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It's Thankful Day in a thankful week, and i have had so much to be thankful about that i may bust. As one client told me earlier, her friend used to say, "I'm drinking from my saucer because my cup overflows!"
My first thankful is Grandpa and his sense of humor. He had a birthday, and when i told him i hoped he'd had a wonderful day, he said, "I had meetings all day, it was great!" Actually, he meant it, he loves all of his board work for whatever organizations he's with now.
We are still being provided with satsumas. It seems many people's trees runneth over. We are grateful to be the disposers of the extras.
It was a short work week, and i was still able to get every client in, one of them on two separate days, so no drop in income this week.
Wednesday was a very long day, the shelter, Ms. G, and then a hiccup before we could get to NOLA. Just as we were about to leave town, Sweetie got a call from his friend the guitar tech who was repairing a guitar for another friend. Could we come get it right now, so he could give the friend the discount for prompt pick-up (the friend was already out of town). We are thankful we hadn't left town quite yet, we were able to comply.
Driving to NOLA and back on the day before Thanksgiving is an adventure in itself. As i tell Sweetie, i do not know why anyone is heading the other way on the interstate, since it is obvious by the traffic on our side that there will be no one left to greet them when they get there. Anyway, we got there and back safely, and i'm grateful for that and for the bright idea to get off the interstate early and take the back highway that was much quieter than usual on the way home.
While down there, Grandma had Uncle J, Bryn, Dre, Little Girl, Uncle P, Miss Eva, Sweetie and me there to cook and clean. At one point, she asked Grandpa to put more of the cooked dishes in the back fridge, and he said, "There's no more room! Somebody's going to have to eat some of what's already there to fit more!" Bryn, Dre and Little Girl all said, "I'll eat some stuff!" We are grateful for many hands to make light work, and for the sense of humor and appetites of the young.
On Thanksgiving, we had another hiccup. Bigger Girl was to drive down with #1 Son. She had a flat tire, and it turns out the car we got her after the accident, Bessie Low-Key, has no spare (i didn't know that or i would have remedied it right away). She aired it up and it held, but it obviously has a slow leak and you don't take chances with that and put the car on the highway, so they were not able to come.
We are thankful they were safe, thankful they didn't break down on the interstate, thankful they had each other to spend time with, and thankful for Waffle House, where they went to share a meal.
The rest of us were thankful to be together, and that Little Girl invited a friend whose family lives in Nevada. It's always a joy to share with those who have no family close, and she knows if her plans fall through to go home for Christmas, she is more than welcome to come back.
The real fun was in having 5 dogs in the house celebrating with us, Lulu, Coda, Jack, Abadon, and Jezzie. We were thankful that all got along except Lulu and Jezzie (Lulu tries to eat small dogs), and we are thankful we were able to keep those two separate.
There was orange tree climbing, and orange picking, and orange eating, and bags and bags of oranges to go home to everyone and lots more to give away.
There was a pushing of young people and dogs into the pool for an impromptu swim party.
There was packing of plates for the two who couldn't make it, including salad, soup, some of everything served, and dessert.
Little Girl made the pumpkin pie! She had fun, i talked her through it when i was there on Wednesday, and Sweetie says it was the best he ever had.
Uncle P waited until Grandpa's back was turned and did the dishes. Grandpa has always fought us on this, and i have tried to help before but been rebuffed. Grandpa was quite amazed that when it was all done, he had nothing left to clean, and when i pointed out that i've been offering to do it for years and have even tried but been pushed away, he said, "Well, I'm bigger than you, but he's bigger than me to I can't make him stop!" We all laughed, and this is going to be our way from now on.
Sweetie and i got back to town at a reasonable time, and in bed early as Friday was packed and we needed the rest.
Friday was indeed packed, and when we finally got to the shelter for our evening shift we were a bit droopy. Once there we had a very thankful surprise, a crew we were not expecting showed up to help! Because the shelter was closed Thursday and Friday, Ms. May didn't know which volunteers would be there and which would not, so she rounded up a bunch of young friends and relatives and brought them all, making short work of it all.
