Ok, maybe not everything, but the neck that I pulled out of the turkey the Rodeo Princess bought for Thanksgiving was definitely the biggest one I have ever seen. I'll get to that in a bit, though.
I'll start at the beginning of our trip when Hugh, Mom, and I flew out of the airport in Hooterville. We had a mid-day flight, which meant we got to take our time getting to the airport and getting Mom through security; this was great because she hadn't flown in several years, and we weren't sure how easy it would be for her.
Although Hugh had arranged for a wheelchair for her, we were surprised to discover that we wouldn't get the chair until we disembarked from the plane at DFW rather than when we arrived at the airport in Hooterville. Luckily, our local airport is small, so it didn't present any problems, but it was unexpected.
Hugh has TSA Pre-Check, so he and Mom both breezed through security. I had to wait much longer in the regular line, which was also fine since we had plenty of time to kill before boarding, but I am working on my Global Pre-Check application as we speak.
Once through security, I grabbed a tea at the kiosk that one of my favorite local coffee houses runs for the flight.
Then we boarded and off we went!
Once we landed, Queen B met us at baggage claim, and we made the hour-long drive to the town where she and the Rodeo Princess live. We were just in time for dinner, so we met the Rodeo Princess, the Rebel Without a Pause, his fiance, and his daughter at an Italian place that the girls love.
When we got to the Rodeo Princess's, it was late, and we were ready to crash, knowing that we would be up before dawn to wrangle the turkey.
Thursday morning, I was met with a birthday banner and gifts from the family.
Hugh got me a tree ornament with a picture of the Boomer Dog, which made me tear up a little. He also gave me a pair of pearl earrings in the shape of snowmen. They are adorable, and I am excited to add them to my pearl collection.
I put the earrings on immediately and then started directing the kids in the kitchen. Queen B was on stuffing duty, so I helped by taking the giblets out of the turkey. That is why I say that that bird's neck was
massive; it had to be eight inches long, easily. I felt like a magician pulling a never-ending handkerchief out of a hat as I tugged that thing free.
Not even kidding.
Rodeo enthusiasts will wonder what the hell a rope can is doing on the countertop. The Rodeo Princess didn't have a bowl large enough to mix the dry ingredients for the stuffing in, so the girls got creative. Don't worry; the can was brand new and thoroughly sanitized.
Queen B and the Rodeo Princess were determined to handle the meal preparations so that Mom and I could relax, so they shooed us out of the kitchen once the turkey was gutted and the giblets were simmering on the stovetop for the stuffing.
We sat at the bar and provided moral support while they fussed, which is my new favorite way to spend a holiday in the kitchen.
Queen B even put together a charcuterie board for us to nibble on while we waited for dinner to be ready. She is her mother's daughter.
When dinner was ready, we gathered around the table and said grace. The food was delicious, and it was such a nice way to spend my birthday. I'm glad we made the trip.
It was so good to see the Rodeo Princess in her new home and to know that she is settling in so well. The best part was being with so many of the people I love. While we missed everyone who couldn't be with us this year, it will still go down in the history books as one of my favorite Thanksgiving celebrations (and not just because I didn't have to cook!).
The Man-Cub was on Guinness duty and he shared his birthday wishes via security camera :)
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