For Older People with Sense

Thanks, Alyson.

Isabella, be careful in that pack whist they are wanting bones.

Well, gals, off to make an apple and a cherry pie. Will post pix when done.

I am spending Thanksgiving with my DD#1 at her home with her DH & his family. I am making apple crisp tomorrow morning & have already put three of the ingredients together for my Strawberry Salad & will add the Cool Whip just before serving. She is doing the turkey, her very first time. Last year I went down & prepped it for her & she wanted to do it all by herself this year using my recipe. She did call me whilst she was rinsing it off & said, "I want my mommy!" Really, she just had a couple of refresher questions. She'll do just fine, she is a wonderful cook. My DD#2 is still in FL for a vaca with DH's Aunt & Uncle. They will pass through here Friday, stay the night & head home Saturday A.M. We leave here next week Thursday for our "Christmas" with them. Hope there is not too much snow as we head north seven hours!

I am very grateful for all of you. I would not be the survivor I am without your caring & support.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families & loved ones.

Welcome Adelle (lovely name, by the way) ~ I am sorry you have to be here, but very happy you have found us. We welcome you with open arms and loving hearts.

Isabella & barbe ~ I love my DVR, I would miss so many shows if I didn't have it. They are a marvel.  

Love & hugs to all,

Val

Happy Thanksgiving!  Been up since 5:30 getting turkey stuffed and extra breast in the oven so it can cook before I put the big guy in.  He takes up the entire oven...weighs as much as my 6 month old GGD and she's a chunk!

Dinner's at 3:30 today...if everyone shows up on time.  The chronically late ones I tell an hour early in hopes they make it by the appointed time, but I think after so many years they are on to me.

DS was supposed to supply the turkey this year.  He raised two on his acreage where he lives in W. Palm.  One, anticipating his fate, ran away,  but as it got closer to time to "harvest" the other turkey, it seems she had become a cherished family pet (has her own personality he says) so she was pardoned!  She does, however, lay eggs, so all is not lost.

Happy eating...enjoy this day and all its blessings! 

Happy Thanksgiving all!   Lovely pie BarbA.  I have blackberries thawing for a pie today, and will make a cherry pie for the DH family gathering near Sacramento (1 1/2 hrs away) tomorrow.  We are having a "small" meal today for just us two - chicken & trimmings & pie with fresh whipped cream. 

It will be difficult for me to drag myself out of my sewing corner or nook in order to cook.  Have spent the last three days there, finding, sorting, sifting and organizing my supplies, and building some simple covers for appliances with my old Pfaff.  Then last night I finally pulled out my mom's1984 Bernina and fell in love with it immediately.  Kicking myself that I hadn't done it sooner.  It is like moving into another dimension.  The old Pfaff is a real workhorse and I repaired big sails and made all the canvas work on our big boat with it - mended jeans, made things with naugahyde; it just works hard, but has been pretty beat up over the years.  Mom's machine has only sewn fine fabrics and is pristine, and is EASY to learn.  I'd been dreading another learning process, and what a waste of time that was!!!  So, I'm happy.  Told DH that a piece of me was missing when I didn't have a sewing area set up.  It's just something I do, like write, or breathe.

Sunday DH and I celebrate 35 legal years.

Again, best wishes to all for a good day, no matter where you are.  Respite, relief, comfort, and peace to all.

Thanks for being here.

Barbe:

Isn't in a DVR?  Digital Video Recording.  That is offered by they cable and satellite companies.  We had had it for a while and I don't know how we got along without it.  I can even set it up to record from my computer. And, of course, all of my favorites get recorded regulary.  Have fun with it.

Phyllis

Happy anniversary, L_C!! May you have many many more!

Barbe, CS Lewis also wrote Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce.  He is a great writer.

Lisa Happy Birthday. 

Christmas is now officially on its way! 

Hugs Ginger

{{Chabba}} We are with you!

How to spend the holidays alone and enjoy them: I know from reading these message boards that many of you are having family problems or maybe no longer have family. The holidays can be especially difficult. I've been "doing" the holidays alone for more than a decade. When my "family" ignored my wedding--okay, I know France is a long way from the States, but not even an e-mail! (Their addictions are more important.) Then I was diagnosed with BC and again, ignored me. After my husband died I knew I was going to have to cope with the holidays myself.

Here's what's worked for me over the years. (Keep in mind if you're miserable and your family is being a bunch of jerks, this is what they want. So don't make them happy--make yourself happy.) Sometimes I eat out, sometimes not. If you go to a restaurant on a holiday alone, ask to sit at the bar. There are nearly always other "singles" there and they want company too. Not only are you making yourself happy, but you're helping others, who may be a long way from home or in the same situation you are. Don't sit at a table all alone if you can avoid it. You don't have to drink at the bar. No one was drinking anything stronger than tea yesterday.

Sometimes I just go to a movie. I saw one yesterday at an early showing. I absolutely love the movie-going experience. Popcorn, cold soda, dark room, movie on the screen--hey, get your feet off my seat! (Oops, small irritation.)

After dinner, if the sun is shining or at least not raining or snowing, get outside. I went to a park yesterday, rented a bike and took off. People talk to you in parks too. If you have a dog, conversation is even easier. Enjoy the great outside. There were geese walking the trails along with us humans. If walking or biking isn't something you can do right now, take a car tour. See what's happening in your own home town. See it with fresh eyes.

Please, those of you who have miserable family situations. Don't let them hurt you. Get out and do something entirely new. You can have a wonderful day on your own, meet a few new people. Yesterday was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had. A terrific day all around!

Note added:  I think I made this sound too easy. It's not easy. Especially the first few years. When I found myself all alone, I stayed at home. I even cried a little. I felt so abandoned and rejected. It took me several more years of experimentation to come up with ways to do the holidays and feel good about them. So if you try some new things and it doesn't quite work, try something else the next year. Just don't give up. Alone doesn't have to mean lonely.

Maya, it is a good thing that you have figured out a way to cope with a difficult situation...more power to you..

Maya2:  Love your style!

Chabba:  Praying for good outcome for you! 

Big sigh of relief.  The Dr. at the imaging center found "nothing to be concerned about" in either the mamo or the ultra-sound.  Monday I see my onc to discuss the next step.  BMX or lumpectomy.  I'm seriously considering asking for the BMX.  Thank you all for your support.

Fifteen years ago a friend and I were discussing how lonely it could be on holidays for people, whether they be singles, couples or families, that have no other loved ones to share with.  At that time there was nowhere to go but a restaurant which many find unsatisfactory.  We both volunteered at the Senior Center and decided to put on a Thanksgiving Dinner open to anyone of any age who wanted a family to join for dinner.  It drew enough people that the Board asked us to do it again for Christmas.  Since then the holiday dinners at the centers have become a tradition for many people.  OH MY, I just realized that means this was the 29th time I've co-ordinated a holiday dinner for a hoard of people! 

Anyway, my point is that if you can't find a congenial place to go, you might consider making one for others and get a lot of satisfaction out of doing so.

Lisa Cornet Chop Suey was one Louis Armstrongs. Nice name for a group, Yes I do enjoy Jazz and majored in music. Had a Music Theory teacher who taught music through his jazz. Enjoy the Festival. Sounds like so much fun. Not going too far out right now LOL as the chemo dictates the day. You have a great evening.

Chappa - it's so good to hear all is well, Peace out girl. Do something good for yourself. 

Chrissy thanks for the well wishes for our Thanksgivings from Down Under, I loved it.