Monday Meanderings #36 #Thanksgiving

Hello, dear friends. This is Thanksgiving week in the U.S. and many of us will be gathering with family to celebrate the holiday. There is always SO much to be thankful for on any given day, but even more powerful when we combine our thanks with others.

This past week has been a little different for me. First off, I got the notice of my rent increase and after I had a mild heart attack, I called the office and spoke with the manager. Thank goodness, they had made an error. So, instead of $300, it’s $75. That let me relax just a little. Still, it’s another example of how the price of everything continues to increase. I decided to pull the trigger and submitted an application to the new complex next door and now have yet another decision to make. The only apartment they had to offer me is on the first floor, and is the first apartment inside the building from the parking garage. Besides the noise level, I’m not sure I’d feel safe there. It seems I’d be vulnerable. I have until next week to make up my mind.

In the meantime, I am starting to go through each room, each drawer, each bin, and eliminate things I no longer need to hang on to. It’s been sixteen years since I became a widow. And I’ve kept a lot of things from that other life. It feels like it’s time to let it all go and make it all about me now. Yet, at the same time, I wonder if that makes me a little selfish. Our mother took a staunch stance against any kind of selfishness, so there is a background program running.

I will figure it all out. Regardless of whether I move or stay, I’m going to continue with the ‘lightening of the load.”‘

We will be gathering at my youngest daughter’s house for our Thanksgiving celebration. It’s always a fun and chaotic time. My grandson will be home from college and is bringing a friend with him who has never been to Texas. I’m looking forward to it. It felt good to pass the hosting torch to my daughters. I did it for many years and now it’s their turn. My contribution is something we call Pink Stuff. Here are the ingredients:

1 sm can crushed pineapple in it’s own juice (drained)

1 sm container cottage cheese

1 container cool whip

1/2 c shredded coconut

a handful of marshmallows

I like to throw in a handful of pecans, but the kiddos don’t like them in there, so I don’t.

1 sm box of sugar free strawberry jello and mix it all together until well-blended. It always tastes better on day two, so I make it a day ahead of time.

I have two of the White Rune eBooks back up and working on the third one. Next comes the chore of getting them associated with the old ones to save all the reviews. Wish me luck!

I’ve worked a lot this week, so haven’t had a chance to read and I’m missing it. 🙂 But I did watch the first episode of Landman Season 2 and looks like it’s going to be good. I absolutely cannot stand the wife. What a character!

Anyway, that’s it. If you live in the U.S. and celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you a wonderful time with family and friends.

Like many of you, I will be scarce from now through Christmas, but will pop in when I can.

I love this quote from Edward Hopper. It says it all about the Artificial Intelligence invading our world.

Created in Canva

Here is our thought for the week from the tarot deck.

This seems appropriate for Thanksgiving week as it indicates a celebration and togetherness. It does the soul good to gather with people we love and who love us. There is empowerment in giving and receiving love. So, if possible, spending joyful time with family and friends is a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Thank you for stopping by. Wishing you and yours a week filled with ‘thanksgiving’ ahead!

  • Comment (16)
  • Teri Polen says:

    I’d have also had a heart attack over $300, Jan! Glad it was a mistake, but as you said, everything continues to increase. I can’t believe how much the price of groceries has increased around here. I laughed at the title of your dish – Pink Stuff, lol. I’m not a cottage cheese or coconut fan, so I’d have to pass. Have a wonderful time with your family this week!

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thanks for dropping by, Teri. I would guess that most of us are going to be out of pocket a lot this week. It’s funny that none of the grandkids will eat cottage cheese, but they devour this dish. 🙂 Have a great Thanksgiving week!!

  • Love the quote and the Cups card, Sister. I’ll be with family also and ours will be a big group too. As you said, lots of chaos and food. I really love that pink salad and have made it multiple ways with various Jello flavors. It’s so good and offsets high calorie desserts. I’m making a banana pudding that’s sugar free except for the bananas, so I have to go to the store in a bit. Love you.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thank you for stopping by, sister. I don’t remember Mom putting marshmallows in her pink stuff, but the kids want them and it adds a little bit to it, especially since I can’t put pecans in it. 🙂 Banana pudding sounds yummy! I hope you and your crew have a great Thanksgiving. Love you!

  • I love pink stuff! (I wonder what it’s real name is??) My Midwest relatives usually made it green, though, with lime Jello.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      I have no idea what the real name is for it, Priscilla. 🙂 I’ve never made it with lime Jello because the kiddos prefer strawberry, but I know it would be good. Thank you so much for stopping by and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

  • Emma says:

    I know what it’s like.i’ve been a widow for 15 yrs. The only thing I have of my husbands is his guitar and pictures. He was from west Virginia.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Emma. It’s hard to let go, but I think it’s time. Of course, there are some things I won’t ever part with, but there is lots I can. Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

  • MrsHallWays says:

    I always enjoy your meanderings, Jan, and this one struck a chord. The lightening of our loads, whether it’s by getting rid of stuff from our former lives or getting rid of those pesky background programs running and feeding us contrary information (oh, do I have a few of those), is only good for us. Sure, it helps us remember the good and the bad, but it also helps us grow and embrace the here and now, not the then and there. I don’t think it’s selfish or disrespectful! You’re AMAZING. Happy Thanksgiving, friend.

  • Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  • Gosh, Jan! You had a heart attack?! The cost of everything is rising, has been as long as I can remember. I remember how shocked I was the first time it cost over $3.00 to fill my Volkswagen with gas, which was up to more than 30 cents a gallon. I had paid less than $2,000 for the new Volkswagen in 1973.

  • John Howell says:

    Like you, I’m glad Landman is back. I really love that series. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving. Sounds like it will be fun.

  • petespringer says:

    I don’t think it’s selfish to think about getting rid of things you no longer need. We need to think about ourselves as we get older. Good luck with the apartment decision. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.

  • My Aunt used to make that “salad” for every celebration meal. She called it Little Bit of Nothing… we LOVED it! Happy Thanksgiving, Jan to you and those who mean the most to you . <3

  • I can understand your nervousness about the new apartment, Jan. It’s location isn’t ideal. I do love that you are lightening the load! I’m guessing that you’ll feel it physically, and the old place may just feel a little “newer” in the process.”

    Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. I like the idea of not hosting! I should try that. Lol. Hugs!

  • Darlene says:

    I don’t think it’s selfish to get rid of things. After having to clear out my in-laws place last year, I don’t want to do that to my kids one day. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!!

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