viii

I like to cook.  In fact, this year we’re hosting my parents-in-law, my sister-in-law, and the new neighbors for Thanksgiving.  I’ve almost decided on the menu.  I am a control-freak when it comes to Thanksgiving.  I wake up and watch the Macy’s parade in my pajamas.  Depending on when we’re eating, I may take a break to put the turkey in the oven.  Then I shower and get dressed, and get to it in the kitchen.  I will have made the mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, and set the turkey to brine the day before.  Mashed potatoes live in the crockpot.  After I get the turkey in, I prepare the green bean casserole, pie(s?), and get the table ready.  We’ll be using the china given to us when Timon’s grandfather died, which has lived in the boxes in which it came to us a few years ago.  I love the work of Thanksgiving.  Perhaps I will let all the other people clean up, while I put White Christmas in the dvd player.  (Timon always thinks he’ll stop me from doing this, but he is wrong time and time again.)