Thankful

This time of year is my favorite!! I know most people enjoy Thanksgiving thru New Years, but it has ALWAYS been the time of year that I look forward to most. This is mostly due to all the family time and traditions we have...

BUT this year will be different....

I will not be home for Thanksgiving - the first time I have not spent Thanksgiving with my family...EVER! I know people aren't with their families for every holiday and that is fine for them, but for me, it is soooo strange. We have Thanksgiving dinner, go see a movie or watch football on TV while we peruse the Black Friday ads, make a plan for Black Friday, start the shopping at midnight (I just joined this tradition last year because I always felt sleep was more important, but I'm sad to miss it this year) and then shop til we drop! On the weekend following Thanksgiving, I start playing Christmas music (NEVER before Thanksgiving - I like one holiday at a time, Thank you very much!) and watch ALL of my Christmas movies while I decorate my tree and my condo - both inside and out!

This year, however, I will not be with my family for Thanksgiving. I do not have decorations or a tree. I will not be spending money on things "on sale" for the sake that they are "on sale" (this could be a plus!).

Now for the good news, I will get to spend Thanksgiving with my best friend in California. Being in Hawaii, I am a 9ish hour plane ride from home. From LA, only 5, so when she thought of the idea of me coming there instead - I wholeheartedly agreed and bought the ticket! We are not having the traditional Thanksgiving food, but will be having a Cajun Thanksgiving with food we are used to eating back home!

If you can't be with the family you were born into, the next best thing is the family you choose to have in your life!