Today was the 2nd in a series of three Thanksgiving feasts I have scheduled for this week. Yesterday I visited my son’s school, and sat with my little one as he ate the packed lunch I sent from home (from 10:34-11:04), and then my older son as he ate the school’s Thanksgiving dinner of chicken nuggets and pumpkin pie (from 11:34-12:04)…turkey was available.

Today, I worked and watched as the two year olds were presented with their plates and a medley of unfamiliar foods brought in by their friends. Some ate only the ham, some only the Goldfish crackers, and some loved the jelly sandwiches–we couldn’t do peanut butter because one little boy is allergic. One kid actually asked what the little orange sticks were–evidently she’s never seen carrots before. Everyone, however, loved the sugar cookies one mom brought in, frosted in green with a bright red and white peppermint decoration. They all had rosy pink fingers, mouths and noses after that–little Rudolphs a month and a half before Christmas! And then half of them (likely hopped up on the frosting) didn’t want to nap, so it was like a big slumber party of two year olds. A couple were even talking about their painted toenails! Ugh! I’m exhausted today and fighting a headache.

Tomorrow is meal number three. My kindergartener’s class is making pilgrim and Indian hats to wear to their Thanksgiving feast. My son is in charge of the ranch dressing to be used for carrot dipping. Hard to believe that first Thanksgiving could have been without the ranch. My son has already informed me he won’t be eating the turkey. I think he’s looking forward to the popcorn and pumpkin pie.

After this week, the big meal–the real deal next week should actually be relaxing. At least I hope so…

I’ve noticed a marked decrease in my posts about books. I’ve also noted a marked decrease in my reading time, and my sleuthing skills hint that these two situations might possibly be related. I’ve now reached the point in Mansfield Park where I believe I stopped last time. This time I’m going for it. I’m definitely enjoying it, it’s just difficult to squeeze in a few minutes of reading time here and there when the paragraphs span an entire page and the sentences are such that I lose track in the middle unless I approach them with studied concentration.

I already have big plans for my post-Mansfield Park reading. Next up on my list is Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman. First of all, I can’t believe I missed this book the first time around–it was published in hardback in Feb. 2006, and I’m not sure how I came upon it this time around. The story of a couple of teens, avid Jane Austen fans, in love with the same boy, it promises to be exactly my cup of tea. Plus, it got a stellar endorsement from Stephenie Meyer and a starred review from Booklist.

I’d originally requested it from the library, and then waited, rather impatiently, for the previous patron to return it over a week late. By then I’d decided it’d probably end up being a keeper and so ordered from Amazon. I expected to get it last week, but they split my order and Enthusiasm, of course, shipped late. I still don’t have it in my hot little hands, and let me tell you, the anticipation is BUILDING!

Reviews to follow…

I have been a bad blogger. I’ve not been posting as much and not be visiting others’ blogs as much, and consequently, I’ve not been getting my blogger emails–which I miss. Well, really, I miss all of it. I’m going to try to be better this week. My only plans are for three separate Thanksgiving luncheons (all school related–I don’t get any turkey or pumpkin pie). I plan to write too.

So, foremost on my mind as the day draws to a close and bedtime approaches, is the fact that I’ve been having very disturbing dreams ever since last Wednesday. Last Wednesday, seeing as my house was in as immaculate a condition as it ever gets, I invited a few friends over for a lunch together. Admittedly, I still had to spend the morning tidying up seeing as my family can’t keep a house neat for more than a few days at a time.

We had a really good time, and I thought that was that. I figured the next time I had people over would probably not be until sometime into the new year. (That’s how infrequent I invite people over). Well that night, and every night since, I have awoken thinking people are in my house for some reason or another, whether because I’m hosting some event, giving a tour, or just having friends over.

So I wake up, in a panic that people are wandering around my house while I’m sleeping, scramble out of bed, quickly try to tidy things up, and then wander around trying to find them as they’ve (obviously) given me the slip. Last night I even checked the door locks, just to confirm I was dreaming.

THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!! Am I that freaked out about having people in my home that this is my subconscious’ way of warning me off any further invitations??? I shudder to think what tonight’s dream might be.