Posted by jsexton – November 25, 2006 7:48 AM
Our original plan called for the kitchen to be finished the week before Thanksgiving. We planned to have Gretchen's parents down from Michigan for a big Thanksgiving dinner. Let me give you a little clue on whether the remodel is complete -- I'm writing this entry from Jackson, Mich. (we live in Knoxville, Tenn.).
The issues that have popped up, such as needing an extra support beam, and some decisions we've made during the remodel, have delayed things by a few weeks. That's fine. We faced some choices that were along the lines of, "get it done quick," or "get it done right," and we chose the "get it done right" path.
We talked about Gretchen's parents still coming down. They could stay in a hotel (our extra bedroom is filled with furniture and appliances from our kitchen and dinning room) and we could have Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant. But after we thought about it, that seemed crazy. In many ways it is nice to get out of our dusty, chaotic house for the four day weekend.
So we made the 10-hour trek to Michigan. The weather here has been wonderfully unseasonable for November. Sunny and in the mid-50s. And we had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at the dining hall of Vista Grande Villa.
My parent-in-laws, Pat and Eldon, live in a retirement community. It is a neat place that bills itself as a "worry free lifestyle." Yesterday Mackenzie and I went to an exercise class with Grandpa Eldon. Picture us, Mackenzie, 12-years-old, and me in my 40s, exercising with a room full of 70- to 90-somethings. Believe it or not, we had a good workout that lasted for an hour and included leg kicks, weights and hand stretches. Then we sat in a circle and played kickball. This is a game where you kick or punch large balloons back and forth. Lots of laughter and smiling in this game.
Afterwards the instructor had everyone go around and tell what they were thankful for. The first woman, who appeared to be 80ish, didn't hesitate. "I'm happy to be alive," she said. That one was hard to top. Mackenzie was more pragmatic. "I'm thankful for the salad bar upstairs," said the boy who likes to eat.
Me, I'm happy to be alive too. And I'm very thankful our kitchen is nearly finished.
Sexton kids with the Eschenburg grandparents in Michigan.
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You'll be in by Valentine's Day
Posted by Your pal – November 27, 2006 5:14 PM
Am catching up on my reading...
We, the children and I, went to Fresno for Thanksgiving with my sister and extended family. My husband stayed home with his mother (who refused to make the drive) and cooked game hens for the two of them. It was the first Thanksgiving in 28 yrs that we haven't had dinner together. It was really nice not to be cooking but, I did miss him just a bit. I just played cards with the 20 yr olds, while everyone else did the work!
Posted by Joyce lund – November 30, 2006 4:34 PM
This Alternative to having the in-laws at your house seems to have worked out great. The kids will have some good memories of the older generation. Hang in there and stay flexible!
S.C.
Posted by Sharon C. – December 1, 2006 8:42 PM
We some how make the best of what we have, and in your case I see you had a good Dinner in a nice place, didn't have to cook or clean, and most of all you had it with the Love of Family. As Sharon C. on December 1 2006 said the young ones will have some wonderful memories.
Posted by Shelley Stilson – March 15, 2007 9:54 PM
Forgot to tell you, I'm from Jackson, Mi. well I used to be. I now live in Spring Arbor. Hope the kitchen is a beaut.
Posted by Shelley Stilson – March 15, 2007 9:56 PM
