Pre-Planning Thanksgiving

Today is a day of catching up and getting ready for the BIG meal....Thanksgiving!

Since Sheri is arriving on Monday, I have been stashing all the Christmas gifts in her room for the past few weeks. Got to move them. How about Morgan and Tyler's bedroom?...nope, they are spending the night also. Okay, then Taylor and Dave's room...again, nope. They also are staying the night. I love that all bedrooms will be filled and the laughter is going to go on all night. So anyhow, my challenge is where to put things....out in the backyard in my new "cottage"...might get damp. So this morning over coffee I have been very creative in hiding everything with the mind set of the Easter Bunny. I really hope I don't forget anything once I drag it all out again. Could end up missing something under the tree.

I also started my Thanksgiving grocery list. Funny how I have always loved every aspect of food. Deciding what I need, making the list, shopping from a mix of stores, filling the food pantry (not to be confused with my book pantry), cooking, eating and this is the really scary part...cleaning up and having the kitchen spotless as if nothing had ever been created and consumed.

Charley is picking up the "Blessed by the Pope" turkey in Yelm this morning and I've had to pull out shelves in the fridge so the beast will fit. Is it possible that I actually need more than two fridges in this house? Where would I put a third? Can't go there, not going to happen.

Family, be sure to bring next week your "turkey eating pants" as we once again will have lots and lots of great eats...anyone have a game they want to bring???

Red Wine

Saturday night Mike had a 50th birthday party for Jimmy...he's so old! He is now an honorary club member of my 37th Club...Anyway, there were 4 couples invited and it was very quaint and sweet. Dinner was amazing and the company, of course, spectacular.

What surprised me was the new wine snobs in the old neighborhood. We tasted, sniffed and downed a variety of reds. Usually this is not my thing...I'm a white drinker, but the reds I tasted this particular evening were amazing. One of the new favorites with the neighborhood is Olson's wine in where else.....Prossor. Right behind Airfield.

Jimmy and Richard are now both part of their wine club and have introduced me to a new color. And the latest studies show...red is actually very good for you?!! Have we been making fun of the "step-monster" all this time for died teeth and lips for nothing?

Post Glowing

I know I've said this before, but I can't describe what it means to me to Morgan and Taylor's mom.

It is almost like a physical ache or expansion of the heart (sort of like the Grinch) that seems to want to bust out! Today I read blog stories from both of them that make me so obnoxiously proud to be their mom and part of their lives, that I can't put it into the correct words to describe what joy these girls bring me yesterday and every day.

Sheri and I talk all the time about what amazing adults they are. We are not biased, just very realistic.

I never did glow being pregnant with either of the girls and always felt I missed out on something. I have been making up for that now because I have been glowing for a lot of years and really shining today!

Christmas Adulthood

So my girls have been acknowledged to the world of adulthood.

Last night, Mike and Jimmy called me to let me know they have decided to invite both the girls (and their boys) to the infamous Christmas Party.

As the girls grew up...they longed to just sneak a peak at what was going on next door at the Christmas Party. No emergency was big enough to justify a quick visit and a quick peak. Now they are going to get an invitation in the mail instead of the traditional Santa letter Mike would send them. This should not be taken lightly... its an honor. I can't remember ever, any "off-spring" being included in this event.

Girls feel honored! And what fun to shop for the ornament exchange! Its always been one of my holiday highlights and I love it now that it will be shared with you!

Funny how grown up you guys are now....but still get presents from Santa!! Go figure?