  Okay, Thanksgiving is now over and the mass hysteria known as the "holiday season" is now in full swing. For the next 24 days, we can all expect lines and crowds at every shopping venue we might chance to visit. Of course, we can also expect to be enundated with the strains of Christmas music at all stops as well. Yes, I know that I sound a trifle "hum-buggy," but I am a retail veteran and spouse to a "Christmas Carol Lover" who's capacity to contain his caroling to only the next 25 days is nil.
Decking the halls and fa la la-ing at every turn gets to be a little too much, particularly when your husband insists on sleeping to the Sounds of the Season music channel on digital cable. I digress... Thanksgiving itself was an interesting experience. I got to see relatives that I haven't seen in years. As is often the case is situations such as this, one usually has the opportunity to make some great realization about their family. Mine: my family is a bunch of rednecks! This isn't some new realization, really. Ted has been picking on me for years about the step-family I usually choose to ignore except for the one holiday we are all called to gather for.
They've got that "twang" and the aptitude for spouting out the dumbest things. They all look at me as if I am some alien, the prodigal daughter or some nonsense like that. I've known this and tolerated it for some time, perhaps even become immune to it. But I realized this past turkey day, that my Mom's side is just as bad! Perhaps it was the realization of how different I am from them. During that day, they all spoke of country music singers and "huntin';" one of my cousin's had a spouse and children dressed in full out camo for the day. I didn't have any clue what they were talking about! When I did know something, I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to seem like the proverbial "Miss Know-it-all". I'm the only college grad in the family; I've got the good job in the "city" (One of my cousins actually told me that). It was a really weird feeling. I guess my second realization is that I have definitely become a city girl, or a suburb girl at least.
Sure, I'd love to have a house in the middle of nowhere with nature all around, but I am certainly not willing to give up the luxuries of Takeout Taxi and Super Wal-mart. If I could afford it, I'd own nice, sophisticated clothing and get weekly manicures and pedicures. I'm into the latest technology and educating myself on everything I can get my hands on. I wouldn't say I am particularly trendy, but I do like classy looking things and strive to achieve that level of sophistication in all levels of my life one day.
This concept is completely lost upon most of my relatives I think. Sure, they are all great people, but I just don't feel as if I can identify with any of them, nor they to me. It's like existing on two seperate areas of the same shared existence. I don't know... maybe I'm just suffering from a bad case of elitism.
*sigh* *WRESTLING ANNOUNCEMENT* Let this be advanced warning or what have you. We will be hosting the next wrestling pay-per-view at our house. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please bring at least one food or drink item to share, whatever is within your budgetary means. Monetary donations to help defray the cost of the event are appreciated, but not necessary for attendance. Please let Ted or I know if you will be able to attend. Girls, we can plan to do something fun while the guys watch their male soap opera. Perhaps a sushi girls night out? Oh, and I almost forgot the special shout out: BECCA YOU ROCK!! Good luck to my friends in retail, Jess and Becca, I hope you survive the holiday season unscathed and richer! 
