Friend Makin' Monday: Thanksgiving

Whenever I can l love to participate in FMM with my lovely bloggy friend Amber from aefilkins and this week I'm excited to talk about Thanksgiving with you guys in a fun little meme!

1. Turkey or Ham?
Turkey... gobble gobble! I'm trying a new orange-sage recipe.

2. Favorite side dish.
Hmmm....either twice baked potatoes or deviled eggs.

3. Favorite dessert.
Pecan pie and/or fudge.

4. Black Friday: Are you going or not?
Oh heck no! I hate shopping to begin with, when you make it a contact sport, you've lost me entirely. I'll shop online thanks =)

5. If so, what's on the top of your list?
My plans for Black Friday include sleeping in, being warm, and not being physically assaulted at 6am. Good times.

6. Going out of town or staying close to home?
I'm staying at my house!

7. Hosting or helping?
Its just us this year unless my parents decide to drop by-but I'm cooking either way.

8. Name one family tradition at Thanksgiving.
My parents have always eaten Chinese food and watched Clint Eastwood movies for Thanksgiving. Hubby's family enjoys picking each other into tiny pieces and being generally unpleasant while sitting in front of food. For years we've tried to fit ourselves into their traditions but we have decided this year to start our own tradition - an actual, pleasant traditional Thanksgiving. We'll see if anyone wants to join us.

9. What do you do after dinner?
Don't know yet. A movie? A game? A nap?

10. What are you most thankful for this year?
I have so many things to be thankful for this year...my husband who works so hard and takes such good care of us all. Our little ones, including The Bean who was born happy and healthy just this past May. The fact that my business is finally getting off the ground. My brand new lovely computer!!

My life is blessed and I am thankful.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Join Friend Makin' Monday and share!

Tell All Tuesday: An Attitude of Gratitude

Yesterday I read Kirsty's post about the things she is thankful for, and about her decision to continue giving thanks for five things each day. I immediately felt convicted-lately it has been very hard for me to be thankful. Our budget is so tight it squeaks, and we juggle our bills with a precariousness that is usually reserved for circus side shows. Hubby's hours are being cut, and I'm spending more than twice the amount we usually spend just to buy the same groceries we always have-and yet I know that there is so much for me to be grateful for....I just need to refocus myself and remember to keep an attitude of gratitude....


I am thankful for my husband. He breaks his back working graveyards to support our family the very best he can. He does it with love and out of love and is never bitter. He is calm when I am panicking. He is strong when I am weak. He is my very best friend. I can't imagine my life without him.

I am thankful for our children. They are such good natured little creatures-generally speaking of course. They can raise hell with the best of them, but in their hearts they are all so kind and well mannered. They are a constant reminder to me of what it is like to love with your whole heart, and live every day in a positive way.

I am thankful for my independent contractor work. It is far from steady, but somehow whenever we are so financially cornered that there seems to be no out a project comes along in time to ease the burden a little.

I am thankful for beating the odds. I have beat so many odds in the last eight years that it is definitely something worth being grateful for. For instance, only two percent of high school sweethearts ever get married and only twenty percent of teen parents stay together (with sixty percent of them ending up separated before their child turns four). Hubby and I fall into both categories and celebrate 7 years this Saturday.

You know, I feel better. No matter how tough things may get sometimes I think I just have to remember that I have been through worse, and many people are still living through worse. I really do have a lot to be grateful for...I think that everyone does. What are you thankful for?