Ready....BREAK!!

This year's Thanksgiving was probably the best I've had in a long time. Because my parents are empty-nesters now, they decided to come out to Utah and spend the holiday with us. We spent the week at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We've never been around for big family holidays so this one was especially special for me.

It was really fantastic not to have a really structured schedule and each day can be molded to my very desires. Each morning was started with "The Price is Right" (as per G-ma and G-pa daily ritual. Then, I got to sit and read as long as I wanted to without interruption. It was also nice to get to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up without any cares or stresses. Another wonderful thing about the break was that there was no internet and my cell-phone pooped out (and I forgot my charger) so I was able to fully relax without any distractions. JUST THE WAY "BREAK" SHOULD BE!!!

Got to watch the finals of "Dancing With the Stars" live on an actual TV screen instead of a week and a half later on my laptop with crappy internet. I could almost say that this was the highlight of the break, but I think I'd get some rather disapproving comments. Surprisingly, Donny Osmond won. Everyone thought for sure that Mya would win because she has dominated the competition all season. She is even quoted as saying that the trophy was hers for the taking. Not so fast.

THANKSGIVING DAY - Food-wise, Thanksgiving was filled with secret family recipes that I finally got to help do now that I'm "a big girl" and am capable of keeping the secrets...upon penalty of death. I was in charge of making the rolls (K-Girl, I thought of you with every one) and the apple-pie. Everything turned out wonderfully! Watched the Jazz game.

BLACK FRIDAY - Baby Brother dragged the family out for Black Friday shopping early in the morning and didn't make it back till noon. Let's just say that when he got home, he was EXHAUSTED!! He didn't make it far before crashing. Not being able to stay up till 1am and sleep till noon then lounge around was not his favorite. Got my hair cut.

SLACKING SUPER SATURDAY - Took Dad to the BYU vs. Utah football game. He graduated from the U so this was a big deal for him to go, but I told him we wasn't allowed to wear full Ute gear so we compromised on the "half and half hat". He got a lot of compliments on the hat from Cougar and Ute fan alike. I was able to get a ticket from my wonderful, awesome, wonderful roommate. (Not that I'm polishing apples or anything). Loser had to wear the winning paraphernalia for the rest of the weekend. Before the game, because we got there super super early (1pm for a 3pm game), we went to the tail-gating extravaganza and gathered a lot of free stuff. We had 2nd row tickets in the North endzone where they also placed souvenir flags for us which was AWESOME. This was truly a blessing because that's where all of the real action happened...aka overtime. In case you're reading this not having heard about the game, BYU won in overtime by 3 points. Dad even got lucky as 4 Ute fans ended up sitting right beside him. "My people" as he called them, were there to cheer and boo and shout with him till the final whistle blew. We were totally pummeled as the entire crowd stormed the field OVER TOP OF US. Yes, we were caught on the front as people pushed, shoved, and scrambled onto the field. Eventually, we found a safe path out and made it out alive. This win gives me exclusive bragging rights over my extended, U of U supporting family. OH YEAH!! The traffic really wasn't too bad out of Provo surprisingly. We made a stop at dad's favorite burger place "Arctic Circle" then headed for home while listening to the Jazz game on the radio. Couldn't have asked for a better day.

SNOOZING SUNDAY - Woke up, read, and became the family barber while we all watched "The Lawrence Welk Show". Then, I finally sat myself down to work on that Hemingway paper I've been dreading. It's an analysis paper on an adaptation of a Hemingway Novel. I chose "In Love and War" starring Sandra Bullock. The story is based on "A Farewell to Arms", but also centered on actual events in Hemingway's life. Two and a half hours later, I have a VERY detailed outline and the beginnings of a truly in-depth analysis. Baby Brother headed back to school. Ended the day with "The Very Best of the Andy Williams Christmas Shows" musical special. I love love love Andy Williams and so it was especially nice to watch him on TV...even if it was rebroadcast from the 60s.