Thanksgiving Palooza

Happy leftovers day!  Seriously. I love Thanksgiving because there is always a massive amount of delectable food ready for round 2.  I feel like this Thanksgiving was like a marathon.  Except, it was quite enjoyable.  If you have something that you actually need to be doing I suggest you hit the little X at the top of the page because I am about to lay down the play by play of my Thanksgiving Palooza.  And it is painfully long...See the picture above?  Beautiful.  This is where I spent my turkey day.  I'm getting ahead of myself though. My Thanksgiving day began at 7:56 a.m.  I woke up just in time to get ready before my ride came to get me.  This year I did a little something out of my normal character.  I did the Gobble Wobble.  It's a sweet little 5K run downtown.  123% better than the bridge run. No lie.  I had so much fun.  Plus I went with the DuPre fam which is always fun.  Now I did more of a run/walk which I guess would be considered a "wobble" in this arena.  They ran.  Fast.  It was so beautiful out.  I wobbled across the finish line and headed back to Mt. Perfect.

Once home I took a nice long shower.  Because I may or may not have been a little sore.  Seriously, I am getting old now a days.... I got ready lightning quick and headed toward Edisto. Quite possibly the most beautiful place ever.  Once in the car and on my way I realized that the shirt that I grabbed from the dryer was not 100% dry. If I had to put a number on it, I would say it was about 63% dry.  Lovely.  I was feeling a bit soggy.  So then I put the windows down and turned up the tunes and headed south.  Who doesn't love a little air drying while in transit.  Plus I had a rockin cd in.  I got on the island at about 1 and headed straight to Brickhouse to meet the fam.  Brickhouse is on Edisto and it is beautiful.  Here are a few pics:

In all seriousness, it is beautiful.  You can't be surrounded by such a beautiful landscape and not be thankful.  Now Brickhouse is not your typical little family gathering.  It's more like a massive family reunion.  Here is a pic of our small little family gathering:

I would like to take a minute and set the scene for you.  Here is the dining arena:

Who would not want to share a Thanksgiving meal at this table:

And food is never in short supply at this place:

Now to survive here you have to make quick decisions.  No hesitating.  The line moves fast and you don't want to be the one to hold it up.  I also think line choice is key.  There are two sides.  It's important to scout out the spread early so you know what side to commit to...but that's just my opinion.  This truly was one of my favorite Thanksgivings.  If you don't know them already (which most of you do), let me introduce you to the Sass fam:

This is Lili.  My sister.  Younger sister. She can be funny at times.  More funny than not actually.  We are very different, but I have definitely come to appreciate it.  Well, there she is.  Here is one more. (with her beloved car...which I like to call the rust bucket and you have probably seen it about the town)

Here is Ginny (Mom), Lili and Aunt Vickey (her new haircut is just like Pink's) Sidenote: Mom and Vickey look so much a like nowadays.  Crazy.  Plus, mom is funny when her and Vickey are together:)

Here is Herb (Dad).  He's pretty much a keeper if you ask me. Or anyone really....

Here is Uncle Doug and Anne.  They are pretty cool too.  Sadly the other Sass kids weren't there.

The Sass men:

Just look at them.  Who wouldn't love them.  They really are 2 of the best people I know.
The Sass Women:

Not gonna lie...we have a good time.  And we tend to crack ourselves up.  All the time.
Here we are all together....it only took about 25 shots to get one where we all just happened to be looking at the camera...

Here are my employers (Dad and Burk).  Or bosses if you will.    I have named them the founding fathers..

Cousin Doug wasn't there (he is in Montana) I found his stand in:

So I have a little Thanksgiving tradition.  After our glorious and disgustingly filling meal, I like to stop by a few other venues....I added a new one this year.  My friend, Susalee, is just right down the road so I stopped by to say hello.  She loves Edisto too.  And she can tell you some really really really cool stuff about it.  So I stopped by and just couldn't help but take a few pics....It just happened to be sunset....and a beautiful one at that..

I am pretty sure that I could live a good little life in the shack.  The view is not too bad....

