We switch holidays on and off with the relatives. This year Thanksgiving is with the in-laws, Christmas with my family. Next year it switches. The weather was sunny and, at times, warm. I managed to pack some dress (maternity) pants into my bag, but pretty much slothed it up in pjs the entire time while eating my weight and the baby’s weight combined. Pretty sure it already weighs 10 lbs, so I ate accordingly.

Ruth and I snuck into the kitchen and watched the man of the house cut our turkey. No manual labor here, only a chainsaw will do.

Ruth stayed close.And we finally sat down to eat. Finally because the sweet potato casserole I made caused a hold up. We probably should’ve just scratched it all together because it was mostly only glanced at and Ryan was held at knife point to eat some. My mom said it had a lukewarm reception in KC as well.

I, of course, tried everything freely. Three times over. After we paid our yearly dues to the gluttony gods, everyone went into the living room. Most of us walked, someone hobbled though. Nathan was having back pain to the point that anyone who walked by in a trench coat was hounded for drugs.

Eventually he was medicated enough to lay still in the back bedroom. Shirts not required. I kept mine on. Ruth showed everyone her obsession with certain body parts.

I did too.

Along with my obsession with havarti cheese. Holy moly, Carolyn. Put the cheese slicer down.
The next day, Ryan and I snuck away to go to the mall. I was in there three seconds before I wanted to claw my way out. Ugh, if there’s anything more boring now that I’m not a teenager looking for boys to sit next to in the lunch court. I’ve conveniently forgotten the looks at my Spice Girl shoes by said boys, thus resulting in me sitting with only the girls I came with. Those shoes were massive. Like, drag queen tall. It was awesome.

I guess it also never helps to be on a budget too. Now, if I’d won that 500 mil powerball…. nah, still boring.

On the way home, I spotted the smallest Estate Sale sign ever created. That was a sign for the truly addicted. The prices at the sale were not. Too high for my taste, so we went home and got Ruth ready to see her great-grandparents.

She showed off her latest talent: blowing her nose. Great Grandma Leitta and Great Grandpa Jesse acted impressed. While she continued I did what I normally do… grilling Leitta on her past. She won her school’s talent show when she was 9 (1940) which gave her the opportunity to sing on the local radio station KFH. She had background singers too… the Arc Vally Boys. They asked her if she ever sang to a professional musician or what note she starts on. She said had no idea and said only her sister had played the song for her. So they had her sister come in and start the Arc Valley Boys off. Of course I didn’t write down the song she sang and now I don’t remember.

This reminded me of the karaoke story my mom likes to reminisce about… She and dad were out with friends and mom signed up to sing ‘I heard it through the grapevine.’ They called her name while she was in the bathroom. By the time she came out, a group of guys had already gone up to sing it. So mom ran up there, scooted her way in front of them, and they sang back up to the star. I wish I’d been there to see it.

Her other great-grandma, Vivienne, came over for a ham dinner. Round two of stuffing myself like foie gras. Ruth was hesitant at first, but eventually found a common playing field: rocking chairs.

And using a walker…

Vivenne is hard of hearing to say it lightly. So at any given moment, someone was yelling conversations in the living room. They normally got an answer too. When she asked me, however, something about Ruth, and I explained it to her, she stared at me and said simply, “I can’t hear you” and turned towards someone else for another conversation.

Heh. You’re lucky that happened after dinner, Vivienne, otherwise I would’ve made you eat my sweet potato casserole.

The rest of the time? Ryan and I went on a mini hike on their 5 acres, which after actually walking it, really does seem like a lot… movies were watched, games were not played (you’re welcome, Randy), and Ruthie was watched. Or, hopefully she was… I didn’t pay attention, I was on vacation!

And poor Shady was bothered. This dog is the most docile animal I’ve ever known. She runs away from Ruthie like it’s Godzilla walking towards her. That is, until Ruth is eating. Then she patiently waits to be given a piece. I told Ruth she’s getting a taste of her own medicine. This girl can hear the slightest movement of hand going to mouth and beeline to your knee.
Overall, it was a good holiday. Sweet potato casserole and all.