Giving Thanks Like the Publix Pilgrims

Horray for a two-day week!

The self-improvement plan has taken a hiatus until November 30. In the meantime, I shall be consuming mass quantities of meat, butter, pie, and wine. I shall be unproductive. I shall take naps at ten to the hour every hour. I shall neither sweep the floor nor put the clothes away. But that's what Thanksgiving's all about, right? That, and, of course, giving thanks.

I am thankful for:

• My little family, Matt and Mitch. Those boys sure do make me happy.
• My wonderful, smart, funny friends. I am especially grateful for those friends who will give me an honest answer when I start a conversation with, "Now, tell me if I'm being a bitch here. . ." or "Tell me if you think I'm wrong." A truly good friend is more than just a member of the cheering section.
• All of my great kitchen equipment
• Having a wonderful mother and father in-law. I've heard many a horror story, and I'm happy that I don't have to worry about having a crazy mother-in-law or a creepy father-in-law. Truthfully, the ones I got couldn't be much better.
• Having a job, however frustrating it may be at times.
• Facebook. How else would I spend hours per day stalking people, many of whom I don't even like?
• Our health. Let's keep it that way. (Maybe I should get back to that self-improvement plan?)
• My bigger (extended, not fat) family: they're loud and crazy, but full of love. And all of the annoying things about them are going to be useful when I write my tell-all book.
• Cupcakes
• Boxes of wine
• Turkeys
• Naps
• My down comforter
• Having a president with a brain (even if Congress can't seem to grow one)
• Martha Stewart and Real Simple
• My camera
• Dogs in general
• TV shows on DVD
• Pajama pants
• Parks
• The internet
• Publix
• Season-specific salt and pepper shakers. For example, the Publix pilgrims, Paul and Polly. I love breaking these guys out. Their arrival means turkey and naps and love.

I want to use them to season mashed potatoes.

T minus thirty hours until the family arrives. Uh oh.