Thanksgiving

Well, it's that time of year again. A time to think about and focus on what you are thankful for and help those who do not have as much as you.

Or at least that's how it was when I was a kid.

Maybe I just don't remember the Black Friday ads, maybe it's because my mom didn't get up at mid-night and stand in line for hours just to get 2 items at slightly better prices, but I remember the 4th Thursday in November being about thanks, not sales.

I mean, while BF is not my thing I understand that some people love it. That's fine, but I feel like 100 years from now BF will be the holiday and Thanksgiving will be forgotten all together. And that is not okay.

Vinny is so excited about today, not because of the parade or even the food, but because he gets to be with his cousins and family. He has been counting down the days all week, so excited to spend time with the people he loves.

And isn't that what today should be? I actually like Fred Meyer's ad for BF, they say to enjoy your Thanksgiving and "We'll be here bright and early for you on Friday." I know it's probably because they sell food too and they want to make money, but I still like it.

I don't want to be one of those whinny people who talk about how "commercialized" it's all become, but it has. And it's getting worse every year.

So I would like to challenge anyone who reads this to please make sure you spend today thinking about family and friends. Write down what you are thankful for and help your kids do the same. Let today be about thanks, and tomorrow can be all the sales you want. :)

As for me, I am thankful for my home, my family, the gosple of Jesus Christ which blesses me and my family daily. I am thankful for the peace I can feel even when the world is dissolving into chaos. For my handsome, intellegent little boys and the wonderful relationship I have with them. For my dad who has had to be 2 grandpas for my kids and borne that well. For Gary (Dan's dad) who led a life worth telling my kids about, and was the sort of man my son what's to know and be like, even without ever having met the man in this life. I am thankful for my husband who works 12 hour days to keep us in our home and fed, but still makes the time to be with our boys, so they know and love him. And makes time for me, so we can work out our hiccups and continue forward stronger and better.

I am thankful for the rights and freedoms I have in this country. I am eternally grateful to those who risk their lives and stay far from their families for far too long, to protect those rights. And just as grateful to their loved ones at home who allow them to go.

I am thankful for my life and all that is in it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Movies

Well, we just signed up for a Netflix trial, possibly keep, and I had a thought. I really don't care about most of these new movies. I mean, more new movies out than ever in my life and most of them are just ... I can't think of the word. I know they may appeal to a certain audience, but so many movies are bombing and they keep making the same tired plot over and over again.

Occasionally they bust out something amazing, like Tangled. But overall, Hollywood is loosing it. I am enjoying re-watching old movies that I kinda liked, more than I am enjoying the new ones.

I just wish we could go back to films that meant something. And maybe they would if we only got 1-2 new movies a month instead of a week.

Christmas!

Hello all. It's confession time.

I....*deep breath* am addicted to Christmas! I am in love with Christmas, the atmosphere, the music, the stories, the good feelings all around. To be honest, December 25th is kinda a sad day for me, because it means Christmas is over. :(

I do try to wait until November 1st to start listening to music. I wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate and get out all my things. But the feeling of Christmas is intoxicating. I love going to craft bazaars (as early as this weekend) and browsing the decoration aisle at the store.

I do think stores should have decorations for sale in November, because I like to get set up early, so I have to have them before. but not in October, or August.

I just feel like there is a feeling of goodwill, love and happiness during the Holidays. The food is better, people tend to be nicer if you are not at a sale or the mall. Everything gets better at Christmas time!

So I wont play music in my shop when people are there, the stocking aren't hung until the tree is up AFTER Thanksgiving. The bed time stories will remain un-Christmas-i-fied until December1st. But I am Christmas-i-fied and proud of it!