Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I called my family and got to talk to a vast majority of my dad's side. Everyone was home for the holiday and Grandpa's retirement party. Everyone, that is, except me. But I was fine. I decided to try and attempt to make some of Mom's dishes to make myself feel a little more at home. I ended up making cheesy hashbrowns and a pumpkin pie for lunch and cinnamon bread (which, sorry to say Mom, might have topped yours) and strawberry spinach salad for supper.

Rick and Nicole and I had planned on having lunch Thanksgiving day at Rick's place. It wasn't huge, obviously, but we had plenty of food and Rick made this great glazed ham--much better than turkey. My roommate-to-be Kristin called the day before and I found out she had nowhere to go so we invited her as well, even though she's Canadian (Canadian Thanksgiving is in October, but I didn't know the Pilgrims landed there as well...). Anyway, it was nice to make up our own little family for the occasion and we had plenty of food. Turns out there was another earthquake on the Big Island yesterday morning but there was no threat of a tsunami.

After lunch I came home to make my salad and Rick and I went to the Campbell's for supper. He had said Thanksgiving was big for his family, so I invited him to the family gathering. The whole Salt Pond gang was there and it was good to fit in there. Rick hadn't met them before, but he got along well with everyone so I wasn't stuck babysitting. We had deep-fried turkey and so much food that we never got to the pies. We had 5 uneaten pies at the end of the day. What a disgrace. It was great to be in a family-type setting with people that I have come to know as my extended family out here. And it was great to extend the family to yet another member.

I met Peggy yesterday as well--a scarlet macaw. One of the guys brought her out from New Mexico with him and although she's high-maintenance and highly stressed, she's beautiful. Her claws were a little painful and she's a little cranky, but it was great to get to hold her. Amazing creature.

That's all for now--I had to work today, but I was getting paid 2 1/2 times since it was a holiday I was already paid for before I showed up, so I was making upwards of $40 a hour. Not too shabby. Have to go in tomorrow as well, but I get Sunday off (hey, you gotta look at the bright side!). Going to the movies tonight. Happy retirement, Grandpa! Sorry I missed it, but hope you had a great day with your family and friends! Quit working so hard and rest up already!