Thanksgiving

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving has been here and now over. I took a few days off work and have enjoyed being able to just "hang out" with my family.
The weekend before Thanksgiving I drove in Wichita ALL BY MYSELF!! and didn't even get lost!! Yes, you are reading this correctly I met a friend in wichita at the Warren Theatre. We saw "Shall We Dance"? which was a pretty good movie. A nice "chick flick" as Rich would say! It was great being able to spend the afternoon with my friend and getting caught up on what's been going on with one another. The day went way to fast!!
Rich and I spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Jay's house. Of course we all ate too much good food, but it was all worth it. The next couple days I have been trying to get caught up on house work and reading. I think the reading went way better than the house cleaning, but even that went alright! My aunt, uncle and cousin from Joplin were here which it was great to see them! I wish I had been able to spend the whole evening with them, but had to bowl on Fri night while they were visiting. Hopefully we will be able to get together again soon.
This week starts another week of work. Even though its been nice having time off, it will be nice to see my kiddos this week. It's amazing I didn't see any of them when I was out this week. I must not have been out as much as I thought. Hopefully the snow will miss us this week so that I can get to see all my kids this week.

Cousins Rock

After two straight weeks of stressfulness, it was time to do something different. My mom had been planning to take me to Joplin to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousin the weekend of my birthday. With everything going on we almost canceled the trip, but than decided to go. We also invited my dad to go since we were worried about leaving him home alone so soon after two crazy weeks!
We got to Joplin around 10pm on Friday night. My cousin and her boyfriend had planned to take me out, so as soon as I got there, we left. They first took me to a club called the Green Room where I had my first Long Island Ice Tea. Not knowing what it was, I had NO idea what it was going to taste like. Let's just say about half-way through I was feeling it! (Of course this is coming from a person who drinks maybe every six months), After the Green Room, we went to a place called Murphy's. At this bar there was kareokee. My cousin's boyfriend tried to get me to sing, but even after drinking, I wouldn't go it on my own. I think by the end of the night, I had had more to drink that night then I had since my college days! That's been a while!!
The next night my aunt and uncle took everyone to a Japanese steak house for dinner. It had been so long since I had been to one. The food was so good!! I was so full by the end of dinner, but wanted to eat what I had left. After dinner we went to see the movie "The Incredibles". The movie was really cute and I even heard my dad laugh a couple times. Something that isn't always easy with a movie!
Unfortunately the weekend went way to fast and we had to come back to reality. The week didn't start off well either. As I was leaving the gas station on my way to work someone backed into me. My car now needs to be fixed, and my gas gauge is going crazy! Probably broken...
I had such a great birthday though and am thankful that I have such great cousins to spend special moments with. My cousin even gave me a picture of us that had been taken at my sister's wedding shower. As soon as I get my own desk at work I will have something cool to put on it!

This has been a tough week not just for me, but for my family as well. My Grandma Tharp had been sick this past year & in & out of the hospital. Monday, the resthome called my parents to tell them Grandma wasn't doing well & that they should come down. My mom called me at work to tell me which she usually does not do unless it is serious. I knew this was serious! I left work early Monday to spend time with grandma, staying several hours to hold her hand & talk to her. Two of my aunts had come by the time I got there & my dad was there. I feel badly that I did not go see her the next morning as my mom called me about 11:00 on Tues to tell me that Grandma had passed away. I didn't know what to do & just reacted as I started to cry at work. The rest of the week has been tough but has taught Rich & I a lot about family & life/death. Our family spent time meeting with the minister, going to the moturary, & talking about memories of Grandma.
My Grandma was a good woman! There were times growing up that I wasn't close to her, but I always loved her & admired the way she cared for others. Grandma was a hard worker and never slowed down until the end. In many ways I feel that I was the closest grandchild to her since I live in town & could see her when I wanted. I miss Grandma a lot!
There were also times when Grandma & my Dad didn't get along, but I know they loved each other. The night before my Grandma's death my Dad & I were in the room with her for a while by ourselves. The look on his face said it all. I have never seen my Dad look so concerned or scared in my life. My dad seems to be doing pretty well so far, but I know that he is sad. His family has never been really close & he was the only boy in the mix of 3 sisters! It's not going to be easy for him or any of us for a while. We are a family though and we will get through this together. Grandma would want that more than anything!
Grandma was such a part of our lives for many years as she always will be. I know Grandma is in a better place up in Heaven. She is smiling, she is seeing her parents, & my Grandfather after 30 years of being without him. She is happy!