Freedom and Non Traditional Thanksgiving

I am having a babysitter watch my kids today because I realize that working out makes me feel like ME again, and I have to go! Never thought I'd be so excited to go work out and let off some steam. I let it get away from me and it seems to be the last thing on my list after long days I have. Even today, only at 11:30 has been hectic and frustrating. I woke to crying kids, yelling, fighting, a husband that had been up all night, was thankful he made it home in the snow...but I was hoping they'd be quiet upon waking so that my husband could sleep. I had them both crying and really crabby today....fed them, and they are still cranky.... I put them in their really nice play room, listening to them play loudly, and think some mornings could just be hectic, and why did this Saturday morning have to be like this? Now that they are in their playroom, all is good, but I'm hearing the super loud toys, guitars, and think "CALGON...take me away". Post work out I am going to get a NON TRADITIONAL Thanksgiving meal. MY Mom was always the cook of the family. We are from the South, and have "southern traditions", and boy she could cook. Since she's not with us anymore, we are opting to do something different this year. Anyone else observe Thanksgiving in a different way? My Husband has to work on Thanksgiving all day, so we are observing Wednesday. I am happy that we have a day prior to, and we'll have our kids and my Sister. Normally I'd go to my Mom's and have Turkey, and the traditional. This year I am open to any suggestions for something different. I still want to have a feast and give Thanks for all that we have, even on the "hectic" and crazy days. I am super excited to head out shopping too. I am not much of a shopper, but just having moved into our home, I am feeling more and more domestic, trying to buy pieces from World Market, and Pier One, places like that. I am so excited for presents this year too. I am not grumpy during holidays, but it's been a hard year losing my Mom. She made Christmas wonderful, so it's been hard to be in the "spirit" of things. I am pushing forward and actually excited to shop for my children. To see their excitement with simple things, and the smallest of gifts, they are worth the time to find the right present.