Give Thanks
Some years are better then others, some years go the way you wanted, some years things just seem to go the wrong way... but either way there is always things we can be thankful for at the end of the day. Family, friends, food on the table... all the big things we take for granted when little things go wrong. I like the Thanksgiving Holiday because it is not about gifts, or going out of your way... it is just about being with family, eating (my favorite part), and thinking about all the things for which you can be thankful.

Well here is my 2005 Thanksgiving story: Monday before Thanksgiving I worked late and then hit the road to Chicago. I took Tuesday off so I could drive back to Michigan with Novali. It made for a very long Monday, but I got it done and made it through the long day. Seeing Novali always makes the long drive worth it, and reminds me why I spend countless hours in my car on I-94. Tuesday we got up and took our time, got dressed, put pigtails in her hair, and packed the car. I got her Madagascar on DVD and she watched that in the car and let me drive. We arrived in Albion and this Papi was dead tired... we lounged in the apartment, or more I mean I lounged and she ran all over taking out all her toys and crayons and making a mess.

As soon as we get to Albion she wants to stand on the peak of my front steps.

And don't forget the hopscotch on the front entrance.

Tuesday night Heather came over, and me, Novali, Heather and Jennifer from work went to see Chicken Little at the lovely Albion Bohm Movie Theater. Novali got scared at some of the alien scenes, but in the end said she liked the movie. Wednesday I went to work and Heather watched Novali... they played games, did an art project, and made muffins. Once I was done with work, we made a snowman in front of my apartment and then it was time to eat! Off to Cascarellis for some late lunch and then Novali and I hit the road to Saginaw. We left early enough and missed the major part of the snow and made it safety.

Wednesday we got some snow!

The beginning of a snowman...

Eyes and nose...

The first snowman of the year!

Turkey day is never really that normal at the Centellas house. Last year I cooked and did make a turkey, but normally we do something different. This year Miguel did something very different. He took the cooking duties and made a wide range of different foods. Too many to list here... look at the photos, appetizers, several course meal, leg of lamb, and mom covered the dessert. I of course ate too much and had it not been for Novi running all over would of snagged my traditional nap on the couch. Novi made a snowman with Grandpa, we played dominos, and my dad and I planned our shopping trip for tech gadgets on Friday morning.

In Saginaw Novi really wanted to drink Hot Cocoa in front of the fire.

Saginaw Snowman... scarf and hat and everything!

The beginning of Thanksgiving dinner... Novi loved the Salami.

Full table... wine, lamb, salads, shrimp, etc. Too much!

She learned Dominos quickly.

Playing Barbie with Grandma.

Watching Grandpa play tennis, she said her neck got tired from watching the ball.

Getting her hair trimmed... she was not too happy about it.

Friday... 5am start time. Yep... I was that guy. I like being that guy (bargain guy), and I have snagged some great deals on the day after thanksgiving, but I never did the 5am gig. The deals I snagged in the past were late in the afternoon, so this year we figured we rise and shine and get better deals. Well when my dad and arrived at Best Buy.... Longest line EVER! So we skipped it... then Circuit City was sold out of the stuff we wanted (15 minutes after opening)! So we went home, empty handed (well except for the door gift at JC Pennys). Whats funny is that we went back out at 4pm, and found two of the deals we originally had looked for, so no more early Black Fridays for me. Ever. Period.

In between shopping runs a lot of things got done. We got Novali snow pants and boots, the two of us got a haircut from my mom's hair salon, and we played a lot of games and ate a lot of food. Good times. Friday night I went downtown with some of my fraternity Brothers. Its funny cause I am not friends with anyone I went to school with in Saginaw, but when I am in town I go out with my fraternity Brothers who are in the area. Its a nice laid back time to catch up with some guys I only get to see a couple times a year.

Me, Oso (Miguel), and Angelo (Little Bo). Hanging out at Kelly O'briens

The Valtierra Sisters and Lisa (Oso's Wife).

Saturday it was rise and shine and finish my laundry. I had to leave at noon for a wedding in Bad Axe. I finally got to see the fabled town I heard so much about from Heather. It was pretty much what I expected, maybe a little bigger... I mean that Walmart was impressive. The wedding was fun, and the prime rib... oh yeah... this for sure was a weekend of good food!

Sunday.... long day on the road. The good thing is that Novali is really patient in the car and does not make a fuss. It also helps that I bought that car DVD player for her. It keeps her entertained so that I can drive. I need to go back through my planner and count all the hours I have spent in my car driving back and forth to Chicago. Kinda scary when I think about it... but each trip is worth it and she takes my mind off of all the tons of work I have to get done the following week.

So what is up this following week... Wednesday I fly to Atlanta for a conference. Really looking forward to that! But that means I need to get 5 days worth of work done in 2 days... lets see what happens. I hope everyone had as good a Thanksgiving as I did. Sam signing out... CIAO.