A LaPorta Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was full of mixed feelings this year, as Uncle Johnny passed the 22nd. Yet, Mom and Dad held up well, with assistance from the hospitality of the LaPortas of Rocky Mount. We didn't cook, we didn't clean, and the food was great! Despite arriving 2 1/2 hrs early, rousing our hosts from bed, and running over their yard lamp, Frank and Penny put out a spread of traditional staples, plus a seafood lasagna and blueberry cheesecake.














We have a standing invitation to Christmas dinner, which, having attended last year, I can attest to how wonderful a cook Frank is. He may have one oven and two arms, but he cooks for three armys.

Checker's Hockey game

Taylor and I had a great weekend and, while spending quality time together, felt good about chaperoning some local kids to a hockey game Saturday. Our life group from church hosted nine kids and shared an evening of laughs and food...and were drenched by rain on the way back to the van.







Taylor was Miss Popularity! She even remembered it was my birthday and paid for, get this, a new pair of jeans and khakis from my favorite store, Eddie Bauer! She's so sweet!










After eating at San Remo's Italian buffet, Panera Bread Co, and Taipei South, a gym workout Saturday morning, shopping for her dress, a hockey game, Playstation games, church and life group all packed into the weekend, she crashed on the way home Sunday. Speaking of church, we attended the baptism of Amanda Faye's friend at a Moravian church. I thought I'd been to every kind of church service there was, but I was happily mistaken. The Deaners, wearing aprons and doilies, passed out sweet rolls and cups of HOT coffee during a lovefeast sharing time during the service. Amanda Faye said had the rolls been Krispy Kreme doughnuts, she'd convert. :-)