1. Have you ever been on a cruise? If so where did you go and how did you like it? If not, do you have any desire to take a cruise someday? 

No, the only thing even CLOSE would be the gambling boat I went on, which sailed about 2 miles out into the Atlantic to make the gambling legal. This was also, like, 1998. I really don’t think I’d enjoy a cruise; I think the cabins would make me feel closed in and I don’t like people enough to be a a big ship with them. Maybe the all-you-can-eat option would be cool but honestly, I want more going on in my vacation.

2. Tell us about your Thanksgiving plans…are you hosting? cooking? eating out? turkey or some other main? is it stuffing or dressing in your house? homemade cranberries or cranberries in a can? are pies on the dessert menu? what kind? what are your ‘must have’ sides? Tell us one thing you’re especially grateful for this year.

This year we are doing the hosting and my parents are coming. I’ll be making: a 17 pound turkey, mac and cheese, cornbread, mashed potatoes. My mom is brining the rest of the picnic ham she has and is making a rutabaga/pear mash. I am not big on stuffing; I DO like canned cranberry sauce. I am making cookie pie and my mom is making a pumpkin pie. My must-have sides are mac and cornbread. I am especially grateful for my new job!

3. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money ‘in a tin cup’ that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

OK, you all may hate me but my answer here is ‘hell no’. I would much rather donate clothes or goods to an actual shelter than give to the alcoholic on the corner. (I have donated toiletries and other items to the battered women’s shelter.) I think you can help people more by not rewarding them in this way.

4. Have you started decorating for Christmas? Is your tree up? Shopping done? Wrapped?

I haven’t, but my husband did get our lights on the house already, since we have a lot going on and he had some time. I do plan to work on a lot of that soon. I have, however, been shopping. I’m kind of ahead on that.

5. Create your own acrostic using the word THANKS. 

Turkey Trot race to kick off our holiday

Happiness as we watch the Macy’s Parade

All of my family in one place

Not one, not two, but THREE sources of carbs in this meal!

Kick back and let the food coma take over

Since there’s nothing but football on for the rest of the day

6. Insert your own random thought here:

That acrostic was pretty hard! I am writing this Tuesday since my Wednesday will be comprised of: house cleaning, last minute shopping, and probably some stressing out too. No no, I will take deep breaths and be thankful for everything I have. For starters, I am so glad I live in Florida! I literally had to hold back tears reading the Speaker’s email, which was basically his opening speech from yesterday’s org session. It encapsulated all the values I hold about family and togetherness and gave me a sense of hope for our great state moving forward. I mean, it was just so moving. I am really happy that I now work in government in this way; it’s really cool to see this aspect of it.

T-minus two hours until I leave work and get a nice long five day break. Everyone in the office seems happy about that; chatted with a few folks about it as they were putting up some of the Christmas decor. They do seem to go all out on decorating around here, which is quite nice. I think it contributes to a better working environment, honestly. Plus, no one us being micromanaged, which means everyone here seems to act like, oh you know, an adult. This was surprisingly absent from my last two jobs.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!