Thankful

This Thanksgiving I'm making a list of things that I am thankful for as an American in these uncertain economic times.  We may not all have reliable jobs, or be able to pay our over extended mortgages, but here in the great United States of America, we still have many blessings.

1. First, I am thankful for commercials.  Life would be really dull without commercials, in fact, it was very dull without commercials.  When my family lived overseas, we watched AFN (the Armed Forces Network).  Unfortunately foreign governments don't like Americans promoting their own products, so commercials were not broadcasted during program breaks.  Instead, we were encouraged to "Be, All That You Can Be" over and over and over in any form or branch of the military you can think of.  It got very old very fast, and I think that the subliminal messages contained in those ads have done weird things to my brain (that could have been the origin of the seizures I had as a child).  Really, I would think that those foreign governments would rather us buy our own brand of dish detergent than have a young generation of children indoctrinated by military commercials.  Who made that decision?  

So, if you can put aside your fears of debt for the good of our consumerist nation, I would really appreciate it.  Just run up the credit cards enough so that companies can continue to buy advertisement time.  I'd really hate to start having seizures again.

2.  I am thankful for the internet.  It kind of feels like a big summer camp for all those grown up women out there where we get together for only $50 a month and compare kids' pictures and learn from each other and brag about our awesome husbands and awesome lives and etc, etc.

I am saving so much money by blogging.  Just think what I could be spending on therapy.  I love that I can contribute to our family saving money.

3.  I am thankful for nuts.  Specifically the ones in our family tree.  Is it a bad sign that Jared and I both think that we got the most normal person out of each other's family?  Seriously, though, we love all our family, even the nuts.  I'll bet many of you love your nuts, too.

4. I am thankful for freedom of religion.  Where would we be without freedom of religion in this country?  I am thankful for all those Wyckens, Hari Krishnas, Satanists, Polygamists, Fundamentalists and such that have pushed Mormonism into mainstream religion.  I like being mainstream.  I understand it's much better than being burned alive as a witch or being hunted down by angry mobs.  

*Disclaimer-  I intend no disrespect towards any of the aforementioned religions or creeds.  Just wait a few years and something weirder will come along and push you all into mainstream religion.  That's the beauty of Freedom.*

5.  Now this one is for real.  I am grateful for my son.  Even though he has temporarily kept me away from the blogging community for the last little while.  His energy and resourcefulness are astounding.  I have started taking naps when he does just so I can keep up with him when he is awake.  He learns so quickly that it is getting harder to trick him any more.   He doesn't believe that chocolate is nasty.  He is starting to talk, but not to us- to the dogs.  His only words are Bwarf, Woof, and Boarf.  We keep hoping that he will start communicating with us soon.  He has also learned that the little red light on the camera means that the flash is coming, so he has started squinting in preparation. 

We just happened to get lucky with this shot. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Private Schmivate

This in defiance to KSL and their dirty little segment about stupid bloggers who didn't expect to have their pictures stolen off their blog. Really, who is going to remember that kid was hitler boy on the email when he's twenty? And if I start getting nasty comments from someone who amazingly still has access to my blog if I do go private? I totally know it was you (insert your name here). So in complete defiance of all those naysayers who think blogging is just opening yourself up to the world for criticism, here are pictures from the cutest boy in the world's birthday party, which happened recently, but I'm not revealing which day, so you can't steal his identity.

The G-man snuggling with Grampa Claude

My Cake (I baked it and put the brown frosting on, but Abby took over the rest of the decorating).

G-man was not sure how he felt about the cake, especially after it was beheaded.

I opened gifts, while Cristina broke up the brawl in the corner.

G-money and his tummy momma, without whom this day would not be possible.

Thanks, Michaelene!

Siegfried and Roy came to visit on Friday.  It was quite a shock to me; what with Roy all bloodied up from a new tiger attack and all.  I wasn't sure I wanted a tiger in my house, but they assured me that he was only dangerous to Roy (I think the tiger has a thing with soul patches).  

They seemed to be quite happy, even with the bloody mess.  Maybe that's because Siegfried is finally getting his sex change op.  Check out those ta-tas!  

We invited their tiger along with us to the neighborhood trunk or treat.  He did an excellent job guarding our candy from passers by, but I think Little Bo Peep got some.  Under all that fluff she had some mad ninja skills.  I didn't get a pic because we were so surprised.

While we were at the trunk or treat, we also learned the true characters of some of our neighbors.  Kim was there with a bat stuck to her face, her very scary undead husband and young Dracula with his pet skunk.  I really had no idea that Mary has very long thick black hair under that short 'do that she usually wears and her freaky boyfriend with the hockey mask was creeping me out.  I can think of a few boiler rooms that I wouldn't want to meet him in.  It was a good thing she had the Hulk there to protect her and Thomas the Tank Engine in case they needed a quick get away!  How about this for a shocker- our 70+ year old bishop is really a woman!  And she's pregnant!  I know a few of their kids were adopted; but really, seriously?  I would have given up trying years ago.  No kids after 50 for me...

We were so sad that Dave and Mindy couldn't make it.  Apparently little nurse has stepped up the therapy sessions because they're just not making enough progress.  When we stopped by Dave was in a straightjacket getting ready for shock therapy.  And Mindy, I think you're looking a little pale these days- some chocolate might help.  If you don't feel like eating it, just smear some on your face- anything would be an improvement ;o)!  

This all just makes me sad that we can't have halloween every day.  Wouldn't that be the best?  Just one day out of the year we could all be normal instead.  I could handle being normal for one day ;o)!