I’m still stuffed from Thanksgiving. My sister did all of the cooking and the food was amazing. The turkey did not cooperate though and had to be put back in the oven 3 times, which delayed dinner for over an hour and a half. No problem there…we drank a glass of wine and discovered some things I didn’t know about my family.

I knew my grandmother was a phenomenal cook and her house was always full of people on Thanksgiving. What I didn’t know was that every year she would call the Coast Guard Station in Cape May and ask if there were two servicemen stationed there, away from family, who would like to come enjoy her home cooked meal and share Thanksgiving dinner with us. After dinner she would give them her phone so they could make a long distance call home to family. I was young so I probably figured they were distant relatives.

I discovered that my sister has always wanted a “Barbie Boat”…seriously!!! That was a shock to me. I asked her what she would wear on this Barbie boat. She said she would wear pink and sit with her legs straight out in front of her with one arm on the steering wheel and one arm up in the air. Ken would of course be behind her on a set of skis and her white fluffy poodle with pink studded collar would be sitting next to her. This revelation was not only funny but a complete surprise. My sister has never been a sun worshiper, Barbie lover nor has she ever expressed an interest in the color pink, so the vision she painted was not only funny but totally unexpected.

I learned that Black Friday is fun but you have to be careful you don’t just buy because it’s on sale. So I bought two pairs of shoes…which, by the way, were not on sale. I'm sure my husband was delighted that our first shopping stop we spent over an hour in the shoe department of Dillard’s. He was having a difficult time getting into the whole Black Friday shopping event. I did some shopping that morning…from my couch…via computer…much easier! My favorite part about Black Friday is the whole hustle bustle of people and Christmas music and decorations and trying to find that special present. So what to do to make this fun for him…The Apple Store!

I learned that the homeless man that is usually on Merritt Island , but has been in Cocoa lately, is a veteran. He talks to himself and when approached with cash in hand he looks at you and does not smile but takes it from your hand…almost like a scared animal would take a piece of food. One day soon I want to sit next to him…and just listen.

The Holidays are in full swing. Hanukkah starts tonight…Christmas is in 24 days…the kids and grandkids are coming in 18 days and I’ll be decorating this weekend. I love this time of year.

I hope you all have a Wonderful Wednesday with thoughts of holiday’s past and present and share them with family and friends…it makes a difference!