Thanksmas anyone?

I love how so many of you shared what you were thankful for in the days (and sometimes month) leading up to Thanksgiving. I always love reading what other people find important to them, because, isn't that what we're always most thankful for?

I lay wide awake in bed last night (another day of awful drivers who should not be allowed on the road. Or at least within 100 miles of me) still wired from the 10 hour drive home (which should have only taken 7. See first note about bad drivers.). As I tried to quiet my mind so I could go to sleep, I realized that I am truly thankful for the things in my life, kooky/quirky/maddening as they may be.

I'm thankful that Mr. Potts is such a rock for me. I'm also thankful that he understands my issues with bad drivers & the tendency I have to let them know they're bad drivers by giving them thumbs down. And sometimes telling them to have a super freaking fabulous day - but only where they can't see it flying.

I'm thankful for the ball of fur we call Pepe Cat. The one who howls the whole way home from my mom's & acts as our own personal siren. You know, in case people didn't see us coming, they can hear us. Yes, he is that loud. He meowed at a person in another car last night & the guy turned to look at what made that sound.

Pepe Cat was indeed on my lap, because in the carrier he hyperventilates and gets so worked up. Better on my lap (Mr. Potts was driving) where I could at least cuddle him some and keep him calm.

I'm thankful for Hayden, our yellow lab who loves to lick. She licks anything. My car interior included. I'm thankful that she doesn't have an odd tick that involves peeing a lot. Tons to be thankful for there!

I'm thankful for my mother. My mother who will send me home with a jug of plant food so that I hopefully won't kill my plant.

I'm thankful for my niece & nephew who always make me smile & definitely make me laugh. These little kids who deserve so much.

I'm thankful for Mr. Potts' niece & nephew. They make mine look like angels. I can't tell you how often this weekend I was in tears from laughing so hard watching them dig for extra "treats". And then in turn thoroughly disgusted.

I'm thankful for my Meme. And yes, she's my Meme now. She's the only grandmother I have & she's adopted me.

I'm thankful for Mr. Potts' father & step-mom. They love good food & good wine. They're also incredibly understanding of the way we are pulled whenever we go home to see everyone.

I'm thankful for Mr. Potts' mom & step-dad. Because while my mom can drive me crazy sometimes, when I leave his mom's house, I know how lucky I am. She worries & fusses over everything. No one can do anything without her having to know about it. There is no conversation she doesn't dominate.

Don't we all have quirky families? Don't we all add to the quirkiness that brings everyone together and usually causes so many laughs?

Even though it is fun to see Mr. Potts' family, the drive is unbearable. After yesterday's 10 hour debacle, I've had enough. I suggested to Mr. Potts that we see how Thanksmas would work.

We'll pick a long weekend the first part of December & go up there every year. Doing that may alleviate the cost & allow us to fly. We'll miss the holiday traffic & my nerves will be calm.

Do any of you do this - pick a weekend that may not necessarily fall over a holiday so that you can avoid the traffic & the frayed nerves?

A time for mourning

Today, while most people were talking about Michael, Farrah & Ed, I was mourning my great Aunt Cill. My Aunt Cill was my grandmother's sister - they were thick as thieves. Lucille was born in 1923 to a family with a penchant for picking unusual names. Perhaps in those times they weren't all that unusual. My grandmother was named Gertrude, there was Lucille, my other aunt Ruth and my uncle Horace.

Aunt Cill was married to my favorite uncle for 42 years. He passed away years ago when I was little. She and my uncle Henry and my grandparents used to hang out together. My grandparents passed away a few years ago and Aunt Cill was my link to them. Over the last few years we've seen her suffer from age related dementia - some may have even called it Alzheimers.

Her funeral was today and Mr. Potts and myself took my mother. It was a beautiful service and she was laid to rest beside her husband in the shade of a great oak tree. There was a breeze blowing in the 90+ degrees and the bells were ringing for her. I know she was looking down on us and gracing us once again with her love.

I love you Aunt Cill. Give my grandmother and grandfather a huge hug and kiss for me when you see them.