I sometimes say that my husband is not a good roommate. He is romantic, funny, brilliant, a walking dictionary/history book/U.S. Constitution/policy think tank/poetry anthology, and a snappy dresser...but maybe a bit messy and disorganized, yes?

But I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in the trenches with, and that's a fact.

We spent our 18th wedding anniversary in bed. With fevers, chills, severe stomach upset, and the energy levels of slugs. After having driven back from Georgia with two children who had fevers, chills, projectile stomach upset (Huzzah, new car! You have been hereby baptized in the fire!), and the energy level of slugs.

But, again: with no one else would I have wanted to share that singular experience. No one.

Traditions

We don't really have any Thanksgiving traditions. There have been Thanksgivings in the mountains, here at our former apartments and homes, in New York City, at the beach, with friends, with family, and one time here at home just us four. The one constant could be turkey...and maybe brussels sprouts.

I love brussels sprouts. We roast them in the oven with olive oil, salt and pepper. I used to make a brussels sprouts/artichoke casserole from Southern Living. Um, why did I do that? SO yummy just roasted or under the broiler...maybe with a bit of pancetta or bacon...or a squeeze of lemon.

Pumpkin pie is sort of a constant, too. I like all things pumpkin and maybe mostly because of the color and smell! Aren't you the same? I often make the Libby's can pie recipe, but this year we are trying pumpkin pudding and some pumpkin cupcakes -- not just for Halloween!

(Why would you make sweets at Halloween anyway?)

Placecards at the table are a bit of a tradition. The ones we use now were created by the children and I really am at a stage where I should laminate them. Cute leaf stickers, fall-colored construction paper, and crayons - voila!

My Fair Lady is a tradition we stole from a friend of mine...she used to watch with her mom every year when her mom was alive. As a gift, I gave my friend a special edition DVD featuring recordings of Audrey Hepburn actually singing! And this year, instead of renting My Fair Lady from Netflix AGAIN, I used my Borders Bucks ™ rewards and got our very own DVD for next to nothing. Loverly!

Hmmm, in thinking about it, we do have a few traditions. What are yours?

Not Immune to Gratitude

Dudes and dudettes, one thing I do not enjoy right now is needing to go to Caring Bridge and Care Calendar every day to check on three people, two of them under 10 years old, who are really, really struggling. I am thankful for health, even though my own has been dicey. I have not been completely well in over a month, but I am getting there and my complaints, while somewhat debilitating, are curable and treatable.

My weirdest, latest illness involved vertigo so severe I could not lift my head from my pillow for more than a second without vomiting. Today I turned a serious corner and did my beloved Body Pump with no dizziness. It looks like - knock wood, fingers crossed, mojo/voodoo/prayer whatever - that I will be healthy heading into the Busy Season.

So to boost this new-found health, i plan to do a few things with my immune system. Like, romance it. Give it a little one-on-one time. Really listen to it, actively. Buy it a bauble, something shiny.

I'm going to cut down on alcohol. I love alcohol! I do. And I can't drink much as I am a bit of a lightweight. But I think cutting back as we enter the most wonderful time of the year is a good idea.

I'm taking a supplement - and vitamin C. And melatonin on nights when I'm not resting well (thanks Nansch - my doc thought that was a great idea!).

I'm going to rest well. I don't sleep well every night, but that is going to change, dammit! Wait, whoa...stress...no...calming down...

I'm going to be ridiculous about keeping up the exercise. Sometimes I let it slide, if work is calling...but this is just as important as work. I'm also focusing on getting some good old sunshine -created vitamin D.

I'm not going to sweat the small stuff. Small Stuff, you know what you are. I'm not going to sweat you.

I'm eating lower fat, higher protein, less sugars. Although Trader Joe's dried mango, you slay me.

I'm drinking butt-loads of water. Perhaps "butt-loads" is not the best descriptive noun here.

I'm laughing at my children, and loving our new pet. Love and laughter - the best medicine.

My wish for you this Thanksgiving is that you'll find good health on your gratitude list.

More Video

Tina Fey is the one I would invite to dinner if I could have anyone.

You Look Like Sh&t

Weekly Inspiration

Sumptuous costume and cinematography via Sofia Coppola



The Tudors



Local music



Fighting fair



(Conservative friends: I have been so nice, and so quiet! I've restrained from putting anything political on any page or out there at all, save my distaste for the Wake School Board's politicizing where there should be no politics. I don't even LIKE Keith Olbermann! Or what he did! But from what I can glean from various completely biased news sources, he only did what others have done for a long time now. After a self-imposed hiatus from any "biased" news I am going back whole hog. Ignore me at your pleasure!)

All Saints

Despite being sick, I mustered up the strength to go to our All Saints' service this morning. I usually have the role of ringing a bell for the dead. This year, with an inner ear virus, I gave that job to someone else. BONG BONG BONG is not what I needed today.

But the service, no matter what you believe about the afterlife, is incredibly peaceful. There is a painful beauty in remembering who has gone before. Our pastor does a lovely job of taking the fear out of death and while he doesn't extol the virtues and qualities of heaven, per se, he does remind us that love lives on no matter what.

And of course, the music. Today we had the harpist from the NC Symphony and she did a duet with our organist on the Fauré Requiem that had me shivering with goose bumps. Also? She's really nice and upbeat.

And one of my favorite sopranos sang the soaring solo on the "Lux Aeterna" from Rutter's Requieum. I was moved. But pulled it together to sing with her.

For they rest from their labours. Requieum aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Rhi Rhi