Families. They’re complicated. Now, maybe yours isn’t, but mine? Well, it’s not certainly not simple.

Thanksgiving is a time for family togetherness, but I’ve heard countless stories this week about divided families. Families who won’t spend the holiday together because not everyone gets along. What a shame, really, to not be able to put aside our differences for a few hours to celebrate a day of thankfulness. Some wounds are too deep, I guess, to be able to do this – and a part of me gets that. But the other part of me wants to knock some sense into the stubborn minds of folks.

Sure, families hurt each other. Deeply. We always seem to hurt the ones who love us, no matter how hard we try not to. Inevitably, every family will be faced with a circumstance or situation that can divide them. This Thanksgiving, I hope that you are with your family (if you are physically able to be). I hope that you’re around moms, dads, step-moms, step-dads, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Because I am certain that whatever differences you may have at this moment, wouldn’t matter at all if you never had the opportunity to be with them again.

Happy early Thanksgiving, everyone.

Is it still cool to like John Mayer? A lot?

Scratch the like, because who am I kidding? I love him. Immensely. He has a new album out and so I’m really hoping that he is relevant again. Because he’s talented/funny/good looking in that just-because-he-can-play-guitar kind of way, and I don’t care that he continues to break Jennifer Aniston’s heart. When I hear his music, it takes me back to driving around Charleston with my friends, talking about boys and where we were going out that night.

I hope my readers will forgive me for my postings this week. You don’t have to say it, I’m aware that they’ve sucked. But, don’t give up on me! I’ve been sick, but still going to work (because who can stay home in this economy? no thank you, I’ll just infect everyone else.) and that has made me one tired broad.

In other news, that Vampire movie came out this week and I have to say…I just don’t get it. My friend Lauren (yep, called her out) caved and bought the first book this week, but I am going to stay strong. I don’t need any additional addictions in my life, so I’m staying Twilight free.

Rant:
I love me some music. If my favorite song (it’s still Party In The USA, by the way) comes on while I’m driving, I’ll turn it way up and sing along – no matter who is watching. I do not, however, have the music up so loud that it rattles windows in people’s homes and sets off alarms. So, to the person who continues to do this up and down my avenue, I just want to say: Stop it. Before you bust an eardrum.

• Does anyone else feel ridiculous when a pharmacist gives you the once over to make sure you are not a meth addict when you buy Mucinex?
• Does anyone else want to knock Sarah Palin’s glasses off?
• Does anyone else think that “reply all” emails at work should be banned?
• Does anyone else wonder what it would be like to have three days off for Thanksgiving?
• Does anyone else watch The Amazing Race and think they should be a contestant?
• Does anyone else despise that it gets dark so soon now?
• Does anyone else have a pet who is smarter than most people?
• Does anyone else wish their mom could cook them dinner tonight?
• Does anyone else drink as much diet coke as I do?
• Does anyone else always forget to upload photos?
• Does anyone else get text messages from their ex about who they went out on a date with?
• Does anyone else secretly wish Facebook didn’t tell you when people’s birthdays are?
• Does anyone else wonder who would buy a Snuggie for their dog?
• Does anyone else get excited when they find a typo on a news website?

Raise your hand if you love The Office. *Hand raised*

I’m short on time today, so here are some classic Jim vs. Dwight prank moments:

The offender: Carrie Underwood

The item(s) in question: Everything but the shoes, during her performance at the CMA Music Awards.

My thoughts: When someone tells you that sequined granny panties are a good idea (worn underneath your clothes or as part of your outfit), they are lying to you. I think your stylist was having a Sex and the City moment, but you, Carrie Underwood, are no Carrie Bradshaw. I still think you’re stunningly beautiful and talented, though, so don’t get your granny panties in a wad.

The solution: Know your audience. The CMAs are not the VMAs, dear.

Side note: The dresses Ms. Underwood donned during the show were uber fabulous, but I couldn’t let this little number slide.

For a few weeks now, I’ve been a little uneasy when it is time for me to go to sleep. Even with the Fort Knox type security system and a dog, I’m still a chicken. So, last night, before I went to bed, I was thankful for the rain. Rain is a wonderful sleep aid. Until that rain becomes a thunderstorm, and that storm wreaks havoc on your peaceful sleep.

2:46am. I woke up to the sound of my security system going off. I spring up, look at my alarm clock to see what time it is, grab my phone (for when the security system people call to see if I’m ok and I can yell, “NO!”) and turn on the lamp. Only the lamp doesn’t turn on. Blown bulb? I scurry over to my overhead light. Nothing. I turn around to look at my clock again. Blank. Oh hell.

For a moment there I was convinced that this was my Ashley Judd moment in Kiss the Girls (you know, when he cuts the power to her house while she’s asleep, and she runs down the stairs into her fish tank and he kidnaps her). To make matters worse, my phone didn’t ring. This was my thought process: Gulp, what happens if the power was cut while my alarm was going off? Is this why they aren’t calling me? What am I going to do? I’m stuck in my room, in the pitch black darkness, with nothing but my cell phone and my dog. Breathe, think, breathe. I know! I’ll call Ben. Sure, he lives an hour away, but he’ll know what to do!

That my friends, was a correct assumption. Sweet Ben (who gets mad, mad props for even answering his phone at 3:00am) suggested that I look out my window at the street lights, which were dark. Power outage, not power cut-age. Whew!

I still called my security system peeps to ask them what was up with my alarm sounding and them not calling. It had not sounded according to their computer, and my girl Darlene assured me that I was still being monitored because my system is a) wireless and b) has a battery backup.

Nevertheless, I’ve decided I’m arming myself. I know, I know, it goes against my mainly democratic belief system, but my dog and my cell phone aren’t going to cut it if this happens again.

Who, me? Bahahaha, folks, that is hi-lar-i-ous.

My friend Meigs and her beau, Troy, got engaged on Sunday. I couldn’t be happier for these two lovebirds. Being around them can be pretty tough to take for a romantic atheist like myself, but they are two of my favorite people, so I try and stomach it.

Congratulations, guys! And, might I suggest a wedding in Mexico. Or the Bahamas. (I’m certain Meigs’ mom is less than amused right now.)

If you’ve read my blog for an extended period of time, you’ll remember the unfortunate “goth hair dye” incident in February. Well, folks, the goth hair is back.

Different stylist. Same request: Chocolate brown hair color. Same result: Black hair.

Which brings me to this question…is it them or is it me? Twice in one year makes me wonder.