thirty

I've made remarkable progress since this photo was taken. Thanks to all of you who've emailed and/or called to wish me a happy birthday today, as well as sticking with me through the last 30 days. I'm off to have some cake and pudding!

1 until 30

Masterpiece Puppet Theatre presents:
"What's For Dinner? You Are!!"

2 until 30

Here are some more Thanksgiving photos - more video tomorrow!

the feast - turkey, 2 kinds of stuffing, green bean casserole,
rutabagas, mashed potatoes, creamed onions, cranberry relish,
homemade rolls, apple/cranberry pie, mincemeat pie

after a cold, cold walk to the train tracks

the puppets - Henry named them (l-r) Pepperoni Patty,
Chuck, Grandma, and Turkey

the train was loud

henry with uncle/dr. phil and auntie katherine

3 until 30

We just had a blast bowling and eating yummy dinner with our friends and some youth. I've hung our stockings by the tv with care and put the bells on the door. I'm about to sit down and learn some more crochet, thanks to an instruction book and some spare hooks from my sister. But first, this:

crazy post-bath hair

catching flakes

4 until 30

We've arrived safely back to our home, and other than my head cold, we're sound as well. I found a mailbox full of birthday cards, which means my plan to daily remind people of my big day via this blog worked like a charm (I didn't really have that plan.). Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law we have photos and video to share - but I'll dole it out slowly, so as not to shock your systems. Enjoy this short clip of Thanksgiving morning - my dreams of snow came true.

5 until 30

I am officially in Christmas mode! Kat and I decorated her house today, and I'll be doing ours when we get home tomorrow afternoon. We're flying back to 80 degree Florida heat from 30 degree Indiana loveliness and I will sure miss this seasonal weather. It's been a wonderful visit and Henry has had a blast. We had plates full of leftovers for dinner tonight (Christmas plates, of course) and it was just like Thanksgiving but without all the work! We just watched Elf and had some great laughs, and right now Timon is telling Kat & Phil all my terrifying snake encounters. Yuck. That's not Christmasy at all. What snake encounters, you ask? Well, look here tomorrow for the true horrible details.

6 until 30

This has been a most wonderful Thanksgiving. We woke fairly early but enjoyed hot cinnamon rolls (the boys had some scrapple - ew.) and then watched the parade on tv. Our feast was giant; we ate around 3 and I may not ever have had as much butter on one single day as I have today. We had some snow flurries which Henry enjoyed earlier in the day. After a post-feast rest period, we walked a couple of streets down to the train tracks and put some pennies on the rails. Henry then conveniently had to go potty. We found him a spot - I don't think his parts have ever been exposed to air that temperature before! The train came by and we found one of our pennies, perfectly flattened and very shiny. Now I think I'll head to bed - what a great day. Watch for a new blog look tomorrow... it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

7 until 30

So yeah, it's Wednesday. We're still having a great time at Kat & Phil's. Before 11 am today I made an apple/cranberry pie, stuffing, and cranberry relish. It could snow tomorrow!

8 until 30

Phew, I made it. Wasn't sure I'd get to post, what with this primitive dial-up... ah well. We're here at my sister and brother-in-law's and already having a grand old time. The rental car is the newest car I've ever driven, only 3700 miles on it. It's an okay car, but the best part is the satellite radio. I'm completely sold on that, but who knows when we'll get around to subscribing. Not as long as NPR's still around, I'm sure. Up early to start cooking, then back to the airport to return the car and pick up Timon (my sister will meet us there). All right, hopefully it will still be today when this posts.

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A word that I really think is funny; although, admittedly, it may not actually be a real word: razz-ma-tazz

A show I really love, even though it's rather silly: Dancing With The Stars

Something I'm particularly gosited about: traveling to my sister and brother-in-law's house tomorrow for Thanksgiving.

What I'm especially proud of tonight: fitting bulky winter clothes for 2 people for 4 days, toiletries, outerwear, Lost seasons 1 & 2, in-flight entertainment for a 3 year old, etc. into one backpack, one small rolling suitcase, and one small tote bag/purse. Also I made homemade pizza for dinner.

