"Kate, Do Push-Ups."

Excuse me?

I found this to be part of our banter this evening. Apparently, I'd said something sassy; however, I did not do push-ups.

With regards to Thanksgiving, I feel like an adult making the old college try. However, my college try is procrastination. Which really sucks for Thanksgiving. I really like cooking, but I swear Thanksgiving seemed a long ways off and then suddenly it's right here. I wish I would have prepped more and planned out a menu more, but oh well. As it stands, we're having a spicy roasted turkey breast, asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with bread crumbs, garlic mashed potatoes (and gravy), southern corn bread dressing, rolls, and one or two pies for dessert - a pumpkin layered cheese cake pie for sure and possibly a traditional apple with it. It's not a lot of food, but it's just the two of us, so I think it'll be good. Now I just need to set up the dining room and wash the china. Oh yeah, we're totally using the china that I've lugged all around the country. And ya know what? If it breaks, it's not too earth-shattering because it's the china from Oma's marriage that ended in divorce. In the end she didn't care what happened to it and didn't bat an eye at giving it away.

That kind of bleeds into another theme here: peace within. I watched Oprah today, and they covered the earth's "blue zones," which basically are some of the healthiest places to live as evidenced by the age of those still alive in those areas. A lot of the qualities of those people were those that Oma had: having a purpose everyday, exercise, opening your heart through volunteering, etc, eating well, and surrounding yourself with friends and family. I think I need to work more on my personal peace, as it is I feel like I'm bitter a lot. I spent a while in the car the other day, and instead of focusing on stuff everyone else has that I don't, I tried to focus on what I do have. Sounds easy and cheesy, but I felt a tiny twinge of change for the better. In thinking about all the wedding stuff that others are getting that I didn't, I switched over and thought of Joe. Nobody gets to have Joe but me, and that makes me very lucky. I have this man that I love dearly, and who loves me back. At this time, I also thought back to my ideas of marriage when I was in college: I never thought you could feel 100% confident about someone; I thought doubts were a part of the deal. Not so. With Joe, there are no doubts. What we have together is what's important, not a bunch of materialistic crap. I must remember that. You don't get happy because of all the crap you have; you get happy because you love your life. And that doesn't mean your life is always good or fun or that it will come easily and freely. Shit, you gotta try, and I need to work more on that instead of thinking I'm entitled to something because I had a hard year. Yes, I feel a good change coming.

Speaking of a change coming, Dad flew to Pennsylvania today to aid his sister in the start of working out crap with his parents. Apparently, after his last trip out there, he'd vowed not to go back unless his parents were dead or dying. Having said that, it must be a big deal out there right now. One of the last things he said to me on the phone yesterday was, "Please, call and check on me. Please." I'll call him tomorrow or the next day. I can't wait to hear his tale. Yay.

In closing, I haven't said I hate Dex in the last week or so. I'm really starting to dig that little dog. Also - we potty-trained him in a week, and he has slept through the night since his arrival. He's actually very awesome. Yes.