Countdown to Thanksgiving

And you thought I was going to say Christmas- huh??? A few more days before the family eats too much and then fights over the TV. So, instead of gloomy thoughts, I'd thought I'd share a holiday memory. To my dad, who passed away in 1979. I miss him terribly this time of year.

My dad was a fantastic cook and every year at Thanksgiving, he'd make a huge turkey and all the fixings- stuffing, mashed potatoes, spinach casserole, corn. The only thing he would "allow" my mother to do was to bake the pies. My mouth is watering just thinking about her apple pie. Anyway, every year, dad would get up before the crack of dawn and start cooking. My dad was a large man with a colorful vocabulary. We all knew to avoid him when he started cussing and Thanksgiving was one of those days you knew there would be cussing. But, I also knew that I was the only one who could go in the kitchen first thing in the morning. Dad would have mini bagels and grape juice waiting for me and I would eat them while he worked his magic. After I ate, my mom would would go into the kitchen to get breakfast for my sister and brother. She always got yelled at for disturbing dad. It wasn't until around 1:00 pm that dad would emerge and go and shower and change. By then, the turkey was in the oven and everything was simmering in various pots and pans, or was just waiting it's turn in the oven. The guest would arrive around 5ish and dinner would be served shortly after 6. Everyone always exclaimed over how moist and tender dad's turkey was, and they asked his secret. He always told him that he cussed at the bird and the more he cussed, the tenderer it was. Gotta love a man like that.

1979 was the first year mom made Thanksgiving for us. Dad hap carefully typed out all his recipes before he died. Mom's turkey that first year was extremely dry. We figured she hadn't cussed at the bird enough to tenderize it!!

A Little Ranting 2

So, last night was Halloween and I took DD around to the neighbors' houses and my friend took her to another block. After the annual sorting of the goodies where I claim all the KitKats and we dump all the yucky ones in our handout bowl, I notice a business card on the floor. Imagine my surprise when I picked the darn thing up and it turned out to be from a local church asking us to come worship with them!! Where so I begin with the ire???

First and foremost- this is supposed to be a fun holiday for kids, not one where you proselytize to my child. Yes, I do understand that it has pagan roots, but we are not out in the backyard lighting bonfires and having sex. Let my children collect their candy peacefully. If you have a problem with the holiday, then leave your lights OFF and pray for godless souls while we traverse the neighborhood collecting candy!!

Second- As for joining you for worship- no thanks. Any church or fellowship who markets themselves so shamelessly is not worth my time or effort. This also applies to all those mega-churches that advertise on TV, send out fliers in the mail and have the school send handouts home with my kiddo advertising "fall festivals." If this is how you are using your money and tithes, then you need to have your tax-exempt status revoked and your books audited. Shouldn't that money be going to keep the church running, and helping the less fortunate???

Third- You don't know my religious beliefs and they are none of your business. You don't know if I am happy with those beliefs, either. For the record- I and my family are Jewish, and we are extremely happy with our beliefs. I could not be part of any religion that so shamelessly promotes itself in the manner in which you have.

Fourth- as for all those churches running "Houses of Horror"- leave it to the professionals like "ScreamWorld." Yours are thinly veiled proselytizing tactics. That whole abortion scene you show at the end with blood every where and the maniacal "doctor" is so untrue, now. Rest assured, though, that your vision will come true if abortion is made illegal.

Basically- I am an adult and know what is best for my child. Let them enjoy this particular holiday as a candy-filled frolic in costume. Save your proselytizing for Christmas. I would say Thanksgiving, but the Pilgrims "borrowed" our harvest holiday of Sukkot for their first Thanksgiving.

Boo!

One more day until Halloween and my sis's 40th birthday. And if you're reading this, dear sister, I know I am still older than you!

Quick update on me- I had minor elective surgery on Monday and things are progressing well. I had my endometrium burned off. No plans for anymore kids and after 30 years of the monthly mess, I am ready for a break. I would love to have a vacation where Mother Nature didn't tag along. No matter how many times we planned the perfect get-away, I always seemed to be up in the room, cramping and moaning. Hopefully, this took care of everything and I can start enjoying my vacations with my family more.

