Thursday, November 23, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving!

As far as holidays go, mine are pretty low-key. Mostly I just take it easy at home with my family and some good food; the fact that I have the day off from work is really nice, too. 

This week alone has been pretty brutal. I've often had to get up at the crack of dawn, and it continues to blow my mind how some people wait until the very, very last minute to place an order for pies, rolls, cookies, or whatever. This is my fifth year at Kneaders, and this happens every single year, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, without fail. At least some of the last-minute customers were nice and even apologetic, while others were...less polite. I'm dreading the Christmas rush already. 

Yesterday was the worst. The best I can say is I got some great tips, I've recently been approved for a raise, and I went to bed a little early and got a well-deserved sleep; I was even able to sleep in for a change. So, as much as I love my job, getting a breather is a gift in and of itself. 

Today, Corie had to work because she's a cafeteria worker in a retirement home. So, we had Thanksgiving dinner a little early. At least she got to join us for that, as well as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this morning, and there was even enough time to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving; we always watch the Peanuts special on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

Then I just fooled around with my laptop, Christine came by with some of her kids, and since we don't care that much for pumpkin pie, we got a chocolate cream pie at Mom's insistence, as well as some gingerbread men. Of course, I did the right thing and ordered this stuff well ahead of time, and since I'm an employee, I got this stuff for half-price. 

The only downside is that both Mom and Michael threw up. It was nothing too serious; it must have been something they ate. Michael ate a little too much food too quickly, and Mom felt better almost immediately when she was done and rested a bit. Still, it stinks to throw up on a holiday, although you do feel kind of relieved afterward. It's a weird way of your body purging itself of something unpleasant. 

So, tomorrow, it's back to work, but at least I feel a bit more refreshed. Even the best workers need to take a break sooner or later.

And, as always, I give thanks to the good Lord for everything I have. He deserves the biggest thanks of all. This is how the whole Thanksgiving holiday came about in the first place. 

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens, and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own. 

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning, the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

SNAP Around the World

Every year, my family participates in the SNAP program and I try to attend at least one of the two performances. This year, I was able to ...