Stealing and such nonsense

I was thinking about a childhood memory this weekend that first made me mad and then made me think how easy it is to accuse someone of a wrong doing without all the evidence. 

I had someone try to steal from me and it made me think about when I was accused of stealing. 

Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I did shoplife ONCE in my life. I lifted a big comb when I was in 5th grade from the 7-11. The owner caught me. Called my mother who had to drive 45 minutes from work to come and pick me up. Oh boy was I busted! Like beyond busted. I think I might still be grounded. 

When I was in 3rd grade we lived on base in Great Falls MT. Our neighbor had a teenage daughter who used to babysit me on occasion. She was a ton of fun. We'd dress up in her "adult" clothes and play "high school". She was just awesome. 

One day we were playing and she gave me a little purse and put some chapstick/gloss in it. She showed me how to put it across my chest and carry it. She said it was "cool" and so I thought it was too. 

While in her room her Mom popped her head in and said my Mom called and they were home. So I headed home. 

When I got home, I went straight to my room to change out of my school clothes. Mom went in after to gather up the clothes and found the little purse. She came storming out of the room and I got the "Jennifer Joy get in here" voice. 

She shook the purse in front of me and yelled "What is this?" And I explained what it was and why I had it. She then accused me of stealing it. 

I swore I didn't. 

She didn't believe me. She pulled me next door. Hammered on their door and tried to force me to apologize to the babysitter for stealing it. By this time I was crying and afraid (Mom could get a little intense sometimes). After a moment the babysitter explained to Mom that I hadn't stolen it just left with it. She told her about how we were playing "high school" and she showed me how to wear it. 

Mom handed the purse back to the babysitter and apologized for bothering them. 

She marched me home. We sat down to dinner. She never apologized for accusing me of stealing. 

I asked her many years later why. She said she made such a fuss about it that she didn't feel she could. 

I tell you this because recently someone tried to steal from me in my own house. I was shocked and a little sad. I didn't make a scene. I, instead, stewed on it. And stewed on it ... and stewed on it. 

Still stewing by the way. 

Thanksgiving and all it's memories

I've likely made or helped with 40+ Thanksgiving meals. It's a day that is full of traditions and memories of Mom for me. She and I were the cooks on Thanksgiving and I miss that. 

I was trying to remember back in my life the first time I remember helping mom, or rather wanting to help Mom, cook Thanksgiving dinner. I can't really pinpoint it. It feels like I've always been standing at her side prepping and cooking. Then eventually we'd be cooking over the phone when they moved to AZ.

Back in the day, I do remember us getting up at the butt-crack of dawn to get the turkey ready to cook what felt like all day. That was before they made those turkey bags that Mom quickly fell in love with and used every year. Cuts down the cooking time and makes a good bird. 

Mom and I used to sit and talk about the plan for the day the night before. Once I was older it may not have been in person, but it was always a conversation we didn't miss. I'd ask her things like, "have you made your clam dip yet?" and she'd ask me "what time are you serving dinner?"  Our conversation every year was almost exactly the same, but it was something we had to do. In fact, we joked about if we didn't have this conversation, the turkey gods would take offense and burn our turkey. 

Then the day of I made sure I'd call Mom while I was making my dressing. We used to taste it vigorously when we cooked together. We'd laugh and say we were making sure the seasoning was right. So when we weren't together I'd call and ask her the same thing. It makes me smile even today. 

When Mom passed, my first Thanksgiving without her was difficult. I wanted to call and laugh and taste and laugh some more. 

The Niece was my helper for a couple of years. We made our own traditions and we laughed at our own new jokes. We had a turkey bag blow out one year that we still talk about today. It came up in conversation when I got the turkey out of the oven. She and I'd make a special drink and we'd try to wiggle a oiled up 20 plus pounder into a bag with all it's limbs sticking out here and there. Oh man we laughed. 

But now, she's moved to the other side of the country. So the last two Thanksgivings have been just me. And that's ok. I still have my memories. And thankfully, I talk to myself and always agree with myself. 

This year I opted for a smaller bird. I was only feeding 6 (turned out we only had 5) and I figured a 17 pound turkey was fine. And it was. It was WAY easier to get into that darn bag. 

My Thanksgiving meal is simple: Clam dip for an appetizer, turkey, dressing, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, black olives, sweet pickles and cranberry sauce. 

The broccoli casserole has been tradition for - gosh I don't even know how many years. It has always been on the table. Until it wasn't. 

It makes a ton and is impossible to cut in half. So this year I opted for my Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole. It still has broccoli and cheese in it and it is easier to make in smaller amounts. I still had a ton of leftovers.

Dinner was right on time. We were minus one as Janet's mom was sick. We ate. We drank. And we were merry. 

I think next year I can even get as small as a 15 pounder (if you can find one) and maybe even cut the casseroles in half. Though, to be fair, I did cut the dressing in half and we still had a ton, so maybe I'll need to do it in half again. But I do love leftover stuffing. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the trimmings and all family and friends you can manage. 

Nashville - Day 6

 Hello November!

Last day in Nashville! We used the hop on hop off trolley to get to the Ryman so we can go through the museum. Only...we didn't know they closed at 11 today! Sherrie was very bummed. We missed it on Monday because it closed early too. So we planned on doing it Tuesday, only we didn't know it closed early again. 

So we walked over to the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. I absolutely didn't want to waste my time in that, so I opted to sit in the lobby and people watch. My knee and back were still acting up and I just didn't want to push it. I was also starting to not feel great. 

After the museum we went to Gumbo's for lunch. I had a shrimp po'boy that was yummy yummy!

When we finished lunch we headed back to the hotel. It was getting late and I wasn't feeling great. We figured we'd have a downtime afternoon. 

I got the chills a bit and decided I needed a nap. I slept a bit and then it was clear I was coming down with something. 

We ordered pizza in and watch a movie. Pizza didn't sound great - which told me I was really not feeling good. I still ate two slices, but that was because I was hungry-ish. 

Our flight is early tomorrow and it's gonna be a long flight for me. I'm ready to go home though. It's been fun Nashville.