Thanksgiving

1. Sweetpea, my best friend and Tatters, my astonishing son, and even Bo, our retarded, neurotic, gay wonder dog
2. My supportive and loving families, in-laws included
3. My unbelievable friends I do not deserve, including those I have only met here
4. My comfortable house and suitable transportation
5. The opportunities my nation of residence offers
6. My saxophones, owned and borrowed
7. To have been raised a Sooner
Merciful God and eternal salvation aside, that's my list. Take away anything else, I wouldn't notice.

Schedule:
Wednesday AM: Put up a little over 6000 outdoor Christmas lights (absurd, yes; fun, yes)
Wednesday PM: Mom's house, brother and family will be there about noon
Thursday AM: Get non-AM oriented family up and about. To mom's again to help cook the feast.
Thursday 11:30 AM: Thanksgiving feast
Thursday 1 PM: To father-in-law's for seconds on stuffing
Thursday 2:30 PM or so: To Sweetpea's maternal grandparents' to visit and ignore the food
Thursday whenever: Back to mom's for hopefully many, many games of spades and whiskey with my brother
Friday AM: Simple brunch at mom's, see brother off.
Friday PM: Finish the lights I probably didn't finish Wednesday AM
Saturday: End of season soccer party noonish, watch Sooners anihilate the Pokes at night, otherwise play, play, play. We painted the house last weekend; we deserve it.
Sunday AM: Christmas music season begins at church. The saxer will be saxing.
Sunday after lunch: Proceed to Kansas City for stupid monthly meeting Monday AM.

Between Thanksgiving, and ramping up in earnest for Christmas, this is easily my favorite weekend of the year. I wish the same, profound joy to all my friends. Excepting, of course, young Mr. Hanni, specifically Saturday evening from kickoff to final gun. And may even that sad burden be somehow eased for you, and the rest of your Thanksgiving be warm and fuzzy.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING