Thankful for the Hodgepodge.

The Thanksgiving Hodgepodge has a couple of good questions about Thanksgiving and the day after.    It is funny how we can all stop, be calm, and be thankful for a few hours on the holiday and then many people go out and act like lunatics the next day in the stores.  

Are you one of those people?  

Joyce asks - and I answer below.   Feel free to tell me about your Thanksgiving too. I love reading the comments!

1.Turkey - love it or leave it?  White meat or dark?  What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?

I LOVE the smell of the turkey cooking in the oven on Thanksgiving!  I think that's my favorite part.  I like to eat white meat, but it has to have gravy on it.  I have always felt turkey is pretty "mild" flavored so it's not something I eat at other times of the year.  But, on Thanksgiving, with all the good sides and smothered in gravy - now that's yummy!  Leftovers?  We usually are at my sister's for the holiday so I don't have leftovers.  If I did, then I suppose I'd put it on a salad since I'd be trying to eat healthy after pigging out on the holiday.

2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do - run a 10k or climb a mountain?

Definitely climb a mountain!  I prefer exercise that doesn't seem like exercise!   Climbing a mountain is a good workout but also a great way to enjoy nature and vista views.  (Just watch out for black bears, right Joyce?)

3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse?  Explain.

I love social networking!  Facebook has reconnected me with friends from my past, and has put me in contact with family members I don't see often.  Only once (that I know of) have I accidently hurt someone and they "de-friended" me and it still really bothers me.  But, for the most part, it's been a delight to share pictures, and jokes, and updates.  I have even "met" wonderful people, including my blogger friends, online. 

4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in life?

I pondered this question for a little while. Why?  Because I am so blessed and have few "hard things" in life.  Again, why?  Because I put God as the center of my life, followed by family, and then everything else.  How do I express my gratitude?  By thanking God everyday for ALL things!  I pray, I attend church, I give back in His name. 

5.  In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed "Black Friday."  Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done now through the magic of the internet?  How do you feel about stores opening at midnight on Friday?  Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday?

I order some gifts online, but I still do most of my shopping "live" in stores so I try to get it done early to avoid the holiday crowds and a feeling of pressure to buy "something, anything."  I will NOT NOT NOT be out on "Black Friday" shopping.  I do not like frantic people rushing around, grabbing at special deals, etc.   What a HEADACHE that would give me!!   And, I feel the stores are trying so hard to beat out the other stores for the shoppers that it won't be long til stores open at 6pm on Thanksgiving.  It's not fair to employees.  Wondering... Do they get paid double time?  Do they have an "option" for working on a holiday?    

6. Speaking of the color black - which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?

I have a black top that goes with everything.  It can be dressy when worn with a skirt - or I can wear it with jeans.  It is comfortable and flattering. It has a 3/4 sleeve so can be worn year-round...alone, or under jackets.  It was a good buy!

7. What do you appreciate about your life today?

Joyce, are you asking for only ONE thing?  I suppose you mean what do I appreciate at this point in my life that I didn't have or experience earlier on in my life.  If so, I have to say I REALLY appreciate who my daughters have turned out to be!   Both of them are loving, caring, and fun people.  They are a joy to be around!

8. My random thought.

If you are traveling over Thanksgiving, be patient and kind to your fellow traveler!  It's going to be busy out there.    Be thankful to arrive alive, and to able to share a meal with family and friends!  
H A P PY     T H A N K S G I V I N G     ! ! !