Thanksgiving Day 2009 is history. For our family, we did it well. It was bittersweet for us. We missed Mom so much…but John Thomas was a wonderful addition to our clan. Oh, that sweet baby is going to be so surrounded by love. Between our family and Will’s family…he has a tremendous group to care for him through life. Oh, that every child born this year could say the same.

Joy and I shared the cooking duties. When I started mixing up the sweet potato casserole, and I saw this bowl full of ORANGE…I thought that this is definitely the color of Thanksgiving!

Of course, when you add the topping ingredients, it really gets to smelling yummy!

Here is the table, set. NO! I DID NOT HAVE MY CHAIRS!!!They are now on backorder!

Lori came in with these cool ALABAMA (ROLL TIDE) gloves. We’re sort of split as a family when it comes to the rivalry with AUBURN (WAR EAGLE).

We were so glad Tara could be with us. John Thomas is only 2 weeks old! And, since she had a c section, she’s really not supposed to drive yet. Will was off on a hunting trip, so she came anyway! We’re glad, too! She is looking great! And, she is going to be a great mother. Very laid back and easy going!

Here’s Tommy holding his grandson! Isn’t he proud?

The men at the table…

Alex holding the baby for the first time!

Pop and I warming by the fireplace…

Alex and Ben doing computer things after lunch…

After lunch,we visited with each other. Suzanne and Adam came. They had eaten lunch with Suzanne’s family.

Then we all…except Don and Tommy…’cause they are just old men!…went over to Pop’s house. We put Adam and Ben up in the attic, and began pulling out the Christmas decorations. We all worked like little bees. Got the mantle fixed, the dining room, got the tree out (but not decorated), got the wreaths ready to go up, and worked on several other places.

I think Pop was a little overwhelmed. He said, with tears in his eyes, “I am so blessed. Just look at this…all of you over here, doing this for me. Look how everyone is working together-just to help this old man’s house look nice. This is what a family should be.” And I had to agree. We were all tired, but happy. We laughed, tried this, tried that, changed this, left that,took out of the attic, put back in the attic, got out of the attic again! Joy and I will finish up next week…but it sure helped us out to have all that help!

Now, I think Pop lucked out and got the choicest job of all! So sweet!

Ian just wasn’t sure he wanted to hold the baby, but Joy put JT in his arms…does he look uncomfortable or what?

Joy and I. I know what she’s gonna say. “I should be holding him! He’s MY grandson!” Too bad, Sis. I got him first! 🙂

Our work had to come to an end. Sweet Tara and little JT had a 40 minute ride ahead of them. So, we packed them up, and got them headed out. And the rest of us followed suit. JT is changed, fed, and already asleep for the ride!

A wonderful day! Family, food, fun…a winning combination. We had a moment before we asked the blessing on our food. Several of us talked about the things we were most thankful for. How blessed this family is! We all belong to the Lord. We all have made our reservations in Heaven. We will ALWAYS be together! We like each other as well as love each other. When one or another one is having a difficult time, we walk along side them until they find their way. We support. We forgive. We strive to show grace to one another, because we know how much grace and mercy God has shown to us.
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow…!”

PS…if you did not read my previous post…be sure to do so! It was a very special part of our Thanksgiving!

When Joy and I were quite young…there was an incident in our family that became sort of an inside joke between Mom, myself, and Joy. And, today…it was played out in a grand finale, of sorts!

This all got started because Mom was sick. I do not remember what was wrong, but she had a terrible time with migraines for a while, so it could have been that. Anyway, Joy and I were at church, and Mom called to leave us a message. She had taken some pain medicine, and was not making a whole lot of sense to our church secretary. We came home, and she still was not thinking or talking coherently. She tried to touch one of us and she kept missing. Even though it was not funny…it was funny to us. This was so unlike our Mom. She was always in complete control. We said, “Mom, you look like you are trying to poke the Pillsbury Dough Boy!” (Do you know the old commercial where some one pokes him in the tummy with their finger, and he giggles?) Well, that was about the time it first came out, and we thought it was hilarious! We took care of her and she was better the next day. When we told her about it later, she said she did not remember doing that! And, we assured her she did

We began to find all sorts of thing with the Pillsbury Dough Boy on them, and we would surprise her with them all wrapped up in a fancy package! It was a running joke!We found notepads, magnets, ornaments, towels…and so we kept the surprises coming through the years! The kids enjoyed doing it as well!




Can you see some of her little figures on the back of her stove? This is a pic of her and her sister, Marie.

And this is the little figure that started it all. It has always sat on her stove. I made this picture tonight…it is still there.

In the past few years, I found this vintage metal sign…well, I had to get it for her. She would not hang it up…it didn’t match her decor. But, she did keep it right next to the stove. So, when she wasn’t looking…I would grab it and put it up on the top of her stove….where everyone could see it. She would usually discover it after we had gone. Then she would call me and fuss…trying to act like she was really mad! One time she found it up there after a big party!

Do you have little jokes in your family? Things that would not be funny to anyone but you? It’s an endearing thing, I think.
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Today, I got up early, and started the cooking. My TV was on F*x News…but after I had heard the same things a few times, I turned it on to the Macy’s Parade…JUST IN TIME…..
Tara was watching the parade, too. She had gone out of the room to check on the baby,… but returned JUST IN TIME…
Joy was at home, watching the parade as well. She started paying attention…JUST IN TIME…

JUST IN TIME to hear the announcer of the parade say, “The next balloon is appearing for the very first time in the parade. You’ll recognize this chubby, little fellow…it’s the Pillsbury Dough Boy!”

And there…flying high over NYC….was the little Dough Boy!

Now, what do you think about that?

And, WHO do you think set that little surprise in motion?

You believe it was Macy’s if you want to, but Joy, Tara and I know the ‘real story’.

I never did look up and find out how to spell ‘coince…’. Because, upon more reflection…I know it wasn’t that at all. Someone was giving us a little ‘poke’…a little ‘wink’…a little ‘hug’. We felt it loud and clear!

OOPS! How DO you spell coincidense..no coinsidence…no coincidence? Oh, nevermind…I’ll just use another word!

Rachel, I know we are on the same wave length…you can even make sense of my mistakes! And, leave a perfectly wonderful comment! 🙂

(I am trying to write a post on a coinc…. before I fall asleep…so stay tuned…when I get it done, you’re gonna love it!)

The day that my oldest son, Adam, brought Suzanne into our lives was a blessed one indeed! I love her as if she were my own. She is the best thing to ever happen to Adam, and I am so thankful they are travelling life together!

I am always delighted to be around her. We’ve taken some fun trips, and there will be many more of those! We may not like exactly the same things, but we do love shopping together!

Suzanne came into our family…and truly became part of our family. She loved Mom, and they shared the same aesthetic. They could ooh and aah over a piece of fancy glass like you wouldn’t believe. Mom loved her, and appreciated her.

She and Pop have a very sweet relationship, as well. She is always taking him something good to eat. He says often just how happy he is that she is part of our family now.

And, here she is with the love of her life. I feel so blessed that Adam’s heart is safely held in hers. That is a gift I do not take for granted!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. I love who you are, I love your sweet smile, I love your kind and gentle heart. My birthday wish for you is that all the dreams you are holding and keeping in your heart come to fruition in the coming year. God bless you today and always.