I am so thankful for...

...having 17 guests over to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner together, and a home big enough to accommodate everyone.

I made Jason take me to CVS to get a new ink cartridge for my printer...I told him I needed it for Placecards and a "special" activity for our party. I found a clipart of pilgrims...and then wrote.."I am so thankful for..." Each guest was asked to fill in the blank. After the blessing and before we sat down to eat, I read all of the cards. Family and friends was on almost every card. One person said Dark Chocolate, one said "besides my wife and Faith Hill...", one said the "Andies candies in the dish"...it was fun to see everyone's face light up when the cards were read out loud.
I am so thankful that the food was good, the fellowship sweet and that the weather cooperated. Today it is raining, but yesterday, it was GORGEOUS. I peeled off my long sleeve turtleneck and sweater vest and put on a short sleeved t shirt. We were able to sit outside on the deck and enjoy all of the blessings of family and friends.
I pray that Thanksgiving at DeeDee and PaPa's will be a TRADITION. I had hoped we would play games...that was my only regret. I thought a good old fashioned game of monopoly with the kids - or CARDS - or dominos...maybe next year.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

Yesterday, Robin and I sat for a few minutes and looked over the "menu" for our Thanksgiving Dinner. This year we will have a full house. I think at last count it was total of 17. I am so thankful for the new dining room table, and since I haven't decided the future of my old table, I will have seating for all those invited.
Jason has been making FRIED TURKEYS over the past few years...but this year he may try his smoker for the BIRD. We will have what we call "our" tradtionals...
Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce ( Robin makes a fabulous one...but I did see a new recipe we may try this year). We will have rolls and pies. Robin is making a Brie with Pears and pecans ....yummy..and who would think we need appetizers....but it is usually a LONG DAY so I will have some "extras". I am working on a table centerpiece and trying to be creative with the place cards. There will be FOOTBALL and possibly a game of scrabble or something like Monopoly for the kids.

What have you planned for your day?

Brain Exercises

What do you think about these suggestions? My friend Linda does Math puzzles, my mother in law does Crosswords, I do word games....what do you do to exercise your brain?


* Test your recall. Make a list — of grocery items, things to do, or anything else that comes to mind — and memorize it. An hour or so later, see how many items you can recall. Make items on the list as challenging as possible for the greatest mental stimulation.
* Draw a map from memory. After returning home from visiting a new place, try to draw a map of the area; repeat this exercise each time you visit a new location.
* Do math in your head. Figure out problems without the aid of pencil, paper, or computer; you can make this more difficult by walking at the same time.
* Challenge your taste buds. When eating, try to identify individual ingredients in your meal, including subtle herbs and spices.
* Take a cooking class. Learn a new way to cook. Cooking uses a number of senses: smell, touch, sight, and taste, which all use different parts of the brain.
* Create word pictures. Visualize the spelling of a word in your head, then try and think of any other words that begin (or end) with the same two letters.
* Learn a foreign language. The listening and hearing involved stimulates the brain.
* Let the music play. Learn to play a musical instrument or study music.
* Refine your hand-eye abilities. Learn a new skill that involves fine-motor skills, such as knitting, drawing, painting, assembling a puzzle, etc.
* Engage your senses. Try activities that involve as many of your senses as possible, such as gardening.
* Learn a new sport. Take up an athletic exercise that utilizes the mind and body, like golf or basketball.

For Melissa

Melissa, I called Robin and told her that I had ONE MORE REASON for you to move to Tallahassee....Jo Frost. Here's the scoop....SuperNanny just finished an episode here and it aired a couple weeks ago. You may have seen the show...it was Blythe, divorced mother with a bunch of kids. Anyway...she is a local radio show host and all week they talked about the show. Long story short...every FSU Home game there is a big DOWNTOWN GET DOWN on Friday night before the game...booths, music, food...it's like pep rally for the community...well the Producers were setting up a booth to AUDITION a family for a future Supernanny. They really liked Tallahassee and they are looking for a new family. Robin said that you wanted to be on the show. SO....tell ERIC you have to move to Tallahassee. Start Packing up your stuff.

Reflections

Every year when we visit David and Linda in North Carolina, we take one afternoon and drive down to Elk River Falls. We hike down and sit on the rocks, it's a quiet time...just Jason and me. It is really beautiful there.

Reflections...what do you reflect? Just something to think about. This week I got the pathology reports from my surgery. I was so nervous going in. I told Dr. Dixon that I didn't wear makeup "in case I had to cry". He just smiled and then apologized. He explained that I would have received a call and his staff would have prepared me and even suggested that Jason accompany me if there were going to be "news" that required support. All of the tissue removed was benign and I should be fine. I know the look on my face "reflected" relief, joy, calm all at the same time.
I appreciate the prayers and your faith - even when mine was weak.

