I just had a moment of panic. Why? Because my mind started playing games on me, I think. As I sat here in my chair and thinking about things, doing some processing, I thought to myself "it's going to be a short week this week" and that makes me happy. Then... the panic... it's only November 22 - WHEN is Thanksgiving? Isn't it usually around the 28th? And my thoughts went to the turkey thawing out in my refrigerator. I quickly grabbed my phone to check dates - and whew! Thanksgiving IS this week - only on the 25th!
It also made me do some thinking about the 'Turkey Trot' - a walk what whoever wants to join us - we will meet to do early on Thursday morning. I still haven't looked for a place for us to walk. We have in the past gone to the canal to walk not far from where we used to live. But, last year, because it was just a very few of us, we walked around my daughter's neighborhood. She has moved and although we still could do that - we have talked about finding something - perhaps a park - that we could walk around a few times. We don't go far; usually three miles or less. It's just a fun thing to do that we started back in 2012. Actually, I stole it from my big brother. They had started in 2011, I think, about 30-40 people who gathered at his house for Thanksgiving, and they would go for a long walk before lunch. Of course they ate it closer to dinner. Come to think about it, I still need to find out a time we will meet.
Thanksgiving is different a bit this year, once again. We have been invited to my daughter's and it will be a small family group. I usually, again in the past, would do the turkey, dressing, and giblet gravy, deviled eggs, and have a pie (usually bought) to take. This year, my granddaughter wants to make the dressing. I must admit that feels odd to me. My 'assignment' for lunch is the turkey and giblet gravy. Period. And a lot of the giblet gravy cause the granddaughter wants to the leftovers to her in-laws with extra dressing she plans to make. Which should make me feel good. I always say I want the tradition of my mother's cornbread dressing to continue after I'm gone - and my daughter reminded me of it this year when I was told I didn't have to make it. I am used to being in the kitchen all morning cutting up and making things... and loving every minute of it. It's an odd feeling to do 'just the turkey' and giblet gravy. And that's ok. I want the traditions to be handed down. I want more than anything the legacy of my mother handed down through me, to my children and grandchildren. Which reminds me, I need to go to the store and check for an additional turkey neck and liver so that I can make double the gravy.... one turkey neck and one turkey liver can just stretch so far. I wonder if they sell like that? I'll have to ask! At least get a turkey liver; I can add turkey to the gravy.
I'm happy this is a short work week. I may work Friday; haven't decided yet. We won't be going anywhere anyway and I refuse to go out and go shopping with the crowds. Besides, I think I'm done. Done with all the Christmas shopping. Now I want to focus on baking and giving it away. I ended up with 4 batches of bread on Friday. It's all in the freezer. Except for what hubby and I ate fresh out of the oven. (I bought 4 more bags of cranberries from Sam's club yesterday - more bread!) To be determined yet, I may get to fix a Thanksgiving dinner on Friday.
Our tree is up, the gifts are under the tree. Yes, I may have over bought some this year.... but it's ok. It's my love gift. Next year it will be different. Not talking about spending... but one can only give so many t-shirts and hoodies.... in fact, last year and this year I have asked a granddaughter what to buy for her hubby - because he always gets a hoodie from us... and I'm sure he has an abundant supply. He is so kind; he said that he could alwys use another hoodie.... he was ok with it. How boring can that be! Knowing you will get a hoodie every year! I simply must come up with another idea next year - for a lot of the boys especially! I still put a lot of thought in their gifts, don't get me wrong. But it is hard to give the same things year after year. Got to come up with something that will surprise them.
Lost in thought, I have deleted a large portion of this.... my mind is wandering.... need to find a clean journal... if I have any left. I love to write. Maybe this year.... I will.
Have you ever thought about writing about your life to pass it on to your children? To your grandchildren? I don't mean just answering questions, but tell them stories. I begged my mother to tell me stories of when she was growing up - and she did tell me some. I wish I had written them down. I do have a few that she wrote me in a letter.
Sometimes we need to 'write it down' when it's something we want passed on. Our lives are a legacy to our children and grandchildren. I need to get my journals in order; I need to reread to see how far I've come. What do I need to still change.... what did I change.... what did I give up... questions that I ponder sometimes. What have I learned over the years... what have I learned this past year....
I need to get myself some journals for 2022. That is going to be my year of change. I'm not sure what I will be changing; but I need to do something different. Maybe by the end of this year I will either have forgotten that I wrote this, or I will still be thinking of what I want to change.
....so many thoughts this morning.... some anguish..... some pain.... and I need to get myself together. It's MONDAY.. ugh... I could have used one more day off work.
You too?
Hope your Monday is amazing.
