What did you buy?

Black Friday.
I am happy to report that, once again, I did not visit any malls or big box stores.
I didn't get to snooze the day away, but that would have been pleasant.

Since I was working today, it was great to be helping animals and their parents instead of fighting crowds for items that no one really needs ... or wants.
The only store I did get to with my daughter late in the day was our favorite thrift store -- Care and Share -- where I did splurge on two Christmas pins that set me back a few dollars, an "interesting" decoration and a chair.
That chair, costing less than $20, is one sweet purchase. Heavy, well-built and yes, old, it is extremely comfy -- perfect for settling into while reading a great book.
You remember books, don't you? You can buy them at Care and Share too.
Anyway, there was no stress, I didn't pull out a credit card and these few items will be put to good use.
Now, are you ready to "shop local" on Saturday?

Gobble, gobble!

Thanksgiving Eve and can't wait to see the great turkey float in Macy's New York City parade!
I could do without all those Broadway numbers -- just show the floats, balloons and marching bands, please.
I don't need to see all those TV, film and Broadway "stars" -- just give us the good stuff!
So after we make the trek to Catawissa to enjoy the day with family -- leaving bright and early so we don't miss the parade -- we'll have our eyes riveted on the TV for that first glimpse of this turkey!
As vegetarians, we don't partake in the eating of this fowl, but we sure enjoy seeing him flapping his wings and bobbing his head!
Hope you enjoy all your favorite Thanksgiving traditions.
Give thanks for your family, your friends, your health, your job, your home, your pets -- yes, the list goes on and on.
And please, don't go shopping.
It's Thanksgiving. Not thanks-shopping.

Time to be thankful

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It seems impossible that we're almost ready to head into December and then, before you know it, we'll be toasting the new year.
We say it all the time: "Where did the time go? How did this year fly by so fast?"
The days zoom by, the months race past. We grow another year older and wonder who the heck that is staring back at us in the mirror.
But there also is much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.

The beauty of nature...

A lovely trip to Vermont....

My sweet cats ... these are just 2 ....

Being honored by having Mayor Andy paint my portrait!

And of course my family and friends, who are too shy to have their photos featured here, but they know who they are...

So as we gather on Thursday to eat too much, laugh, give thanks and enjoy the company of loved ones, may we look back with love and look forward with optimism.And maybe even be thankful that we're still silly enough to draw little things like this:

Are you ready?

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

This pumpkin/turkey/cowboy concoction sure is!

So happy I found it at a thrift store ... it will be a great turkey day centerpiece!

VOTE, PLEASE!!

YES, TODAY IS THE DAY!

Be sure to THINK before you vote. Think how far we have come in the past four years. Think back to how Bush left this country and what Obama has been able to accomplish so far.

Think of the terrorists who no longer walk this Earth.

If you are a woman, think VERY hard about what Romney's views are ... and be very afraid.

Don't be fooled by those crazy Internet claims that you may have read about what will happen if Obama remains for another four years. His first four years have moved this country forward in so many ways, including strides in the economy. It was tough, after what the previous eight years of Bush had wrought. But we are moving in the right direction.

THINK.

VOTE.