Plans change

Hello Hodgepodge readers!  I thought I'd be on the road right now, traveling up to northern Ohio for thanksgiving with my family.  But, plans change... and sometimes you just have to go with it.  I'll keep you in suspense until question #7 since it asks to share my Thanksgiving plans there.

1.  Are you settling for something? 

I can't think of anything that I am "settling" for in my life.  I tend to think that everything happens for one reason or another and to go with it.  I don't like the term "settling" because it means it's not really what is preferred.  I have a blessed life so I don't feel I need to just make do, and for that I am VERY thankful!

2.  This year many stores will be open all day on Thanksgiving Day. In your opinion is this a good thing or a not so good thing?  Will you be shopping on Thanksgiving day? 

I think it is wrong for retail stores to open up on Thanksgiving Day.  Really people!! It's a National holiday!   I think the employees should have the whole day off to spend with family and friends.  Therefore, I will not shop on Turkey Day and hope others feel the same way and stay away from stores too.  If it turns out to be a weak shopping day then, perhaps, the retailers will rethink it next year and give the employees the time off.  I do not shop on Black Friday either.  I know some people love getting out in the masses, and love the "hustle and bustle" and even will patiently wait in long lines to save a few bucks.  Not me.  No thanks.  You won't find me there.

3.  Speaking of shopping...   there was a recent article on the 12 best shopping cities in the world. In order they are - New York, Tokyo, London, Kuala Lumpus, Paris, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, and Seoul.   Ever shopped in any of the cities listed?  In which city would you most like to pull out the plastic or cold hard cash? 

I have done some "tourist shopping" in New York, London, Paris, and Vienna.  From the list of top shopping cities I have been to those four to sight-see...not really to shop.  But, yes, I have picked up a souvenoir or two.  I'm not big into shopping in general so I would not pull out a credit card or cash in any of the cities.  Instead, I would prefer to spend my time & money seeing interesting spots, and going to the museums.

4.  When did you last dine by candlelight? 

Wow. Interesting question...because hubby and I used to dine by candlelight often.  I think it's been more rare in the past few years.  The last time was about a month ago at our riva cabin.  We cooked on the grill and ate by candlelight on our screened porch.

5.  What do you have too much of? 

Well, a simple - but loaded - question, isn't it?!  I have too much of everything!  It makes me think of Keith Urban's song "I just want a little bit of everything"! Seriously,  I have plenty of love, friendship, food, clothes, etc.  But if you ask the question in a more frivilous way...I suppose I have too many flip-flops. I tend to collect them! I love wearing flip-flops so I buy all kinds, in all kinds of colors and some with cute designs.

6.  The Hunger Games... are you a fan?  did you read the book(s)?  Will you/have you seen the movie?  "Catching Fire"? 

I have not read the book(s) and have not seen the movies.  In general I do not like science fiction books and movies.  And, I really don't like anything that puts peoples lives at risk -and show it as a game!  I don't get it.  I much prefer real movies, about real emotions, etc.  And, I will watch a funny movie over sci-fi too, as long as it's written well and not getting laughs by dropping curse words right and left.  Guess you can tell I don't see many movies!  There are not many that are released that seem good to me.

7. Share your plans for Thanksgiving Day.  The who, the where, the what...  especially the what! 

Originally I had planned to drive from here, SC, to northern Ohio to spend Thanksgiving Day with many members of my family.  It's an annual event to have the meal at my sister's home, and to hang out there all day.  Then the next day we celebrate what we call "Thanksmas" because we can't get together at Christmas.  So, we have a small gift exchange on Friday.

Well, plans changed.  I spent yesterday working on getting rid of a headache and I spent a lot of time sleeping.  I don't know if it was a migraine, or tension, or sinus.  Maybe a combination of all three.  I also spent time yesterday watching The Weather Channel and the named storm Boreas as it traveled across the mid-west, south & east.  My drive on a good day from here to Medina, Ohio would take 12 hours.  Add in holiday traffic and add another 2 hours... then add the forecast of bad weather, and I just figured it wasn't best for me to go.  It was snowing in the mountains of NC, and VA, and W VA.  Ohio had snow yesterday.  If you read my blogs, you KNOW I do not like cold weather and snow...and I get nervous having to drive in it.

So, I am staying home.  It's for the best.  Don't feel too sorry for me.  My sweet cousin who lives here has invited me over to her place tomorrow for the Thanksgiving meal.  And, my one daughter is coming in from Charlotte too.  She's coming despite her horrible allergies to the pugs and kitties here.  So, I'm thankful for having a backup plan.  Got to add on:  I'm thankful for my BFF who just called me and we yakked for a half hour or more - twice getting disconnected and calling back.  We are "the wind beneath our wings" at times.  Today was one of them.  It was good to hear from her, and she made me laugh!

Happy Thanksgiving blogging and FB friends!