Okay, Here's The Plan.... And Happy Thanksgiving To All

I think we finally have everything secured as to our activities while in Austin until Sunday. We are probably *on the road* as you read this, so wish us well. I think it's going to be very crowded out there on the roads that lead to Grandma's. I'm just thankful WE aren't going to Grandma's House. What a nightmare Thanksgiving with The Brown Recluse would be. Whew! I'm definitely glad we don't have to endure that (as if I'd ever subject my children to her antics again). We have nothing but happy holidays now and life is good. Knock On Wood.

When we get into Austin and get unpacked and settled, we're going to meet Snooty Daughter at a great place down by the Capitol, on Congress called Kyoto Japanese Restaurant that is to die for. What's better is that they have more than just Sushi, since Mom requires her food to be cooked unless in same location where fish are caught. Snooty son has his meetings, which he unfailingly attends, so he can't join us this time. We totally understand and are so proud of him for his perseverance. He has become very serious and focused since deciding to become a lawyer.

Our Thanksgiving will, as usual, be the four of us with the surprise addition of a cousin the kids grew up with whose Mom died of cancer when they were all in high school. She had battled it for many years before succumbing to it, rest her soul. I am so thrilled he has made plans to be with us. I always wanted three kids anyway, so he fits right in. He practically grew up with us anyway, since I usually had him with us for summers at the lake. He was always just as much of a pain in the ass neck as my own two kids, so yes, he fit in like another brother.

However, there is one little, itsy bitsy glitch. Thanksgiving Day is a home game for The UT Longhorns and they are playing his Alma Mater, Texas A & M. Their chant is "Gig 'Em Horns". Not bloody likely this year against Texas (who is now ranked No. 2, Thank You!). Whoot! We should be having some interesting discussions at the historic Driskill Hotel, where we're having Thanksgiving (Lunch actually) Dinner.

When we've finished our dining experience at The Driskill Grill, Snooty Son, Snooty Cousin and Mr. Snooty are going back to the hotel. I think SS & SC are going to the actual game. Our son is a HUGE fan of the Longhorns. Snooty Daughter and I are then driving out to Westlake for another Thanksgiving gathering at the parents of a college roomie of hers, where we are lucky enough to be invited every year. It is always an amazing layout. The old roomie has asked Snooty Daughter to be her maid-of-honor in her upcoming wedding next Summer. Anyway, I will take as many pictures as I possibly can. You will not believe their house. It is seriously crazy fabulous and overlooks the Texas Hill Country!

Once we leave Westlake we'll head toward the UT stadium for a tailgating party with some more parents of daughter's college & high school friends. They stay at their RV and have chairs and TV's and great food, so this promises to be fun as well. I'm not sure how close we'll get to them for parking, but we can always hike or hail a bicycle taxi. I'll be wearing my favorite Cheetah flats. I'm not insane.

It is always, always fun partying with this crowd, so I expect this year to be as great as always. I'm sure by the end of the game, I'll be screaming and whining for a hot bath and my lovely bed.

On Friday we plan to have lunch at one our favorites, PF Chang's. I'm not sure what surprises the afternoon holds, but my guess is a nap. Am I showing my age? That night, we have dinner reservations at another Austin favorite Sullivan's. Snooty son and his cousin will probably take Mr. Snoots back to the room while SD and I stay for whomever is scheduled to perform at Sullivan's Ringside, which is an amazing venue for local musicians.

So far, we plan to go to The Austin Draft House on Saturday to see "Twilight". All five of us. You can even drink beer (they have a mind boggling selection) and eat a great meal. They actually have a chef. Yes, I'm quite serious. It's absolutely the best movie venue in Austin or anywhere, for that matter. You just have to check out their Menu. This wonderful, independently owned theatre is located like 5 blocks from where we always stay and is in the same shopping center as my favorite Stein Mart. I do just love it in Austin. There's never a lack of anything interesting to do and you can take that to the bank.

The place we always stay is also locally owned and they are like apartments, only with all the amenities of a hotel, except room service. They offer a full breakfast in the mornings and have cocktails by the pool in the evenings, weather permitting. It's the only way to go if you spend as much time there as we do, these days. They have full kitchens with a nicely sized living room and each bedroom is separated by a door, on either side of the living area. We're getting a two bedroom this time because SD is going to stay with us. The dressing area and closets are huge, as are the bathrooms. We've been staying here for as many years as the kids are or have been in Austin. I think that is now six years, total. I'll try to take a few pictures before we trash it. It's a perfectly nice, adequate place, at more than a fair price, and it's always very clean.

So. That's our plan for Thanksgiving. What's your plan? Whatever it may be, I wish you nothing but the best during our time of thanks this year. I have so many things to be thankful for and it makes me well up with tears when I think about it. Having said that, I'm sure no one will want me to say Grace this year, since it's probably a sure-fire bet that I would cry for happiness. The kids just hate that. Oh Wait! I think that paybacks are still in order. Uh-huh! Heh heh heh heh...