Twofer

again today - I just can't keep up!

23-I'm thankful for my extended family. This time of year I always think back to the Thanksgiving's I spent growing up traveling to my Aunt Bonnie's house where EVERYONE from my grandpa's side of the family would converge. When I say everyone I mean EVERYONE! Aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins, great uncles, great grandparents, etc! There was a HUGE "adult" table in the basement and a small "kids" table under the stairs near the washer and dryer. Teenagers and the like got TV trays to sit in recliners or on couches all over the house. There were banquet tables lining the walls and every.single.inch was covered in food. After we all made ourselves sick eating we would go across to the park and play around at the park while food was put up - then we all loaded up and headed to the bowling alley. Once we finished making fools of ourselves it was back to the house for dessert, packing up leftovers and saying goodbyes.

I wish I could help my kids make memories like that - but, we will do with what we have. Thanksgiving at a condo in Gulf Shores one year, one at my mom's, one in Hawai'i with the inlaws, one in Hawai'i at the Silver Dolphin and another at Sam Snead's. Last year they got to go to Texas and spend the week with their aunts, uncles and cousins on that side of the family and this year.....this year we are staying home. All together. Sharing the day with our friends and being thankful that we are all under the same roof; it doesn't happen that often.

24-today I am thankful for a roof over my head, hot air coming out of the vents and a full coffee pot.