thanksgiving '08

Here's a look at the family Thanksgiving celebration:

gratitude

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

- Melodie Beattie

Happy Thanksgiving!

is your turkey thawed?

everyone needs a little bella and edward in their life...

I read the books (all four in about a week); a modern day love story with a supernatural twist. I finally got to see the movie this afternoon and I love, love loved it! Can't wait for the next one!

Go see 'Twilight'!

proud aunt

My niece Shelby had her band solo night last night. Here's a clip:

I couldn't be more proud!

today...

1. I stopped by my sister's house to look at the damage to her SUV - she hit a deer on the way home last night. (She's okay, but the Highlander's gonna be in the shop for a few days.)
2. I went to work from 8am 'til 1pm - got a lot done; I love Sunday mornings - nobody bugs me.
3. I ran some errands on the way home - PetSmart for dog food and Dress Barn for 3 new shirts.
4. I wasted the whole rest of the afternoon doing absolutely nothing.
5. I had shredded BBQ pork sandwiches for dinner.
6. I took a long, hot shower.
7. I procrastinated some more - the Internet is evil, LOL.
8. I am now laying on the bed, watching 'Desperate Housewives'...

twilight

If you have not (or are not currently in the middle) of reading one of these books, you should be! Not since the Harry Potters have I been this into a story!

game over

I was on pins and needles as the final seconds of the Iowa football game ticked away yesterday afternoon... My beloved Hawkeyes were down by 2 points and it did not look good. But, with one swing of his leg, a walk-on, part-time kicker from Iowa City kicked himself into Hawkeye history. Daniel Murray’s 31-yard field goal cut through a 25 mph crosswind and through the uprights with one second remaining, lifting Iowa to a stunning 24-23 victory over third-ranked Penn State.

It's a great day to be a Hawkeye!

back to 'school'

It's official. I'm all signed up. In an effort to take my scrapbooking hobby to the next level, I've enrolled in an online class at www.JessicaSprague.com. Jessica is a contributing editor to Creating Keepsakes magazine, owner of a digital and hybrid scrapbooking education site, wife, mother and computer geek. I think she's amazing!

The class is really not about scrapbooking or about writing, but about the gathering process. About the remembering process. About collecting the experiences, big and small, that shape us and make us who we are. The stories worth telling. I can't wait!

tagged

I've been Tagged by my friend Rachelle, so here goes:

6 TV shows: Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Survivor and The Unit

6 Things that happened today: my dad died 10 years ago, I talked on the telephone until 2 a.m., I watched a bunch of old home movies, I baked peanut butter cookies, I made chicken & dumplings and am now watching the Iowa Hawkeye football game

6 Things I am looking forward to: seeing the new 'Twilight' movie, Thanksgiving, getting past inventory @ work, Christmas and then, vacation

6 Things on my wish list: to lose 25 more pounds, to cure my Diabetes, to meet Mr. Right, to find a job that pays more and to win the lottery

6 People to tag: LouAnn, Amanda, Steph, Nikki, Jennifer S. and Erica

what's for dinner?

Easy Layered Chicken-Black Bean Enchiladas

2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken from the deli
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 15-ounce can black beans drained & rinsed
1 4-ounce can chopped green chili peppers undrained
1 10-ounce can red enchilada sauce
8 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack-colby cheese
1 8-ounce carton sour cream

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 11 x 7 inch glass baking dish with Pam. In a medium bowl, mix chicken, cilantro, black beans and chiles.

Spread 2 Tablespoons of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place 4 tortillas over the sauce, overlapping as necessary. Spoon half of the chicken mixture over the tortillas; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cheese. Spoon half of the remaining enchilada sauce and half of the sour cream randomly over the cheese. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, chicken mixture, 1/2 cup cheese, the enchilada sauce and sour cream.

Cover with foil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.