Turkey Day

Well, today was quite exciting for me. My wife, Bernie, got to experience her first Thanksgiving. Being from Malaysia, where the terms "pilgrim" and "Indian" mean two entirely different things, she was really looking forward to seeing what all the shouting was about.

Of course, Fate had to stick her two cents in and make an appearance to try to ruin it.

My poor darling is sick with a respiratory infection, and the antibiotics are making her nauseous. Last night we cancelled our plans to see the lighting of the Christmas tree at the local mall (which didn't faze me a bit - I wasn't looking forward to standing in the cold watching local celebs mug for the TV camera all evening). All night I tossed and turned worrying that she'd be too sick to enjoy herself, while she slept like a log in a drug-induced coma. She woke up complaining of bad dreams. Ugh. Great start to the day.

The good news is that her tummy wasn't upset and she decided to wait to take the antibiotics until late in the evening to avoid the nausea. She looks good to go for T-giving dinner at 1pm.

Thanksgiving dinner this year is being celebrated without my Grandmother and her husband. Grandma hasn't had a good year and isn't walking or using her right hand well, so she's in a wheelchair and in her weakened condition, we didn't want her to be exposed to all the germs that Bernie and my sister's kids are carrying around and possibly getting sick. Grandma will be getting her Thanksgiving at home later in the afternoon. I really missed her, though.

My contribution to the meal was a new dish, creamed onions. I found out on the internet that this is considered to be a traditional Thanksgiving dish by many people, so I gave it a shot and it turned out wonderful. Tastes like Clam Chowder without the clams. Yum. I also contributed my new dessert, Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Pie. The pie didn't survive the day, so it was well-received in my book. Triumph!

Bernie loaded her plate and cleaned it and had dessert afterward and felt fine all day. During our blessing before the meal, Dad mentioned all the great things that have happened to our family this year, Bernie being one of them. I made sure Bernie knew that the thing I'm most grateful for is her being here with me. Then we spent the remainder of the day visiting our house under construction, dodging the kids, cats, and dogs underfoot, and perusing all the ads to make plans for the next great family tradition - the 5am shopping spree on the day after Thanksgiving. The battle plan has been written and the troops will be mustered early tomorrow. Off to bed with us!