DaILy MaNtra: “Mom, the turkey is dead…why did you name it?”

{mikaya.quinn.burse}

Yeah…I name the turkey. It has the same name every year…Tom. I picked “Tom” up from Hannaford yesturday at approximately 11:26am after painting in the new house since 5:34am. Needless to say I was not in the mood for a crowd as I still had my painting clothes on, and I realized as I was entering the store that I was about to brake my solemn vow to NEVER, ever wear my sweat pants to the grocery store. With drips of Glidden {paint} dried in my hair, I grabbed a cart, and started my shopping. Since I looked gross, I of course, ran into every person known to live in Rumford/Mexico, Maine.

“Amanda, honey, how are you doing? How are the kids? You are looking like you are up to something.”

I know that “up to something” means I look awful, and I say a brisk “good cheer”.

Next stop…meat department- the store manager is there helping to hand out the birds.

“Nice to see you Mrs. Burse…Tom is back here for ya. How are the girls? Wow…are you doing some home renovations…some painting perhaps?”

Yes, the store manager knows I name my turkey. It’s a small town.

Deciding I must look wretched, I keep my head down the rest of the way through the store. This whole excursion lasts approximately 45 minutes because I couldn’t bribe anyone to let me cut {I didn’t have make up on..that is why} in line at the check out, and costs me $141.26.

Despite the high cost of Thanksgiving, Mike, the girls, and I have so much to be beside ourselves blissful about. The home renovations are moving along, Mikki is loving Kindergarten, school is going great for Michael, I get to live my dream of being a photographer each and every day,  and Katie is, well Katie, and we are thankful for her just the crazy way she is.

Less blab, more pics, right? Here they are.

{Above: Katie watches the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; then I try to get a photo of the 2 girls. This is, as usual, the way it goes.}

{Above: Katie helps with a side dish…eats most of them before I can realize that they are half gone}

{Above: Fresh, organic sage; Michael tying the Tom, and the 4 hour bake begins…”Is it done yet, Mom?”}

{Above: Rest in peace Tom}

{Above: Mikki helping with the mashed potatoes}

{Above: Katie enjoying desert…because she didn’t eat any dinner, of course}

{good to the last bite…I wish the girls were old enough to do dishes}

Daily Mantra: “Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.”

{unknown}

Mandy’s Thankful List:

1. Hand written letters from Grammy.

2. Calls from my mom in the morning.

3. The Noggin Chanel.

4. Owning my own home after years of never thinking it would never happen.

5. The Book: “A Three Dog Life”.

6. Almost being done with a 4 year college degree (10 years later)

7. The feeling of wet, green grass beneath my feet in the summer.

8. The way my husband can always make me laugh, even in the middle of a huge fight.

9. Katie’s toes.

10. My Blackberry.

11. Waking up to a fresh pot of coffee.

12. A full tank of gas.

13. Mikki’s gentle nature.

14. The human spirit.

15. The color purple.

Daily Mantra: “Laughter is a smile that bursts.” {mary.h.waldrip}

I heard her laugh as I was standing at the sink washing the 3rd load of dishes for the day. I heard her laugh but knew she wasn’t there. I peeked into the living room only to find that Mikayla had somehow, overnight adopted my mother’s distinctive chortle. I don’t interupt her…the laugh is like holding a warm cup of tea in my hands. See mom, even though you are a few hours away, we get to hear you all the time. {kiss}

Daily Mantra:

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace…

{jimi.hendrix}

Daily Mantra:

“The past is not a package one can lay away.”

{emily.dickenson}

I was tagged by my fellow photographer friend/tallent/extraodinare, Jess, to find the 4th photo in my 4th file of the blog.

I think I might have more wrinkles since then.