WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH

Thanksgiving is over and we are officially on a fast slide into the home stretch of Christmas. With all of the distressing economic news swirling through the airwaves like a winter blizzard, it's hard to focus on the reason for the season.

Dad and I are requesting that you do not give us any material gifts this year. There is absolutely nothing that we need other than your hugs, kisses, visits, and sweet emotional support.

Take care of your children and sweethearts with gifts under the tree. This is our Christmas wish.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving will be a much different experience in 2008. As a family we are stepping out of our traditional routine and creating new experiences.

April and Brad will be renting a Condo in Midway, Utah, enjoying the activities that the Wasatch mountains have to offer. (Hoping for snow to go snowmobiling is on the top of their list.)

Heather and Joe's Thanksgiving weekend will be spent with Joe's sister Andrea, her husband Ryck, and 3 little girl cousins for Grace and Jane to play with. They're coming in from Boise for a music concert.

Dennis and Tawny are doing Thanksgiving in Reno. Someday I'll have them here for Thanksgiving, or maybe I'll surprise them with a visit.

Aunt Rikki and I, along with Rob's family will be joining Uncle Ray's group in Richfield. Uncle Bill and Aunt Joleen are flying in from New Jersey, Bethany and her husband will be there also. We're driving down on Wednesday afternoon and returning home on Friday morning.

Every time I talk to Uncle Ray he sounds so excited to have his family coming to his house for a Thanksgiving dinner. It's been a bazillion years since we 4 siblings (Rikki, Bill, Ray, Me) have sat at the same table for a meal. I'll be sure to gather good stories to share on my blog.

Aunt Nan and Uncle Steve will be providing a fun filled feast for their family and friends from California, the Taylor's.

So, there you have it. I wish you all a wonderful, memorable, terrific, safe 2008 Thanksgiving Dinner. Remember that I love you all and place you at the very top of my "Thankful for:" list.

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING, OH WHAT . . .

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING, OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY, I'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL FEELING, EVERY THINGS GOING MY WAY. . . . . . everybody now, join me in a round of Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, a lovely song from the movie "Oklahoma".

What, you don't know the song, am I really that old? Come on Nan, I know you could sing it from beginning to end, I can always depend on my Nan to belt out a song from an old movie or Broadway play. Nan, you're my ace in the hole!

By now you must all think that I've finally lost my last grasp on sanity, but NO!, I just actually feel REALLY GOOD today and this song has been running through my head non stop since waking up this morning. Yesterdays song was "Sing a Song of Six Pence" but I couldn't remember the words to the first line and neither could dad or Heather. Dad finally looked it up on the Internet so that it wouldn't drive me crazy anymore and I could move on with my day. Dad knows how fragile my state of mind is, he does everything he can to keep me away from falling over the edge. Remember, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Yes, you are correct, I am rambling on and on, but hey it's better than grumbling right? I hope you all have a Beautiful Day!

Just an update........

Just an update to let the family know that I'm back in action (again). Friday through Sunday I was visited with some lovely virus that kept me in bed. Yesterday my blood test showed that my red cell count had taken a significant dip, so off to the hospital I went for two more bags of blood. It is amazing what a difference a little fresh blood can do. I'm truly becoming more and more sympathetic to the needs of a vampire. Needing blood and not having it is a very scary thing.

Speaking of blood, has anyone else donated at the red cross? I checked with the hospital yesterday to see if a person can just go to a hospital to donate, but they said no, it must go through the red cross. They make sure it is safe before allowing it to be used on a patient. Thank you Red Cross!

Doctor's gloves or Chicken Feet? Only Gracie knows for sure.

I brought a pair of doctor's gloves home from the hospital for Gracie to add to her new doctor kit. She decided that they worked best on her feet since her hands are still so small.

She cracked me up because she said they were now her Chicken Feet, then she proceeded to walk all over the house clucking like a chicken.

This just made me laugh, so I thought I would share.

Still Doing Great

Today's blood test shows that I'm holding steady.

I want to THANK April Sue for taking the time and getting up the courage to go and donate blood. This is not an easy thing to do, and I know it takes time out of your day, so I want you to know that I appreciate the fact that you made it happen.

Donate - Donate - Donate - Donate - Donate - Donate - Donate - Donate

Free At Last - Free At Last

The results of this mornings blood test was music to my ears! My white count is 5.7 (right at normal), my red count was 33 (a little low but still very acceptable), and my platelets were at 18 (not too shabby!)

Now I just have to remember how to do my job. I've been sitting here at my computer for an hour and have reviewed current email since midnight (just could not sleep), checked every news site for the latest on the presidential election and other local and world issues, read every one's blog for any breaking family news, and checked the status of my bank account ("dismal" would be the most appropriate word here, but not overdrawn, thank Heavens). Dad brought me home from the doctors this morning and said, "Boy, now you can get back to work!" NOT! You can't rush things like this. As "What About Bob" would say - "Baby Steps, Baby Steps!"

Albert, don't go into coronary arrest, I'm just kidding. I'm working, I'm working, don't get your panties in a wad.