Please pray for them. 

It wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon that we knew for sure we would be heading out on Wednesday.  Charlie was on jury duty that week and was thankfully released in time for the holiday.  So Wednesday morning, the cookies were baked, the sweet potatoes were mashed, the bags were packed, and we were off.  Amazingly there was very little traffic.  We had to drive behind some motor homes and trailers on 79 but to my passenger eyes, it was just fine.  It gave me more time to take in the gorgeous view

We arrived early in the evening to a warm house full of love.  Larry, Christy, Andrew, Hope & Martha were all waiting.  In the kitchen of course.  Where else do you hang out at Christy’s house?  It wasn’t long before I realized that my memory card was sitting on the table at home and not inside my camera where it belongs.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement.  The evening was so beautiful and the leaves were glistening in the setting sun.  And here’s where my first thankful note is made…..

Thank you so much brother Bill, for dragging your tired, work weary self out amongst the English on the night before Thanksgiving to find a memory card for me.  It may not have been a successful outing, but I still couldn’t be any more grateful for you.

As typical of any Fletcher gathering, we then ate.  Scrumptious, thick and warm potato soup.  Gooey and toasty grilled cheese.  Crisp, fresh, and crunchy salad.  Thank you Christy for throwing together such a wonderful dinner.   Then Scrabble came out.  It’s no secret, I’m terrible at the game.  So we played on teams.  Did it really matter?  When you’re playing with the Master (Larry) and the Grasshopper (Charlie), no Scrabble dictionary can help you.  I don’t even want to take a guess at the score.  I’m sure we ladies were blown out of the water.

Night fell and being the old fogies that we are, Martha, Hope, Charlie, CJ & I headed down to the resort.  I’ll say this about Warner Springs Resort, what it lacks in cleanliness, and amenities, it certainly has in charm.  Our room was cozy and one of the old ones.  Maybe the bed was hard.  Maybe it was noisy, but it was quaint and speaks to all that “The Ranch” will be again one day.

Thanksgiving morning meant golf for Charlie & Larry.  CJ decided to sleep, and sleep he did.  Until almost 1!  Hope, Christy, Martha, and I took a walk around the golf course.  Now, who’s crazy idea was it to walk down to the golf course?  Because that meant we had to walk all the way back up that hill to get back to the house.  I told Martha to leave me for the vultures!  Let me lie on the side of the road for the coyotes!  She was really trying to kill me I think.  Somehow, I managed to get into the house.  Maybe she dragged me by my ponytail.  I have no recollection. I must have blacked out. 

While we girls started cooking, the family showed up.  First Bill & Russ.  Then Dad, Maggie & Erin.  And finally, Robin.  With the turkey roasting away we took off to gussy up.  Here’s a question.  We were in grubby weekend clothes all day, with the same people we were having dinner with.  Why did we have to take showers and get purtied up?  I have no idea, but I’m glad we did.  We Fletcher’s clean up nice! 

And here’s my next bit of Thankfulness.  I am so thankful that my family is made up of such incredible cooks.  Everything, EVERYTHING was just fantastic.  This is where we need pictures because not only did everything taste amazing it was all so very picture perfect.  Martha never fails to make a turkey worthy of a Martha Stewart magazine cover.  Yum.

Some how or another all of the ladies ended up sitting around talking while all of the men cleaned up.  Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?  CJ created a fantastic playlist for the evening that we all enjoyed listening to.  How can I sum up the evening other than to say there was a lot of laughter, and the house was overflowing with love.

Friday took all of the boys and Maggie to the golf course.  It was very cold, but warmed up enough to be a nice day.  Christy worked but the rest of us took another walk around the course.  We were then treated to a tour of sorts of the resort by Martha.  There were so many areas that I’d never been too.  The leaves were all changing and the morning light lit them like burning candles.

The rest of the day and weekend was spent in much the same way.  Lots of laughter, stories, warmth and love.  And here’s where I get personal, and a little sappy.  Thanksgiving this year was difficult for me.  As most of you know my beloved Grandfather has been in failing health for the last few years, with the last few months being especially bad.  I fear that his time on earth is nearing  an end.  The realization of this was evident over the holiday and it may have been the first time that I really knew we are running out of time.  This realization coupled with my now broken relationship with my sister left me less than my normal self.  There’s a saying that says something like, “the place you are right now, God circled it on the map for you…”.  That couldn’t have been more true this Thanksgiving.  The love and strength given to me by this family I have been blessed with, was overwhelming.  At no time was I able to truly express what I was feeling, what I was going through.  But everyone understood in some way and each took an opportunity to let me know how much I was loved.  It can never be expressed enough.  I am incredibly blessed, and unbelievably thankful to have all of you Fletcher’s & McCarthy’s in my life.  I love you with all of my heart.

Maybe Bill and Robin will send me some of their pictures and I’ll treat you with some post Thanksgiving shots.  Our next gathering is for Bill Sr’s birthday on 12/12.  I will not be there, I’ll be in Idaho telling my grandparents how much I love them.  I’ll send the camera with Charlie, and I’ll rely on others to take photos.  Hopefully they’ll share with me, so I can share with you.  After that, it’s Christmas and I PROMISE I won’t forget my memory this time.

Until next time….

Then, there’s this.  The cat I’m obsessed with. 

And just for fun, an old picture of Charlie & Martha that I like.  They were both so excited to be going to the game that you can read it on their faces.

Photos from our weekend with the Petersen’s