I could've done without that

One thing that I didn't care to hear on Thanksgiving was gunfire. I know deer hunting season just started but it never occured to me that people would be hunting in the forest behind us. I'm certain that they weren't close to the houses but every time I heard a shot it sounded like it was right outside our door. I was talking to my mother on the phone and she could even here it. Apparently hunting is a popular thing to do on Thanksgiving because we sure heard a lot of gunfire. That was disturbing...lol. Thankfully it stopped before we had dinner. Speaking of Thanksgiving dinner.....

This was the first time I've ever cooked a Thanksgiving dinner. Was I excited to do so? Pffffttt...NO! I love to cook but I do not enjoy cooking poultry. Nor do I enjoy cooking 20 different things to go with the blasted turkey that I won't even be eating. I've never been a fan of turkey and always chose the ham over it. If there's no ham available, then I just load up on sides. Everyone else was excited though and this was the first year that it's only been the 4 of us so I sucked up and here's what was on our menu: turkey, dressing, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, peas, crushed cranberries and raspberries, glazed apples, boiled eggs, dinner rolls, and apple pie. Everything came out really well thanks to my unlimited long distance plan. I called my mother and she helped with everything as I was doing it...lol. It's a good thing she reminded me to pull that junk out of the turkey because I'm sure I would have forgotten it. I really hope that was a one time thing and that we'll be with my parents for every other Thanksgiving. I really missed my mom's cooking yesterday.

We ate an early dinner and I wanted to get the day over with because I found myself really missing my family and friends. I have been missing them a lot but missed them a lot more yesterday. To pass the time I decided to pull out our Christmas things so we put up our tree. The kids love it and now I don't have to listen to them ask me every day when we're gonna do it. I feel like such a scrooge this year. This is the first time in about 20 years that I didn't get to go shopping with my mom the day after Thanksgiving. I'm trying not to sulk in it and be thankful that I have a mom that I can see. Maybe not as often as I want but better some than not at all.

A couple of days ago Joshua lost another tooth. This was one of his top front teeth so now he's a little snaggle tooth.

Tomorrow's my birthday and normally I don't get to overly excited about it. I am excited this time though because I've received 2 large gift certificates for 2 different needlework shops that I'll be spending. One of them is in Alexandria and I'm looking forward to making the trip. We may head in to D.C. afterwards depending on if I take all day or not in the shop. I NEVER spend large amounts in my shopping trips to buy stitching goodies so I'm really looking forward to it :). In fact, I must go so I can make my list :).