Giving Thanks

There are a lot of things to be grateful for. During a global pandemic, having the luxury of being healthy, employed, and together and as a family is something that is not lost on us. We are so fortunate and lucky in our situation, and that is not lost on us.

Sure, we may have to stay at home and work in the same space. Sure it's been 50 ish days since I've been out of my house for more than a walk around the block. Sure there are some times I get delusionally riddled with anxiety about the socio-political and economic state of our country. Sure, the quarantine fifteen is no joke. And sure, there have been maybe a few times one of us has slept on the couch. But how lucky we are, truly.

So, while browsing Meijer's website to figure out what to buy for our weekly grocery delivery, the thought of Thanksgiving popped in to my head. Well, really, it was "why is a whole turkey reserved just for one holiday?" and then "dang, it's not that expensive to grab a turkey" and then "dang, the last time we roasted a turkey it lead to a very interesting evening back in college...." but that is a completely different story I will never, ever continue discussing. And before you say anything, those Thanksgiving dinners I made for the lovely folks at S2Games and for those heading to Dreamhack were a replacement of the upcoming Thanksgiving meals they would be missing. In November. So that was different. That being said, I am now quite versed in making a bomb-diggity turkey.

So....

Why not have Thanksgiving in May?

Thankfulness

This year, starting on November 1st, I made an Instagram/Facebook Story about something or someone I was thankful for. I called them my Thankfulness Posts. It really did help me center myself and realize how much we take for granted, be it that friend who is just always around, to having a house that has a roof and running water.

I saved my posts, and here they are below.

Words cannot express how grateful I am that Breaky came in to my life. My experience in this crazy ride called existence would be glaringly different had we not met. From introducing me to a bunch of great new people whom I now call friends, to letting me be a part of his family, and to showing me the love and support I had been wishing for all of my life; thank you Breaky! 

I am so grateful and still in disbelief that this child is the product of two crazy kids so in love and that she calls me "Mama". So thankful that she made me a Mom. 

Click Read More to continue

A Friendsgiving LAN

So, disclaimer, not my idea. Wish it had been. But my awesome friends came up with it first. And they are absolutely amazing.

Because what is Thanksgiving without a LAN, right?

Actually, this has a little bit of history to it. Back when I first started dating Breaky, I found out that he had missed Thanksgiving for years and years, because Dreamhack Winter always fell over Thanksgiving weekend. How sad! So, I took it upon myself to make the S2 Games crew a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Invited those that would be missing Thanksgiving with friends and family to be in Sweden for work and their significant others. Even called it ThankS2giving. That was the year we had like, 12 people in my small little one-bedroom apartment. The next year, we did the same, this time at a friend's house, as it was bigger than our small little house. After that, as many of you know, S2 Games did some weird shifting around, parts of it became Frostburn Studios, others stayed, mass chaos, yadda yadda and they did not end up going to Dreamhack Winter. So that year was the first year that Breaky stayed home for Thanksgiving. We always celebrate at my parents' house in Frankenmuth, Michigan. So that was a new and fun experience. Last year, another friend of ours hosted Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving, as they would not be able to go home to family for their Thanksgiving.

This year, we had some friends that wanted to ramp things up, so after Thanksgiving, which Breaky and I spent in Frankenmuth rooting on the Detroit Lions and eating a ton of great food, our friends decided to host a Friendsgiving LAN. You heard me right. Thanksgiving AND video games. What.Could.Be.Better?

The food was fantastic, and playing Overwatch while stuffed with food and drink was an experience. We partied from around 4:30 to after midnight (I, being the old-fart, left at around 12:30 and used my dog as an excuse. In my defense, she was alone for a bit)

Look at all this FOOD! LOOK AT IT (Picture a la Jacki)

 So much food. So good

Introducing Mrs. Greenbean Featherbottom (name a la Wza and picture from Jacki)

Setting up the LAN. You can tell I am a huge help (I'm the lazy bum in the corner. In my defense, Breaky and I were set up and I break things by touching them. Safer this way) Again, picture from Jacki

Super awesome LAN PARTY

So, super cool shout out to Wza for organizing, and Jacki for hosting at their place and everyone who attended for the great food, drink, games and company.