Not much else to report except that the surgery put my holiday decorating on hold. Hubby is going to be out of town when it's time to take it down, so, once again, I got lazy this year. Oh, well... next year, hopefully, I'll give the neighbors something to talk about besides my awesome pumpkins.

Insanity Prevails

Well, I reactivated as a sub for our local school district. This falls into the category of "what are you thinking???" I'm thinking I need a little extra money for the holidays, especially in this economy. We'll see how it goes. Hubby says if it doesn't work out, I can always quit- again.

I haven't done as much, yet, for Halloween as I had hoped. Life just keeps happening around here. My mom came down and we went to the Neil Diamond concert earlier this week. We had a great time, too. My 78 yo mom is still one "Red Hot Mama!" During "Forever in Bluejeans," a man was walking by and mom stopped him and told him he couldn't leave during that song. So what does he do? He dances with mom and then at the end of the song gives her a huge kiss!! Way to go, Mom!! Hope I am as hot as you when I'm 78!!

As for the concert itself- it was fantastic. Neil Diamond certainly has a generous heart. He donated all the proceeds from merchandise sales at that concert to the Hurricane Ike Relief Fund. He also promised to make a matching donation. I feel less guilty about the money I spent, too. And here I was, gearing up for a rant about how the celebs haven't done a thing for Galveston, and Mr. Diamond goes and does this. Guess I'll save my rant for something else.

Halloween Musings...

...the war is on. A new neighbor moved in around the end of August. You have to understand- when it comes to Hallowen, I will NOT be outdone. She can have Christmas as I don't celebrate it being Jewish and all. But, leave Halloween for me. Honestly, my sis was born on the day, I'm a Friday the 13th baby (I was born on that day!) and my mom was born on the Ides of March (03/15, the day Casear was killed). Creepiness comes naturally.

My husband comes in Saturday morning after making a run to drop off some donations and tells me I am being outdone. Didn't anyone tell these people that I am the Queen of Halloween around here? I am the house that makes everyone else jealous. I will admit that last year I was in a slump- torn hamstring and all- but I am up and running this year. Man the torpedos, kids, mom's declared "War!" Just don't tell dad or he'll take my credit card away.

Survival and Other Things

...Such as what to do when gale force winds are howling outside. I crocheted through Hurricane Ike. The baby blanket is just a simple granny square and is small enough for a baby carrier that it won't flop over the edges and drag on the ground. I also madde baby crocs, an amigurami lemon and jellyfish and eyeballs. The jellyfish and eyes are for Halloween.

We were the lucky ones as far as Ike was concerned. Our power was out less than 12 hours and there was no damage to the house. All we had were a few small branches in the backyard which I made the kiddos clean up a few days after Ike blew through. They were out of school for 7 school days and finally went back on Sept. 23rd. It was like the first day of school all over again- an uniterrupted shower, a quiet nap, and no arguing over what we were having for lunch.

So now we are gearing up for our favorite holiday- Halloween. I found some great patterns over on etsy.com and have been crocheting like crazy. That's were I got the patterns for the stuff posted in the pics. I think the crocs are going to be a big hit with the person I made them for. I'll let you know.

Let's Hear It for Ike

Yup, ol' Ike is barreling down on Houston. He's about 20 miles off the coast of Galveston. We are starting to get the tropical winds around here, but no rain, yet. I am "hunkered down" with the kids and the pets. Our poor puppy can't go outside so is using the dining room as his personal toilet. Can I claim it as storm damage and have my carpet replaced???

DH is stuck in LA. Yup, he's out in sunny California, in a nice hotel with room service and a maid and I am stuck here making the kids help out around the house. I even threatened surly teen with bathroom duty if he complained.

And speaking of surly teen- he got his hair chopped off. He screwed up soooooo bad in school last week, that I had to punish him. And since Dad was in Australia, he wasn't here to "protect" Ben from the wrath of mom. Let's just say I was mortified beyond words and the next step is military academy.

And in other news, menopause has officially hit, hence the severe punishment. Buckle up folks, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!