Happy Thanksgiving

FIVE dogs means up at 4 o'clock and hopping.  It's almost an hour later and I've been out with dogs for the hour ... but I love them :)

On arrival yesterday ...
a little chihuahua battle.

Cooking went smoothly yesterday.  Fingers crossed for another good one today.  The BIG turkey is making me a little nervous.  I got a new thermometer on recommendation from NomNomPaleo.  More on this and some other goodies once I remember to take pictures.  I have my hands full with the four-legged variety right now.

I watched Brittany Runs a Marathon on Prime last night.  I loved this sweet movie so much.  I could relate to a lot of who she is (minus the partying).  It leaves you feeling happy and inspired and cheering all the way for her.

There are a few movies in theaters that I have an eye on too.  Probably wait until I can watch them at home, but I might venture out to the theater next week if I find myself wanting some treat time. (JuJu Rabbit -- more and more good reviews;  Mr. Rogers movie -- of course.)

My mood has rollercoastered UP again -- phew.  I'm quite the drama queen lately.  Riding the wave ...  The lead up to Thanksgiving is emotional for me.  Thanksgiving was the last time I saw my dad before he died suddenly at age 53.  The visit almost didn't happen because my MIL passed away a two weeks before.  We ended up taking my hubby's family and going to see my dad anyway.  We talked a lot about loosing a parent early (his dad died young too).  He was gone two weeks later (2 parents passed in one month).  It feels like the biggest blessing that I had that Thanksgiving with him -- also makes me miss him terribly.

Good news is I always feel better by Thanksgiving.  Don't know why that is ... sad for about a week and then I'm okay for the actual day.  It's always punctuated by the fact that I shared this with my mother years ago and she now makes a point to be extra mean over this holiday.  That's her mental illness, but it's hurtful.

Ahhhhh ... FAMILY.  It's an adventure.

Hope everyone finds themselves with happy people having a happy day today.  Take a breath, wear stretchy pants and enjoy the day -- that's my plan.  Later gators.