Thanksgiving and Before

Many thanks for your Thanksgiving wishes. It was a glorious day but not without surprises. I will let you see the photos before I tell the story!



Tippy, Kieran and I decided to go to Hudson's for Thanksgiving this year. Every year Hudson's gives the restaurant to St. Andrew's by the Sea who feeds anyone who shows up on Thanksgiving from 11AM-3PM. Last year they fed 1600 people and it's known for being a diverse group of people. I've heard of it forever but have never been, so this was the year. We got there a little after 11AM and there was already a line. We met a lovely couple from Ontario and a family from Pittsburgh in front of us and a nice, young Mexican family with three kids behind us. It was a fantastic day and everyone was chatty and welcoming. They had face painting for the kids, a band, and Mr; & Mrs. Santa! It was really well planned and staffed. Looking back, my first clue that something was wrong was when Tippy said she was tired and wanted to sit for a minute. It was also sunny and warm, so warm that I took my coat back to the car. There was quite a long wait and as we were getting near, Tippy grabbed my arm firmly and said, "I'm feeling dizzy". I know by the grasp and her fading look that she was serious. The gentleman from Ontario took one arm and he and Kieran walked her toward an ambulance that was there on standby. By the time she is seated, she is throwing up. The paramedics were fantastic - her BP had dropped to 88/62. They called in a second group who checked her BP again (more normal) and did an EKG. She was feeling better by the minute but they recommended they take her to the Emergency Room to be checked out, which they did. She was dehydrated and was given fluids. She was the second person to go to the ER from Hudson's and one of the nurses said we were "dropping like flies" which tickled Tippy! We didn't get lunch but they even offered to pack something for us. All is well that ends well and we'll have to try again next year. Lynn and Tom had also invited me to have Thanksgiving with them, but since I had plans for Hudson's, they invited Rosie and me over for dessert. By the time we walked home, many of our neighbor's were out walking around and enjoying the end of a lovely day.

Check the "Photos from Friends" tab at the top to see what Thanksgiving was like in Albuquerque, NM!!

You can tell from the photos that the day was beautiful. We have been having glorious weather - chilly mornings but sunny and warm (60s) by mid-day. While Jan and I missed the peak of the fall leaves when we did our road trip to the mountains, we have had some color here in my own neighborhood.




From my last blog entry, you know that Chris and I were going to celebrate her birthday by going to see Harriet followed by dinner at Bricco. What I didn't mention is that Chris; birthday was on the 16th and Tippy's was on the 18th. so, I sent an invitation to the usual suspects inviting them to surprise Chris when we showed up at Bricco. Then I sent a second one, excluding Tippy and Kieran, and notified everyone that we would actually surprise them both! I provided a cake and Sally showed up with balloons and Birthday Girl pins. The surprise was fun and I think everyone enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the service was VERY slow but the food was good - and I think we actually pulled off the surprise!!



Lynn, Tom, and I also did our outreach to liberal neighbors, which was fun. Everyone seemed happy to meet each other and it was a good evening. I'm hoping we will follow up with something else after the holidays are over.

Speaking of the holidays, I am in total denial. I'm debating whether or not to put up decorations. It seems like a lot of work just for me; but, if I don't I won't see my ornaments, which I do enjoy. If I'm going to do it, I'd better do it soon to get the most out of it.

Reyna just returned from Mexico and while she was there she had one of my earrings replaced/re-made. I lost one when in Panama and was upset because it was one of my favorites and I have a  matching bracelet. I sent some of my pieces that I never wear to be used to make the replacement.  The goldsmith did an excellent job and I am so happy to have the complete set again. The bracelet was given to me by fellow teachers in Dhahran when I left Saudi and I bought the matching earrings, so they have great sentimental value.

I finally found a fleece jacket for Rosie that is actually long enough. I also found an Advent Calendar for Dogs so, at this point, she is more prepared for the holidays than I am!!

Happy Holidays!