Thanksgiving is coming. I’ve already started making lists of what needs to be done. Twelve of my family have said they would be here, and there’s the potential for up to 18 more. I know for sure that the rest won’t be able to attend due to distance or other commitments.
This morning I was pondering the subject of flowers. When you set a table with china, I feel you need to finish the table with some sort of floral arrangement. I have this brochure from a local greenhouse that is advertising Thanksgiving arrangements. The prices for what I could use range from $39.95 to 69.95. I definitely have two tables, and am likely to have a third, and I want an arrangement for the foyer table.
Somehow, it just seems WRONG to spend that much money on flowers when so many people are doing without this year. It would be lovely to just be able to pick up the phone and order, and have one more thing taken care of, but I don’t think I can do it.
When I was a teenager, I took classes in flower arranging. I know the basics, and I know that I can put together simple arrangements and bouquets. I think we will still have flowers, but we won’t be ordering them. I plan to use ceramic pumpkins, and ornamental gourds, candles, and a few flowers.
What I save is going to be given to the local mission so that people who would otherwise do without, will be treated to a full Thanksgiving dinner. It’s not a hardship, and I’ll feel a lot better about it.

I have developed some habits that might be so bad as to be classified as an eating disorder, and I’m trying to make some changes.
I have forgotten what an appropriate portion is. Rather than serve myself some potato chips when I have a sandwich, I’ll take the entire bag with me to the table.
I have taken to wolfing down my meals. Rather than leisurely enjoying each bite, I chomp and swallow with the goal of getting to a clean plate. I finish dinner and I’m still hungry because my stomach hasn’t had the chance to recognize that it is full.
I am addicted to salty food. I really need to make a change here because I can see the effect on my circulation.
I’ve been skipping breakfast and eating between meals.
Now that I’m thoroughly embarrassed, I’ll tell you what changes I’ve made.

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I’ve been watching the light the last few days. We’re trying to adjust to being back to Central Standard Time, and I’ve used the time change to make an adjustment to my sleeping hours.
Dear Husband goes to bed at 9:00 (barring long World Series games!), and I’ll align my sleeping times to his. But, I’ll stay up a night or two to read, and then blogging calls to me one night and office work the next, and gradually I find that I am off schedule by as much as three or four hours. Morning becomes an agony rather than the pleasure it should be, and I rush to make it to exercise. It’s particularly hard on Elegante Mother, who needs a regular schedule, and plenty of time to get where she’s going.

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