Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

What am I thankful for? I am thankful first and foremost that I have a loving and understanding wife of 14 years. Cicely has been there for everything that has come my way as well as our direction together and has never turned her back once to take the easy way out. Like anyone, Cicely can get annoyed or frustrated but who wouldn't, I am not perfect so why expect her or anyone else to be. I love you Cizzle!

I am thankful that my family is still around and kicking, that my nephews are healthy and happy and that Oggy has shown up and added so much to Cicely and my life. I am thankful for the amazing doctors that helped my dad in July when he had a major motorcycle crash and was on life-support for over 26 days. Because of their awesomeness, my step-mom Cyndi by his side and the support of myself, Cicely, my sister and Dan as well as my dads friends, his sister and so on, he managed a full recovery and we all get to share dinner with him today.

I am thankful that I have a good job and a support system in life outside of work that allows me to see things in a new light. I look forward to progressing into the future but will admit, if its more of the same I will be happy so long as I can maintain good health and state of mind.

As corny as it sounds, or as poorly as I put it into words; For me in life, I believe that you should never be so greedy that you don't recognize and appreciate what you have. Step back and look around once in a while, and realize that what you have around you is worth so much more than what you think you need to have around you. Enjoy what you have, who you have and what it may all become. Hope for the best but don't fear the worst. There is always a little mud after it rains, so take it as a gift, make mud pies and splash around because before you know it the sun will come out and you will be left with only the dirt you had. Find the good in all things new, challenging and unique and today make your focus having a Happy Thanksgiving!

Obviously today is Thanksgiving Day and it looks like spring has sprung with no sign of old man winter or the holidays. Some years we have a mild start to the winter and wham, get hit like a ton of bricks by snow storms shortly thereafter. My hope is that we have another mild winter plain and simple. While I enjoy the sight of snow on the ground and the soft silence of it falling, the aftermath of shoveling, driving and related are not quite as relaxing and enjoyable.

The movies

Yesterday after Cicely and I went to see Wreck-It Ralph we went to the mall and walked around a little so I could look at the new iPad Mini at the Apple store and she could got to Sephora and Charming Charlie's to look around. I did see more signs of winter because of several with their lift passes firmly stuck on their power pants from a day at Mt. Rose. Other than that it was shorts and short sleeved shirts and I love it!

Anyway, before I forget I wanted to mention a little about the movie, Wreck-It Ralph. We decided to see the 3D showing to get the full experience and it was definitely worth the added cost. The theatre was surprisingly empty, I think there were less than 10 sitting and watching the movie at any given time, including us. Very strange to say the least. The movie was great and I think they did an excellent job making it feel like the 8-bit days of the past with an added mix of hi-def and crazy amazing 3D of today.

I won't go into any real detail about the movie but did want to mention that Cicely fell in love with this game that Wreck-It Ralph goes in to called “Sugar Rush”. It was totally somewhere I could see Cicely living, or the way her design studio would look. Sugar rush is filled with bright colors, sweet treats and cuteness as far as the eye could see. I think Cicely was in heaven from the moment that game was shown. Watching her gaze at the screen was like watching a kid the first time they saw a superhero in person. Very cool and made me smile and happy that she enjoyed it so much, as did I. I would recommend the movie whether you have kids or not. It's the kind of movie you can check out for the simple reason that you want to see great animation and a touching story.

Ok with all the good the movie had there was one “negative” that I noticed about 1/3 the way in. First, I want to mention it's not really negative, more of an observation I guess. Here goes; I think the movie was pretty much a remake of Monsters Inc. Yes, it was different, but was it? There is a big guy as the main character, an innocent little girl and “doorways” aka circuits to other games they traverse. Taking nothing away from it, I enjoyed it to the fullest, but could not help to have that thought in the end. When I mentioned it to Cicely with the preface of “I don't want to ruin the great experience you just had” she pretty much validated my thoughts as well, and no, it did not ruin her movie experience either so that is a good thing, right?

I think that is about all for today, I need to start getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner over at dads house. Kelly (sister) her husband Dan, my nephews Cody and Cameron, myself, Cicely, Oggy, Dad and Cyndi's friends Ray and Ellen will be there too. It's going to be great but I need to get on the treadmill for a few and get myself ready for the feast.

My left jaw and a few teeth are hurting today, I think when I smashed down on a kettle corn un-popped popcorn seed yesterday at the movie it must have really pissed off some nerves in my teeth, sure hope I did not crack anything. I don't want that hindering my Thanksgiving feast nor do I want a trip to the dentist. It has been sore and even throbbing a little bit all morning already, figures huh! Nothing a little wine and hanging out with friends and family can't fix!

Give thanks daily because you want to not because you feel you have to … .

Photo: Dinner