After that I headed to Dawhoo to see the Smythe cousins.  They always seem to have a good time.  I said my hellos and goodbyes and headed over to Russell Creek to see Nanny, Poppa and the Wags. Plus all of their cousins.  Now right about this time, they are getting ready to eat.  Perfect timing huh?  It's a rough day when you have to eat Thanksgiving lunch and dinner.....After dinner we decided that it was only natural to go midnight shopping at Tanger outlets.  Now if you know me, then you know that normally this would make my palms sweat and induce a mild panic attack.  I am not exactly a shopper, but my adrenaline was pumping and succumbed to peer pressure....So we headed out.  Along with about 1,235,765,239 other people.  Crazy people.  The line to get in the parking lot was intense. You had to be aggressive and ballsy to have a chance of getting a spot within 34.9 miles of the place.  We got lucky and made it in.  As soon as my feet hit the pavement, mild panic began to set in.  There may have been some hyperventilation also...not sure.  People everywhere.  It was like a stampede.  I immediately regretted the decision.  But it was too late so I put my game face on.  The girls are big shoppers so I have picked up a few tips over the years.  I headed straight for the Nike store to get some new kicks.  After what felt like 3 hours I finally decided on a pair and entered the 54 mile long check out line.  (Here is where I ran into my good friend Shaun Wahl).  Shaun was kind enough to wait in line with me.  He knows that I am not a shopper. I think he was quite shocked that I was on the Tanger premises...After I made my purchase, I was about to reach my retail threshold, so I went and got the keys.  I headed back to the car and took a nice little nap until the girls got back to the car.  I got home at about 3:30 a.m.  I don't know if midnight shopping is my thing.  However, it was an experience.  At least there was good company:)  All in all, I had an awesome Thanksgiving.  Here are a few more pics from the day:

So there you have it. Turkey Palooza 2010.  If you are reading this, then we are most likely good friends.  And that being said-I am very thankful for you.  I hope you had a really great Thanksgiving.  

Go team Pilgrim,

Sass

Turkey Tidings

Today is Thanksgiving Eve.  Sadly, it doesn't feel like much of a holiday(I guess technically its not really a holiday, but thats not important), but I am not complaining.  I am sitting here at Metto.  Waiting for time to pass so that I can go pick up my Gobble Wobble packet.  Thats the Turkey Day run.  Then I must head to work.  So while sitting here I have been making imaginary lists in my head of what and whom I am thankful for.  Would you like to know?  I will tell you.  Even if you don't care because you must care a little if you are still reading this.

Who I am thankful for:
My family. Herb, Ginny, Lili.  Plus all of the aunts/uncles/cousins.  I think we are funny and I am indeed very thankful for them.  Love you long time.
My Boss- who just happens to be my dad.  He rocks.  He gets to see me everyday, all day. Lucky for him.
Megan King Kong Hensley Simon.  I hate to admit this, but it's true.
The Girl Palace-Love them all.  At the same time.  Seriously.
My high school friends.  I don't want to write too much about them because naturally you will become very jealous and I just can't put that evil on you....
My college friends.  Equally as cool as the high school friends.  Random and hilarious.
Mom friends.  I don't know how else to explain this group, but they are super cool.  No lie. I know some rockin moms.  Don't want you getting jealous here either.
We also have another group of friends.  When I was in college there was a group of YL leader a few years ahead of me.  They kinda let me in the wolfpack back then....They are awesome.  Many are married.  Many are expanding the human race. Multiple times over.  They are stellar and I love them.
Stephen Sayre and Doug Sass.  They are like brothers.  For real.  (Oops, sorry.  Jealous again?)Ha Ha.
Kids.  Of all ages.  They rock. Glad people keep having them..I sometimes put myself in this group.
Henri Nouwen and C.S. Lewis. Smart dudes.
Kathy.  She is our office administrator.  With out her I would surely die.
All of the fams that I get to hang with bc they are all awesome.  Hands down.
Betty Bridesamid......
Biz.  Even though she has left me at the old church.....Plus I am very thankful for Jabez.  Team Pilgrim.
Girl at the bridesmaid dress factory.  She made me a whole lot less traumatized....
Wizard friends:)

What I am thankful for:
Girl Palace=Awesomeness
St. Andrews=Awesomeness
Mt. Perfect. It is beautiful.  I love it.  Seriously.
My guitar.  It's beautiful. Want to see it?

My Car.  Otherwise known as Optimus Prime or the Tank.  It runs.  We spend a lot of time together.  Enough said.
Boulevard Diner.  I have neglected you, but I promise I will be back one day.
Chacos.  Thank you thank you whoever invented you.
General Tsao's Chicken no spice.  I don't see you very often, but when I do it's glorious.
Metto.  Always a pleasure....
Total Wine.  Got to love a plethera of choices.
Andos.
Living in this beautiful place.  Seriously.  Think about it.  There is no way you can wake up here everyday and not be thankful.
Music.  It gets me through the day for reals.  No rap though. Unless it's Crossroads by Bonethugz.
Playing Homerun Derby and football.  I could play everyday.  Actually, I wish I could.  It would be a heck of a lot more fun than working.
Edisto.  God's Country. Nough said.
THE GAMECOCKS.
MARCUS LATTIMORE.
Weddings
PANDORA

*I know these lists may seem dumb to you, but I love everything and everyone on this list. And more...I just am drawing a blank. So all I have to say to you on this Thanksgiving Eve is....

