An Ozark Thanksgiving

I think the Ozarks is one of the most unique places in the country, and it's always a special experience to spend time there. You know you've entered the Ozarks when you begin to see billboards advertising bait and tackle, ammo and feed, and Christmas decor all at the same store. You also see a sharp increase in ceramic lawn ornaments and Old Time Photo shops. Nearly every house has a boat and/or boat trailer parked somewhere on the premises, and you have a wide selection of fudge shops and antique stores to choose from for you holiday shopping convenience.

The Ozark Locals are unique, too. They are uncomplicated, easy-going, and friendly. Of course, there are a fair amount of toothless, forty-toting hillbillys, but there are also plenty of people who are as real as they come and offer that special Midwestern hospitality you can't find anywhere else. What you see is what you get in the Ozarks, and I love that. 

Jason's family have been living at the Lake of the Ozarks for years. His grandma still drives her boat as often as her car. Squirrels get shot if they venture onto her deck, and God forbid a goose decide to nest on her property because if they do, they'll wind up with a bottle rocket in their tail feathers. The family all live near each other and are very close. His grandma lives in a house designed by Jason's dad in his high school drafting class. It includes a complete wraparound deck and sliding doors in every room. His aunt's house is a log cabin they designed and built. They also built the house next door and lived in that for awhile, until they decided they liked their old house better and moved back into it. Jason's cousin lives just down the road from them.

It was my first holiday with his family, and it was really nice. It's always hard to be with virtual strangers on traditional holidays, and I thought I would really miss being with my own family. I did miss them, but not as badly as I thought. Our Ozark Thanksgiving was different, but I liked it. So many things were unexpected - like Tanner going shooting after dinner with great grandma, and eating leftover turkey sandwiches at 2am after shopping the Door Buster sales at the outlet mall. 

Our initial reception was a bit chilly from Grandma - she is not happy about our surprise baby - and I think she was prepared to dislike me. So when I found myself in Motherhood Maternity with her at midnight last night, it felt very surreal. If you'd asked me two weeks ago if I believed she would be bringing me things to try on in a maternity store, I would've laughed in your face. Two weeks ago, I wasn't even sure we were still invited for Thanksgiving! As our visit has progressed, though, the chilliness has gradually faded into tolerance and finally, what I think might be cautious acceptance. She told Tanner to call her Grandma Mo last night, and she gave him a birthday gift today. I hope she feels okay about us now. She's a really sweet lady, once you get past that tough outer Ozark layer, and I would love to have her on our side.

All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving, and the weekend isn't over yet! Now we head to be with my family for a couple of days, to celebrate Tanner's 8th birthday. Jason will get the hometown tour and some Jones Family Bonding. I can't wait!