Giving thanks

As many of you know, I love love love coming home to Indiana for Thanksgiving cavorting with the Qualls clan. This year was no exception, though we were thinner on the ground than normal for the actual day.

Perhaps it's having hordes of people to bake for. I got back to the Bloomington homestead 2:30 on Weds after swinging by the grocery store and went into full pie baking mode. The last two came out of the oven (with the help of the lovely Sarah E, also in town for feasting with family) before midnight. 6 pies of various types - not a bad day's work. The cabinet in the garage where these things are staged was full with Kenny, Chuck, Nancy, and my efforts. Delicious efforts at that. Uncle Bill stayed in New Zealand (we missed him and aunt Linda so much!) so I recruited Mark to carve with me. The first turkey was a tender, insane mess and literally fell apart whenever we touched it. Each chopping up though. The smoked one (gracias Knapowskis) was a bit more solid; luckily we'd practiced our moves a bit.

The cousins continue to amuse as they get older; I love how the house is filled with card and game playing, scrabble, mille bornes, even bridge. The running amok within the confines of the house (the rain didn't make me want to leave at all though), the evening singing around the piano, the fact that people show up and we might not even know who they are but welcome them in anyway... and then discreetly figure out who they know in the house.

Last night I got talked into making chocolate chip cookies. And then had everyone watch Scott Pilgrim Vs the World. Hilarity ensued, though last gathering's watching of the Riff Trax Twilight perhaps will never be repeatable. In short, I love seeing folks, baking, and chat chat chatting the week away. What a wonderful time. I'll stop gushing now.

But how excellent it is to have so much to be thankful for, especially after such a rough summer/early fall. Life is gorgeous. For reals.

English updates

From the classroom this week (beginning level English):

Americans sell drugs in the supermarket. They also have walking coffee. (Just wait, Starbucks will bring this out next year, coffee that follows you).

I, Bethany, am a caveman since I don't have a TV, iPhone, and use a paper planner. How backwards!

From a fellow teacher: "Imagine a world of awkwardness."
Me: "I'm in England! I'm in England!"
Oddly enough, the Brit in the room laughed while an American made an offended face.

Laura Croft and Napoleon would be a good match because they both like guns. Cleopatra and Harry Potter because she likes younger men. (This comes from a speed dating role play they did where everyone was some character/historical figure. Barbie, Snow White, and Batman also took part.)

Two students went to the Castro yesterday and saw a naked man.
Me: "He was naked?"
Student 1 (pause): "Well, he was wearing boots."
Student 2: "And a backpack."
Me: "So not completely naked."
Student 1: "Well no. But we're from conservative country. You don't see things like that."
Thank goodness for the gays.

New metaphors!

Awhile ago I came up with the idea that I was done with the wooden building blocks of relationships and that it's lego time. I like this idea. Blocks slip, they slide, they can splinter (!!!) whereas legos click together, come apart decently easily, can be washed and/or sanitized... much cleaner, much neater, much saner.

This idea obviously has more places to go. Onward!

Shoes!

It's Friday. Sarah needs new shoes. So, time for shoe shopping!

We end up at Nordstrom after looking at other options. Poking around for a clog substitute, not having very much success. Finally we ask someone for help - this is the joy of Nordstrom. Amazing customer service. Katie brings out stacks of things, most of which Sarah rejects quickly. She has a vision. Then we see some shoes by Faryl Robin and they are highly excellent, interesting boots and flats. So start trying on some more - since Sarah and I wear basically the same size it's fun to sample her rejects myself.

Suddenly Faryl Robin is there herself helping zip up a boot. She just happened to be in the store for an event and is excited about playing around with everything and anything. She gets Sarah to try on some wedges that are extremely excellent, though something she never would have tried herself. It's great. We talk about wearability, Sarah's restaurant, the joys of walking for miles in a pair of shoes. Finally Sarah settles to treat herself, birthday style, on some Millie calf high boots (which I love) and those Ella wedges which are I suppose ankle boots really, but so much more interesting. I'm excited because I asked what kind of leather the higher ones were, guessing goat, and it turns out I was right! How's that for talent? We discuss how using leather is actually nicer for the environment since not putting chemicals into water (which is what synthetics require) and Faryl promises to come by Sarah's restaurant the next time she's in town. We get Katie's number and talk about going dancing this weekend. Success!

Then it's time for a mani (me) peti (Sarah) as she prepares for a friend's wedding this weekend. What a great afternoon.