10 until 30

Some funny things Henry says:

"gremote" = remote

"gosited" = excited

and my new favorite:
"Grown-up a teet, now we nee eat!" = Bon Appetite, now we may eat

Only 2 more days until we head north! I might even get a photo posted since Kat has a functioning camera. However, she also has dial-up, so it'll be touch and go. I can't even tell you how gosited I am for Thanksgiving. Grown-up a teet, everybody!

11 until 30

Phew! I almost didn't get to post today! Here's why: I spent this morning re-doing the Sunday bulletin, for "People expect the Thanksgiving covers, Maresi." (But, don't they also expect that we won't waste their offering money by throwing away 150 perfectly good pieces of paper?) Then I practiced the music for tomorrow's youth Sunday School, and then went to a friend's yard sale - got some Christmas gifts there! Not junk at all, but... oops, I almost said too much. I don't want to give the surprises away. It's good, though. Then we had lunch, and while Henry napped, Timon and I watched the first 2 hours of Munich. After Henry woke up, we goofed around for a little bit, then Timon took him to the playground while I worked on a v. important Christmas gift project. Again, not going to give anything away here! I realized that I could actually finish it tonight if I had one more item from the craft store, so I grabbed my coupon and headed over there. I came home, we had dinner, and then during Henry's bath our power went out. But v. strangely, only certain things were affected - for instance, our tv, dvd, and playstation worked, but not the computer which is plugged in 6 feet away from the other stuff. The kitchen light and stove would not go on, but the fridge worked. After some investigation at the breaker box we tripped all the breakers and reset everything, and it all came back on. We got Henry to bed and were about 10 minutes into the third hour of Munich (I wanted to wait until we finished the movie to post here about it. It was pretty good, but the end was weird.) and the power went off again! This time when we reset the breakers nothing came back on. Then we called the power company and they came out to fix a connection on the pole in the alley behind the house.

So, to sum up why I almost didn't post today:
1. I was busy with other things all day long;
2. We didn't have power until just now.

My life is just so entirely fascinating. I don't know how you people can stand it. (gag)

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So, I remembered what it was yesterday that I wanted to write about - I was going to rant and rave about Southwest Airlines new boarding policy for families with young children. We fly virtually exclusively Southwest for our many travels. They recently changed their policy that allowed kids under 4 and their parents to pre-board before the A group to require that families wait until all of the A group goes on board to get on the plane. I don't see the point of the change, other than to probably begin a transition to having no special policy for family boarding at all. It just means I'll have to get my act together and get my boarding passes online the second they are available, so I can still be in the A group and get on early. I'm really weird about making sure I get on the plane early so I can sit in the front. Don't ask.

So, I was going to complain about that. But then I read this article, and remembered that I need to just shut-the-heck-up about my unbelievably easy and wonderful life. God help the women of Saudi Arabia.

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So... what's up with everyone today? Can you tell it's a struggle to come up with something to write EVERY DAY?

I actually did have something to write about today but I've forgotten it already. So I'll leave you with the announcement that Henry made this morning: "Mommy! Last night I was sleeping with my eyes closed!"

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Phew, only 2 weeks left. If I'd been born on time, I'd be 30 already. Bowling and Italian food scheduled for the 25th - come on and join us!

My friend Stan worked on a movie this summer with some folks from the university he works for. He traveled all over the south to important sites on the Civil Rights Freedom Trail, and the movie is almost finished. He's really excited and proud of it - here is the initial trailer:

And here's another awesome trailer, coming soon to a theatre near you:

15 until 30

Hey! It's today! How about that?!?

Henry's sleeping (thank heavens); we've played school, had recess, ate lunch... his fever's finally down to normal after the tylenol kicks in - until this morning, even one hour after taking the meds, his temp was over 101. Now it's around 99. He's feeling much better but still doesn't have much appetite. I'm sure he'll be back to school tomorrow. I have gotten some good work done this morning while he did some pages in his workbooks and while he ate lunch, and now while he's sleeping I'm taking 5 minutes to get this post in. I'll finish up tomorrow's Bible study, then get some pumpkin bread in the oven and lentil soup on the stove. Aren't I just the super-mom. (cringe...gross.)

