No Shopping For Me Today!

Black Friday has never been something I wanted to participate in.  Stores open before the sun comes up and people who were just thankful are out in the crowds fighting over bargains to put under the tree.  I MAY, however, do a little shopping on Small Business Saturday because I believe in helping out the small businesses.

Wednesday, Joe and I volunteered to deliver meals for VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly). They serve hundreds of shut-ins every day, but Thanksgiving is special and hundreds of volunteers line up to get meals (and this year, potted mums too) to deliver. We always take two addresses, so had four meals and four potted plants.  The deliveries are separated by zip code so volunteers can pick an area they are familiar with. We just asked for the area needed most. The first home was in a mobile home community and the woman wasn't too friendly. She was thankful but didn't want to visit or have us hang out. She met us outside on the patio. That was fine and we were not going to push a conversation. The second delivery was for an elderly couple. The husband is 98 and the wife is 93. He is blind and she suffers from macular degeneration and can't drive anymore. They are still sharp and we ended up staying for nearly an hour. Can you stay and visit, she said. Of course we can, said we. By the time we were leaving, we got hugs and an invitation to "please come and visit again"!! A wonderful experience!!

This is a photo of the volunteers, at the Lakeland Center, there to deliver meals, and we were 15 minutes early!  By the time the line started moving, there were this many people behind us too.

I started prepping the turkey, made deviled eggs, and a broccoli salad Wednesday night.  Got up early on Thanksgiving Day to do the rest.  We had a table full of delicious food, followed by a choice of three kinds of pie, made by our friend Helen....lemon meringue, pecan and pumpkin. 

Our son came, but Darlene decided to stay home. She has been fighting a virus all week and just didn't feel up to the trip.  We are all missing her and the puppies, but will send some leftovers home with Joey for her.  There were only five of us at the table, but there were plenty of leftovers to share (which is why we make so much anyway).

We had a very nice Thanksgiving and will have a good couple more days with our son.  Our other son, Jeff, called us on his way home from work. He was joining friends for a Thanksgiving dinner so we were happy he would be with friends since he couldn't be with us. I spoke with my sister, Tammy. They are celebrating with family today.  Text messages came from my sister and sister-in-law, our niece and several friends. Praise God.  Being loved is the best blessing!

Thanks for your visit today!! If you braved the crowds for Black Friday, I hope you got all you went for!  As for me....sleeping late and warming up leftovers!!  Peace & hugs.