Much to be thankful for this year: my family, eye sight, raked up leaves--I however will put near the top of the list the fact that my mother-in-law and her husband exceeded there customary three hours of giving to holiday togetherness. For that I am thankful beyond an expression of words.

The turkey was--as usual--perfect. Brining the bird is the only way a turkey should be prepared--moist and juicy. My gravy--in my humble opinion--was fantastic, fresh thyme, oh yes that is my secret. Since the turkey was prepared "Eldon Brown" style it was only befitting that this years stuffing (prepared by George) was a recipe by Paula Dean. Thanks-giving to the Food Network!

As dinner ended and we were all stuffed to the gills wondering who would desire to tackle the dishes, Dan stood clinked his glass and made an announcement "this year Uncle Les will be doing the dishes"--we all laughed because Uncle Les is a quadriplegic. I suppose Dan was making a point that no one of sound body was up for the dishes. But like a good family does we all (well the women) waddled to the kitchen and knocked it out. A clean kitchen post feasting is a rather glorious feeling. While the men folded up the tables and made space in the great room for an evening of trivia, "The 80's Edition".

It wasn't until we had all begun consuming pie that Gee-Gee (great grandma) came to realize all the questions being asked were geared around the 1980's, that was about an hour in the rattling of the brains and even then her tired mind helped my (our) team little. My sister-in-law was knocking back the cranberry and vodka drinks while I hit the wine bottle and the kids were getting sauced on kiddie cocktails and shots of Ready-Whip. Once the party broke up the shopping ads came out and we serious "Black Friday" shoppers started to course out our plans of action.

It was almost like a cruel joke when Kevin's alarm went off at 5am on Friday so he could get to work because--crime knows no holiday. I too stumbled from the bed masked my under eye bags and headed out the door with all the other fools in the shopping frenzy mode.

Now it is just a matter of getting the Christmas trees up. Then it certainly will feel like Christmas is upon us.

Post note: next year serve up enemas between dinner and dessert.