**

A couple of things on this Thanksgiving eve.

First, we have decided to spend Thanksgiving at home this year. Last year, this holiday put me on a downward spiral of depression that ended up with me losing about 50 pounds between Thanksgiving and my birthday in January. This year, I am on meds that are damned sure making a difference in my life and I have my family back. I can tell you having the family together again is definitely working better than the meds.

We started cooking today and so far, the green bean casserole (yuck, but it is Ryan's dish) is done as are the sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs (Josh's dish), Jello and three pies: pecan, pumpkin and cherry. The giblets are cooked, the cornbread for the dressing is baked and the turkey (a 17 pounder) is brining. I am cooking the turkey tomorrow using the rotisserie on the gas grill. My dad has been doing turkeys like this as long as I can remember and they are the best I have ever eaten. Wish me luck. Oh, have you noticed the amount of food for FOUR FUCKING PEOPLE? Yeah ... me too. When Danna gets home from work, we will put the stuffing together and get it ready. Tomorrow, we should just have to roast the turkey, cook the stuffing, heat everything up and make the rolls and gravy. Should leave lots of time for football! WOOT!

This year I am thankful for having my wife back and that my job gave me a second chance when I wigged out last year. I am also thankful to you, faithful readers. I love you and really mean that. I am also thankful for rough men and women standing ever vigilant that I might sleep safe at night. Not getting political here but you know I work for the U.S. Army. I love my job and I love the men and women I come in contact with on a daily basis. I also read a lot of blogs when I get a chance. Today, I had a chance and came across this story. It is from Michelle Malkin, a conservative blogger, author and political TV pundit. It is not political, though. It reminded me, again, how much I have to be thankful for. And when I feel like whining or griping about how bad I have it, I will think of this family and shut my fucking gob. I invite you to read their story and think about how lucky YOU are too. Happy Thanksgiving everybody.