I have learned that there are a few things that Samantha is afraid of: Vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, and paper shredders. It is really hard to vacuum the house when Samantha has to be held by someone else or asleep. Oh well, having a clean house was never a particular goal of mine.

It's the night before her first Thanksgiving. The eaves have icicles on them, and the air is so cold that there are little snow diamonds floating in the air. There is lots of ice on the ground, since everything melted this afternoon and froze again.

We are planning a smallish but traditional meal tomorrow, and Leslie is coming to share it with us. That is great. We'll be having turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, broccoli, and tzimmes. I think Sam will really like the tsimmes. I call her the little implet lately since she is into everything and loves to smash around. Then of course she looks at you and gives you a heart melting grin. "I am having fun with this expensive wireless control box." She says with that grin. "please don't drag me away from something this great." Luckily she thinks a wooden spoon is just as great, and I can redirect her to something less fragile.