My Blog List

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Brining the Bird and Other Disgusting Measures

In a few moments I have to walk into my kitchen and stick my hands down the turkey's underpants and pull out stuff that no one in their right mind would actually use to make gravy, let alone eat.
My brine is cooling, Sam is coughing his head off in his "office" playing video games (it has begun...video games), and Matt fled for work (a short day, thank goodness). His parents have been with us for two weeks, with one more week to go! There is plenty of body heat in our house.

We took them to the Jazz Kitchen, which is one of my favorite places, and scored some bonus points for doing so. They're in Chicago today, so I'm going to whip this place into a Christmas wonderland since they leave next week, and will miss the transformation.

Thanksgiving tomorrow with Matt's folks, my mom, sister and niece. Big Brooks bonfire on Friday with the entire clan. Matt's parents want to join the bonfire, but I neglected to tell them that they might have to pee in the woods. This should be interesting.

Until then, happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

School Pictures

I got behind a Chevy Malibu on Tuesday and it almost ruined my day.

Kidding.

Sam had school pictures taken on Thursday. We arrived to school early (we're almost always the first ones there because we drive 15-20 minutes to school, so it's difficult to time).

The director said we could "go right in" for the photo session since we were early, and she handed Sam his "paperwork," which she even called "paperwork." I waited. Sam sat in a row created just for picture day, little orange and blue chairs the height of small trash cans. I combed his hair and waited outside. I peeked a couple of times while he waited. He had this huge piece of paper gripped in one fist, and with the other small fingers he waved to me. He grinned. He was knocking his legs together and occasionally swinging them. He kept giving me big grins like he was very patient but couldn't believe how long he was waiting in line since he was the only kid there.

Or perhaps that's what I was thinking.

When his name was called, I vanished. I didn't want him performing for me, looking my way, or making goofy faces. I hid in the bathroom.

When he finished I walked him to his room. I asked how it went. He said, "It was fun, Mom. I was just getting my picture taken."

I cried the minute I got to the car.