Wow, that was fast.

That was absolutely the speediest Thanksgiving we have ever had.

I woke up to my usual morning routine, including feeding the bottle kittens over and over. I also added making stuffing. I will admit that since the Angel Food this month included stuffing mix, which I never buy myself, I cheated and doctored that up until it tasted good. Lots of extra sausage and spice and broth.

I also ran to the gas station, and when I got back we packed up and left at 8:39, excellent for us, as our target was 8:30. On the way, we talked, and #1 Son kept sneaking into the stuffing for a taste, because he woke up just half an hour before we left and didn't get breakfast. Typical college student behavior.

On the way out of town we had our obligatory stop at the convenience store for coffee, juice, or soda. They won't leave town without it.

We made good time, and grandpa was happy with his hojaldras for his birthday present, even though I had trouble with the dough. We had worked on it until almost ten the night before, but it was still too crumbly. At least it tasted good, and he can break them into smaller portions this way so they last longer.

For once I also remembered everything. When the rest of the gang showed up, I had my niece Bryn's birthday gift of cash, in an envelope with a signed card. That was an accomplishment, as it is like pulling teeth around here to get everyone to sign cards for some reason. The pie, the stuffing that never got put in the bird so turned out to be a dressing instead, and even an ice chest for the leftovers they always send had also made it.

No one argued over what we were going to watch on the tv for once. The Macy parade kept everyone entertained, and we chatted and laughed and came and went as we got everything together. Santa made his appearance, and it is now "officially", at least for me, the holiday season.

We gathered around and prayed, and told what we were grateful for. Even nephew Dre, who said in his little 5-year-old voice that he was thankful for G-d. Granted, he said it into the couch cushion so only I could hear him, but he was so cute.

Everything was served buffet style, and it was all good. The dog even got her share when #2 Son dropped a big hunk of turkey, and she behaved and didn't try to go after the smaller children's plates.

After dinner, we sang happy birthday to my youngest brother, as his is the day after Thanksgiving this year. My other younger brother had brought a doberge cake, and we passed around cake and pie to all who wanted it.

Packing up the leftovers went well, it actually all fit in the ice chest for once. Everyone got to take home huge helpings of their favorites, and grandma and grandpa will have plenty as well.

The ride home was uneventful, and we did listen to Christmas music. We pulled up to the house at 1:38, exactly 4 hours and 59 minutes after we pulled away. Never have we had a holiday go so fast, so smoothly, or with so few arguments from the kids.

All in all, a good day, for which I am indeed thankful


Today is:

Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day (I will observe the latter)

Cake Day

College Fraternity Day -- US

Day of the Covenant -- Baha'i

Day of the Tan-Wallopers -- Fairy Calendar

Good Grief Day (in honor of Charles Schultz)

Independence Day -- Mongolia

National Cake Day

Sinkie Day -- A day to eat over the sink, celebrated by some on Nov. 24, by others on the day after Thanksgiving, and only leftovers from the feast may be eaten.

Sojourner Truth Day

St. John Berchmans' Day

St. Siricius' Day

What Do You Know About America Day

You're Welcome Day -- US, always the day after Thanksgiving.


Anniversaries Today:

Founding of the University of Notre Dame, 1842
Founding of Sigma Alpha Mu in the City College of New York, by 8 Jewish young men, 1909


Birthdays Today:

Natasha Bedingfield, 1981
Tina Turner, 1939
Rich Little, 1938
Robert Goulet, 1933
Charles Schultz, 1922
Eugene Ionesco, 1912
Eric Sevareid, 1912
John Harvard, 1607
Emperor Go-Daigo of Japan, 1288


Today in History:

The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian", later "Caesar Augustus"), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony is formed, BC43
Vlad III Dracula (Vlad the Impaler)defeats Basarab Laiota with the help of Stephen the Great and Stephen V Bathory and becomes the ruler of Wallachia for the third time, 1476
The first lion exhibited in the US makes his debut in Boston, 1716
Captain James Cook becomes the first European to visit Maui, 1778
The Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of the United States established, 1784
The first national US Thanksgiving is celebrated, 1789
The first streetcar railway in the US begins operation in NYC, fare 12 cents, 1832
The refrigerated railway car is patented by J.B. Sutherland of Detroit, Michigan, 1867
The first photograph of a meteor is taken, 1885
The National Hockey League is formed, with the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and Toronto Arenas as its first teams, 1917
King Tut's tomb is opened by English archaeologist Howard Carter, 1922
Four young lads from Liverpool have their first recording session under the interesting name "The Beatles", 1962
Tony Blair becomes the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address the Republic of Ireland's parliament, 1998
Concorde makes its final flight, over Bristol, England, 2003