Ever feel like good ol’ Chuck, when he gets smacked in the head with the football?

Cripes.

I was all set to tell you about the Galaxy SIII phones that the Thriller and I procured yesterday, but decided to check some emails first. I had a notice from SiteGround.com (the best web host anywhere) that one of my add-on domain slots was due to expire. Well, since I told you recently that I was letting go of my iron hold on my Comfort Foodie site, I thought the renewal notice was for that domain. So I canceled it, effective immediately.

But what I really canceled was finkweb.org. *bOnk*

So, I frantically filled out a support ticket, thinking all the while, What if they’ve already deleted the WordPress database containing all my posts since 2008? Panic ensued. Of course, two things happened:

1. They were Johnny On the Spot and restored everything within 5 minutes
2. I went in and backed up my database files

So, now that that’s over, I can tell you that we like these new phones. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to them, as with any new device, but we are impressed by the clarity of the graphics and the speed of the processor (helped out by 4G, of course). Shout-out to Mark P. at Verizon for making it an easy transition — you’re the best!

Now I need to get some serious work done on my last day of Thanksgiving break. Tomorrow morning marks the all-out insane push to Christmas, and I have to be ready.

At least all of my Christmas shopping is done. Don’t hate.

And I’m almost done, too.

I stayed up past 1 a.m. to grab some great deals online. One in the morning is late for this gal, lemmetellya. I should finish up later this morning, then grade some papers this afternoon, and write rhythm section parts tonight. A good Black Friday all around. Then, the weekend! Grandsons, buying new phones, a bit more shopping, planning the Christmas baking with the girls…it’s been awhile since I just looked forward to “fun” stuff. I know, I know: it’s part of my job, and I chose it, and I’m fortunate to have a job. I don’t take that for granted for a single minute, believe it. But it’s still fun to forget about it every now and then.

OK, back to the old grind. Shopping, I mean.

That was Hamsgiving. Mavis made the most wonderful, succulent, tender, moist, flavorful Kentucky Legend ham (I will never bake a ham in an oven again, and you shouldn’t, either) we’ve ever had, and it was great fun with 13 of us around two tables, enjoying one another’s company. It’s what Thanksgiving is supposed to be, for me.

We ought to have Thanksgiving dinners more often. I don’t think it would cheapen the day, do you? What could possibly be hands-off about getting together for an evening of food, laughter and fun — and being thankful for it?

Today, while the rest of the family are scattered to the four winds doing other Thanksgiving activities with in-laws, the Thriller and I will go to see Lincoln, then who knows…? Maybe a trip to Cleveland, or maybe a trip to the sofa for football and West Wing. It’s just up to us, which is fun.

To all my fiends doing the Thanksgiving feasts today — have a blast! Reconnect, relax, recharge, and eat. Ready, steady, go.

Hugs to all.

FO

…Hamsgiving!

Each year, our kids end up going to several Thanksgiving dinners, at which they are presented with the standard turkey-and-stuffing fare. Well, last Thanksgiving, I thought I’d give everyone a break from the “sameness,” and cook a ham instead. It went over like the Goodyear blimp on Super Bowl Sunday.

So, at the Fink house this Wednesday night (another change we made, since the actual Thanksgiving Day is so crowded for them), we will have a delectable Virginia or Kentucky ham, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green beans and corn, yeast rolls, cranberry sauce (from the can, and I am not ashamed to admit it because I love the stuff and it reminds me of home and childhood, so there — mock me if you must), a fruity salad, pumpkin pie, key lime pie and chocolate pie. Boom.

I find also that there is a built-in tendency to overeat when there’s a turkey on the table…like it’s coded into our DNA that if we see a stuffed bird, we must become one. That temptation is somewhat diminished with the ham butt. Tasty.

Seeing as how it’s all going down on a school day, I thought I would not bake pies this year. Mavis is taking care of the homemade pumpkin pies for everyone, and Edwards is doing the rest. Again: don’t judge. Hamsgiving is for family! Can’t wait to get to it. Mavis and I haven’t had full-contact kitchen exercises in quite awhile.

What are your plans? Anything fun?

At long last, finally, it’s about time, where have you been, I’ve waited ten years, I thought you’d never get here.

Finkday.

Wow. The longest five days in the history of the world. Why do some weeks fly, and others drag? What is it about our temporal senses that changes with activity? Why do we complain when time flies, and complain when it drags? Answer me my questions three.

So, what’s up for your weekend? Did you know that Thursday is Thanksgiving already? Where did the last month go? Just when you want stuff to hurry up and get here, it’s here and gone. Is this the way the rest of my life is going to play out? I’m afraid so. Today, I say we focus on sniffing those roses.

Armchair wisdom from the Fink at 5:30 a.m.  You’d think I was all peppy & stuff because I will see my grandsons this weekend. Oh wait…