Thanksgiving

I think I went up to bed around 1AM but chemo brain has hit and it might have been later. I promised the kids pancakes for breakfast and I didn't break my promise. We all woke up around 8AM and Rob started the coffee and I made banana chocolate chip pancakes - I even made Ellie one that I thought looked like a turkey - she just thought it was a double pancake though. We watched the State Street parade on tv and I was so excited to hear/see ETHS marching band in the parade - we never did anything local (except 4th of July) we went to Canada and Disney for parades - nothing local. They had new snazzy uniforms - it was neat. We rotated in and out of the bathtub with baths and showers.
I got clothes out that I though would fit - I kind of have my standard Thanksgiving outfit with slight variation every year - a sweater vest, a long sleeved shirt under and either pants or a skirt - well I recycled the skirt this past summer to Salvation because it literally fell off me and the pants - let's just say it would have been the perfect opportunity for a belt today. Well, we were off to church and we got there just in time to find the last row un-occupied. The kids were very good through the service and it was a lovely service - much to be thankful for this year.
We went to the GGs house for Thanksgiving lunch - it was great to see and visit with UB, Uncle Bill and the GGs - as well as Mom and Dad, Jo, Ole and Tony. Nick was a hoot this morning - he decided he wanted to bring his trains with him and asked to call JoJo to ask Tony to bring his trains too. The boys played with their trains in the front window while the finishing touches were put on lunch. Grandma GG put out quite a spread - there was something for everyone - sweet and mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, tortellini, cranberry sauce, turkey, pork and steak - Mom bought salad, corn pudding and cranberry sauce. We all just ate and ate - Nick had 3 helpings of corn pudding and I re-filled with mashed potatoes a few times, too. I tired a glass of wine today - tasted good and it wasn't too cold.
Jo and I went downstairs with the kids while the table changed over from lunch to dessert. Ellie played office and piano, Nick played on Grandpa GG's HAM radio and Tony and I played Where's TT? The GG's have a central arrangement of desks/furniture in their basement that you can go around so Tony would chase me and then I would hide somewhere and he's find me and grab me and say "gotcha." We sat back down for dessert - cannoli cake, cannoli, pumpkin and apple pies - yummy! The big thing for all the kids and Jo is the fight for who gets the flowers from the top of the cake - I think they got evenly dispensed today. After dessert we were once again entertained by the kids. Jo, Ole and Tony left to go to his families house - I am thankful we have no round 2 today. Ellie and Nick came into the living room and entertained us for some time - I think Nick has picked up too many tricks while seeing the circus - Rob bends down and nick jumps over his back and into a somersault then Rob does a V shape and Nick does a somersault under - it looked rehearsed - should I be scared?
We got some time to visit with the GG's and UB while the kids continued to entertain but eventually UB had to leave to make the trek back up North. Mom and Dad said they would drive Ellie home so we headed home with Nick. I finished the laundry and started to get things ready to pack. Rob worked with Nick attaching a couple more pieces of track to the set. Mom, Dad and Ellie arrived home and Dad really helped Nick get the train on track and running - he was reminded that the train used to make noise - so the quest for a 9v battery started. The train makes noise again -great! Mom and Ellie helped me change Scarlett out - Nick peeked in and told me my owie was getting better that it was almost all gone.
Mom and Dad left to go home and get their packing done and I decided to make some treats for the trip - chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, regular chocolate chip and mini blueberry muffins. Someone is always hungry at the weirdest times when we go away so these provide a little something to eat. While the butter was softening I downloaded some music to my iPod - I even included some Back Street Boys and NKOTB for Rob - he was so inspired by their reunion on the AMAs the other night. Ellie and I got the cookies together and then Nick joined us for the second batch. Mom called to let us know Curios George holiday special was on - so I lost my cookie companions and I made the muffins on my own.
I went up to pack - I'll tell you packing for 4 is hard enough but now I need to think of all the extras I need to take for me - biotene toothpaste, Scarlett change, medications and vitamins. I think I got everything we need - I packed the kids in their own bags and Rob and I in ours. I put Nick to sleep tonight and Rob read with Ellie. I am sitting on the couch blogging and thinking about the potential advantage I might have to crazy midnight madness. I don;t think I am going out in all seriousness - I think I would be more apt to go online and pay shipping than fight the crowds and the cold.
Well, tomorrow morning we will be off on the fall family frolic - I mean trip. We are headed to Brookfield, WI and really have no plans - some ideas but no agenda. I am looking forward to getting away for the weekend . Hope everyone had a most excellent day. Visualising my healthy and continually recovering body and the new normal me - whomever that shall be, Tree