LOVE YOU LONG TIME.

Traffic WITCH

Let's be honest.  I didn't want to use the word witch.  But, sadly, my filter is on.  Today I encountered a traffic witch.   To most, this would not bother them, but I pride myself in being a nice, courteous, careful and thoughtful driver.  Apparently I am a minority.  For some reason I feel the need to share this.  Here is how the situation went down.  I was minding my own business.  Heading to the booming metropolis of Goose Creek. To measure my 3rd house of the day:)  I was on the Northbridge (glorious view by the way).  I began to check the traffic in the next lane over.  There was a large gap between the car passing me (mini van) and the one behind it (PT Cruiser).  So I causally flipped on my blinker.  Well what do you know?  The ugly/lame/ghetto/ugly PT Cruiser decided to break the speed of sound so that I would not be able to get over in time for my exit.  For no apparent reason.  No lie.  She seriously put the pedal to the metal.  Then she stared me down with a stupid victorious smirk upon her cigarette stained face (sorry- that is mean.  I take it back. Ok.  not really.) My windows are really tinted, so the traffic witch couldn't see the look of frustration/anger that was upon my face.  She is lucky that I did not follow her and taze her.  Because, let's be honest, I 96% wanted to.  More like 100%, but that is neither here nor there.  Plus, Optimus Prime (my tahoe) could totally take that piece.  She is lucky I didn't go all Fried Green Tomatoes on her.  Because of her I missed my exit and had to go the long way.  So thank you miss PT Cruiser.  I appreciate it.

My Weekend Update

Well hello there.  Once again, the weekend came and went like a flipping bandit in the night.  Friday I made a rough draft Christmas list.  You would think this is trivial, but in the Sass fam, the list is crucial.  Mom is going on an international adventure and needs to get her shopping done before her departure...I am working on the final draft, but I can tell you what will not be on it. These are some items I am boycotting in 2011: Uggs, make up, anything bridesmaidsy, and designer jeans.  Item I would love to enjoy, but no there is no way Santa is delivering: 4 wheeler.   There.  I just had to get that out there.....I went to Edisto on Friday.  With 18 year old girls.  Needless to say, I am tired.  Stayed up until 2:30 am.  Was forced to wear a clay mask.  To rejuvinate the ol pores.  Nice.  It twas fun.  I returned just in the nick of time to attend my first diaper shower.  Did you know that some diapers have different stages?  Well they do.  I learned a lot of stuff, that I will not be sharing on here...But I got to hold the cutest lil nino...Today I was domestic.  I vacuumed.  And straightened.  Then I went to the movies.  Then to the Teet (Harris Teeter).  That's all I've got for this weekend.  I am super glad the holidays are upon us. This is my favorite part of the year.  Seriously.  Get ready.  Peace out.

Pilgrim or Indian?

I am going with Pilgrim:)

Betty the Bruiser

I don't know if this is stealing, but I surely hope it is not.  Here are some of my all time favorite pictures from the wedding. Taken by Josh Drake.  They capture Betty Bridesmaid at her best....

I think they are really funny.  I can't wait to see the rest.  (Josh, if this is against the rules just tell me...) So I have a minor situation.  Well I actually have lots of situations, but this one is driving me crazy.  There is a T-Rex across the street from us. No lie.  Actually it is a dog.  A moaning dog.  I am not joking at all.  It moans very loudly.  Just ask Wimberly.  The dog moans so loud that it wakes me up in the middle of the night.  Even when on the phone, the people on the end of the line can hear it.  It is not normal.  Today I snuck across the street to try and get it on the speaker phone and it started moaning like mad.  Then I got scared and ran.  If it doesn't quit soon, I am going to have to pay the hippie neighbors a visit.  I need my beauty sleep people.  Also, today I walked about the town with my shorts on inside out.  Thanks for telling me people.  Real cool.  Okay.  I'm out.

Man Pants

Sorry if this offends anyone, but I have to get this off my chest-

To all men/grown boys/well any age boy who picks out their own clothes: Why do men need to wear designer jeans.  I don't understand it. In fact it makes me laugh and it may freak me out.  You may be wondering why this bothers me.  It does.  Today, dad and I were eating lunch and a guy came in. A rather good looking man came in.  He was so cute.  Until I looked down and saw his jeans.  They were the blatant kind.  With like the different colored seams and what not.  Who knows.  They were probably bedazzled around the pockets or something.  I don't know why, but this freaks me out for some reason.  So if you absolutely have to wear designer threads, can you please get some discreet ones.  Great. Thank you.

