Pioneers on Turkey Day

OK this Thanksgiving was interesting to say the least...I will try to keep it short (leave out the ugly stuff) and sweet.
It was quite different from last year(here is a pic from Turkey Day 2007...look how much the girlies have grown!
The morning started off very well with the expert turkey fryer, frying for the multitudes! Just kidding...he did fry a few turkeys for a couple of friends and then fried our two.
There was a lotta fryin' goin' on!
While the turkeys were frying outside, we had some warm spiced cider and yummy appetizers to hold us over until dinner because we usually don't even eat until around 3 or 4.
Around 2:30, the turkeys were done to perfection and as I was about to put the last few casseroles into the oven, the electricity went OFF!
No big deal, it will come back on right?
WRONG!
We called the electric company and they said it should be on by 5. No problem...we'll just wait...cook the casseroles then and have a LATER Thanksgiving.
We had some dessert, some wine, played outside, and just visited.
When 5 rolled around it go VERY dark.....still no electricity, so we lit up the house with candles and waited a few more minutes. The electric company now said lights on at 8! What?
This is getting ridiculous!
We were all getting bored, aggravated, and HUNGRY!
We could just eat turkey, rice dressing, rolls, and cold salads in the dark, but our day wouldn't be complete without the corn, green bean, and sweet potato casseroles.
I was getting antsy in the dark as some of the others I'm sure...let's go for Mexican was my vote. Instead, we went to Ruby Tuesday on 119. Most of us had the mini's and the salad bar.
We sat there for a few hours, had coffee, and then decided to try to go back home.
Lights still off!
All of our guests called it a night and went back to their hotel...with electricity!
We were starting to worry about the food in the frig spoiling, so Hubs, Mimi, the girls, and I all headed downtown to pick up a generator.
The electric company was now reporting 11:15PM.
We got the generator, hooked it up to the 2 frigs, took showers, and then got snuggled into bed all by candle light and the beam of a flashlight!
I was mentally and physically drained!
What a day!
As soon as I drifted into dreamland around 12:30AM, the light came back on!
WOO HOO!
We woke up the next day and had our traditional Black Friday Brunch compliments of Aunt Heidi and Nana. So yummy.
After brunch, Mom and I would usually go shopping, but this year we had to pass since we were going to have Thanksgiving Phase 2. Instead, we lounged and had a relaxing time. Some of the girls watched Steal Magnolias while some of the others studied and graded papers. Others played and read while Daddy and Grandpa went out to Tarrant to get a new tire for Mimi's car. (You'll have to ask her what happen to her tire! ;-)

The guys made it back in time to watch LSU lose and then it was finally time to eat turkey!!!
The food was quite yummy and surely worth the wait! The turkey and casseroles had time to soak up all the great flavors and everything tasted extra good...or maybe we were just extra hungry! So the worst Thanksgiving turned into a pretty darn good one after all!
To see ALL of the pics of the day(s) click here!
And can I just say just that on this Thanksgiving 2008 I have a ton to be thankful for!

At dinner we were supposed to say three. Here are mine.
1.) ELECTRICITY~How did they do it back in the day? Pioneering is not for me!
2.) Salvation...although Bruce was not here (he passed away in May '08 while battling cancer) in Alabama with us to celebrate Thanksgiving 2008, it is refreshing to know that because Jesus died for our sins and Bruce was one of His followers, he is now in the presence of the Lord. WOW! Awesome...can't wait! You are missed, but we rejoice knowing that we will see you again one day! (This is a pic from Thanksgiving 2007~ Bruce is the 2nd on the left)
3.) My hubbies JOB~ it may not be the best one in the world, but it suits our family just fine and with the economy in the shape that it's in, it is certainly a blessing to have job security! BTW hubby, you are a super great provider and the girls and I love you muchly!
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." Chronicles 29:11-13
SO how was your turkey day? Pretty please leave us a comment and tell at least one thing that you're thankful for!

35 is definitely NOT Old!

I turned 35 today!!!! No big party or anything, but I have been celebrating for a couple of weeks now. Last Friday, we went to Longhorn to get steaks. It was to be my OFFICIAL birthday dinner, because hubby was going to have to work late on my real b-day. We went and had some yummy bread and salad, but my steak was still mooing when it arrived to the table and I had to send it back. It came back burnt and dry...too bad.
Not the best birthday meal, but still a nice night with hubby and the girls.

We arrived home late and decided to wait on presents.
The next morning, I opened my presents before heading off to a baby shower brunch!
I asked for a new camera, and some perfume. I told hubby that I expected them to be wrapped with a bow and ALL and some cards should definitely accompany the gifts. Store bought or handmade it didn't matter, but at least a card or two!
He did a great job and fulfilled all my wishes. I'm a girl (I guess 35 is really a woman, but I still feel like a girl) who knows exactly what I "need" and I am not afraid to DEMAND ask for it in a sweet, gentle, and loving manner! ;-)
After the brunch we headed over to some friends house to watch the LSU/Bama game and have dinner. It was a great game and an even better dinner. We had a FABULOUS time even though LSU lost! As you can see in the picture Bailey was very disappointed by the score!

Fast forward one week. my actual birthday has been quite a nice day!

This morning, we had a football playgroup. We wore our team colors, went to Pump it Up (we were going to go to the park and play football, but it was raining), and then went to Chick-Fil-a for lunch. There we made spirit ribbons and had football cupcakes! It was super fun spending the day watching my girlies play! I even got a few more cards and presents from sweet, sweet friends! Thank y'all soo much...it is always so nice to receive a little "happy"...especially on your birthday. I am pretty sure all of you read this blog, so we'll call this the official thank you card, kay! Really I SO appreciate your thoughtfulness on this here special day!

This afternoon the girls and I napped and then when daddy got home, we went over to Pizza Pro for dinner. It was pretty yummy as usual. No strawberry cake from Edgar's this year, but I certainly enjoyed SEVERAL pieces of chocolate chip pizza.

What more could a 35 year old WOMAN ask for?

Blessed by the good Lord above...I am indeed!

**Now I better get off this laptop and finish up preparing for tomorrow night...I have over 30 guests coming for a pre-thanksgiving turkey dinner!!!