlong rush towards Christmas with hardly a time to breathe.... I am looking at the possibility of finding little gaps in the day or the week to spend in extravagant unbusyness ( a wonderful phrase coined by fellow revgal Michelle)...

So given those little gaps, name 5 things you would do to;

1.to care for your body
Joining the gym again. Feel like I haven't stopped moving for weeks. I'm a little achy.

2. to care for your spirit
Need to find a bible study group...barring that, I'll try to do some self study and read what the Revgals are up to more often, now that I will be re-settled.

3. to care for your mind
Got my new library card on Friday! I'm planning on taking some classes next year.

4. to bring a sparkle to your eye
Shiny new eye shadow? We are due for a date night! Now all we need is a babysitter!

5. to place a spring in your step
New shoes are good for that, right? No, no. Um, just being settled is fantastic, even though we're living "among the boxes".

Enjoy the time to indulge and dream.... and then for a bonus which one on the list are you determined to put into action?
I was too practical, wasn't I? I'll shoot for whimsical later this week!
New eyeshadow definately, and the gym and taking classes next year. Hold me to it!

dogs

Why do we have dogs?
OK they're furry and they love us and...ummm.
Huh. They're expensive and messy and just when you think they're so excited to see you, they run away.
Grrr.
They're back, of course. Simba will come to food, car rides and once, a leash and a promise of a walk. Weird.
Max doesn't want food, car rides or anything else but to be able to run!
New backyard is unfenced.
So tomorrow, after church and the required post-church lunch and rest, we install the invisble radio pet fence. We had one when we lived in GA and Max thought our existing fence was a hurdle. This time there won't be a physical barrier. I know it will stop Max...he understands it. But I'm not sure about Simba.
Old dog/new tricks?
And we can't have a dog flap here, I don't think. Sliding glass door, and the dog flap panels take up too much room... makes it hard for people to get in and out.
So, Operation Dog Containment starts tomorrow!

Us people are doing alright. Mom and Stepdad are visiting and Mom has reacted favorably to the town and the church folk. Thank God! On Tuesday Hubby has Presbytery meeting and Flash has school, but the parents will still be around. So, it'll be a while before we hit a "normal day". More news another day!

what a welcome!

We closed on the house this morning,
had lunch and went to our new house!
Flash was at his new daycare, having a ball!
At about 2 pm...the calvary arrived.
2 ladies from church...they started cleaning.
At 5:30 we had 7 church members, Flash and two other 10 year olds,
three pizzas and assorted cookies.
Painting had begun. Cleaning was just about done,
lawn had been mowed and "volunteer" plants eliminated.
7:30 Flash imploded screaming:
"I'm tired, I want to sleep in the guesthouse!"
We came back, he and I.
Warm milk, two stories, three blankets.
Geez its cold.
Tomorrow, more painting,
carpets are being cleaned,
fridge must be bought and delivered.
Thursday: our stuff comes!
Friday: Mom and the dogs!
Whee!

well, well well

We're here, or rather, most of us are here.
Full van, top carrier, bike rack
Flash and me.
left at 7:15, got in at 9 ish
3 stops, one wrong turn
completely exhausted...
am blogging inmy sleep.
G'nite.
ps...dogs come Friday with my folks...thats why "most".