It isn't that I fear the day itself...it is really the lead up that does me in...and the aftermath, too.

The fantasies that flow by the insides of my eyelids are endless...

The potatoes...mashed, with ths skins on, and about a pound of butter melted into them, and then a cup or two of sour cream, besides... And plenty of salt and pepper...

Cranberry jelly...pure sugar and strained cranberry juice...

Green bean casserole...with creamy mushroom soup, and those crispy fried onion rings all over the top.

Rolls, from scratch, or ready for the oven from the market, or any old way at all, with MORE butter on them...

And then......pumpkin pie, from scratch, with whipped cream, or Hagen Daas Ice Cream, or better...cherry pie, a la mode. Or maybe rhubarb pie...or blueberry, or just a little bit of each...

Oh yea...and a 22 pound turkey to go with the ultimate sugar/carb/fat blowout.

I always feel so virtuous, because, really, I don't care for stuffing... Ha!

How many times do I recall saying THAT?! OH yeah. I am full of self-deception and self-righteous virtuousness at this time of year... Maybe I should rephrase that.

I used to be full of that stuff. Now I am just full of a little bit of blarney...all that is left of my overblown bravado of the past. I will go through this year, less intimidated by the season, and the seeming requirements (most, self-imposed) to overeat that go along with being a "clergy spouse".

I will be taking care of number one this year, and the whole world...or, at least my wee part of the world, will be the better for it.

I will cook dinner for a church fellowship hall full of folks, but will not overeat.

I will enjoy the day for the pleasure of people's company, not for what goes into my mouth.

I will make sure that there are healthy alternatives available to me for each ot the courses we will put out. I may even be willing to share with other folks who want to pay attention to their food intake! Now, that is the ultimate!

We will have all the goodies. Lots of good folks will have a hand in this feast. I will even eat some of the goodies, but will also make some substitutions, and am going to pay attention to portion size.

It is not that big a change. Just a coming of age...or coming to, from the glazed place that I have mostly spent holiday times. I am going to stay awake and aware this year, and mindful of my health and well being.

I am going to be cheerful, but not get slogged down in sugar. It simply is not good for me.

I am going to make a pumpkin pie with splenda...or maybe a cherry pie with splenda.

I am going to get some sugar free ice cream or light whip of some kind.

I am going to get some wonderful sweet potatoes, and cook them without marshmallows all over them. They are fantastic with hot chili pepper spice on them, and salt and pepper, and fresh lime squeezed on just before serving...so good!

There will be green beans without creamy sauce and fried things on them.

I will eat plenty of good turkey, and will indulge in just a little cranberry sauce. I may make some of my own, using splenda again, or maybe some stevia. That is very good, too.

Life will go on, and I will feel good at the end of the day. Tired, but not in a sugar slump, puddled in fat.

So, Happy Thanksgiving. I am going to not only survive it this year, but enjoy it. without even a dollop of misgiving on my plate, either before, or after!