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving. Seems like we just gathered together a short time ago. This year I am happy to report that we will have a full house. I am so thankful for the many Happy Thanksgivings I have enjoyed over the years. And I am thankful for a home that will accommodate a crowd, a daughter who is a good cook, and a family that enjoys being together.

Hannah's Eyes

OK, How many photos does it take to get a good one of Hannah's new contacts? Trust me...more than the four you see here. First she crossed her eyes, then she covered her eyes, then Robin tried taking her photo in the rear view mirror....and then finally, here she is...Hannah..smiling...and her new contacts.
I am just glad I was able to join in on the BIG EVENT.

Love you guys!!!

Robin made me do it!

Yesterday I had a "female" surgery....and I was told that because of the anesthesia and gas that was used to inflate an area of my body....a possible side effect - my cheeks could turn red as a result of the gas leaving my body. What do you think????
I was told the best thing to do is hydrate....need to drink a lot of water.
I told Robin I feel like BOZO THE CLOWN....and she said - POST IT.

Mars Hill Star Quarterback

Certainly a highlight of our trip to North Carolina was the side trip to Mars Hill for the football game on Saturday. Here I am with the STAR Quarterback, Ricky Spradling. Mars Hill won. For those who remember Ricky back in Boca...he has grown into the nicest young man. He is a great quarterback, too. We had a fun tailgate party with the Spradlings before and after the game. I will include some additonal photos later. Just got home and must UNPACK and do laundry before returning to work tomorrow.

Attached a photo of our hosts, the Turners. Spending time with David and Linda is something we look forward to each year. Here we are at the tail gate party...FREEZING!!!!

Vacationing in North Carolina

We are on our annual trip to North Carolina for my Birthday Week. I know, I know...you are saying, "your birthday was in September!" And you are right....but Delta kept me in Tallahassee the week we normally come up. This has been an adventure already. Sunday we drove from Tallahasse to Cincinnati. Stayed with my brother and family. Picked up my mother's dining room table and headed to North Carolina on Monday. We have seen some INCREDIBLE leaves....Kentucky...Tennessee and now Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I hope to get some good shots. I bought my first DIGITAL CAMERA....YIKES! We are invited for a HOT POT dinner at the Spradlings tonight. Jason Spradling is cooking. Will have to blog on this - have no idea what I am in for....Jason spent time in China as a missionary and brought back some wonderful recipes and has become quite the chef. My Jason and David are golfing today. I have been lazy today - except I did learn how to use the Treadmill and got a good walk in this morning while watching Rachel Ray. More later....

30 Year Delta Anniversary

Today I celebrated 30 Years with Delta Air Lines. I began my career in Boston at the Reservation Sales Office on October 9, 1978. I was so excited to be a Delta employee. I worked there until May 1980 when I transferred to Miami Reservations. Being a part of a great company and working in a large call center was a wonderful experience. Traveling in those days was so much different. Does anyone remember PINK boarding cards? I know Robin does. When you got a PINK boarding pass that meant you were traveling in FIRST CLASS..and in those years that meant something. Linen Table cloth, hors d'oeurves, steak dinners, ice cream sundaes...it was really nice. In 1981, I began working in the City Ticket Offices and this is where I spent the next 20 years. It was the perfect job. I had an office on the island of Palm Beach, two blocks from Worth Avenue, 1 block from the ocean. The clientele - well you can imagine. I was just around the corner from Mar-A-Lago estate - now the Trump Estate...and The BREAKERS! Several celebs frequented my office. Brooke Shield's dad was a regular, Curt Gowdy, Frank Gifford...to name a few. Then on September 11, 2001, my life changed...just like your's did. I transferred to the Palm Beach Airport when a business decision was made to close my office. It was difficult then but I have loved the airport experience. Today I was "celebrated". My co-workers had a HUGE cake with a Delta "widget" and Balloons and cards and gift cards and then took me to Macaroni Grill for lunch. I was presented with my 30 Year Anniversary Service Pin....similar to the one I posted...except I have 1 Diamond and 2 Emeralds. A great day....as I wind down in my career, I am forever thankful for the years I have had to work for the BEST COMPANY. I have made so many wonderful life long friends, have traveled for FREE and have been able to enjoy a lifestyle that most would envy. I hope to travel more extensively before my days are through. Jason and I have never taken full advantage of my benefits. There are a few stops I'd like to make and now that Delta is a Worldwide airline, the possibilities are endless.