I got quite a bit accomplished today - some of which I can't divulge here! - and some that has been a while in the planning.  It probably should feel more liberating and I suppose it does in a way but it's also just another step in my life - so I guess it should be somewhat anti-climatic!  Anyway, things are going well, I should be ready for Christmas - cuz it's coming whether I'm ready or not!

The tree is up and decorated - still have a couple of things to add - the candles are in the windows and the wreaths would be on the door but it was raining all day and the "command" hook wouldn't stick in the rain! I'll be putting out my Santas later this week.  I've got plenty of places for them and it will be nice to see them on display this year.

I'm gradually getting the house back in order.  With the new windows, there aren't any drafts (always a good thing) and the dining room is usable (if not completely cleaned out) so I need to get started upstairs in the two extra bedrooms.  Hopefully I'll get everything done in early 2012.  Goals are always a good thing!

Turkey is ready for the oven tomorrow, sweet potato casserole is ready, stuffing is ready, pies would be ready but, alas they are not - yet.

I really like Thanksgiving - all the great food of Christmas without the pressure of gifts and excess shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family - you all are the reasons I am thankful each and every year.

As this year gets closer and closer to its end I find more and more to be thankful for . . . I'm healthy (a little achy once in a while but still!), I have two sons I love very much, wonderful family, great friends, a couple of weird cats (is that redundant??), a job that is still fun (after 24 years that's important!), a roof over my head and food on the table - it doesn't get much better than this!

I'm hoping that 2012 has fewer ups and (especially) downs but at the same time, there's been nothing that I couldn't get through - with pain perhaps but still got through and grew because of the pain.  So farewell (almost) 2011 and welcome 2012.  It's going to be a good year!

Turkey breast purchased, shrimp in the freezer, veggies for stuffing and salad in the fridge, wine in the cooler, apples and pumpkin ready to become pies . . . . must be Thanksgiving!

It's my favorite holiday because there's no pressure for gifts - just lots of great food and time with my sons!

Yesterday would have been my mother's 89th birthday.  Almost every day I think of her, miss her and wish that I could pick up the phone and call her.  She was always there for me, even when she disagreed with an opinion or decision of mine.  I can only hope that I can be as good a parent . . .

Happy Veterans Day - I didn't say it earlier (bad me) but I did take time and paused at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and thought about what happened on that day at that time 93 years ago . . . when the "War to End All Wars" came to an end.

And I thought about all the men and women (and their families) have done to protect the United States since that time.  They certainly deserve all the thanks and appreciation we can give them.

Time for an attitude adjustment - for me that is.  I'm feeling a bit depressed which does happen once in a while - especially during the holidays (doesn't everyone :-) ?)  Anyway - the glass is always half full so it's time to realize that and move on!  My life is actually quite good and it's time to realize that and move forward!  Pep talk over! :-)

I'd love to figure out what's happened in the past couple of months - I'm running out of money before I run out of month!  That hasn't happened in a long time.  I know that food costs have really gone up but the rest has been fairly stable.  SIGH - anyway I'm working on getting more money by stopping some automatic savings that haven't been very productive lately - I need the money more than a fund that's tanking!  :-)  (but it did pay off my credit card :-) )

Today would have been my 39th wedding anniversary - had the world been different and had my life been different.  At once it seems like a lifetime ago and yesterday.  I rarely think about what might have been but once in a long while I do . . . however, doing that means that I have to undo all the other things that have happened in the past 20 years - there are always consequences!

So, I guess I'll just remember and smile - and think of how very very young we were 39 years ago!

Been an interesting time - removing blinds and curtains in preparation for new windows - house looks ghostly actually - bare and naked!  Looks like I'm moving (out or in) and there's a vulnerable feeling.  Have kept the curtains and blinds in our bedrooms and bathrooms to the last minute - no need to be more public than necessary!

In the process I've also been sorting through the stuff in the dining room hoping to get it straight enough for Thanksgiving dinner - threw out a huge trash bag of stuff and found more that needs to be shipped off.  I've been told that I'm being too kind but some of this would be important to me and I can only hope that were the shoe on the other foot, the same would be done for me.  I'm thinking that might be doubtful but I can only be me . . .

I'm getting down to one major "hoarding" room but it's a true mess - need to really work on that in the near future too - so much to do and so little desire or motivation to do it!  :-)

What an upsetting, interesting and ever-changing year this has been - so many highs and a few lows - but as long as the ups outweigh the downs I count it as a victory!