Thanksgiving~

This makes me feel like a grown up. I thought I was a grown up when I started paying my own bills--when the student loans showed up, the car payment, the rent... I thought I was a grown up when I decided to move to another state, and then when I decided to move back. I thought I was a grown up after a honest conversation in which I'd been hurt, but managed to keep my cool, managed not to be mean just to be mean. I thought I was a grown up when I got this new fancy grown up job running this office...running this family. Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Now I'm a grown up. I'm a real grown up hosting my very own Thanksgiving dinner!!! I am so excited. So. Excited. Yes, the true verdict will come on Thursday PM. After the meal has been served, after the dessert has been eaten, after the guests have been properly stuffed.

This was not my original idea. Since we'd (my folks and I) been abandoned by the rest of our family I took charge and planned a very nice, very low-key, very different turkey day. Small dinner and a play. Cool. Nontraditional. Because a traditional dinner for three can be a wee bit depressing. And then the aforementioned brother decided not to abandon us, decided to instead abandon us on Christmas, which I'm still a little mad about. So he and the someday-soon-eventually Mrs will also be joining us. (I cannot believe I just said that...the soon to be MRS. G...wow...I mean, I've known it could be true...it might be true...and I better start acting that way, start acting nicer and all that....nicer, I mean, I'm already nice, but it's weird. Okay, well that is a post for another time) From three to five. And then...the terrific news that my cousin and her beautiful baby son and her mamma were orphaned on the big day as well. They will be joining us for H's very first Thanksgiving!!! And five became eight. And then with so much family getting together why not invite Gramma F and Gramma A. And eight became ten!

It's time for the big guns. I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 10! Bring it on Betty Crocker! Never mind that I live in an apartment. Never mind my kitchen table only has two chairs! Never mind I'm not a huge fan of cooking...that has changed btw in the last few weeks and I've gotten very excited. Many recipes have been scoured over. Many groceries have been purchased. Many dust-bunnies have been vacuumed away. I am ready.

I'm attempting to make a pumpkin-caramel cheesecake because 1) does that not sound amazing!? and 2) I'm an above average baker, so I have faith in myself that my first ever cheesecake will turn out. (If not, the Gramma's have so graciously agreed to bring pie! I love pie) I'm really excited for the day spend cooking with my mom in my own house. I'm excited to share the day with my family. I'm excited to eat!

One more last minute stop at the grocery store. One more day of work. One last chance to clean house.

One last chance to fill my freezer full of deep dish pepperoni pizzas.