Goodness, Now It's Almost December

I was just reading my blog to see when I last wrote. My goodness--It's when I mentioned that I couldn't believe that November was already here. Now I have to say, "I can't believe that Monday will be December 1st." Did I sleep through the month of November or am I still in shock that our next President of the United States will be Barack Obama? Really I am not shocked that he will be our next President, I knew he was going to win. But I voted any ways because I didn't want to be the one at home election night saying to myself, if only I had voted McCain would have won. Ok, so now you all know who I voted for and guess what? I am proud of my voting decision.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and we did something a little different this year. We ate at 7 PM. Usually the kids go to their in-laws for Thanksgiving lunch; and then would get to our house to eat around 5 PM and hardly eat a thing. This new time of eating did the trick. The mashed potatoes were gone, one small container and I mean small of stuffing was left, sweet potatoe casserole--a few helpings left. I won't go through our entire menu, but I loved not having to try to stuff all the leftovers into my fridge. So I guess our new Thanksgiving tradition will be dinner after 7.

The sad part of Thanksgiving was not having all 19 of us together. We had become so adjusted to all our family being here but now 6 of them are no longer in Texas. They are in Henderson, NV and (sorry Rich) it's not fair. Kim should have been in my kitchen helping me to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Instead, I was e-mailing recipes and instructions, answering phone calls for cooking instructions, and waiting for the results of Kim's taking our family traditions into her own kitchen. She even made Sweet Potatoe Casserole from my recipe because she knows how much Rich loves it (according to him it is a great day after Thanksgiving breakfast treat, lunch treat, and late night snack; but alas, eventually all good things come to an end and it is back to frozen waffles).

I am grateful for Thanksgiving which helps me to remember how much I have been blessed in my life, although I should be grateful every day of my life not just on a man made holiday. So, as I sit here writing on my blog with my laptop computer thanks to all this wonderful technology we are so blessed with including new Disney movies, I say thank you. I do this as I sit here typing and watching the new Tinkerbell movie with two granddaughters, Emma and Gabi. There is nothing like being a grandma to eight of the most fantastic grandchildren you have ever met.

So, before December gets here, let me say that I am grateful for the month of November and the privilege I have of voting of my own free will; grateful to honor all those veterans still living and those who have passed on in fighting and defending our country; grateful for 36 years of marriage to someone whom I was allowed to pick and not pre-arranged as in other countries; grateful for a son who turned 35 and who still makes me feel young enough to be his age; and once again thanksful for the holiday of Thanksgiving where we can gather with those we love whether it be around a table or around a phone. In December, I know already there are many blessings for me; but those will wait as I enjoy the last few days of November.