Family Traditions

Most families have their own traditions as far as the holidays go. My family is no exception to this, hence the title of this post. With Thanksgiving coming up I was thinking about what I am most thankful for - and that is my family. My dad's side of the family is quite large. I am the youngest of 13 grandchildren, from the 6 children of my grandparents (who each came from families of 13 kids each). Before I was born Thanksgiving was always held at my grandparent's house. It was a chance for everyone to catch up and all of the cousins to get to play together. But, by the time I came along, all of the individual families had started doing their own dinners on thanksgiving (I am the youngest by 10 years).

In 2004 my cousin Jeff had a wonderful idea to start having a big family meal again. It was planned that the Sunday before Thanksgiving we would have an early Thanksgiving for the whole family to get together. Our new tradition was that we would make a main course as our great grandmother would have. We each bring a dish, but cook something (this year it was chicken pot pie) in kettles over an open fire outside. We have made chicken corn soup, apple butter, and the traditional turkey. It has been so great for all of the family to get to pitch in and spend the day together. This is what I am thankful for. It is also great that the great grandchildren and the great-great grandchildren have an opportunity to get to know one another as some of them live a few hours away.

My grandfather just had his 90th birthday in September and God willing we will have him for years to come, but it is wonderful to see his joy at having the whole family together. Here is the family photo from this year (minus about 18 people):



This represents my dad and his brothers and sisters and their families. This gives you an idea of how large our family is. The extended family is huge! I'm constantly finding out about more cousins ;0). So, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Eat lots of turkey, spend time with loved ones, and then take a nap! :0)

Just where have you been young lady?

Well, let me explain. I still don't have internet access at home. I've been meaning to get a card for my laptop, but have yet to actually do it. I'm not home much, so there didn't seem to be a good reason to spend the money. And, I've been cut back to part time at work, so I don't have much time to spend on here. That's my story and I'm sticking to it ;0).

So, as far as what has been happening in the last two months, I'll fill you in. I am pretty settled in my new digs...even though I want to strangle my roommate sometimes. It bothers me that even though she is home most of the day...she doesn't do anything. We have had a box of cleaning supplies and other things that she took out of the cabinets under the sink for the purpose of scrubbing the inside of the cabinet....that was a month and a half ago, and the box is still in the kitchen. I would do it, but it's the principle of it...you started it, you finish it.

Work has been extremely lacking for us, and I've been laid off for a few weeks...not to worry though, everything has been ok. I sold my Mazda and got what I wanted for it, so I had some extra cash after paying off the loan...bonus! I've been able to collect UC benefits, and had hoped that things would pick up, but I've started scouting for jobs.

It is funny that while with Tony I was quite the home body and that when I left I became quite the social butterfly so to speak. There is a little bar that I was in quite a bit with my dad when I was younger where I like to go and shoot pool. I used to be pretty good...and I still am ;0). I reconnected with people that I hadn't seen in years and made some new friends. I have been dating someone special too. He approached me one night to shoot a game of pool...and I beat him. OK, no big deal...right? Yeah, no. He wanted a rematch. I won again. Then he won. I think you know where this is going....I don't know how many games we actually played, but I know I won more games. So he decided he would call me Shark ;0). Every time I'd see him that is what my nickname was. So, he asked me out, we had a great time, and are still having a great time.

That is about everything in a nutshell. I'm doing well. I have lost a bunch of weight though because of stress and not eating, but honestly it's kind of nice because I'm back down to what I weighed in school. I will try to get a picture up in flickr, but I don't know when that will be. I will also try to get around and catch up on everyone as soon as I can. And, just in case I don't before the holiday....Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!