What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Luke]

Sucks Luke that sounds miserable. No tv or football on thanksgiving leaves me saying thanks but no thanks.

Eh, it will stink but if it makes my wife happy then I will be happy.

It's weird though as at all these family meet-ups, it seems as if everyone is ready to bolt as soon as they walk in the door. No one has fun. It's bizarre to me as all of my celebrations with my family have been nothing but a barrel of laughs. Classical music on the stereo, or the football game on, a Thanksgiving Day toast, a hot meal followed by more football or a movie, and then "Do your own thing".

But there it is...it's not fun at her in-laws. It's a roomful of people who seem like they are fulfilling an obligation, not celebrating a holiday.

[Luke]

Sounds like you're going in thinking it will be terrible - that isn't like you, Luke. Chin up and hope for the best. You have a charming personality and are a natural leader - no reason you can't at least try and coax some fun into the group.

Also - my mother often invites random strangers or new members from her church to family events. This time above all others is to count our personal blessings and try to bestow them onto others.

Thanks for the kind words. No worries, I won't be a stick in the mud or a Debbie downer during the holiday. But this isn't my first trip to this particular rodeo and I know how it will play out. I'm complaining, but I'm not. I have no issues with being chauffeured to Raleigh and back as well as not having to pick up any checks.

I only have one issue with the stranger... my in-laws don't do any screening and last time the stranger was a creepy shifty-eyed dude who left the church after a few visits.
My parents help manage a Christian help center and are very active in church, but they have a "Not in my house" policy. Good on your Mother though.

[the King]

And another thing! Unfortunately not understanding portions runs in her family as I had to pick up two more bags of cranberries. I bet you anything they'll have one twelve pack of Yuengling for twelve people, and one bottle of wine, again, for twelve people. I'm also certain that someone will say "Oh! Heavens to Betsy, look at all that food!" giving me the chance to say "Yeah, everyone grab a teaspoon of everything!".

That's why you bring a six pack of something good and another bottle of wine. Knowing my father-in-law he'll have the fridge full and along with us, my brother-in-law and his wife will bring beer and a bottle of wine as well and end up leaving it because we have too much.

This is another good reason to volunteer to host these events. Although I will say I lucked out in the in-law lottery.

[REPO Man]

Another cold day today. Hope it gets better by Wednesday, since I work that day.

Not sure if I mentioned this, but I managed to pick up another shift for next Friday from 1:30 to midnight at EPCOT.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I find it disturbing you people have such a large focus on football during the holidays.

[AppleQueso]

Psh, it's not like Thanksgiving is a sacred holiday or something. Only been around since the 1860s.

[dsheinem]

I find it disturbing you people have such a large focus on football during the holidays.

I find it disturbing when people don't.

[mjmjr25]

I'll be working 830a-5p tomorrow.

[Ack]

I find it disturbing you people have such a large focus on football during the holidays.

I find it disturbing when people don't.

Well for me, the focus is on college ball down here, and so that means the big game is on Saturday. The Iron Bowl. The No. 1 in the Western Division of the SEC is going up against the No. 2.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Psh, it's not like Thanksgiving is a sacred holiday or something. Only been around since the 1860s.

It doesn't matter, it is still a holiday based on family and coming together. Hell, if football is more important than that you need to fix some problems in your family.