Big GIrl

Thanksgiving 2012

It's Thanksgiving eve and all is well - and I have so much to be thankful for this year.

Starting with the simple things - dinner will be good tomorrow - turkey, potatoes, dressing, rolls, shrimp, salad, peas, cranberry sauce and, of course, pies.  It will be nice to have dinner together.

My family is growing - my niece has a new baby boy and my other niece is due in early 2013.  Babies are such joy and fun and I'm enjoying seeing Nathan's pictures.

My sons are well - despite a small setback for B earlier this fall, he's doing well and continuing with his education.  S is well also (although I don't hear from him as often as I might like, I know he's well). I'm healthy and enjoying my life.  I get to go to plays at the Kennedy Center and hope to plan a true vacation for 2013.  My job is doing well and I'm looking forward to retirement in a few years.

I'm still working on my house and things are progressing nicely - there's always something that needs to be done but I'm thankful for what's been accomplished and hopeful about will be done in the future.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with family and friends - and that the upcoming year is wonderful.

Mini vacay this week

It's been a wonderful week off (well one week minus one day) and I've enjoyed the time although, as usual, I over-estimated the work I would get done.  I've gotten Thanksgiving planned and ready to go; I've gotten laundry done and have worked through a cold - unfortunately Bry got a cold too so both of us have been under the weather all week.  (Luckily there was a 10 for $10 sale on soup so I was able to make sure we had plenty to tide us over! :) )

I'm finding that, as I get older (wiser?) and closer to the idea of retirement, I'm not missing work as I used to when I took off.  When the kids were little, our vacations were usually traveling to family so there wasn't time to think, but later, when I took time off (particularly when I wasn't actually going somewhere) it was harder to disconnect.  Not so much any more.  I did check email (about twice this week) but other than that - nada!

Oh well - on to next week and Thanksgiving!

War Horse

I never have (and probably never will) see the movie, but the play was wonderful.

The story isn't unique or new and can be guessed far in advance but the horses are incredible.  Both Joey (as a foal and an adult) and Topthorn, along with the draft horses who are near death are so believable despite the fact that you can see the people manipulating them and they're skeletons are metal.

I was worried about this play - particularly since I was certain I wouldn't want to see the movie but I'm glad that I decided to go and that the Kennedy Center produced it.  A good time, even with the expected tears!

Weekends

Another Saturday at work - the usual winter effect due to the cold weather - not pleasant that's for sure but we got through it.  

One difference is that this weekend I'm alone at home - just me, the dog and the two cats - so alone may be the wrong word!  It's different being here by myself - haven't done that for a while but it's ok. I have to say that I miss having someone to talk to - yes, I talk to people all day long but that's different than actually talking with someone you care about and with whom you want to have a conversation.  But all in all, I can talk to the puppy, the cats and even the television!  There isn't a lot of give and take but that's ok too!

I put the heater in the downstairs bathroom.  I don't think that anything is going to freeze (at least not yet) but it's cool there even with the downstairs at 68 degrees and Cleo is huddling next to the vent!  I'm sure she'll enjoy the extra heat and it's ready for when the temps do get lower and that pipe becomes vulnerable to freezing!

Next weekend is a trip to DC for a play at the Kennedy Center! YIPPEE!!