Getting Excited For Thanksgiving

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving!! We are going to my Mom and Dad's house in Port Clinton. There will be my Mom and Dad, my sister Linda and her husband, Wayne, along with my nephew, Matt, and his fiance, Katie, my nephew Michael, Mark and I, Kristen and Bruce, Lauren and Giovanni, and Ryan and Stephanie. My Mom and Dad make the turkey, dressing, noodles, gravy, jello, and pies. I bring green bean casserole, which I have to increase the amount every year because it is definitely a crowd favorite. My Mom has to make a ton of noodles because Lauren, my sister, Linda, and my nephew Michael looooovvvvve them more than anything. So do the rest of us, but they are obsessed!! I also make a sweet potato casserole that is the butt of many jokes every year. Matt and Michael, my nephews even used to sing a song about them on the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Something on the order of "Ain't gonna eat none of Aunt Pam's sweet potatoes". Haha. It has mashed sweet potatoes, orange juice, brown sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and then pecans on top. I think it was the pecans that made them squeamish. Mark, Kristen, and my Mom and Dad like them. I'm not sure about anyone else. I guess the first time I made them I put too much oj in them. They have gotten better as years have gone by. This year they will be happy because I am not putting nuts on top. I can't disappoint them by not making them. They love to make fun of them and I don't really care. It is all in fun! I also make a chocolate pudding dessert with oreos, pudding, and cool whip. Linda brings tons of deviled eggs and snacks. Lauren wanted to make something and I told her to just get a bunch of two liters of pop. Kristen wanted to make something and I said no low fat, healthy stuff. She and Bruce are crazy health nuts. That has no place at a Thanksgiving table!! I am not sure what she will end up bringing. She is a good cook. She just doesn't like to cook. She and Bruce are always working and busy, so I really don't blame her. Katie, my nephew Matt's fiance always brings something as well.

I decided we are going to leave our dogs at home this year. Frank is too hairy and old and Peanut and Penny freak out on the drive up. Penny usually throws up and Peanut shakes so bad because he hates riding in the car. It will be a lot more stress free for us. Besides, Sis and Bruce bring their sweet but hyper and bratty Boston Terriers, Buzz and Stink, and Linda brings her Rat Terrier, Ernie. Her sweet Max had to be put too sleep a few months ago. So three hyper terriers are enough. Penny barks non stop around them. Peanut usually just hangs with the pack and thinks he's the head honcho, but I just don't like putting him through the stress of getting there. I think everyone will thank me for not bringing my two little yappers and big hairball. Mark and I will be leaving that evening. The kids are all staying overnight. I hope they have better luck with the air mattresses than last year. Remember, Ryan's kept going flat and it was a fiasco. I know I posted about it last year on Caringbridge.

Changing the subject, we decided Sat. to go to Dontino's, an Italian restaurant in Akron for dinner. Lauren, Gio, and Ryan went with us. We had a nice time but Lauren could hardly keep her eyes open. She was so tired and has been since starting her Xeloda on Wed. She seems to fall asleep whenever she is sitting. The side effects from this chemo are crazy. You never know each time how she is going to do. I sure hope this isn't a sign of her getting worse. I am anxious for her to have her next CT scan and we are praying for good news.

Since it was nice on Sunday, Mark decide to put up our Christmas decorations. I am sure all the neighbors think we are nuts for putting them up so early but it was a nice day and he couldn't pass up the opportunity. Plus, it makes him happy to come home from work and see the decorations and lights. Ryan hepled him and Lauren and I sat in the driveway. It was kind of cold when just sitting there, but it was sunny. Here are a few pics.

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving with your families. Please say a prayer for Lauren and all others who are not in good health. I am sorry to say that our dear friend, Marta went to heaven  this past Saturday. May she rest in peace. Enjoy times spent with loved ones.

Love, -Pam