Family favorites: Cranium, Apples to Apples Jr., Sorry, Trouble, Othello, Mastermind, Boggle, Yahtzee, Backgammon, Battleship.

I remember many of the things already mentioned. I will add: Television: *wonder twin powers....activate* The Waltons Family All in The Family Charlie's Angels The Love Boat Fantasy Island Music: 8 track cartridges Leif Garret Andy Gibb Loverboy Pop Culture: Pop Rocks Fluffernutters Buffalo Sandals(one of the ugliest sandals ever. And I am not only saying that just because my feet were too narrow to wear them) Jou Jou Jeans Nothing coming between Brooke Shields and her Calvins Riding my baby blue 10 speed Schwinn everywhere Parents took us to the drive in in our pjs. We slept in sleeping bags in the back of the wagon while our parents got to watch a movie. rotary phones the cable remote used to be connected to the tv by a really long wire My first hand-held hair dryer- A conair that had to weigh about 5 lbs. I think my mother may still be using it.

My kids would be oblivious to the boxes. But, my dh often has boxes and bags laying around with computer stuff in it so my two would assume that it was more of the same.

There has been the occasional rap song that I could listen to. Light rap-such as Run DMC/Aerosmith. Overall, not my preferred music.

We just turn our Oreck Air Purifier on high. It makes a pleasing hum that drowns out dh's snoring and cleans the air.

I always use firefox and have never had any problems.

I've had male best friends at various times in my life. Before and after marraige. As long as your dh is on board with it then that is all that matters.

Cramps! Oh, and my MIL. Who I really do care for and is not a bad person but......she is who she is and a lot of the things she does bug the heck out of me. My tolerance level goes way down when I have the above mentioned problem. Stupid cramps.

I spent the day cleaning up after last nights festivities. No shopping here.

For a change there were no train wreck moments. The worst thing that happened was I forgot to put out the cranberry sauce. The day after, however, not so good. We found out today that dh's aunt has stage 4 lung cancer. My dh is leaving on a business trip tomorrow morning. He needs to 100% have his game to launch this new service his company is providing to hopefully move back into the black and relieve some of our money stress. He called his mother to see how her Thanksgiving was and she says "I wasn't going to tell you until you came back from your trip, but since you called...>>>Drop bomb here<<<.

Yesterday I made the corn chowder and the cranberry sauce. Today I made the turkey, gravy, stuffing, and prepped the veggies for the roasted veggies. Turkey stock is now simmering on the stove. Tomorrow I will roast the veggies and make pumpkin dinner rolls. Other family members are bringing: Green bean dish sweet and sour meatballs broccoli souffle dessert I am contemplating making a lasagna tonight. I fear there is not enough food. Even though I know there is I can't stop myself from making more. I am a product of my upbringing. Make enough for 10 armies and at the last minute panic and make enough for 10 more.

We have What's Happening to Me which is an Usborne book and we have It's Perfectly Normal. Both big hits with ds. I will say, that It's Perfectly Normal covers everything and if you are not okay with homosexuality, masturbation, and so on being covered it is not the book for you.

We are going through a really bad patch right now. My dh runs his own company and has not drawn a salary in months. We have been robbing Peter to pay Paul. It has us both very stressed out. I have been looking for part time work and have been considering going back to school to become a certified medical biller. I pray every day for guidance and keep hoping that things will turn around. We talk about selling the house but who is going to buy it in this economy. Friends of mine have had their house on the market for almost a year already and only got one low ball offer. Our 6 month emergency fund is gone and I keep hoping/praying for a miracle. I hate always having to say no to my kids. Nothing extra is in the budget.

On the rare occasion that I host Thanksgiving it is all my own. My mother never made the same thing year to year. I will say that some of the things I prepare are mom inspired.

I am paying taxes and I feel my children should be able to participate. Up until high school the sports are run through the town. I believe in my State it is up to the principal if homeschoolers can participate,

Sweet Potato Fries. Cut them up into shoe string fries, toss with a little olive oil, sprinkle on some Italian Seasoning, and bake in a 425 degree oven for 14-18 minutes. Delicious.

I roast mine breast down. I coat the inside of the turkey with the juice of half a lemon. Stuff the inside with a quartered half of a yellow onion, some celery (tops included), and a couple of carrots. I tie the legs closed. Then tie the wings to the body. Stuff some rosemary and thyme into the pockets created by the wings. Stuff the neck with parsley and skewer closed. Slather the whole turkey with butter (under the skin, too). Butter makes everything better. I start at a high temp, then lower the heat after 2 hours, then I lower it again for the last hour. I start checking the meat temp about 1/2 an hour before it should be done.

My sister and I are night and day and always have been. So, we don't go out of our way to talk to one another but their is no animosity. If there is a crisis we are 100% there for each other. On the phone, emailing, being there if travel is possible. Everything is okay, then there is no reason to call (unless it is a birthday or a Holiday).

Ah, Units. They were the best clothes for travel.

I did this the first time around. I don't need to repeat the experience. My dd, however, looks adorable. One PSA, for everyone: Always make sure to wear an appropriate length shirt with your leggings. Never, never, never, (can not stress this enough) never wear stirrup pants with loafers.

My facebook status today was that I traumatized my children by having them watch the birth of a baby elephant. A relative sent me the link last night. It is so amazing. They really thought it was cool.

I have the meat grinder attachment and I love it. I also have a shredder and grater attachment. I don't use those that often but I am glad I have them when I do use them. I have considered getting the grain mill attachment but after speaking to a friend of mine who grinds all her own grain I will be going with a stand alone model.

My dd is the same. She will read but it is not usually her first choice. We go to the library every week and I let her pick what she wants to read. It has also helped that she goes to the Library Book Club once a month. She loves reading the book for the meeting. She has even gone on to read the next book in a series on her own.

It think my honey is a hottie. Here is a family pic taken in October. and one of him dancing with dd.

My 6th grader is doing the following: Math Language Arts (Grammar/spelling/literature/writing/dictation/copywork) Latin History/Geography Music and Art Appreciation Science Phys. Ed And a large sprinkling of Health due to his various questions about puberty and organ functions, but no formal time around it.