Thanksgiving was huge. 22 people. Going to Utah in December... just a few short weeks away. Dave is coming out a week after that for Christmas. David may come out but that's still up in the air. Either way, presents will make their way back with one or both of them. I have my tree up, my house decorated, and I feel mostly normal again. I dunno... things seem kind of up in the air still. I know they're not, really... but I can't get over that feeling that not all of the drama is over. We'll see how the coming weeks go, though, right?

So, not two weeks after that last post, I was not so happy.

My sisters create drama, which you all know. What's more is, they create drama for ME. I dislike this. They are no longer living in my space. It would take entirely too long to say here all that occurred. Lets just say that I'm insulted, I'm offended and I'm astounded that people can be so crazy for no reason.

Okay, on to Thanksgiving. We're at 20 people. I made wop salad and antipasto the other day. Last night, after Zach's band concert, I made the filling for my stuffed veggies (cherry tomatoes, pepperoncinis, and mushrooms). Tonight I'm making cheesecake and the stuffing for the dates... Tomorrow I'm on to prepping the stuffing and the candied yams. *sighs* And the cranberry relish. I think I'm on track for a happy and everything-done-on-time Thanksgiving.

What's next? Decorate for Christmas right after the holiday... then December 15th we're off to Cedar City, missing both of our Christmas parties... then it's back home, finish shopping and around the corner is Christmas! YAY! When will it be over again?

I am happy. I walked outside yesterday evening, like I do on any day I leave work, and I looked up at the sky and couldn't help but smile. The mountains are beautiful and it's hard to have a mediocre sunset where I live. Even on days when you can't see the sun, the way the clouds wrap around the peaks and drift into the valleys is truly inspiring. Last night, though, the clouds were the color of bright coral and the sky behind them like tropical waters. I wish I were a poet so I could make you see it with me. I called Michael and the only thing I had to say was "isn't that an amazing sky?" It made me slow down a little bit and remember why I'm here. I'm here so that every winter my kids can hop on a board and fly down the mountains on blankets of snow... and maybe one winter soon I can go with them. I'm here so that when I take a walk on a perfect summer day, which is every day in summer for me, I can be surprised by a random deer strolling out of the brush in front of me. I'm here so that I can sit on my couch and read a book and be distracted by the humming birds, chickadees, and magpies out my window instead of being distracted by the tv. I'm here so that every morning when I wake up I appreciate how warm the blankets are... and every night when I go to sleep I appreciate how warm Michael is. I'm here for the slower pace of life, for the appreciation of simple things, for the nice people in my world. I think back on my life in Las Vegas and I feel... happier. So what if we don't eat at Olive Garden on a regular basis? So what if we can't go to the supermarket after 11pm? I don't miss the conveniences that really just add to the stress of every day life in the city. Those sad ghosts gambling their money away in the grocery store at 3am. Driving 15 miles over the course of an hour because of construction or accidents or just an influx of people into a small space.

In real news, the boys picked up their snowboards and gear for their season rentals last night. They're all set to hit the slopes. I get my season pass soon... one of the girls here is a certified instructor and offered to teach me to snowboard. I need to get new pants... but other than that I think I'm ready to go.

Thanksgiving update:
Mom, Dad, Tara, Willow, Maria, Raul, Megan, Rusty, possibly Paul, Matt, Zach, Ian, Ayla, Alyssa, Austin, Hannah, Brandon, Mike and Me, possibly my cousins Sophie and Jay... and then little Mallory who doesn't really get counted because she doesn't eat solid food yet. 20 something people. AND I'm cooking. AND I'm cooking at Megan's instead of my place.... which is great for the space issues... not so great for the cook. On top of that, she's ordering a table. I tell her, "If you haven't ordered yet try to get a table that seats 8 - 10 (mine seats 8)" Guess what? She ordered a table that seats 6. *rolls eyes* I love my family. If I keep saying it then maybe I won't kill them all in a psychotic Thanksgiving episode of Kyzilla.

What else? I'm admiring someone from afar. I'm not stalking them. No, really. It's this remarkable person that is strong and lovely and so very sad... and I think they should marry one of my friends. (you know who you are) I will tell you about it once they're engaged.

We're planning on taking a trip to Cedar City sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's already feeling like I'm trying to run away from home. I always knew there was a good reason I lived at least 30 minutes from my family.

There's one more thing. I am deeply in love. I am lucky enough to have someone in my life that keeps me sane, grounded and happy with just a look... just that feeling of his hand on mine while we fall asleep. Even on days when I'm close to stabbing people in the eyeballs... he keeps me from that one last step that would send me to prison for my remaining years. And he's so beautiful on top of it all. I don't know what I'd do without him.