How many are we feeding?

7 Hams
336 Home-made rolls
36 lbs Shredded potatoes
10 lbs Shredded cheese
60 oz Cream of Chicken Soup
180 oz Green beans
8 lbs Spinach
14 Cheesecakes

As we were standing in line to check out (we had already bought the hams at another store), the couple behind us says,
"That is a lot of cheese, you must be making tacos."
To which my Mother replied, "no, we are feeding a bunch of young men...120 of them."
The reaction was priceless.  I think there jaws were on the floor for a full minute and honestly thinking about it, feeding 120 is one thing, but feeding 120 young men?  There is only one place in the world any one person would be willing to do such a thing, let alone find 120 young men who would be well enough behaved for any person to handle it.

Mall Walking

Day one of Detroit I experienced something I have never experienced before, mall walking.  Apparently this is done across America, however I will forever and always think of it as a Michigan thing.  

Too cold to walk outside, not a problem!  Go down to you local mall, open as early as 6:00am and join a hundred other people as they cruise through the mall.  No shopping, only walking (and some coffee drinking).  I couldn't believe it - we walk in and practically get run over by an old woman on a mission, a walking mission.  We jumped in the rotation and off we went.  I would have to say we passed up many people were there, apparently many are regulars which my Mom pointed out, others were new like myself, except about 40 years older.

I reckon you will be able to find me at the local mall here around 8am for the next 19 days.

Airports

I love airports.

I think they are exciting - there are hundreds of people all going a hundred different places, Grandmas, Grandpas, newly married couples, teenagers with their ipods as permanent fixtures to their heads, families, singles, business, a leisure travelers, and little ones - some not even big enough to walk, others who drag their Dora rolling bags behind them full of crayons, puzzles and books all packed with the hope that they won't ask "are we there yet?".

Traveling during the holidays adds to the excitement of each traveler as they look forward to hot chocolate, fires, snow, family, friends, the presents, lights and pure happiness that accompanies the holidays.  And then there is TSA...

The TSA is probably the most unhappy group of individuals ever to cross the planet during the holidays, and for that matter most of the year.  They stand, stare, wonder who will be their next victim they can legally grope.  Honestly I am surprised they do not fall asleep standing as they point, grunt, and tell you to take off your shoes, your belt, your sweater and whatever else will cause the metal detector to go off, oh and you can't bring that toothpaste tube, or any other liquid larger than 3oz and no more than can fit in a quart bag.  And then after all that can you step into this full body scanner that will then give me a naked picture of you, thanks.

Fortunately, my trip to Detroit did not entail any pornographic pictures or sexual assaults - so I am counting my blessings.  Overall it was a smooth trip, and now that I have arrived I am grateful to be with my family.

Bring on the hot chocolate, warm fires, late movies with the siblings, time with the missionaries, and the pure joy of Christmas.