Giving Thanks

So I experienced my very first dual-familyThanksgiving this year. Dave and I joined the Rolstons at 2 pm on Thursday afternoon for more tradionally English fare... complete with roasted parsnips and turnips... and then headed over to my mother's house at 6 for the usual green bean casserole, sweet potato delight, and turkey turkey turkey (with ham for the non-turkey eating members of the family).

It was great... spending Thanksgiving with two families. But stressful... And I realize that this may be a potential issue in years to come. I already told Dave that the years that my family heads to Albany (as long as that tradition is alive) I will require that we go there... but that off-years we can go to his Mom's. But I'm not sure we'll do both again...

It makes sense that we can do Christmas with his family, given that it's "their" main holiday and his mom tends to make a rather large to-do. But after I informed my Mom that I've been invited to Christmas lunch/dinner with Beth and Roy (the Rolstons' best friends, who, ironically, live less than five minutes away from the Kennedys, where we annually indulge in our own holiday feast), she seemed rather concerned. I think she expects that I'll be at the Kennedys regardless... and I'm not sure what we're going to do. I'd be ok with doing both, like this Thanksgiving, since we'll be right across the street essentially. Although this year it's a double whammy, because the first night of Hanukkah conveniently falls on Christmas night. So I will most definitely want to end up with my own family that night.

I fear this will be a ubiquitous dilemma... because I think my Mom wants me to always be with the McCords for holiday festivities, and I'm not sure that will always work out. As a result of Dave's and my family living in such close proximity to one another, it's convenient to try to spend a part of each holiday with both... but I'm not going to sacrifice what he wants/his family traditions just to satiate one half of our families. I want to compromise, and if that means alternating years, so be it. This is my first real holiday season with a significant other and I'm not sure everyone is taking it as seriously as he and I are... but we intend for this to be the first of MANY together! It will have to be a trial-and-error thing, I'm afraid. And as much as I do, of course, want to spend holidays with my own family, I consider Dave's family to be "mine" as well, and I would like to share many holidays with them if possible.

After (our 2nd) Thanksgiving dinner, my Mom and I went upstairs to discuss some things away from the guys... and she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "you guys seem like you're pretty serious now, is engagement in your future?" And I said, "yes, it definitely is, as soon as we're both stable and secure with money and work and stuff." And I felt very confident that she is ok with this whole idea... or she most likely would not have genuinely asked. And that makes me SO HAPPY, and very excited! I know my parents like him... he is charming, wonderful, and treats me like gold...
No matter what, I am definitely intending on accepting this man's marriage proposal... whether it happens in 6 months or six years! And knowing that my parents are aware of and "ok with" the idea of it is a huge relief. I did tell Dave, however, that when he is ready to ask me to marry him, he'd best ask my Dad's permission first... that is very important to me!!!

I still, however, get the feeling that some of my friends aren't convinced about "me and Dave." Which won't make a difference in the long run, but I want to know that my friends agree that the man I'm hoping to spend the rest of my life with is the right one. He may not be a conventionally picture-perfect boyfriend, but he completely gives me everything I want, and it comes right from his heart. And that is more important to me than anything. Unfortunately, I'm afraid some people think I deserve "more," and those people just need to spend some time around Dave and myself to realize that it IS right. I mean sure, we both have our shortcomings, and there will be kinks to work out forever, nothing will ever be perfect. But like I said, people's opinions of whether or not he's "right" for me will not affect my decision.

Especially for those who knew my last sorry excuse for a boyfriend... they should know how "right" this is compared to that, dear God. I look at it like this- before, I was driving an old, beat up jalopy that required more maintenance than it was worth.... and I've since upgraded to a brand new, beautiful Bentley! Which, don't get me wrong, still requires proper maintenance, but in the end, all the effort I put in is WELL worth it!

Ing-vay?

So Dave and I went to see Yngwie Malmsteen last night at the TLA. It was rather interesting... I can say that was definitely my first, and most certainly my LAST heavy metal concert. He is ridiculously talented... I've never seen someone handle a guitar with such finesse. I would like to see Satriani or Vai if they come around again, but I think it would be a much different show.
But it was fun to go with Dave, especially the look on his face as Yngwie's fingers flew across the fretboard... plus we went and got cheesesteaks wit' after so that was great.

God I love that boy.

Disneyworld is less than 3 weeks away! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lost

So I have absolutely positively no idea what direction my life is going right now. I feel useless... I can't find a good job... not one that allows me to be even the TINIEST bit creative. I wonder why I bothered going to college if my degree and my course of study got me nowhere. Shame on me for picking such a stupid, uncertain field. I mean, sure, I could move to Los Angeles and be someone's bitch and work my way up the un-corporate entertainment ladder.
But I don't want to. I'm content with my life in the suburbs, with my family and friends nearby, and with plans to soon move and have a home with Dave. I have given up my need to work in TV, but I still think that it shouldn't be this fucking hard for me to find a creative/communications-driven job. I keep finding these postings for jobs for which I would be PERFECT, but of course, I have no connections to connect me to them. Just the fleeting hope that someone will pick my online resume out from the hundreds of others that I'm sure have been submitted for that particular position.
There have GOT to be jobs out there that won't bore me to death, that will allow me to make enough money to get by and maybe then some...
My personal life is far more important to me than my career... which is why I've stuck it out at this shithole for so long. However, I would like to at least be challenged or at least motivated SOMEWHAT at work, and not dread waking up just to pick up the phone to talk to a bunch of idiots all day long who don't really give a shit what I'm selling them or talking about anyway...
UGH.

At least LOST is on tonight. It's the one night of the week anymore that I look forward to... and lately even THAT has been letting me down. C'mon assholes, it's the November Sweeps! Keep your fans engaged!!!!!!!!