For the last 17 years, Thanksgivings have been spent in MD with my in-laws.  Even tho’ we traveled two hours to be with them, I generally got off easy.  Granted I would cook Thanksgiving Dinner sometime before the weekend, but usually I was only responsible for something mundane…like mac&cheese or the beverages.  This year we decided that we didn’t want to travel and would host Thanksgiving at our home.  Sounded good since I would be on vacation this week and would have a few days to prep.  Well, it’s now the Night Before Thanksgiving and can I say I haven’t done as much in the last 24 hours as I thought I would.  So, while I’m thankful that my in-laws won’t be arriving before 2PM tomorrow, rather than 9am, I’m more concerned about what I need to do right now…fall asleep or finish cooking.  LOL.  In the meantime, here’s my list of Thirteen Things about the Day Before Thanksgiving.

1. Planned to start the day at 8am; was tired and decided to sleep in.  When I finally opened my eyes, it was 11am.  So, I started the day 3 hours behind.
2. Needed to finish grocery shopping.  Over coffee and the newspaper, pondered just how long it would take me to shop.  I hate shopping and only do it several times a year–Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kid’s b-day, Rick’s b-day–hubby does it the rest of the year.
3. Finally, left home and was ready to begin my day.  Oh, so I though.  Drove right by the supermarket that’s closest to my home…although the one that hubby hates…lol.  Guess that was on my mind as I ended up further away and at the SUPER-GIANT…I get lost in that store.  Which is why I don’t shop there often. After an hour in the store (I would be in there a total of 1.5 hours), and wondering if the madness would ever end, I made a mental note to stop by the Wine & Spirit store before I left the shopping plaza.
4. WOW…I can’t believe how much I spent ($$$) on stuff for basically a one-day meal.  I was shocked and it was obvious that I didn’t grocery shop that often.  After leaving an arm and a leg at the store, I decided to stop by the ATM/Bank before heading home. Completely forgot about stopping by the Wine & Spirit store.
5. Arrived home and hubby had cleaned up the downstairs and was putting the finishing touches on the hardwood floor as I came in with 10 bags and a few less dollars in my bank account.
6. Hopped online to see what happened while I was away…it was a lot…seems that more folks worked than not today and many were chatty. As I’m getting too settled in to read emails, kids arrived home and brought their noise, energy and enthusiasm with them.  LOL.  And, I wouldn’t have changed anything about that because it felt good to be at home when they arrived…and to find out firsthand what happened in their world today.  And boy were they chatty.  LOL.  That was a good thing, I love when my kids open up and talk to me and hubby.  Today was a good day for both of them as all was right with the world.
7. But, hanging out with family meant I didn’t make it to the post office, office depot or the nail salon.  All of that will have to wait until Friday (or Saturday…since I’m shopping on Friday).
8. But, son did talk me into going to Verizon to check out the new Blackberry Storm that he wants for Christmas.  None in the store…they needed to order it…but said it would be available for 12/8.  I needed to decide if I wanted to spend $200 on a phone, plus pay a monthly fee of $ 30 for a total of $560.  Told son if he really wanted it that it would be his only gift…because honestly folks I can’t see why a child would need a Blackberry.  Hubby said if that’s all son really wants we should get it for him and a few stocking stuffers.  Hmm…video games cost how much…I’m rethinking some of the stuffers.  LOL.  Son turned 16 this year and we gave him a car, paid for his insurance (and will continue to do so as long as he’s in school or until he’s 22, which ever comes first) and hubby or I fill his car with gas every other week.  Hmmm sounds like that was Christmas and b-day present for the next 6 years!
9. After leaving the Verizon store, and head still swimming from the price of the Storm(hmmm should have named it the Hurrricane because the price was deadly), I decided I needed a drink and remembered that I needed to visit the Wine and Spirit store.
10. From there to Bath and Body and Hallmark to pick up gifts and cards for sister-in-laws birthday.  Hope she likes what we got.
11. Figured since I had been out and about that when I arrived home hubby would have dinner started.  Not today…I think he was boycotting since he cooks 80% of the meals.  LOL.  Oh well, no take-out/fast food today, after spending $$$ at the grocery store, wine & spirit store, and bath and body shop…we were eating in.  I made an enchilada casserole which everyone loved and then delved into the Evening Before Thanksgiving cooking.
12. With a glass of wine nearby, I’m prepping and preparing Thanksgiving dinner.  So far, the string beans have been cooked.  The holy trinity (celery, green pepper, onion) has been prepped for the potato salad (will make tomorrow) and sausage/mushroom dressing (will prepare this evening and cook tomorrow) and I’m seasoning the turkey so that I can put it in the oven and it can cook overnight.
13. Only a few minutes to show time, and my guilty pleasure for today, the Barbara Walter’s special with Michelle and Barack Obama.  A fitting ending for a busy (and expensive) day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL and may your day be filled with laughter, joy, family, friends, peace and prosperity.

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