And here's one final thought to contemplate in regards to this and "yesterday's" post:

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I bet you're all wondering why you are just seeing this post now, on November 13, instead of the 12th like it says above on the posting date... it's because during Henry's illness we have experienced a time warp - and I'm writing to you from the distant future. It also might be attributable to the magic of the internet, allowing me to change the date at will. At any rate, I've made it appear that I've fulfilled my daily posting duties.

Oh yeah, and Henry has an ear infection (antibiotics), wheezing cough (nebulizer/albuterol and phenergan w/codeine) and fever (tylenol/ibuprofen). At least the drug companies and pharmacies have their piece of us.

See you "tomorrow".

17 until 30

Let the wheezing/breathing treatments/snot nose/fever/coughing/drippy eyes/low appetite begin! Henry's first sick of Slightly Less Hot '07 (known elsewhere in the country as "Fall") has arrived and he's still going strong. He's currently yawning big as he wails on hit makeshift keytar to "When The Saints Go Marching In". He just told me, "Watch this rock-and-roll, Mommy!" It's a day at home for him tomorrow, I think. We can play school again, and then we can play "watch Mommy try to get her work done while I look at books." That's a fun game!

(check out the new thanksgiving survey to the right)

18 until 30 **updated**

The brined chicken is in the oven, the potatoes are mashed and ready, the green beans are nearly ready to roast... I thought I'd get a quick post in during the brief lull between dinner prep /housecleaning to fulfill my 30 to 30 post commitment, as well as my apparent participation in NaBloPoMo. I'll be back later to report on the chicken. Time to baste!

UPDATE:
The chicken was excellent- not the slightest bit dry and once you baste it with butter it had a great golden color. I used Pioneer Woman's turkey technique of brining and roasting with the chicken and it translated beautifully. Her mashed potatoes were fabulous as well - if you've never checked out her food blog, do it today! I've made many of her recipes and they are, without exception, delicious. The dinner company was great - our friends D and G and their little boy, Greg (he's three months younger than Henry) enjoyed learning Mexican Train Dominoes and G won 2 out of 3 games, even as a rookie! My sister, cousins and I are having another weekend get-together in January, and I'll be returning the Domino set to its rightful owner at that time. We'll be sad to see them go. Timon wants me to clarify that HE won the final game tonight. And so it is, Amen.

P.S. Henry just came out of his room after putting on his pajama shirt telling us "I a type of a scarecrow." His verbosity is always amazing and entertaining. And random.

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Some highlights from today:

*I had great french toast today. I fixed it for breakfast and it never fails to delight me. It was made even better because my fantastic husband whipped out a nice new griddle pan that he bought at a yard sale for $2. It was the missing link between okay french toast and excellent french toast. He bought it for my birthday but couldn't wait to give it to me. That makes 3 things he has bought for my birthday that I've received already. If you know my husband at all, you know that this is exceptionally strange and seriously out of character for him. I'm not questioning anything.

*Henry and I played school today. He made sure to tell Timon that "I was gonna be the student, and my Mommy was the teacher." He and Friend and Curious George formed a class at the table and we did some pages from three workbooks, made 2 crafts, played that really fun game called "sort the bills into piles for filing", had recess, and then lunch. He was so funny. I think we'll make it a regular Friday event.

*I'm brining a chicken right now! We're having friends over for dinner tomorrow, and I thought I'd give it a shot. I put lots of salt, lemon pepper seasoning, parsley and bay leaves in water and boiled it, cooled it down, and put a roaster chicken in. It's in the fridge until 2 tomorrow when it'll go in the oven. I'll let you know how it goes.

*Tonight was our first outdoor movie night of the season at church. We showed Evan Almighty, which is really funny and cute for families. Henry had a blast until he got kicked in the face (by accident by one of the youth) and then he claimed his popcorn made him sick (it got stuck in his throat and he coughed a couple of times). Poor kid.

*My parents are gonna love this one: Henry just now came out of his room to tell us he couldn't sleep. I told him "You can't sleep if you're not in your bed." I am turning into my mom! (Not that that's a bad thing.)