In addition, the room caretaker who had surgery two weeks ago came, totally unexpectedly! She's recovering so well she wanted to stop by and spend time with the kitties.
Friday was indeed packed, and when we finally got to the shelter for our evening shift we were a bit droopy. Once there we had a very thankful surprise, a crew we were not expecting showed up to help! Because the shelter was closed Thursday and Friday, Ms. May didn't know which volunteers would be there and which would not, so she rounded up a bunch of young friends and relatives and brought them all, making short work of it all.
In addition, the room caretaker who had surgery two weeks ago came, totally unexpectedly! She's recovering so well she wanted to stop by and spend time with the kitties.
Today after work i have an afternoon off, and Sweetie will be spending the time with a friend who will be in town.
All of these things have made it a week of lots of thanks, one of the best holiday weeks ever.
Please write up your own list and link up to Ten Things of Thankful, where Kristi and her co-hosts always have a warm welcome waiting.
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Today is:
Bonifacio Day -- Philippines
Christmas Traditions Celebration -- St. Charles, MO, US (the fun includes authentically costumed Santas from around the world; through Christmas Eve)
Cities for Life Day -- commemorates the abolition of the death penalty in many countries
ClauWau: Santa Claus World Championship -- Samnaun, Switzerland (Santa Claus aspirants compete in in such things as the chimney climb with toys, a geography bee, and the sledge race with timed gift giving to be crowned the world champion Santa)
Clear Up The Clutter Day -- internet generated, and what!?! in one day!!!
Computer Security Day -- International (sponsored by The Association for Computer Security Day; often held by some organizations/companies on another day of the week if it falls on a weekend)
Deepavali/Diwali(Festival of Lights) -- Hindu; Jain; Sikh (fourth day of the festival)
Goru Tihar/Goru Puja -- Day of Oxen (among most people)
Gobardhan Puja -- Day of Cowdung (among followers of Krishna)
Mha Puja -- Day of Self (among the Newar community)
Feast of Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads -- Ancient Roman Calendar (also revered by the Greeks, Egyptians, and came from the Carians of the Bronze Age)
Guadalajara International Book Fair -- Guadalajara, Mexico (through Dec. 8)
Ham and Roast Beef Night -- internet generated, but a good idea for a make your own sandwich dinner
Independence Day -- Barbados(1966); Yemen(1967)
Lantern Light Tours begin -- Mystic Seaport, CT, US (walking tour of performances showing Christmas past, on various dates through the month)
Light of the World Christmas Pageant -- Minden, DE, US (pageant and lighting up the downtown square; also tomorrow and next Sunday)
National Day -- Benin
National Meth Awareness Day
National Mousse Day
Perpetual Youth Day -- Dick Clark's birth anniversary
Regina Mundi Day -- South Africa
Saint Andrew the Apostle's Day (Patron of anglers/fishermen, fish dealers/fish mongers, maidens, old maids/spinsters, single lay women, singers, women who wish to become mothers; Spanish armed forces; Achaia; Greece; Russia; Scotland; Amalfi, Italy; Antey-Saint-Andre, Italy; Berchtesgaden, Germany; Burgundy, France; Cartosio, Italy; Confienti, Italy; Constantinople, Turkey; Encinasola, Huelva, Spain; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Grongnardo, Italy; Lampertheim, Germany; Luqa, Malta; Patras, Greece; Plymouth, England; Samolaco, Italy; San Andreas, California; Victoria, British Columbia; against gout, sore throats) related observances:
Argyle Day
National Day -- Scotland
Sfantul Andrei -- Romania
Small Business Saturday -- encouraging everyone to patronize local businesses for your holiday shopping
Stay Home Because You're Well Day -- sponsored by the Wellness Permission League -- if you get in trouble with the boss, make sure they will take the fall!
