Morgan Aw you are sweet!! I have gotten inspiration from so many people here, glad I can pay that back sometimes.
That's a great idea to picture myself in each situation. That's kinda how I "ruled out" H's family thing, I should use that for the other options too.
ST Thanks! I ran out of time to try the paint today so I'll check it out tomorrow - good idea on the light bulbs if that doesn't work. I halfway want to put up a ceiling fan in there (I realized yesterday that's one thing I LOVE in our current master bedroom). That might be a bit much to tackle.. we'll see.. but if I do, I will get a nice light bulb for it.
I am more and more tempted to do the "orphan Thanksgiving." It's funny, my bro used to do this every year when he lived too far to come home and he said it's the first time he remembers having FUN on Thanksgiving.
I do feel a bit guilty - not about H's family but about my mom/grandma. Grandma's pretty elderly and I don't know how much longer she'll be around (but on the flip side - mostly she talks about how she's been alive too long and wishes she was dead - it's rough to be around for very long!!). Good point that Christmas is coming up, maybe I can bow out of family Thanksgiving if I make up for it on Christmas.
----------------------------- So, on to some journaling for today. H was gone racing all day so I had the house to myself. I got chores done and was lazy for a bit too - stayed in my jammies until probably about 2:00 (although doing laundry in between so not totally worthless). Also cooked all day - pumpkin soup, for tonight's dinner party.
I've been so "go go go" that it felt good to be lazy for awhile. I should have painted but I am just so worn out - I needed the break.
You guys will get a kick out of this I think. As I mentioned H was gone racing all day. I figured I'd be gone before he got home but he arrived just as I was getting ready to leave. It turned into a pretty funny few minutes. I was finishing up cooking my soup and H was commenting how great the house smelled, I said "I know! Hope everyone likes it." H looked very confused. I also realized he was standing there waiting for a hug/kiss but I was busy stirring stuff on the stove and hadn't noticed him waiting (can you believe THAT?). When I realized it I set stuff down - we hugged and kissed - I asked how racing and stuff was and we talked for a few more minutes.
H snacked on what I was making a bit, then said "So.. you're not cooking dinner?" I said "Well yeah I am, for my dinner party - running late though so I gotta go." H says kind of quickly "Oh! Have fun. Hey what did you do last night?" [not "interrogating" way as it looks typed - more a curious friendly way]. I said "Went to a party, it was a lot of fun!" He said "Oh..partying down huh?" I said "Yeah, how 'bout you?" H replied "I cooked a steak and watched a movie then went to bed."
Then he told me as I was packing up my food that "we" were invited to a friend's house tonight (this is the first I've heard of it). I told him to thank them for the invite and tell them I said hi, then loaded up the car and went to pick up my friend. That felt GOOD. I've mentioned before that the way I 'lost' so many friends was I wouldn't plan anything, for fear that H would have some last minute "thing" for us to do. So it felt really great to plan something and go ahead w/my plans.
The dinner was kind of a bust... felt bad for the hosts! A bunch of people flaked and many who showed up got a little TOO "experimental" with their dishes, I think (at least taste test it first people!!). We also got stuck sitting next to this guy who drives both me and my friend CRAZY - totally fluke thing as we tried everything we could to avoid the guy - but oh well. It was still fun to get out.
On the plus side - the three most popular dishes were the one I brought, and the two my friend brought!! They were the only ones people requested recipes for. The people hosting the party even asked if they could keep my leftover soup because they loved it so much. I had kept some behind at home for Thanksgiving so I said sure, and the guy especially (it's a husband/wife who hosted) was RAVING about how good it was.
Pretty much it for my update - going to a fun craft thing tomorrow with some friends so I am looking forward to that.
-------------------------------------------- Oh - but before I go, since this is popular with my family and has now gotten the thumbs up from a bunch of "foodies," thought I'd share my recipe here too.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup 4-6 Servings
Ingredients: 14 oz. chicken stock or broth (homemade or a good quality pre-made one - I like Kitchen Basics or Imagine brand) 1 large onion, diced 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1-3 tsp. cinnamon 2-5 tsp. curry powder 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 2 cups pumpkin puree (I use canned because it's easier, but it might taste even better w/fresh pumpkin if you cook it right) 2 cups half and half 2-4 TBSP butter (NOT margarine, use real butter) Salt to taste White pepper to taste
Optional: Chicken boullion or concentrate Toasted pumpkin seeds* Croutons
Notes: - I am not much of a "measurer" so the quantities are a guide. For the spices especially, I always start with the lower quantity to be safe, but usually end up using the higher quantity.
- This recipe is easy to double, triple, etc.
- The soup is VERY rich. If I serve it before a large dinner (i.e. Thanksgiving), I typically serve it in either small bowls or tea-cups.
- You can easily substitute veggie broth to turn this into a vegetarian soup. I find as a vegetarian soup it tends to need more salt and spices.
Preparation: In a large pot combine broth, onion, cinnamon, nutmeg, curry powder, and baking soda. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the onion is transluscent (about 10-20 minutes).
Carefully blend this mixture until completely smooth. You can use a "stick blender," or use a blender or food processor. Be really careful if you use a blender, especially when removing the lid (I have gotten many steam burns this way!).
Pour the blended mixture back in the pot. Add the pumpkin puree and butter. Stir butter in until it melts. Simmer for 10-15 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add half and half, and simmer 5-10 more minutes (minimum) while you adjust the seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste. Also add more cinnamon, nutmeg, and curry to taste. If the seasonings taste right but the broth tastes a bit "weak" you can richen it up by adding chicken boullion/concentrate. I typically use more salt than I would expect with this - just add a little at a time, tasting as you go.
You can serve the soup at this point, simmer for awhile, or refrigerate and reheat later. I think it actually tastes better after either sitting in a crockpot on low for a couple of hours, or reheated after it's been refrigerated.
If you wish, garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, croutons, and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
This can be cooked 1-3 days ahead.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- * For the pumpkin seeds: the easiest way I've found is to buy raw, shelled pumpkin seeds in the bulk food section. Rinse and drain (but don't dry) them, sprinkle with salt, and toss to evenly salt all seeds. Then toast either on a baking sheet at 375 degrees, or in a skillet over medium heat. Either way, watch them carefully, and toast until they are just turning a golden brown.
Incidentally - the seeds also make a tasty snack, either plain or flavored. My favorite flavored variety is sprinkling them with fresh lime juice and chili powder before toasting (not for the soup - just for a snack!).
Me 35, H 38; Together 13.5 yrs, M 7 Bomb 1 10/07/06 Sep'd 1/14/07 - 4/15 Piecing: 4/07 - 9/07 Bomb 3 10/11/07: Never loved you, let's separate 2/08 slowly improving 7/08 Piecing (7/25/08 rings back on!!) Current thread
(although doing laundry in between so not totally worthless). Also cooked all day - pumpkin soup, for tonight's dinner party. 
That felt GOOD. I've mentioned before that the way I 'lost' so many friends was I wouldn't plan anything, for fear that H would have some last minute "thing" for us to do. So it felt really great to plan something and go ahead w/my plans. 