On Being Early to Rise

Even in the times of my life where I've been more of a go-getter, I've never been much of a morning person.

It isn't so much that I don't like doing things in the morning; I probably prefer them. It's getting out of a warm, comfy bed that is somehow SO much better than it was when I got into it at night, and getting up when it's dark and chilly. Being up early is actually nice, when you can relax a little before doing something.

I slept in until 7 this morning, which is four hours later than the time I got up yesterday. Go ahead and do the math - I woke up at 3 in the morning three days this week and "slept in" until 4:30 on the others. I've been opening at work, or else I'd never find myself waking up that early. To me, anything before 5 is still nighttime; all the radio stations are playing at that time in the morning is "after midnight" broadcasts.

Surprisingly, as much as I hate dragging myself out of bed when it's still dark and still going to be dark for three more hours (thanks to Daylight Savings, it's not four), it's grown on me. I like that my drive to work is never full of traffic, and that I shave 5 or more minutes off my commute because every light magically turns green when you're the only car out there. I like that when I get there, I don't have to interact with anyone right away and that even when the first customer walks in the door, there probably won't be a line of people right away. I like seeing the sunrise every morning from the window at work (you can't see sunrises or sunsets from our little cave of an apartment). I like getting off work and getting to go visit my bed again because 4:30am shifts deserve a nap time.

This season probably won't be forever. I despair of it at times, because something inside me loves to make a big deal out of things that are not big deals, like interacting so much with people when I'm introverted. It's a season that has shown me that I CAN wake up early consistently and that I CAN go to bed early (going to bed has always been a struggle of mine and I can't figure out why). As far as work itself, it's shown me that I will survive talking to hundreds of people every day with a smile on my face. It's shown me that everyone is wrong, and I DO NOT need coffee to wake up early (I proudly drink mostly water at work, and sometimes a hot chocolate, but just because it's freezing and I would not enjoy drinking hot water).

In a month and a season where people are being more verbally thankful than other times of the year, I am thankful for my job. I'm thankful for the chance to grow in an area that is far from my strong suit in terms of a job, thankful for the character-building that getting up early provides, and thankful that I do have a job. I find that when I think about the positive things about my life, and particularly my job, instead of ALL the negative things I think there are, there's actually much to be thankful for.

I should make a list and hang it next to my warm comfy bed for the next early shift.

Thanksgiving 2013, Part 1

We spent Thanksgiving in South Carolina this year. 

It's the first time we've both been down there for a holiday, and my first time at home for Thanksgiving in six years, so it was really about time. 

We set out on Tuesday afternoon after Carson taught a class. It was snowy when we left and stormy and rainy the entire drive down. 

The glass bowl in this picture is to amplify the music from my iPhone. Our radio transmitter broke (tragedy of tragedies) but this did the job quite nicely, if a little funny looking. 

I mostly took terrible pictures on the drive, and slept and got carsick. I am not a wonderful road trip companion.

We got in at around 1 in the morning, so naturally we stayed up another hour talking and then sort of slept in. Daisy had to take an extra nap that morning to recover from being the welcoming committee so late the night before.

And Oscar was pleased to see us too.

On Wednesday morning, we headed into Beaufort to meet up with Morgan and Caleb. We drove out to Hilton Head, since the men had never seen it. Without any real sense of direction (neither Morgan nor I have spent much time there. I ran a race there once but it's not like we were going to do that), we ended up choosing a road that might take us to the beach... and it did. Not surprisingly, we had the place mostly to ourselves. It was windy and the only people crazier than us were the people out there trying to surf on the tiny waves.

Morgan and Caleb live in Florida, so this was a MILLION times colder for them than it was for us.

We got in the car and headed to a restaurant Grandmama had recommended: The Crazy Crab. Morgan and I reenacted a picture we took for our parents at Sea World many years ago. We didn't actually want the stuffed animal this time; we just seized the moment.

And we found E.T! I think it was actually a sea turtle, but it looked like ET!

After we returned that evening, we assisted with the mantle rearranging, the food prep for Thursday, and... providing a suitable napping spot for Oscar. Carson fell asleep on the couch for several hours.

On Thursday morning, preparations continued, as my parents hosted the family Thanksgiving. Carson forgot all but one pair of jeans, so while those were in the wash, he did yard work in his PJs.

We watched the Macy's parade, which Carson hadn't seen before! This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions.

We had to test out the tripod for the to-come family photo.

And Dad found this lizard in the yard and put it on Carson's ear like an earring. This is something that wasn't odd to me at all until I thought about it. Does YOUR family put lizards on people's ears? It's kind of strange, right?

There was football watching. Love Mini's eyes peeking over the couch.

Welcoming and setting of tables

Two mini greeters

An orange dessert spread

A delicious buffet

A couple of moochers.

A crowded room (everyone liked this room best. Probably because of the football on TV.)

A little baby Luke spoiling.

A Conners family picture

And a Norman family picture. Minus my cousin Kelsey and my brother-in-law Thomas. The latter was sick at home. Poor guy.

There was a turf war (little dogs really think they're something, don't they?)

Lots of cousin photoshoots

And in most of the pictures where everyone's looking... Carson's making faces... so this picture happens to be the best.

An oldest grandchildren photo

More cousin photos ("the little four", Grandmama called them)

These are the original four Normans... obviously related.

We took a picture behind a tree so the parade of cameras wouldn't follow us. Right behind us is where we got married, but taking a picture with that background wasn't on purpose.

My sister and I. We look SO alike in some pictures and worlds different in others.

The family, minus Thomas and three dogs and five goats.

That night, we settled in for more football, light reading for Carson (and Mini), and Mom and I watched Emma, her early birthday gift from us.

And of course Dad shared a little turkey that evening with two of his favorite children. It's really surprising that their little bellies don't drag on the ground. They just sleep and eat and get spoiled and it's hilarious.

Friendsgiving

I've always wanted to host a Thanksgiving dinner with friends, but it's never worked out. People go home for the holiday, or they are quickly scooped up by a generous family, so we go with other plans. 

But this year, we finally had a Thanksgiving feast with friends... or "Friendsgiving". The Community Group that meets at our place was more than willing to participate in a potluck Thanksgiving dinner... and it was SO FUN and the food was great! 

Our table was overflowing, but I'll try to list what we had here, starting at the top: 

cranberry sauce (covered dish - Cassie) lemon cake (Malea), allergen free snickerdoodles (Cassie), bacon infused sweet potatoes (Cassie), roasted carrots (Danielle), rolls (Bryce), banana bread (Chris), roasted green beans and mushrooms (Me), salad (Carson), mashed potatoes and gravy (Jen and Malea), avocado-cilantro deviled eggs (Me), green bean casserole (Deanna), chicken (Malea), berry spinach salad (Evan). 

In the kitchen, a midst dishes from last-minute cooking as guest arrived, we had stuffing, which Evan and Heather put together

 
Then there was Carson's pumpkin pie and more bread

Heather made an amazing cranberry-lime drink that was SO GREAT. We called it "special beverage"

After dishes were done (just kidding, we used paper plates), we played Battle of the Sexes. The girls won. I was amazed by the things my teammates knew about sports and cars... and actually Carson's knowledge surprised me too.

And we took a group picture. Love these people.
On couch: Bryce, Danielle, Evan & Heather, Lana, Deanna, Austin, Me, Chris, Malea, Cassie
On floor: Bryan, Jen, Carson

If only we were planning to be here next year (womp womp), I would love for this to be an annual event. We'll make the most of it though... I'm brainstorming for Christmas now :)