Saturday, November 25, 2006

The Holiday Season is officially here! I LOVE the holidays. The colors, the decorations, the shopping!

Our Thanksgiving holiday was small this year, just Allen, Annie, my mom and I. It was actually kind of nice. We did go through all the traditional dishes. Our table presentation included the turkey, of course, along with cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmellows, green beans, homemade rolls, stuffing, pumpkin cheesecake and apple pie. Annie and Mom made a pumpkin pie and an apple pie for the Koski family, friends from church. She recently discovered a lump that turned out to be breast cancer. Unfortunately, the location of the cancer required a mastectomy. We delivered the pies on Thanksgiving afternoon to a full house of her family, so I'm glad that we were able to pitch in!

The morning of Black Friday was an early one for Allen, my mom and I. Up at 5:00 am, our shopping excusion began at 6:00 That's the earliest I have ever begun the day after Thanksgiving shopping and I started to burn out at about noon. I didn't buy much but was very proud of the bargains I found! For those surprised to hear that Allen joined our early morning, here's the explanation: he went to Best Buy and Costco to pick up some of his Christmas presents to ensure he got exactly what he wanted. His early timing rewarded him; he got all he went out after. It will show up wrapped, either under the tree or in his stocking, about a month from now. ;)

I also had a revelation this weekend that I knew would come at some point. As one of 3 girls, we have begun to compete for Mom's time and attention when all home together. Kim Goldman told me years ago that it would "bug my soul" (in her words) when my sisters were around if I only had a short time to spend with my mom. Though this weekend it was only Annie and I, I found myself not wanting her to come along on errands when Mom and I were headed out the door. Katie will not be here for Christmas this year, but will be with her in-laws. Imagine how bad it will be when all 3 of us are home again! Don't get me wrong, though -- I do love my sisters. We did miss seeing Katie but are so excited that she's coming to my house to visit the first weekend in December and we will all be reunited!

All in all, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to the remainder of the 2006 holiday season!

2 comments:

Welcome! said...

I am so impressed with you all getting up and joining the crowds at 6:00am on Black Friday! I chose sleep this year. Acutally we didn't really do any shopping at all. Kind of surprising for me...but when I realized I have a neice and nephew at home that I would much rather play with, the decision isn't really a hard one to make. Go shopping or just play with the kiddos??? I am pleased with my choice!
See you when we all get back into town! Let the holiday season begin!

Rick and Leslie said...

Sarah, I know what you mean about sharing time with your mom. Just wait until children come along. It was quite a while before I was able to go to my mom and dad's alone and not have to share them with anyone. It was quite nice and worth the wait. =-)It was also loads of fun, while the children were growing up, to watch them interacting with my parents, too. =-)
Each stage of life has its blessings. =-)
I am impressed that Allen got out that early,too. =-)
Can't wait for the holidays!!!
Love,
Leslie <><