For Thanksgiving, I want to watch the parade, want the traditional food, want to watch the Cowboys play, and then lounging and board games the rest of the weekend.

For Christmas I want to decorate the tree while listening to holiday music, go shopping on the 24th and 26th, even if it's only one store, christmas eve church, traditional meal, up early for presents, all the rankin bass shows and the grinch the week leading up.

We are Thanksgiving orphans this year. Moved too far away to spend it with family and now, with my mom gone, it would feel strange to cook a feast for just the two of us.

Those sound good to me, msbelle.

You could do the modified feast my sis and bil have done.

Turkey breast, a few sides, a pie... and buy some good bread for sammiches the next day.

I am pretty sure we have an invite for Thanksgiving if my parents do not come up, but I am not sure I can manage it. On the one hand it would be good to be around friends, on the other, I know myself and my crazy and if I don't get to see the parade and the football game, well it's unfortunate, but I know my limits. I should just embrace it and make it work here at home.

Oh, msbelle, I know your grump, down to the "must clean, can't clean unless the child is gone, need sleep and so can't clean anyway no matter what" misery.

Ugh. Hec just took Matilda out on a bunch of errands, wearing the remains of the fairy costume we got for her two weeks ago because in mid-Foofa she flipped out, pulled a petal off her collar, smeared her hand all over the not-quite set glue and was just barely stopped from smearing it all over herself and me, and declared, near tears, that she no longer wanted it. So he took her out before my brain leaked out one ear, and now I'm alone and it's blessedly quiet but also an utter pigsty.

Bleah. Shower, dress, ibuprofen for the headache and ointment for the cold sore, and take some stuff down to the freecycle shelf at the recycling center. Not gonna aim for more than that.

Matilda's already got her first timeout of the day.

Anybody guess the over/under before bedtime?

I have a small wastebasket of candy. I'd better get trick or treaters. Send your cranky children here!

I have no idea what time it starts around here. I'm going to the pool in a bit, will probably be home by 5. It'll still be light out (last night of that!) and well, this neighborhood seems perfect for the activity.

Ran most of my usual errands, including picking up Mister Kitty's food. He's made such an impression at the vet. They all remember and ask about him!

I've got to clean tomorrow, will probably pick up this evening.

It's an occasion, with sugar, so I'll say three.

Wow. Sorry it is such a bad day for people.

Tonight, we will be sitting on the patio. Matt will play guitar, and I will drink wine. I like that it is usually warm enough to do that here.

msbelle, ( and you too SuziQ) it will feel odd this year, but make it your own Holiday . Break some rules -- watch TV all day or let mac play DS all day. Hav e some traditional foods , but just serve it casually. And if the boys only eat pie , so be it.