it's not life that matters but the journey...

I just wanted to do a quick update - things are crazy around here and will get crazier as the week progresses. Yesterday afternoon, five of my family members arrived from Sacramento - my aunt Pam, uncle Roger, cousin Andrea and her two children Christian (who's 14) and Kira (who's 9). They are some of my dearest relatives, and I haven't seen them since last summer's family reunion. They'll be staying for a week - three of them are staying at our house, the other two are staying over at my aunt and uncle's house. And Kira, the 9-year-old, is staying in the empty twin bed next to me downstairs. It's fun having her around, but of course I'm having to get accustomed to sharing my space. She's a sweetheart though - and I'm enjoying spending the time with her and with Christian, who's also just the sweetest kid. Today Kira and Christian helped me to bake pumpkin cookies! The rest of the week will be super busy as all of us prepare for this huge Thanksgiving feast on Thursday, and also get the program and decorations and last minute cooking and preparations done for the big 50th Wedding Anniversary party we're having for my parents on Saturday.

And to add to the chaos, tomorrow morning, I'm meeting an old friend of mine, Carol, who I used to teach with at the college - we're going to have coffee and talk for an hour or so. Then tomorrow afternoon I'll have to make grocery lists and maybe start shopping - I've been having fun planning some of the dishes I want to contribute to the Thanksgiving meal - I'm going to challenge myself and make a broccoli, mushroom and gouda quiche - and I might also make a corn and sweet potato soup! I'm trying to add some more vegetarian dishes to the meal, since I'm trying to cut back on meat this year and not eat any turkey ... although we'll have plenty of veggie dishes like corn stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, and spinach salad.

Oh and also tomorrow, if time allows, Andrea and the kids and I are going out to see New Moon ! I'm excited to watch that with the kids, because Kira especially is a huge Edward fan.

It's going to be such a fun week, but boy it's hard to have so many people running around in this small house - we had 11 for dinner last night, and we'll have 14 for Thanksgiving since my sister and her family are also coming! my brother left today to spend two months in Portland, so he won't be around - and I'm sure he's enjoying the peace and quiet of his hostel tonight. But as loud and crowded as it may get, I'm going to savour these family moments, since in just two weeks I'll be in Japan, far away from my own family for quite some time.

Anyway, if I'm scarce this week, you'll know why... but I have a feeling that lots of people will be busy (at least those in the U.S. who celebrate Thanksgiving)...

have a great week everyone!