Mountain People Addendum

I forgot to add this to yesterday's post, but then I realized it deserved it's own post.  I think this one falls under "sketchy redneck mountain folk."  Way to keep it classy.

Mountain Weekend Extravaganza 2K10

4 days in the wilderness.  Ok, not so much the wilderness.  More like a nice lil cabin on the top of a cute lil mountain, in a sweet lil mountain town.  Now that's more like it.  Let me rewind to the beginning of the trip. (Here is where you can stop reading, because this story has lots of inside jokes and what not. And they may not interest you in the slightest, but feel free to proceed.)

Camille and Beth came by and picked me up around 4pm on Thursday.  We loaded the car.  By the way between all of us, we apparently have every pattern of Vera Bradley.  Classy.  We then headed to pick Katie up from work.  I would actually call it busting her out or hijacking her.  She came barrelling out of the hotel in her woman suit with her luggage and didn't look back.  Apparently she didn't mention to her fellow workers that she would be leaving.  Or that she would not be coming in on Friday also...So we are about to Aviation Ave and then BAM.  Rear ended.  By a crazy man. Seriously.  He was weaving all over the place.  Plus we stared at him for about 45 min straight.  We called highway patrol on him.  Just your standard road trip.  Plus you have to add all of our random sarcastic comments.  So 21 hours later we made it to Boone.  Where our dear friend Logan was anxiously awaiting our arrival.  We chit chatted then hit the sack. (below are Logan's new pajamas..purchased especially for the trip:)

The next morning we woke up and headed out to the big city.  Well more like the grocery store.  While roaming the aisles, this is where I realized how different out personalities are.  For real.  We have a married one.  An engaged one.  A seriously dating one.  And then the few, the proud, the single two.  I will let you figure each one out...We finally made our purchases and headed out.  After unpacking the groceries we decided to go on a hike.  We headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  So for those that don't know--I dislike hiking.  But, being the trooper that I am...I persevered.  I would love to tell you that I love being one with nature, navigating through the wilderness with nothing, but my basic supplies, but I would be lying.  Big time.  Meanwhile I am crossing off a bucket list item: a visit to the Appalachian Trail.  Not happening.  Oh yeah, I should mention that Katie and I contracted a stage 10 cold and were having trouble breathing all weekend.  And I may be mildly addicted to Affrin, but that is neither here nor there.  The "going up the mountain" part didn't really help this situation out.  So after hours and hours of navigating with pure instinct through the woods, we came out on the other side.  We took some nice group pictures.  On the self timer.  We had trouble finding a capable photographer.  Ours only liked to get half us in the picture...at least it was the top half...It could have been worse.

We headed back and napped/read/snacked/built a fire. Then we ate supper together and then watched Adventures in Babysitting.  Classic movie.  Watch it.  Lots of good quotes..

I should mention that the weekend was full of awesome quotes which I will mention later.  This is killing me, but I will keep the quotes anonymous so no one gets embarrassed...We woke up Saturday and decided to go shopping.  Wahoo (sarcastical...)  It wasn't too too bad.  I stuck to the kitchen and baby stores...Once we got to Blowing Rock it was a bit more enjoyable.  Cute little town.  I did some good people watching.  You know, mountain people are different.  There are like 3 different types of mountain folk.  There are the mountain rednecks.  Watch out for them.  Then there are the rich mountain folk.  They have beautiful 2nd or 3rd homes there.  (I would like to befriend these ones..)  And there are the normal mountain folk.  These are also good ones.  They have cute little cottages all about the mountains.  Most are on the older side.  But that's cool.  (Here is the Candy Barrel.  Good Times)

Once again we headed home.  Well for a minute.  Some of us decided to go have a lil photo shoot down the mountain...We love ourselves...and we love taking pics of ourselves....(Below is Grandfather Mountain.  Apparently he is famous...)

All in all it was an AWESOME weekend.  Good times.  Good food.  Good people.  I really can't explain how much I love these people.  And we don't see each other enough.  Seriously.  Good for the soul.
Here are some good quotes of the weekend.  These are not meant to be offensive in any way...
"Dammit Janet"
"Chick Fil A is white people fast food.  Serioulsy.  You never hear anyone say Ma pleazure yo.."
"You have champagne taste and an ass face." (sorry please don't be offended)
"Your bar is up here.  You need to lower it so that it covers your face and he can't see you."
"Just squeeze the bottom and see if they are soft." (by far my favorite moment of the weekend)

Well I am off

Oh and this is what Logan has been reading

If you can't see it says The Black Christian Singles Guide to Dating and Sexuality.  Yeah.  No comment.

Oh yeah- I also stuck my foot in my mouth.  Big time.  Just ask Katie.

Back from the wild and enjoying the domesticity of Mt. Perfect.
-Sass