Thanksgiving

This was the Thanksgiving we were celebrating apart from family.  My parents did their thing as well as my sister, so it was just me, MA and VM.  VM had to work so I thought I would do up a small chicken and some Thanksgiving sides for dinner to celebrate.  Our party grew by one, my mother-in-law did not go to her sister's so we were having her over.
The day before I was in the grocery store getting all the items on my list when my dear husband called.  He informed me that he invited his friend/co-worker BK and his wife over.  I said it was no big deal, I was still at the store so I can pick up a few extra.
So, our party of three is now up to six.  I knew I wanted to bake the pie and cheesecake the night before so those would be done and out of the way.  Since our guests would be arriving around 2pm, I thought it would be a good idea to have some appetizers.  MA and I went back to the grocery store Thanksgiving morning to pick up last minute things.  VM was getting off work at noon so he could prepare one of the chickens. 
VM called to let me know that he was headed home and stressed to me that "everything will be fine and no need to do anything else".  Of course I thought that was a little odd...but before I could ask what he meant, he rushed out "Oh, I also invited KM, his wife and son for Thanksgiving".
Oh boy, now our party is up to nine.  Thanks goodness I like to cook more than I should!  I had everything I needed and did not have to go to the store.
All in all it was a very nice Thanksgiving.  We had ample amount of food, wine and desserts...and of course, good company! 

Playdate

After spending the weekend with my niece and seeing how MA interacted with her...well let's just say that it was time to schedule a playdate.

One of my co-workers son is a few weeks apart from MA.  I thought it was a good idea for the two to meet (and also see if MA could really play other children).
When RF and her son CF came over, MA was sooooo excited.  He just started jabbering away!  I think he thought CF was Caillou (his favorite cartoon).  MA kept getting in CF's personal space and all I could do was laugh!  CF of course didn't care for his space to be invaded but MA was trying to be social.

After playing with the toys, we got the kids to do a craft project.  I wasn't too sure how MA would be with paint but he did well!  He was having a good time putting the Thanksgiving frame together.

As RF and CF were leaving, CF started to open up a little more.  By the time he was getting to the car, I finally got to see him smile.  MA on the other hand, I knew had a fantastic time! 
Whew!  I was relieved MA could interact with CF, I think maybe because his cousin was smaller and a girl, that brought out the little booger in him!

A 1st Hospitalization 4 Dad

My dad is one of the strongest men I know!  He's always on the go, whether it's working around the yard, working a full-time job, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.  But once he's all done, he loves his naps!  You can't blame him with all the hard work he does, he's gotta recuperate somehow!
So, when I found out he had to have back surgery I got a little concerned.  He never complained about it, I knew that he had days when his back was hurting but I thought it was just "old age".  You know, it comes with the territory kinda thing.  I asked him what kind of surgery and what it all entailed.  But my dad made it sound like it wasn't a big deal and just mumbled something about a couple of discs and left it at that.  I figured as Nov 1st got closer, he would fill me in with a little more details.
Prior to surgery, Dad had to go in for the usual protocol and they were going to go over what needed to be done before and after surgery.  As he was filling me in on the details, I knew he was under some delusional thought that it was an outpatient service and he would be home a few hours after the surgery.  Now, I was beginning to understand why it was that he was unable to give me a lot of details about his back and the surgery.  He had his own agenda of what was going to happen and when he was going to be out. 

Misconception #1:  This is a minor surgery that he checks in and was out within a few hours.
Fact:   This was a major surgery and he was going to be put under for it.  The surgery itself was
about 2 hours and recovery was a few hours after that.

Misconception #2:  He is going home a few hours after the surgery.
Fact:  They are keeping him for 2 days in the hospital to make sure he is healing and get him up and walking.

Misconception #3:  He gets to go back to work after a few days and everything will be like usual.
Fact:  Uhhh, I don't think so.  Maybe more like 2 weeks.

So you see, what he sees in his mind is so wrong.  It's actually the total opposite.  But that's my dad and I love him!

 There he is, looking good the day after.

We just arrived to say hi! 

Me and Dad

MA waiting patiently.

His view from the 5th floor.