Swine Time Festival -- Climax, Georgia, US (Come on out and join the fun, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Contests & Events include best dressed pig, corn shucking, hog calling, eating chitterlings, pig racing, syrup making, baby crawling and the greased pig chase!)
Territorial Christmas Celebrations -- Guthrie, OK, US (old time fun this weekend and through Dec. 14)
Whisp and Thread Fair -- Fairy Calendar
Anniversaries Today:
Lucille Ball marries Desi Arnaz, 1940
Birthdays Today:
Elisha Cuthbert, 1982
Clay Aiken, 1978
Jessalyn Gilsig, 1971
Sandra Oh, 1970
Amy Ryan, 1969
Ben Stiller, 1965
Bo Jackson, 1962
Colin Mochrie, 1957
Billy Idol, 1955
Shuggie Otis, 1953
Mandy Patinkin, 1952
David Mamet, 1947
Noel Paul Stookey, 1937
Ridley Scott, 1937
Abbie Hoffman, 1936
G. Gordon Liddy, 1930
Dick Clark, 1929
Joan Ganz Cooney, 1929
Robert Guillaume, 1927
Richard Crenna, 1926
Shirley Chisholm, 1924
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., 1923
Gordon Parks, 1912
Winston Churchill, 1874
L(ucy) M(aude) Montgomery, 1874 (Anne of Green Gables)
Mark Twain, 1835
Oliver Winchester, 1810
Jonathan Swift, 1667
Philip Sydney, 1554
Debuting/Premiering Today:
"Thriller"(Michael Jackson Album), 1982
"The Wall"(Pink Floyd album), 1979
Brian's Song(TV movie), 1971
"Bwana Devil"(Film, first 3-D movie), 1952
The Joy of Cooking(Publication date), 1931
"Le Cid"(Opera), 1885
Today in History:
Amsterdam bans assembly of heretics, 1523
Death count by plague in Venice is officially set at 16,000, 1630
Beijing earthquake causes 100,000+ deaths, 1731
Britain signs agreement recognizing US independence, 1782
Peter Leopold Joseph of Habsburg-Lorraine, Grand Duke of Tuscany, promulgates a penal reform making his country the first state to abolish the death penalty. November 30 is therefore commemorated by 300 cities around the world as Cities for Life Day, 1786
Spain cedes her claims to Louisiana Territory to France, 1803
First ground is broken at Allenburg for the building of the original Welland Canal, 1824
First Welland Canal opens for a trial run, 5 years to the day from the ground breaking, 1829
Work begins on the first US underwater highway tunnel, in Chicago, 1866
The first international soccer football game is held, in Glasgow; Scotland-England 0-0, 1872
The first commercially successful AC electric power plant opens, Buffalo, NY, 1886
A German engineer patents front-wheel drive for automobiles, 1900
American Old West: Second-in-command of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch gang, Kid Curry Logan, is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor, 1902
Pike Place Market is dedicated in Seattle, Washington, 1907
The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park London destroyed by fire, 1936
Baseball's Negro National League disbands, two years after major league baseball integrated, 1948
In Sylacauga, Alabama, United States, the Hodges Meteorite crashes through a roof and hits a woman taking an afternoon nap in the only documented case of a human being hit by a rock from space, 1954
Exxon and Mobil sign a $73.7 billion USD agreement to merge, thus creating Exxon-Mobil, the world's largest company, 1998
Longtime Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings of Salt Lake City, Utah finally loses, leaving him with US$2,520,700, television's biggest game show winnings, 2004
John Sentamu becomes the first black archbishop in the Church of England with his enthronement as the 97th Archbishop of York, 2005
The first human face transplant takes place in France, 2005
Enzo di Fabrizio, physics professor at Magna Graecia University in Catanzaro, Italy, successfully takes the first photograph of DNA, 2012
UNESCO adds Belgian beer to its Cultural Heritage List, 2016
Two Chinese scientists make it to the Guinness Book of World Records by recording the world's longest lasting rainbow - 8 hrs 58 min in Taipei's Yangmingshan mountain range, 2017
