Thanksgiving...

As most of you know, I am not a fan of Thanksgiving. I am also aware that most people think this is a sin. I am not sure why I don't really like Thanksgiving, but I don't. Maybe it is because mass amounts of food disgust me and a holiday centered around mass eating is disturbing. Maybe it is because it gets everyone's expectations about "what Thanksgiving is supposed to look like" and it never turns out like that, so you are always let down. Maybe it is because I don't really like alot of the food (which isn't exactly true - I really only dislike sweet potatoes and gravy). Maybe because I am the product of divorce and Holiday Season typically equals families fighting over who I spent more time with - that time was then spent complaining about either not getting to spend enough time with me the next/last holiday or the family members who didn't come. Can't you just appreciate the time and people who made the effort?!
I am going to change my view this year. Being married and getting another set of family and thinking about starting my own has made me decide to do this. Thanksgiving will no longer be something I dread for weeks. It is now just a 4 day weekend I get to spend seeing family I haven't seen in a long time and have a big meal. Last holiday in Memphis I made pumpkin pie (Matt is a convert and loves it). This year I am trying Oreo balls. They are not exactly festive, but this is just a long holiday with a big meal, right?
This is how I plan to cope with Thanksgiving this year:
1) Matt and I are taking our Wii so we can play with his parents (they really like games) and see if they like it. (We are considering it as a gift for them)
2) Ivory and Matt are taking me on a Harley ride to Ivory's sisters house to ride horses. So I'll be riding hogs and horses this year!
3) I may cook. Matt's mom makes these potato things that he loves that I am going to try to learn. We will see how it turns out.
4) Shop. Matt's Mom works at Macy's and gets a spectacular discount.
5) Play with babies and pregnant Kelly. The nelson's babies are turning 1 and 2 shortly after we are there, and are expecting baby trey nelson in the Spring. I like preggers Kelly :)

Now, you may ask, what am I going to do about the hand holding, sob fest that is Matt's family Thanksgiving who can make the others cry the most circle of giving thanks. That is pretty hard to chalk up to a 4 day family weekend. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. I am going to spend the 6 hour drive writing a speech that will make them cry just remembering it.

Happy Turkey Day!