{thanks} giving

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}