Thank-you, thank-you very much

Elvis atop a tree

I finally get some time to sit and reflect this morning. I am not rushing off somewhere.

I had an unusually raucous day with my family Thursday. On the big feast day usually we sit around stuffing ourselves and lay around afterward talking. Somebody brought the game "Catch Phrase".

We played in teams. When a team won, they remained seated and took on the next set of challengers. We roared. My head about blew off my shoulders from laughing so hard. I finally lost and was able to get some aspirin in me. The folks around us had just as much fun watching us as we did playing. The word that stumped me pretty good was permafrost.

I fixed a turkey and ham on Friday for the crew at my house. My sister and nephew went to one of the stores on Friday morning. I don't think anyone in my family indulges in that mad rush of shoppers on Black Friday. I prefer to celebrate the "Buy Nothing Day." They said it was exciting and fun but would probably not do it again. By the sound of it, I am thinking that people who want the sales also like the "party" atmosphere of the event. Don't knock it until you try it, right?

It has been rather busy at the Peruby household and I am off and running today. My sister is moving into a new house and a bunch of us are meeting there to help clean. I will take the camera today. I carried it to the big feast day, but didn't even get it out of the bag. I was trying to hog one of the two little ones all day.

It was also kind of sad because the younger generation are struggling. Two couples did not participate in the name exchange this year because of financial problems. One had their car engine blow up and it was costly to get repaired. They are also having pet problems that are costing a lot in medical bills. They seemed a little down in the dumps. I had my hard times in my mid to late twenties while living away from the family in another state. The ones that are having it rough right now, graduated from college a couple of years ago and are trying to start a life with their husband/wife, keeping up with expenses of a home, paying off college loans, and trying to make it in this cut-throat job market today.

Living in America should not be this hard.

This year I am thankful for a wonderful family. I am so very blessed. Thank-you, thank-you very much.