Christmas Season 2013 is now officially underway, take your time and savor every last minute, for if you do, the gifts you receive will be immeasurable. Well enough of the sappy stuff, and let’s get to the Thanksgiving festivities! Since I am not allowed to use names or pictures of people in our blog.. figure it out!

6 was awakened Thursday morning, to the lofting aroma of stuffing being prepared by 6W. He could hardly contain himself with anticipation of what this holiday would hold. 6 is disappointed because his children’s grandmother and 63, 7(otherwise referred to as the idiot by 4) and 71 would not be able to attend our Hap-Hap-Happy event, but no fear 8, 61 and 62 would be attending, so we were ready to party. Every year 7 makes these idle promises that he and 71 will make the long journey to this liberal state in his so called RV, but unlike Eddie Johnson, he does not keep his promises. To continue..Flash back to Monday.. first thing Monday morning per instructions from Martha Stewart, 6 carefully pulled the frozen birds out of the freezer and placed them in a cooler. Back to Thursday… Upon arriving at the kitchen 6 got his fingers slapped by 6W for picking at the stuffing, (Oh I forgot she had a knife in her hand, good think my hand was not a head of lettuce) it was time for 6 to make the final check on  the de-thawing process, now if Martha Stewart was correct they should be perfectly thawed, and ready for the roaster. As you might expect they were just like two hockey pucks! No wonder she is a jail bird! The only thing left to do was to dump those rocks into the sink for a nice hot bath after all at least they would be clean! It was about that time, when the first ring of the doorbell accrued! To my surprise 8 had arrived! It was time to begin! The Holiday season was in full wing! To my dismay, over the next hour or so, became worrisome, 63 called and had some questions in regards to her car, no word at all from 61 and no Happy thanksgiving phone call from 4. What the heck was going on! Soon enough the door bell rang again and 61 and 61A arrived at the door, their arrival was delayed because they were doing a good deed for a family in distress, and after all is that not what life is all about! We are all here time to break out the chips, dip, cheese, crackers, candy, beer, pizza, pop  and watch some football! Turkey 1 in the oven, oil for turkey 2 is ready to go, so 8 and 61A went out to brave the cold and drop turkey 2 in the hot oil! At this time it started to become crazy for 6, timing is critical everything has to be ready at the same time. 6 finished the prep of the rest of the food, and went outside to supervise the rookies on the fryer, at this point in time, I heard a racket in the house and ran it to one of the best surprises one could have 63, came home for Thanksgiving!(Oh, Eddie….If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am now) It was at this time I said the heck with the diner it was time to start on the libations (Rex)! (This could be a bad thing because a few years earlier, we started the Rex flowing in the middle of the afternoon, and well the food was not quite right.) Finally the critical moment arrived for the master carver (8) to perform his magic on the birds. It just so happens that was the year we started the Rex in the afternoon, the birds were done at different times, the rst of the food was getting cold and  the official carving knife crapped out. (We were on the threshold of hell). This we had the foresight to make a significant capital purchase at our local Belk. As it was fitting for the occasion, we all handed the new electric knife to 8 and with the grace and precision of Clark W. Griswold he masterfully carved the birds. (Catherine, if this turkey tastes half as good as it looks, we are all in for a real treat! Save the necks and wings for me) The only thing left to do was to put some Christmas music on the radio (which 6 forgot to do), and proceed to the fancy eaten room and begin Christmas 2013!  As usual we had way too much food, but it is all worth it to look around the table, at the food pilled on everyone’s plates. Conversation was exceptional; I did not see one Smartphone and I can only hope that others enjoyed as much as 6 did! Dishes were clean, pies eaten and drank (we had chocolate pecan brandy from Charleston), and now it was time! As all calibrations the highlight of the night was the 23^rd airing of Christmas vacation. This year we had a guest 62A that had never seen the classic film, as one might expect, the movie just like fine wine, only becomes better over time! The movie ended, and against all of my demands, we started a new tradition, 6,8,61,62,63, 62A  (We’re kicking off our fun old family Christmas by heading out to Belk in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most un- important of Christmas symbols! We are not going all this way to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clause on it are we? No, I have one of those at home)    I guess that is how traditions start!