Notes from my Day o' Thanks:

Now I understand the frustration of using someone else's kitchen. It's their domain. Get your own.

Also, don't trust others to get the apples. Yes, the pie turned out fine. In fact, it turned out great, but I really would have felt better about it if I'd had the right apples!

The stuffing that was actually stuffed in the bird is superior to that which didn't fit in the bird and was prepared in a casserole dish.

I didn't get my laundry done, and I didn't get to learn how to knit, but I did manage to talk my grandma into loaning me many of her photo albums for a project I'm realizing only now will take up a great deal of time before Christmas, when I told her I'd get them back to her. I went through all of them tonight, looking at myself and my mom when we were kids, seeing my grandma when she was a stunning 20-something and my oh-so-dashing grandfather. It was really nice to get back in touch with my memories and my family in that way. I'll probably ask my mom for her photo albums next.

And despite my fear that time alone wouldn't do me a bit of good, I think it has. Oh, and I came up with a great strategy for Christmas gifts this year. Can't wait to get started on that project too.

And on Saturday, our power went out for over 8 hours. It was interesting to see what happens to a family so dependent on the tv and the computer for diversion when there's nothing to do. I read. Mom looked through catalogs. Dad paced and cursed the power company. The dog slept and resisted suggestions that she go outside in the rain. Funny.

That's it. That's all. It was so nice to see the family and the dog and the family friends for Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be grateful for, now as always.

A wonderful find: Diary of a Mad Monk.