Let's be honest, being surrounded by family for the holidays can be altogether wonderful and wearying. Just got back tonight from two days in Iowa, where the winds have sent much of the snow drifting into the ditches, leaving dead cornstalks exposed in the fields. But the drifts were just so perfect for an uncle-niece snowmobile ride as he knew how to handle the machine well enough and I got even more of a thrill than he did as it sent me flying a couple feet off the seat on a few of those runs. And perfect windchill for some teary eyes and rosy cheeks.
I'm thankful for bro time (with the uncles) outside in winter wonderland and hot cocoa inside with my crazy (in the crazy awesome way) aunt. I'm thankful for the three minutes of waiting outside for my uncle with the tub of homegrown corn to bring to the potluck to stand in the wafts of fresh, warm laundry air floating up from the basement. I'm thankful for the addition of puppy chow (the human food version) to the homemade dessert table, even though it may be my biggest weakness (I may have a lot of weaknesses when it comes to food and mostly sweets, and some days I have more strength about it than others...). I'm thankful for my cute aunties who, although it got too late to actually do it, suggested for me to lead some Zumba post-Christmas meal, and for how the Iowa family's attitudes towards healthier food and exercising have been evolving over the years. I'm thankful for how incredibly hospitable everyone is, practically fighting (in the sweet Midwestern way) over who gets to host those of us who are from out of town.
After significant down time today with the Iowa family due to a late night of rousing Power Uno and ping-pong, I'm thankful for the strings of sweet white lights draped over the naked tree branches to make Uptown sparkle, and for overlapping with an old friend in town for just one night.
Here's to being wiped enough for another sound night of sleep!
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