My Friend Chris

My friend Chris hasnt blogged since Nov 13th. sup wit dat?

They seem smaller in the forest.

This past Sunday, my husband and our two teenage boys ventured up to the Grand Canyon to cut a Christmas tree ( legally of course, we had a permit from the forest service). After several, what seemed like hours, of walking thru the forest, we found "the tree". Dave and I walked back to our truck to get the chain saw, while the boys stayed with the tree.. as if someone else would remotely be cutting a Christmas tree near us and try to take ownership. So, Dave fired up the chainsaw and the tree fell in the forest, and yes...yes... it does make a sound. Dave and the boys carried the tree to the truck and it was then that we realized just how big of a tree we cut. It is well over 12 feet tall. I can't wait to get it into our home and decorate it.

Thanksgiving with Family

Dave and I hosted Thanksgiving at our home yesterday for 20 people. Dave and I, our three kids, plus Daniel our host son, and Aaron’s girlfriend Ashley, My mom and Dad, Dave’s Dad, two of my siblings and their spouses and children plus two cousins from Phoenix, and my ex-husband. What a perfectly glorious day. The weather was so beautiful that we were able to eat outside. Dave and I fixed soooo much food. Turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, apricot glazed ham, The Green Bean Casserole, fresh cranberry relish, deviled eggs, tossed salad, candied yams, fresh baked rolls ( thanks Dad), corn and green chili casserole (thanks Mom) and 8 pies. I am looking forward to a turkey and cranberry relish sandwich on one of my dad’s home made rolls.

The moments that stand out for me from yesterday are:

The pure joy that was reverberating throughout our home from the laughter.

How wonderful everything tasted

How happy all the kids were to see one another

Dave’s Thanksgiving Prayer

The warm weather

How relaxed my mom and dad were

How relaxed Dave and I were and although it was a lot of work, the whole day seemed effortless.

How beautiful our home looked

How quiet and still everything seemed to be after everyone left

20 Cents, Pair Of Dimes, Paradigm Shift

I have recently had a Paradigm Shift in my life as it relates to friendships. I am not a freshman in highschool looking for drama with a girlfriend, I am a grown woman who thought I had solid relationships with other woman. Actually, my shift, as most shifts occur, happened over a period of time. One day its perfectly fine to be held hostage periodically by your friends, because, come on you just put up with the good and the bad. But... then...one morning you wake up,and realize that its not okay to be held hostage by your friends. Friendship should not be based on being worried if your going to hurt someone's feelings. Friendship should be based on that if you do hurt their feelings, its not a deal breaker. So I have recently began protected myself, and with that, I have withdrawn from both sets of my friends -- professional and personal.. (not talking about you Chris, first; your not a woman, and second; face it, you are part of my family). I'm certain there is some confusion on their part. But to tell you the truth, I'm not worried about what they think. I'm taking care of Me. I feel myself changing and that is scary and exciting.

Thursday.. update

Instead of going shopping on my lunch hour, at 11:00 a.m. my boss told me he needed me to go to Sedona with him to look at some road problems. (or something like that....). Only if we get to swing thru Jerome and eat at the Haunted Hamburger I said. It was a good hamburger.

Thursday, before a 3 Day Weekend.

How much better can it get? Its Thursday, and tomorrow we have a day off to celebrate Veterans Day. Overall, it has been a good week. Will got a C+ on his biology exam - Thank God! Dave was re-elected in a landslide victory ( okay.. so he was running unapposed..its still a landslide victory). Things here at work are smooth ( uh oh) and the fall weather is absolutely amazing. OH, and I'm going shopping on my lunch hour. Its a beautiful day.

I am grateful that its Friday and that I don't have any.. ANY big plans for the weekend. Do you know how wonderful that is? (well, unless you consider killing gophers "big plans"..) but other than that.. No Big Plans.

Yup, another list...

I'm grateful for my child. Will is struggling with biology. I admire his strength. I'm so proud of him. He doesnt give up, even when we gave him the choice to change classes. ( okay, he is a freshman in high school and this class is a college prep course...he is an amazing child).

I'm grateful that my husband loves me and still thinks I'm beautiful... after 12 years together.