Thanksgiving Wishes

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday of the year. It is full of warm sounds, fragrant aromas, rich colors, and the people I hold dearest to my heart. It's the one time of year I truly allow myself to reflect and emote without censorship from the inner critic. As I count my blessings this year, I go beyond the "health, happiness, and family" gratitude.

I am thankful for my new boxer puppy, Brutus, who brings laughter to my life on a daily basis. I am thankful for my new son-in-law, Tom, who joined this crazy family in October. And for my "old" son-in-law, Chris, who blended into our lives so well. I am grateful for my girls - and the fact that, despite my many attempts, God prevented me (and continues to prevent me) from screwing them up too badly. I am thankful to have a home and a job in these challenging economic times, and even more thankful that the rest of my family has the same. I am thankful that I work with a great bunch of people. I am thankful that I have the ability to read and to write this blog. I am thankful to have friends that I could, without a second's hesitation, call at 3:00 a.m. I am grateful to have had the greatest mother-in-law of all time, and still feel that loss deeply. I am even grateful for Mojo, our crabby little (old) dachsund - a loyal and faithful friend, if ever there was one.

I am GRATEFUL that the 2008 election is over and my phone no longer rings nonstop! I am grateful for the men and women who leave their homes and are stationed overseas to promote freedom and democracy for all. I am ever so thankful for the liberties and freedoms I possess as an American. I am thankful to have a husband who values humor, kindness, and family. And I am thankful for my faith and the love of a God who is always present, always powerful, and upon whom I can always rely.

The list goes on and on. What are you grateful for this year? Happy Thanksgiving!

Body Movers: 2 Bodies for the Price of 1 - Stephanie Bond

Think you've got it bad? Imagine being the pampered 19-year old daughter of a prominent couple who wakes up to find her father indicted for fraud and embezzlement. Needless to say, daddy's reputation tanks, the wealth disappears, and the family moves to a "less-than-stellar" part of town.

But that's not it - oh, far from it! Dad decides to go on the lam and mom decides to join him. Um...except that they leave their 19-year old daughter and 9-year old son behind to fend for themselves. Ouch! Carlotta Wren's dreams of college - and rich fiance' - disappear in a flash as she's left to raise her brother in her deadbeat parents' wake. She does her best, but he turns into a juvenile delinquent anyway, and is arrested by none other than the same detective that nabbed her dad. And charged by the same prosecutor, of course.

From that point forward, it's a tangled web of antics. After 10 years of no contact with her parents, and at the prodding of the local police, Carlotta ends up faking her own death in a ploy to drag her folks out of hiding. You'll have to read it yourself to see how it unravels.

Looks like I grabbed the 2nd in a series of 3 Body Mover books, but it was still a great read, lots of laughs, and well written. I'll definitely be seeking out the 1st and 3rd novel to piece together the entire story.