What’s on the iPod: Ten Thousand Words by The Avett Brothers
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How was your Thanksgiving? We had a marvelously low-key holiday. Just three of us, and entirely no pressure or stress to speak of. The food turned out terrific despite having a new method of marinating and an entirely new stuffing recipe. We were happy and thankful for such a lovely day.
Husband and I started the thankful thoughts the moment we woke up. I told him I was thankful that hot flashes last only so long, and he said he was thankful for Miracle Gro. “Because think about what we had to do before that to get plants started!”
The weirdness continued in the kitchen where, over his coffee and my tea, we ate the pumpkin pie designated for dinner. It’s our new tradition — eat the pie before dinner so you can really enjoy it. Think about it — pie with coffee or tea. Yep. That’s what I’m talking about.
We headed over to Washington Memorial Chapel for the kirking of the tartan – a Thanksgiving tradition we’ve come to look forward to. Husband was able to rally yet again the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department, who showed up, kilted, in their fire truck. The Valley Forge Pipe Band marched in (loudly — small chapel, lots of bagpipes), and we had our kilts and tartans out for the blessing ceremony. Then back home with the top down on the car (last day for it, too). It was chilly. Luckily, home is just over a mile from the chapel. A nice, quiet meal, and then some dessert later when daughter and her fiance came home.
We had a lovely day on Friday, him working in the yard and me resting and working a little inside. My daughter had gone out shopping at midnight, had come home at 7:30, and had dragged me out with her until 11 am. Let me just say I don’t do Black Friday, and I sure don’t do it on one cup of tea. So our first stop was Starbucks, where we ran into the first (and longest) line of the day. From there, we putzed around the mall and I managed to pick up things for myself that I’d been wanting anyway, then off to Target for something she wanted. I spent maybe $40. She, on the other hand, nearly completed her gift shopping for $250. There may be something to this Black Friday nonsense, though I remain unconvinced it’s worth losing sleep over.
The yard work was nearly completed on Friday. Good thing. Saturday’s temps never left the 30s-low 40s, and our first snowflakes appeared. He and I decided to look at appliance deals at a chain store. Their package deal was pathetic, but I have managed to narrow down the stove I want and the refrigerator. Dishwasher — I couldn’t care less what it looks like as long as it does the job. But the stove and fridge — I use those and I know what I need. At least two ovens, though not one whose larger oven is on the bottom (who designed that, I mean really?). I refuse to spend the next 15-20 years bending to the floor to get dinner in and out. That’s where the smaller oven should be, in my opinion.
We went out with stepson and his girlfriend on Saturday night. It was some top-rated restaurant again, and though the food was good, it did not warrant the exorbitant price. Plus the choices were very limited, and we’re vegetarian, which they failed to have an option for. Luckily we were able to mix-and-match off the mains to make a meal, but the lack of forethought left a bad taste (pun intended). They won’t get five stars from me. I’d have been happier at the local pub because at least they have something for us to eat.
Sunday was church, brunch, and football. Somewhere about the fourth quarter when my team was tanking, I decided to go shopping for decorations. That’s when the depression hit.
It happens every year, but for some reason, Home Depot set it off. It’s the mixing of traditions, missing of long-gone relatives and family, and the effects of the over-commercialization that get to me. I wanted some simple red candles and some greenery (artificial) that didn’t have piles of lights or glitter on them. Right. Good luck.
I found the candles at Target, but their selection (usually good) was pretty pathetic. I was in a full-on funk when I realized I’d picked up a name from the angel tree that morning at my husband’s church. So I shopped for “Leon”, 71, who wanted a gift card. Choosing the card and a holiday card to accompany lifted my mood entirely. He’s getting a scarf too, as soon as I find one I like.
So this week is a mixture of work and getting decorating ideas in order. I loathe putting up Christmas lights, so I may designate those for my daughter and her fiance to take care of. Or skip them entirely. I want to make the house warm and inviting, and then I want to invite people to spend the holiday with us. My parents, his mother, or anyone who would like to. Then there’s his notion of using his vacation and actually going somewhere. I don’t like up-in-the-air plans around holidays. It’s too chaotic as it is.
So how was your Thanksgiving and the long weekend? What did you do?
It was busy and crazy and a little bizarre, but fun. Yesterday, the day Mercury was turning direct, was an IT nightmare for me. Hopefully, today will be better.
I don't shop on Black Friday. I'm likely to hurt someone.
Candles are getting harder and harder to find. I'm off to find some reasonably-priced red and green tapers for the advent table — I shouldn't have to pay 5 bucks a pop for a 10" taper unless it's beeswax. I mean, come on!
I don't normally go near a store on Black Friday either. It's not worth it to me. But I went out in the morning with her to avoid letting her, who hadn't slept since the day before, drive. No way!
Candles are a conundrum. I agree — shouldn't have to pay a fortune for a taper! I've started getting my candles from Ikea. They have the exact ones that fit our Swedish chandelier (go figure, huh? :)) and I just pick up whatever I can find there. The local Waldorf school is about to host its juried art show, so I'll grab some there, too.
I usually buy candles at dollar stores – sometimes 3 or 5 votives for $1. I prefer pillar candles to tapers, which always seem to wobble no matter which tricks I use to make them fit tighter in the holder.
I avoid Black Friday, too. I pretty much did nothing on Friday. Saturday was laundry, doggie walk, relaxing.
I know what you mean about the depression. This had always been my favorite time of year, but in 1991 my Grandma died in December, five years later my Dad died in December (we had his funeral on the 5th anniversary of her death to get through two difficult things at once). More recently, my aunt died in late November, and my great dog, Bear, died on December 23 the year before my aunt died. (Also had at least two other relatives die in the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas period.) The joke is it's a dangerous time of year to be part of our family.
I used to wait until the second week of December to decorate so I wouldn't associate death with the holidays, but I've finally accepted it and will decorate this weekend. After all, Dad, Grandma and the others wouldn't want to spoil the season for the rest of us.
This year I'll get to see my outdoor lights illuminating the new Quiet Willow siding that's going up today & tomorrow! Christmas came early (thanks to a hail storm)!
Dollar store — Paula, great idea! Why didn't I think to do that?
I hear you about difficult times — my grandmother died December 22nd, great-grandmother December 28 (mom's birthday), and mom's dad (grandfather) died the same day five years later.
For me, it's more of a missing of the days when I was younger, when the grandparents were around, the great-uncles/aunts, and all those wonderfully funny relatives whom I miss so damned badly. It's also my own family scattered hither and yon. I get over it by trying to arrange a gathering NOT holiday-related so that the pressure isn't there.
During our very early days of dating, husband and I went to dinner and I ordered dessert right away. He looked at me and said, "You can't do that!" and I said, "Why not? I'm in the mood for cake." He thought about it and agreed. "Why not?" So we had cake. (I'm not sure if we ever made it to dinner having stuffed ourselves full.)