Creating my future, one miracle at a time

We drove to Tennessee on Friday afternoon, and got a hotel in Humboldt, and went over to the Pollards to visit until fairly late. Besides the folks, two of my sisters and their families were there, and my brother from California, and the next door neighbors and their 3 kids. Very noisy, with all those kidlings all running around like crazy people. But fun, too. We opened some presents and drank and talked and talked.

Saturday was quite the day. First over to the Pollard's again for Breakfast, and to try to cook some cookies, which never actually got in the oven. Then over to MamaSmith's with the cookie batter for lunch there with all the Smith Clan (MamaSmith, my dad and mother, my two brothers and families, my sister and her family, my aunt and her son, and me and Mark and Thomas, and Mat and Rhiannon -- only 23 people, but eight were under 14). We ate without Mat and Rhiannon, because they got lost and were about an hour and a half late. Then as soon as they got there we let them fix plates and started the opening. The little kids were about to go nuts waiting, and one brother had to leave by 3pm to get to his wife's family's celebration. Lots of cool presents. I think my brother Nathan got the kids their favorite gifts -- everyone got a clear gift bag with the new dollar coins in them. More for the older ones, fewer for the littlest guys. I got everyone under 15 (and Rhiannon) a personalized tree ornament. The my oldest nephew got a pocket knife, and my aunt's boy who is 15 got a tie. Thomas got a giant Manga book. the best gift tho, was Mat's. He had asked for a box of Magic cards, meaning the card game Magic, the Gathering. Which I did get him and he'll open tomorrow. But on Saturday he opened a box of cards that you do magic tricks with. Thomas and I thought it was very cleverly funny.

That evening, We went to the Pollard's 40th Anniversary surprise party. It was really great. My baby sister organized the whole thing, and she used to organize fund-raising events for the Salvation Army in Knoxville, so she knew what she was doing. It was very nice, and still within our budget. She had a geek friend put together a video show from lots of old photographs that not only made my stepmother cry, but made my Dad cry! I wore a dress I bought years ago that looks really great on me (with proper slimming foundations to help) and some of the most fun, silver and black lace looking spike heel party shoes that you have ever seen. I'll try to get a photo.