Ha, I had a friend who always came to our family holiday meals every year before she moved to Vegas this year. Mostly because she had a horrible family, and didn't cook herself. I invited her the first year because she had just moved to town and her son was in 2nd grade with mine, and it just became a tradition. She's Jewish so we would go to her house for her holiday meals too.

I don't even know what he does for a living, so maybe he just has to work tomorrow. I'm literally just nosy.

You'll have to strike up a conversation with him next time. Talk about work, ask him about his. Google stalk him!

Yeah, I'll work my way over next time!

You need to report back, Jesse! I'm nosy, too.

I'm really glad I made the decision early on that I would not go home tonight. Staying awake through the end of this football game will be enough of a challenge without driving after.

OK, check with me next Thanksgiving. Which is also supposed to be the first time my mother doesn't drive down. (Which was supposed to be this year.)

I finished Thanksgiving dinner and sent my well-stuffed guests home with many full leftover containers. But I still seem to have more food going back into the fridge than came out of it. Not sure how that happens. The first load of dishes is going through the washer, the hand wash-only glasses have been washed, and the furniture is back in its usual configuration. Now I'm sitting here with a cat on my lap and a can of fizzy water to hand. It's been a good day.

Oof, I have broken down the bird and started the stockpot but not sure where I'll hide everything in the fridge. But that is the annual conundrum.

Emmett has already fallen asleep on the couch, and his mom has toddled off to Matilda's bed. Matilda will sleep on the top bunk.

We polished off many carbs and four bottles of champagne.

Tomorrow we get to hang with Emmett during the day and then he will drive us over to my FiL's house for another family dinner.

We didn't have a trace of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Dad requested chicken soup with rolls and a light pasta dish. I made shrimp scampi and threw in a seven layer salad.

So the change in pace was refreshing for everyone. Nobody missed the turkey at all.

Dad was cheerful but tired and easily chilled. I hadn't expected him to require a walker. All four of us Hayward kids were so glad he's home at last. We maybe got a little verlkempt enthusing over him, plus thanking Elaine for having handled all the paperwork and care giving.

Then he got sleepy by three, so we vamoosed and got home before the rain started up again. Quite a delightful day. I am so grateful to have something to be thankful for.

I have my feet up! Scotch with ginger simple syrup on the table next to me. All of the leftovers are in the fridge and the bulk of the dishes are done. I'll straighten up the kitchen tomorrow.

I had 2 friends over for dinner and then a 3rd showed up around 6:30. Which I expected, and she's super friendly, but she talks a lot and is super opinionated and I kept trying to lighten the conversation and it didn't, and I didn't want my other friends to feel uncomfortable. So I cleaned the kitchen and straightened things and finally gave up and kicked everyone out at 8:30.

8:30 isn't unreasonable when we sat down to eat at 3:30, right? Right.