Today I went to the store for the "last time" before Thanksgiving. Got everything that I needed....until I got home and realized I forgot at least 2 things. Unfortunately they are not something I can just "borrow" from the neighbors. Guess I'll have to make another "last" trip.

Do all of you have your turkeys out to thaw??? Don't forget or there will be a sorry platter on the table come Thursday.

For Thanksgiving we are going to be at home by ourselves. That is nice. Less pressure that way. I'll make 2 turkey breasts (we don't like dark meat), mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole made the "southern" way, Mom's famous rice dressing (with lots of giblets), cornbread dressing (trying a new recipe), peas, cranberry gelatin salad; Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake for dessert (Paula Dean's Southern special) and some type of chocolate pie. The children will eat the turkey, potatoes and gravy, the peas and the chocolate. Why do I make the rest??? Traditions are hard to break. I really like traditions. Seems like Mom is starting to forget some of them. That makes me sad.

Is anyone else besides us getting their Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving? Our children count on that tradition, too. They do all the decorating now. The whole house and the whole tree. I sit back and drink cider and smile. We put Christmas music on. The best part is this year I don't have any Fall decorations to take down - because I never put any up! Hee hee!

We still have over half the leaves on the trees here. It's been so warm they have not decided to give up yet. Won't green and red look out of place in the foreground of the Fall leaves? Silly!

I am thankful for family, and hugs (long ones with full arms around my shoulders), Christian contemporary radio, wonderfully forgiving friends, and my 5 hours of peace in the middle of my school days. Oh, and Thai food. And the 2 Fridays each month when I get to turn the pager off for 3 days.

My childen told me last night they are very thankful I am not dead. We have watched the movie "Christmas Shoes" twice in the last 2 days. It's a very touching movie - made me sob each time (and I don't do that easily). I would recommend seeing it this season. It is the story made around the song by the same name. OK, it may be a class B, but still worth renting.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Molly, I'm praying for twins! It's a wonderful experience, not to be missed!

Cheryl, the mom of the Lyons' Den