Some of you are wondering why I called Sheri the Horse Whisperer. Well, maybe not, but I'm going to tell you anyway.

One night a few weeks ago I cooked dinner for Dad and Sheri. As we were sitting at the table I referenced "speaking with Nancy" and she said "That's ok, I talk to dead people." We all ignored it and moved along to something else. A bit later, just me, Dad, and Sheri were sitting in the living room. She said it again. She kept explaining how she talks to my mom all the time. She said that the very first time she was in the house alone that Mom came to her to let her know that it was ok for Sheri to live in my parents house with Dad. She said that they have spoken several times since then and Mom is very happy and healthy, in fact, she can tell by Mom's personality (!) that they would have been great friends had they known each other before Mom died. She assured Dad and I that she doesn't seek out the dead people, they find her. She talks with her dad that died when she was 13 often too.

I sent Dad a text message the next morning that said, "I talk to dead people too and Mom said she's not talking to Sheri." I also mentioned that Dr. Butler, mom's long time psychiatrist, could help Sheri w/ those voices. He laughed. Did I mention that the whole time she was telling me this that he was rolling his eyes. He says it's "pish-posh."

So here's my thoughts, assuming I believed in such things:
1. I'm pretty sure that mom would have contacted Dad, me, or William rather than Sheri.
2. Where's Nana when you need her?
3. Has Rowdy barked at her and is it true all dogs go to heaven?
4. Even if she really does believe that she is hearing from my Mother, why would she tell me? It's manipulative, because you know, I'll like her better if Mom says it's ok!

and finally...

5. What the hell is wrong with my father? I didn't know that he could find someone crazier than my Momma...but I'll be damned...he did.

So here it is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and I'm sick. Had a sinus infection since Saturday...basically since about 16 hours after my 9 day break started. I started antibiotics so I will be better soon.

But, kinda like being all dressed up and no where to go...this Thanksgiving I'll be all healed up and no one for us to celebrate with. It's me, Vic, and the 4-legged friends this year. Dad and Sheri (aka The Horse Whisper) went to Illinois today to spend TG w/ her family, William and Heather left here today to go to Carlsbad to her families, and Lance, Lori & the gang leave tomorrow for OK for her families. We did all get together at Lance's last night and had the big traditional TG dinner...but between it being Monday, being sick, and it being 80 something degrees...it didn't feel much like TG.

Just 2 years ago my parents had just moved into their house in Denton, I was dating James, and my mom and Mema were emailing/snail mailing me recipes because that's what they did every year during the holidays. Now my dad and his new wife are preparing to build a new house, I'm married Vic again, and my mom and Mema are dead. I guess all those changes have happened gradually, but you really feel it at the holidays.

November happenings that are making this TG even harder:
Nov 12, 2007-would have been my parents 31st wedding anniversary.
Nov 18, 2007-would have been Mema's 72nd birthday.
Nov 25, 2007-would have been my Mom's 52nd birthday. (William and I gave her Christmas dishes for her birthday 2 years ago--they were lost in the garage fire my dad and Sheri had in July)

I do have so much to be Thankful for...but I wanted to type this out before I reflect on that...get it outta my fingers so to speak...but more in a few days. Vic just told me to go lock myself in the bedroom and not come out until I feel better (meaning, until I'm being nicer to him!) so that's where I'm headed--Sorry Vic.

Something I'm thankful for: how many good things I have DVRed.

Safe traveling and cooking ventures to all!

Here are a few pics from Halloween. I was, of course, Alice from Wonderland. The first is of my dear dalmatian friend, Amy Waller, she is the teacher I do inclusion with. The second is of me reading "Spookly the Square Pumpkin" to my class. My and Amy's other compadre in inclusion, Donna, was supposed to be the Queen of Hearts with me...but she chickened out. She was the one taking the pictures...we didn't let her be in any of them because she was simply wearing a pumpkin shirt & earrings...not looking foolish like Amy and I!