Thanksgiving 2008

Sorry it has been a while since I have updated the blog... we have been a little busy, as you will see from all the posts!!

Thanksgiving was held at Mom's house this year, as it is just about every year. CJ, the kids and I were going, but my sister and her family were going to Matt's parent's. My brother, Derek, made it home this year! Mom also invited some of her siblings and their families, bringing the total number of guests for Thanksgiving guests for dinner to 13. I made two pumpkin pies and a cherry pie (Derek doesn't like pumpkin!) to take there.

CJ, the kids, and I left home on Wednesday night after work to drive to Laurens. Derek had to work in Ames that night and wouldn't be getting to Laurens until after midnight. CJ and I decided to go uptown and check out the "bar scene" -- see who was home for Thanksgiving and all that. We were still up there when Derek got into town, so he met us up at the bar close to 1AM. We had a few drinks and closed the bar down... then proceeded to go back to Mom's. Since Derek had just got home, he was far from ready to quit and go to bed! So we stayed up the whole morning drinking and talking in Mom's kitchen!! Mom got up to put the turkey in and we were still there! Hadn't even been to bed yet!!

At this point, I decided to lay down for an hour or two, so I could get up and help Mom in the kitchen. I maybe slept for an hour then got back up and got dressed and ready for Thanksgiving. When I went out to the kitchen, I had a headache, so I took some Advil and had some toast and tea. From here on out, I just felt worse as the morning went on!!! By the time some of the relatives were arriving (11AM!) I was doing everything I could to keep from getting sick!! Derek finally laid down shortly after 10AM, only to be woken up when the relatives started arriving. Everyone was having a good time at my expense (even Derek!)... making fun of me for feeling sick!! When we sat down to eat dinner, I just had a little bit of food... my aunt told me all I needed was some mashed potatoes with gravy and I would start feeling better. Not sure about this advice, but I did manage to get some of the potatoes down. Derek had a plate heaping full of food, but after a few bites, he was unable to eat! Miraculously, I did start to feel better and was able to have some salad and pie by the time the meal was finishing up!

I did help with dishes since I wasn't able to help make dinner, and I owe my Aunt Barb for "bailing me out" and helping Mom in the kitchen when she got there!! And I was able to enjoy all the food from dinner... that evening before we left for home!!

Needless to say, this Thanksgiving was quite memorable... just not quite the memory I wanted!!!