Thankful

Well, Thanksgiving weekend came and went, reminding me why it is tied for first in my list of favorite holidays. I love cooking, and although my parents did the lion’s share, I find that there tends to be a spirit of camaraderie in that “tell me what I can bring” kind of way. I offered to make anything and everything, but was told that roasted spiced sweet potatoes and sweet potato pie would suffice. I luuuurves me some sweet potatoes, so I didn’t object. I find that Thanksgiving is filled with much less pressure than my other favorite holiday, Christmas, can be, even if you’re cooking. It’s all about family – the one you’re born with or the one you choose, and friends and community.

It was a “meet the family” bonanza for both me and Special K, and I think it went well all around. I had managed to throw out my back (it’s still not entirely better), so walking around Arlington National Cemetery and checking out monuments didn’t have me at my best on Friday, but Special K was very patient with me, and we stopped at CVS for some Advil and those heat pad things, which did help loosen my back up a bit. His family was a lot of fun to be with, though, and his aunt made the most amazing cross between flan and cheesecake – I actually don’t want the recipe, because then I’d make it and there would be the eating. Not a good idea. However, on Friday all the walking was, in the end, probably better for my back, and Special K and I went swimming Saturday night, which also helped.

We’ve been getting to the gym regularly, mostly because my life is now able to resume a more reasonable pace since my monster project is preparing to ride off into the sunset. It’s not quite done, but it’s getting there, for which I’m grateful, as I can’t neglect my other projects anymore, and they’ll require plenty of late nights and weekends this month, which are in short supply. I’ve also got to squeeze in a bunch of rehearsals for the Christmas program at church between now and the 16^th, but I don’t want my gym time to go down the tubes as a result, since that’s a sanity thing. The next few weeks will be interesting! (I’ve made a suggestion to Special K – after we’re married, we will make no plans before noon on Saturdays as a general rule, since that’s the only day of the week that we’ll be able to sleep in. He’s definitely on board.)

And in stark contrast with last year, my lack of travel to anywhere interesting has resulted in me being totally behind the curve with my Christmas shopping – gah! So. Much. To. Do.

This is why Thanksgiving has the edge…