The Aftermath

Well with the Thanksgiving holiday behind me I usually like access the damage I caused to my waistline. I usually travel with a pair of "meat pants." These are pants with liberal give to allow for maximum gluttony. For some strange reason this year I didn't require them. I attended two different dinners (one with my wife's mother and two sisters, the other with my immediate family) neither dinner was a buffet of delights, just simple basic Thanksgiving day grub. I managed to hold myself to one piece of pie (that was not a typo, I said one and I meant one) which needs explaination since I had access to a cherry crumble pie, a homemade apple, a homemade pumpkin, and an assortment of cheese cake. I did however eat 2 giant helping of "the pink stuff", allow me to define "the pink stuff". Take one can of cherry pie filling, add a can of mandarin oranges, one can of sweeten condensed milk, and cool whip. Whip it all together and you have "the pink stuff". I've been downing this treat for well over two decades now, it is my one sure weak spot since I only partake of it once a year. So this year I didn't need meat pants, although I did end up with the "meat sweats". In the end I was still able to still fit into my pants (your definition and my defintion of fit most likely differ) Yea for me!

I had a wonderful time with my son. My former spouse's name did get mentioned a few times, but it was in the context of a joke that if she was looking down on us right now, what would she be saying. We all had a chuckle, and we all gave thanks for having her part of our life, she was a very special woman.

Christmas is coming up and my shopping is almost complete. I've got 2 more gifts to get, and I'm done. I'm quite happy with myself, I could very well be done before December hits. I'm not going to decorate the house this year. My son is still not home with me, and I'm sure the dog doesn't care if a tree is up and the snowmen and moose figurines are displayed. Since I'm not hosting Christmas this year I can get away with it.

I was very surprised about how easily it was for me to make it through this holiday. No meltdowns, no saddness, I did quite well. Christmas and her birthday (within 2 weeks of one another) may pose a challenge. I came across pictures of last year's Christmas, those of my wife and my son opening presents together, that was our first Christmas in our new home...... it was special time. The house isn't going to smell of freshly baked treats this year. Music won't be playing, and the house will be dark without the tree lit.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!