I knew I needed to add an update when I got an email from a friend (Hi Karen!) telling me she was worried because I had not posted in so long!  Well, I have to say that I was touched by her concern, but no worries-- I'm still here, just been out of pocket for awhile with life and whatnot intervening. 

I was sick for the last week and a half.  It was a rough cold, and I am slooowly getting over it.  I can't stand being sick, it is just not convenient!  While I was sick, I barely got online and definitely did not feel like writing an update of any sort.  So, that was part of my absence.  Then I had Thanksgiving to prepare for.  We hosted Thanksgiving here at home.  My parents were supposed to come, but they did not after all-- that is a long story that I do not need to go into.  We ended up having my friend Lysa and her 3 daughters here.  Her husband and 2 sons went to Biloxi,MS with other people from our church to serve Thanksgiving and help rebuild.  She was happy to come and join us, and we had a great time.  I cooked the entire dinner by myself, which was hard work!  Last night I sat down on the couch and told my husband, "I am not having Thanksgiving here next year!"  He laughed and said, "Do you know you say that every year?"  So, I guess it will be here next year after all!  I have to have time to get amnesia as to how much work it is.  I guess it is like childbirth in that way! Ü

Our menu was: turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, candied carrots, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy and rolls.  For dessert we had apple pie, chocolate pecan pie, and pumpkin crisp.  Curt's dad and stepmom came over to eat dessert with us.  We all talked and then got out the sale papers to plan our day today!  Last year Lysa and I got up and out about 6am, but I could not realistically do that this year with the baby.  So we did not get out until 9am.  I was not dying to take advantage of any particular sales items, more just going for the experience.  Tradition and all... We went to Kohl's and spent most of our time there.  I got some gifts for the girls, a few things for Curt, a large coffee mug for myself, some black shoes for myself, some pajamas for myself, and that is pretty much it.  Lest you think I am selfish-- I never shop for myself!  Even my husband comments on how little I buy for myself. 

One thing Lysa and I like about Kohl's is that they give you a $10 certificate for every $50 you spend.  This is a nice perk that we always take advantage of.  I qualified to get $30 based on my purchases.  But the cool thing was that the lady in line behind me did not live in our town and would not be able to use her bucks, so she gave them to me!!  I was praising God that He saw fit to have me stand in front of her today!!  So, I got an additional $20.  Then Curt and I went back to see if he could get some shoes and a pair of jeans that he wanted and so we ended up with $20 more.  We decided to use that to let Jack get some clothes he needs desperately.  He is very excited to take the money on Sunday to go shopping now. 

I also went to the local Christian bookstore and got the new Family Life Nativity kit called "What God Wants For Christmas."  We will use that for our Bible study between now and Christmas.  After that I went to Party City because I had to buy an angel costume for Rebekah's play she is in at co-op.  I ended up picking up some inexpensive decorations for the Peppermint Tea my friend Cindy and I are throwing.  We did this last year and will do it again this year.  I also hit the Walmart and ended up going back to Kohl's with Curt, like I said.  All in all, it was a fun but tiring day!  The best part was, Curt kept the baby at home, so I did not have to drag her with me. 

Well, that is where I've been.  I am off to make a few things to take to Curt's parents for a second Thanksgiving we are having tomorrow.  I am making a Mandarin Orange Jello Salad, a broccoli casserole, and we are just going to take the Pumpkin Crisp that did not get eaten.  Gotta get to work!