Thanksgiving 2005

I am thankful every day of my life, but today is a perfect day to list the many things I'm thankful for:

1. My most precious, sweet baby... Miss C, and all the love she gives me.
2. My home.
3. My garden.
4. All the people I love.
5. That I have so many good friends.
6. That I have a job.
7. That I work with people I love and consider good friends.
8. That I'm able to meet my bills, and put a tiny bit back into savings.
9. My extra-curricular jobs, for reason number 8.
10. That I have learned the lessons that I have.
11. That I had the best parents in the world. That I know they're still watching over me. That I know they can hear me, I just can't hear them... but that I KNOW what they would say.
12. That I have lost the worst and most that I can lose... knowing that I can lose a tremendous amount again, but with the experience to know I can survive.
13. That I know what I'm looking for in an intimate relationship.
14. My good health.
15. For my little CRV, which will soon be back in good shape.
16. That I am blessed in ways I'm not fully aware.

Ok... I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me sooner, but the reality of the way the reality series has come into reality... I feel like all my favorite LB folks have been cheated out of their true emotions.

Who knew what Lauren and Stephen could mean to each other? Or to anyone else...

I'm sorry, but throw Paris Hilton into the picture (as well as many, many others)... and life is no longer real.

Take out their interests in surfing and cooking and romance... and you have just another group of celebrities without a grounded investment in life.

Color me stupid and naive... I thought the relationship between Lauren and Stephen might mean more than that.

Talan... Engaged?

Excuse me? Talan is engaged to Kimberly Stewart???

Please! I beg you, Talan! Say it isn't so! No slight intended toward Kimberly Stewart... I'm a big fan of her dad's, and I have nothing in particular against her (well, excepting that statement she made about my gal, Jennifer Anniston!!!).

It all just seems way too superficial... and I feel ashamed of my gullability. I believed Talan to be chivalrous and genuine... but the article concludes by stating that he's attempting to start a career in music. Well, doesn't that explain a lot?!

Ozark Mountain Resort: Day Two

Miss C and I hiked short distances today, trying to acclimate ourselves to (1) hiking, (2) steep slopes, (3) leashes and (4) relieving on command.

Number (2) was a challenge... but (4) was particularly problematic. I don't ever remember a time when I've been so consumed by whether she has pooped or not. For two reasons, I just want to know that she has: (1) She'll be more comfortable... and (2) I'll know when I go to bed at night... that she won't get an uncontrollable urge at 2am. Color me selfish for wanting sleep... or color me scared of the sounds of the deep, dark wildness... but I want to know by 9pm, that we are in for the evening.

I drove in to Kimberling City to the grocery store this afternoon. I didn't know which one I was going to, until I pulled in the parking lot.

I passed up "Summer Fresh"... mostly because we are in the heart of the fall. Second, because of a funny little saying that popped in my head... "summer fresh, summer not".

So... I went to "Harter House". Yes, that is "Harter", no "C".

According to what I read on the billboards, as well as the resort propaganda... "Harter House" is known for their meats.

Let me translate that for you... that means that they package it for you when you order it. They don't have ready-made packages sitting in cases. I'll add... the meats were extremely fresh, good and plentiful. The rest of the store's contents... not so much so.

It was good to get out of the cabin, though... alone. I am having to acclimate, too, to constant companionship. I'm not saying that it's not pleasurable... but, I'm not accustomed to someone asking... when I prepare a drink for myself... "are you thirsty?"... or a snack, "are you hungry?"...

All's good. It remains to be seen, however, if this week of vacation seems short... or long.

Ozark Mountain Resort: Day One

Well... we're here.

The day was pleasant but long.

The turning leaves were just beautiful. I'm sorry that I couldn't really take it all in, but the roads (by this point in the journey) were trecherous for a driver who is only accustomed to the flatlands and traffic jams of Houston. I wish we could have taken photos... it WAS breath taking.

The cabin is great, but in the dark... I'm disappointed with the resort. First, the roads within the resort disappear below the hood of the car. They are also not well marked. Second, the slopes are so steep, that I can only envision my 71 year old aunt trapped within the confines of the cabin. It scared the wits out of me, watching her navigate her way in...

There are guardrails, but no handrail. There are steps, but they slope and are unevenly spaced. This is no place for an elder or anyone with who has any sort of mobility difficulty... or for that matter, anyone who is the least bit out of shape!

I called the resort office, though, and they are willing to move us tomorrow, if an accessible unit is available. My aunt and I have agreed to take a look at the situation in the morning's light.

For now... we will make it an early night. We are without supper (except for Miss C, of course!)... and tired!

Ozark Mountain Resort: Our Departure

I've got the CRV cleaned up and loaded and Miss C and I are heading out this afternoon. Our first stop will be Nacogdoches, where we will stay overnight at my aunt's and uncle's house. My aunt will join me on this adventure.

I should tell you that my aunt and uncle have graciously offered their time share to me, either by gift or by will. They have reached a point in their lives, where they no longer wish to travel regularly. They have a red zone timeshare, with unlimited use. Their "home" property is in Kimberling City, Missouri, and that's where we're headed.

Who better to share our week with, than my aunt?! She loves Miss C, and she loves me a little bit, too. We've had a lot of fun planning and I'm excited that the time has finally arrived.

UPDATE: I have made it to Nacogdoches. We only had to stop once for someone to relieve herself. I'm not naming names, but it wasn't me. After a brief walk in Livingston, we were back on the road, and we made it here without incident.