Tryp(tophan) to the dark side.

My mind is fried as I sit at my desk at work and type this after one hour of sleep. I'm feeling achy muscles in places I haven't for a long time. My eyes are red, with dark black smudges underneath them. Not mascara, but plain ole exhaustion. It was my first Black Friday experience, and it might very well be my last.

Due to excessive brain drain from waking at 8:30AM on Thursday, cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the family, visiting with friends and eating cheese, and Scattergories prior to the main event which lasted from midnight til 6:30 this morning, I will make a list highlighting the best parts of the entire Thanksgiving Day.

1. Waking up in anticipation of the Thanksgiving feast I was about to prepare and learning the turkey was frozen. Solid. A long bath in cool water whilst I watched the Thanksgiving parade remedied this problem, and the meal was a success...if garlic-tastic.

2. Watching the Thanksgiving Parade and mocking the lip syncing, then laughing out loud when poor Scotty Mc-whatever from American Idol missed his cue to start singing for a good minute.

3. Pie for lunch.

4. Phone call between mom, grandma and me to discuss pre-basting or roasting for an hour prior to a baste. Mom bastes. Grandma uses a bag. I wanted to baste per Betty Crocker's directions, but conceded to Mom.

5. Missed my brother and Amanda, but had a great meal with Mom, Pop, Brooke, and Nick who were super lame and "mistakenly" wore matching shirts.

6. Attempting a nap after two glasses of champagne.

7. Driving to Emily and Stephen P's house for cheese, potatoes and nerd talk. Meeting a new friend and hanging with Jess and her pups.

8. Getting to Tiffany's house, eating a strawberry rhubarb parfait, giggling like idiots in her room as if we were teenagers, and the most ridiculous game of Scattergories I've ever played.

9. Blaring Adele as we drove to Target where there was a LINE AROUND THE BUILDING. Subsequently, sitting in car listening to Jessie J. and having a dance party.

10. Entering the melee that was Target and NOT BUYING ANYTHING as the lines went from the back of the store, around to the front, and in between all the makeup aisles. Instead, we picked out movies we would buy for each other (I wanted to get her Big Trouble in Little China as she has NEVER SEEN IT. I honestly don't remember what she wanted to get me as that part of my brain has died.) We ask each other board game questions from the back of boxes as people dash to grab Apples to Apples for $10. We then grabbed a mop and broom and danced in the aisles to the amusement of the shoppers in line. Headed for the accessory area and played characters with different pairs of sunglasses, hats, and scarves.

11. STARBUCKS IS OPEN at 1:30am. We majorly goof off and sing our orders. They laugh. Attempt a faux hawk while sipping a latte.

12. Walk to Kohl's in high spirits. Spend 2 hours there and I learned how to accessorize from the master.

13. Mess with the cashier at Kohl's, and create a theme song for her name.

14. Walk back to Target, at this point completely exhausted and paranoid that we're gonna get mugged.

11. Just checking to see if you're paying attention. That's the WRONG NUMBER.

15. This is the right number. Drop purchases at car, move it closer and GO BACK IN TARGET. We try on clothes. We pick out makeup. We buy things.

16. It's 5am now. Decide to skip Urban Outfitters and go to IHOP. Enter the restaurant, and there is a line. No one will seat us. I noticed lights on at a hole in the wall restaurant on the way to IHOP. Tiff calls them on her 4G iPhone. They're open. We loudly announce to the other waiting parties that Debra's is open and that we're going there. They follow us out.

17. We park our butts on somewhat twirly stools at the chipped counter in Debra's. There is no Debra. But there is a Donna, who is the owner and slings breakfast food with an efficiency and culinary attention that borders on terrifying. Myra, our waitress, has a deep smokers cough that throws me off for a moment. Two cups of weak coffee, eggs perfectly over medium, grits, bacon and toast do it for me. Tiff gets an omelet and hot tea. We contemplate a somewhat famous Peach Cobbler, but Myra is quick with the bill and we head out.

18. Get gas and head for Tiff's house. The morning sun is starting to peek from behind dark clouds. We are zombies, but we hug and gush about the fun we had being ridiculous people during the most ridiculous day of the year.

19. I head home, meet Dad heading out to the links, stumble upstairs and hear the Muppet Theme song an hour later.

20. Brains......

It was fun, but I don't believe I will ever, ever do it again. I'm too old for this crap. My legs hurt. My feet hurt. But, in the end, I guess it's good that my pocketbook doesn't hurt. And I got to spend time with a dear friend who I don't get to see often as she is fabulous and lives in NYC.

I'm thankful for the fact that I am free to make the decision to go and do something that completely silly. I am thankful for friends who see the real me and love me regardless. I'm thankful for a family of jerks who love razzing each other. I'm thankful, for the most part, that I am alive today and able to laugh with all of these nuts. It's precious, this thing called life. Embrace it.

Thanksgiving...

A dear friend of mine always posts notes on her facebook page giving daily thanks giving for her life. This has always inspired me, and in light of the upcoming holiday, I would like to give some thanks of my own. It's more like a life Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for my family. They really are the best family ever. My mom is my best friend, my dad is my logic (and my landlord), my sister is my life coach and personal stylist, my brother is my fun. I know no matter what they are there for me. Both of my siblings have chosen amazing partners for themselves, and though I pretend to hate Nick, I don't. Amanda is my graphic guru and is so much fun to be around. I miss the craziness that my extended family can get into around the holidays, and can't wait for the 4th of July, as you know I will be there and I'll be practicing my volleyball skills until then.

I have great friends. I know a lot of people say that, but it is completely, 100% true. I have had some rough patches in the last couple of years, and they have all been there for me, in one capacity or another.

Jen Furman is the older sister I never had, and I'm thankful for her wisdom, butt-kicking, and mommy inspiration. Jesse Furman is the normal big brother I never had. Their beautiful son, Miles, is a light in my life. Lisagaye Tomlinson is a wonderful, talented, beautiful woman who inspires me to be just like her. Nathan Glynn is my go to for new culinary experiences and for deep thoughts. Danielle Bouloy is my chat buddy, someone who is always there for me when I need 3 hour long phone conversations(at the peril of cranberries everywhere.) Joy Lynne Groover makes me feel beautiful with her camera lens and is the strongest person I know. Maria Konrad and David Jarrell are my go to date nights, and my movie night pals who I can't wait to see get married in two months. Susan Fulks and Erica Sugar Phillips are the women I would love to steal their talent from, and are strong women who kick butt and make me want to as well.

Lori J Hunt is the woman who I know will get me back on track when I am feeling off with her humor and knowledge of who I've been and who I am. Bailee DesRocher is an amazing friend, artist, and comedian who I want to be when I grow up. Afton Palmer is always there with a story and goofy voices. Jay Barwick is my oldest friend, and he and his wife, Jaime, are people who I am glad have stayed in my life for the last 9 years. Sam Waters is the one who is always there with encouragement and a witty comment. Emily and Stephen Pogozelski are brand new friends who remind me that love is real and that life is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.

There's more, but I'm at work and should probably do something. :)