Today's post has no pictures.

I'll tell you about my day yesterday...

I started off knowing it would be a tough day. The principal of our school, due to parking limitations had proclaimed that only the room parent of each room could come to Thanksgiving Feasts that took place at school. We have a very active parent body. This news did not go over well. I was prepared for battle.

Due to generous people who gave of their time yesterday morning, delivering food items to classes while I dealt with normal everyday tasks that happen every morning, the first part of the day went well. Then, thanks to a constant flow of yummy goodies delivered to my desk during the day, the rest was bearable. Until...

...about mid-morning, Aaron (whom I had tasked with making the red beans and rice for dinner) called and asked if I had any bandages. I asked him if he cut his finger and he said "No, I just sliced off the tip of it". I, of course, repeat that for confirmation and the people around my desk all stopped and looked at me like I had 3 heads or something. I told him I would have the cavalry on the way and hung up and called Lisa (my neighbor) and Kelsey (her daughter) took him a band-aid (I think). The day only got busier so I never had a chance to check. I talked to Mumsey not long after that and she told me she was going to Albertson's so I had her pick up a box of band-aids for him.

Regular run-of-the-mill-no-parents-can-go-to-feast-day frustrations from there but Jackie and I made it through with flying colors (well, at least we made it through with our sanity - such as it is - and all our limbs). Then, when I left work, I called Conrad to let him know that I was now off for 5 days!! And he asks me if I'm finished talking to the police. I'm thinking "what the heck is he talking about? So I ask and he tells me that Madeline called 911 and the police showed up at our house.

Now, I am no expert but I'm going out on a limb here and saying about 2 out of 5 children are going to do such a thing because 2 out of my 5 have. Jon did it and would not even look at the police when they got there.

My mother was about to walk out the door to take the girls to dance and the police were there when she opened the door. She thought they were the community patrol just dropping by until they told her they had a 911 hang-8pup from this address. She turned to the girls and said "OK, which one of you did it?" Madeline stepped up to the plate and admitted it saying "I dialed it but I hung up". So, like a big girl, she listened to the police. Then my mom tells her that she, Madeline, will have to tell her father and I that Nonnie was not going to do that. It took her awhile but she did it. I'm sure the facing of the police officers and our stern talking to were punishment enough and I doubt she'll ever do that again. Now, Anna? I guess we'll have to see about her.

So, that was my day yesterday. I am happy you went along memory lane with me.

For today, I've been thinking about all the things I'm thankful for. Here's a few:

My family (All of 'em! - in case any of you were worried.)

The fact that I have many friends and that I was able to invite some for Thanksgiving dinner without worrying if we would have enough.

That I lived long enough to see a woman make a great run for the Vice-Presidency (yeah I remember Geraldine, but I don't remember the race being so close and I don't think she changed the race like Sarah did. And, that I saw history made in this country when an African-American was elected to the Presidency. I may not like it but that's also what I like about this country. I can NOT like it and live to tell about it.

That my family loves me with all my foibles and faults and I overlook theirs.

That my mother-in-law has a safe place to live in with people to take care of her and she now has constancy in her life. And that her children care enough to visit.

That my mother is able to come over for holidays such as this and that we're going to celebrate her 70th birthday this December. (And that she is catching up my laundry even as I write this - THANK YOU, MUMSEY)

That my sons are grown up and making their own way in this world. I am so proud of them.

That I am able to write things that happen to me and write my opinions on this blog and people read it and I'm not persecuted (except for grammer mistakes) for it. What a great thing this freedom of speech thing is.

That no one is going to care that I did not actually make any of the pies that will be served tomorrow for dessert but that we were able to provide them in the first place.

There are a million more things but I'll leave it at that. Please pause a moment, tonight or tomorrow and remember all the things you are thankful for. It will make you feel better!

My hope and prayer for all of you is that you are surrounded by loved ones, that you are helping those in need in some small way, that you feel the love from friends and family and that you get at least one piece of your favorite pie this Thanksgiving. Remember: BE THANKFUL!