Current Dirt

After 11 years together, 9 in our house, and 5 of marriage Tom and I hosted our first Thanksgiving. My mom tried to make it real easy for me by providing just about everything except the turkey itself. That was up to me. About a half dozen phone calls later (what size, what brand, what goes in it, on it, what about the wings, I can’t find the guts, and a couple of “OMG this is so gross!”) I finally got the bird in the oven. And guess what? It was a success!

My parents brought along the booze, sides and desserts. Tom’s sister brought more desserts (yum) and Tom made amazing mashed potatoes. Our rookie move was forgetting to make the stuffing and somehow the green vegetable was left in Syracuse. Oh well, more room for pies. (The apple one I wish I had more of.)

This was also the first time we used our wedding place settings. Geez, who knew how nice our things were? I might have to break out the good stuff more often.

I think I can handle another family dinner in the future...the very distant future.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday as well. Mom and Dad, I’ll be coming home for Christmas!!

A conversation with my husband after dinner tonight:

Tom: What is this ice cream for?
Me: Thanksgiving.
Tom: Why did you buy it already?
Me: Because I don’t plan on going back to the store.
Tom: But we have a Stewart’s right up the street.
Me: I know, but this is Breyers All Natural Vanilla.
Tom: It’s just a pint, what are we going to do with a little pint?
Me: Tom, are you asking me if you can have some ice cream?
Tom: Um yeah.
Me: Go ahead, eat the ice cream.

I just watched a lost footage episode of John & Kate Plus Eight and it got me thinking about moments that haven’t made it to the blog and I came across some pre-blog photos that never had the chance to make the cut…

We bought our house 9 years ago.

Oscar came home with us on October 8, 2001.

Then Chyna, at the age of 5, in April 2004.

Tom and I got married January 29, 2005.

There were LOTS of cakes.

And my Maid of Honor was a total hunk.

Our nephews and niece were born:

But these three little babies aren’t babies anymore, our dogs have gray whiskers, and our house is no longer blue. Little changes, big changes, all good changes.

Last year, during Oscar season, I watched a ton of movies I wouldn’t of otherwise watched and I am glad I did because I ended up liking most of them. For example, there was only one best picture I really wanted to see (Slumdog Millionaire) but it turned out that I enjoyed all five nominations. I didn’t go into the theater thinking I would like Frost/Nixon, but I did.

So today when we went to see Amelia, a movie I wouldn’t otherwise see, I told myself that I just might like it. Guess what, I didn’t, it sucked. The worst part is you knew how it was going to end. But I really hope it gets nominated because if I sat through that movie due to Oscar Buzz and it doesn’t get nominated for SOMETHING I will be pissed.

So we get yet another call from Tom’s sister. Our nephew tripped at school and caught his eyebrow on the corner of a brick wall, which led to another trip to the plastic surgeon’s office for more stitches, on his face. Speechless. I was completely speechless. However, from what I understand the practice offered him a job, and there may be a new Wii game in his future.

We went to see him last night and I have to tell you, almost two weeks after the horrible dog bite incident, he is healing fabulously. I was pleasantly surprised at how much he had improved. I took photos but the lighting wasn’t great and the pics didn’t do his progress justice.

A few years ago, after one of Tom’s elbow surgeries, I bought him the Frankenteddy Beanie Baby to try and make him feel better. We thought now would be an appropriate time to pass it along to our nephew. The two boys got a kick out of finding the places on the bear that had stitches in the same places they did.

My nephew named him Lizard.

Our nephew is funny and smart and handsome and apparently a little clumsy. But I think he is going to come out of these unfortunate set backs just fine. He’s cool like that.

Our nephew got his stitches this morning at the plastic surgeon’s office. He was in and out in an hour. His mom tells me he was a trooper. I really can’t get over what a strong and brave boy he has been. The adults seem to be suffering more – seem to be – as it’s hard to tell sometimes what little guys are thinking. Watching him play a game of laser tag with his Uncle today made me feel better, and him too I think.