I'm not looking forward to the holidays either, Joyce. Seems like w/my parent's both gone now, there really isn't a "tradition" anymore. It will just be my DH, DS and me. But, that's OK.... I know I have alot to be thankful for. It's just gonna be extra hard w/o my Mom this yr.

I hope you all have a good one and that you get to spend it w/those you love.

DM - I know it's going to be tough for you. I am thinking of you

When DH was in the Navy, we never came home for Thanksgiving. He saved his leave for Christmas and hunting (with his family).

It was fun to be the hostess for the squadron bachelors and/or anyone else who didn't go home. Sometimes we would have 5 people for Thanksgiving and sometimes we would have 15. We would never know. But we would have a great time. Most times, it would be the bachelors and their idea of cooking was stopping at the grocery store and picking up beer and chips!

That was fine with me. I loved cooking. I had so much fun making the whole meal for everyone. I actually miss it. I would spend the week getting ready for the whole day. Now, every year is different. No tradition, no nothing. I have favorite foods I like, but others don't care for them, so sometimes I just fix them for me.

When he first retired from the Navy, the adjustment was tough. We were like fish out of water. We didn't know where we were going to live and we didn't have an instant family with the new company he went to work for...no comraderie at all. After 14 years of living here, we have friends, but it still isn't the same as when he was in the military. I don't like spending Thanksgiving with his family. They are too regimented...you do it this way, period. It's much more fun going to our friends' cabin and just winging it!

I understand how you feel DM, and Chris. We all have a lot to be thankful for - our health, our friends, and some of you have great family to be thankful for. Cherish what you have. You never know what's around the next corner. Live each moment for what it has to offer.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone....I truly mean that.

Thanks Cheryl~~ I know you understand how I feel. Thanks for sharing your story.

I won't go to DH's family T'giving as they are always nit picking and fighting amongst themselves. It makes me a nervous wreck and half of them aren't even showing up b/c they're fighting. They just don't get it!

Life is too short to act like that...

I don't know how my DH ever came out of that bunch.... He is the total opposite of them....

When is Thanksgiving?? This coming Thursday or next?

I have a lot for which to be thankful, a bunch of great memories of Thanksgivings past, but our tradition no longer exists.

DD's Family has all had the Croop(sp) (coughing and breathing virus). Most of them are recooping from it now and DD's hubby has it...Poor guy ..and his Steelers lost today.

No Plans. Just another day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Well, I'm back with family this year, and it will be nice to have lots of people around. One of my sisters is cooking and she wants everyone to go to the movies together afterwards. We did that as kids and I'd rather stay home and nap.

I'm thankful to have a holiday and people to celebrate. The xbf didn't celebrate or acknowledge any holiday, but I cooked a big turkey for the two of us. No cooking for me.

I'm thinking of all of you especially those who are dealing with a loss this year. Big hugs all around. I'm thankful for this awesome group, you all know how to make life more bearable. Thank You!

We have family out of town but as long as the Mother, my Mom, of the group still lives here in town, I would imagine everone will still try to come 'home'. My youngest grandaughter turned 1 last week so we will have a party for her. My yougest daughters husband leaves in January for his second tour in Iraq so they will go to his folks for Thanksgiving. That will be a first, that I didn't have both my girls home with me. But we all undserstand why.

Our family dinners have completely changed the last couple of years. My Mom is 82, lots of helath problems. My sister is 60, lots of health problesm and I'm 57 with my health problems. So our kids are now doing the cooking! We still do some and Mom comes in the kitchen to 'supervise'. But it's mainly the kids. And we have a great bunch of son in laws or sons that insist on doing the cleaning up. So we buy the disposable containers so everyone can take stuff home and the guys just do all the cleaning. At Christmas time, this clean up time is when all the married women go into a closed bedroom and fill all the stockings. We make a big deal and do an official ceremony when a woman gets married and they get initiated into the 'Secret societry of the stocking stuffers'. All the grandkids coming up now are the guys, so I guess we will intiate their wives in it. The year my youngest got married she didn't want to do it 'cause her hubbie was in Iraq.

Hi everyone!
I will be cooking dinner this year again, it is my favorite holiday. Since I got divorced many years ago, and I don't have family, and my son was little, I made sure to have a good dinner for us. Over the years I still made dinner and who ever was lonely, lost, or didn't have family, or whatever it is etc... they were welcome to come over to our house. The offer still stands. This year it will be my dear friend Anna and my son and myself, and ???? Then afterwards I will be resting. Sounds like a plan to me. Anna is bringing desert. I'll think up some good food that is easy to make. The turkey cooks itself...just about. WaLa, it's done. The only problem I see is the dreaded trip to the dreaded grocery store. But I need things I don't think my son will understand about...so...it's up to me.
So my house will be smelling soooo goooooddddd!!!
Everyone have a good week Geri

Taffy says....Go Hawaii!!!

We're having a small dinner at home with our two sons. I'm roasting a 14 lb Perdue turkey and making all the trimmings. Also making a blueberry pie. I'm winding down with my last class this week, so things had to be low key. Next year, maybe a bigger crowd.

The house is a disaster because all I've been doing in my spare time is studying, but that's coming to an end. I might even get the house cleaned up a bit before Thursday, since I have tomorrow off.

I'm counting my blessings this year, thankful for what I have in this life.
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. You're such a wonderful bunch.