Hubby, Sonny-boy and I are going out to dinner with my parents. We’ve always done different things on Thanksgiving; we do not have a holiday tradition.
When Hubby I were dating, he lived in metro-NYC and I lived in Buffalo. Sonny-boy and I drove the 6.5 hours to have Thanksgiving dinner with him the first year we were together. Sonny-boy and I encountered a fog patch in the Poconos like none I have ever seen before. For 28 miles I followed the taillights of the vehicle ahead of me hoping against all hope that that person could see better than I did through the murk. My knuckles were white against the steering wheel as we drove very, very slowly through that mountain pass. There was no where to pull over, and no exit to be seen. There was just us and the person driving ahead of us.
When that person exited the fog (it simply disappeared), they pulled their vehicle pulled over (probably to breathe into a paper bag) and I gave a little toot of thanks (doubt they saw the wave, it was pitch black out), and Sonny-boy and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. The rest of that weekend with Hubby was uneventful. By the following Thanksgiving Hubby (now my fiancé) had moved to the Buffalo-area – into the house we had purchased prior to our wedding, so Sonny-boy and I never made that drive at that time of the year again.
Another Thanksgiving we went to Vegas to visit Hubby’s Mom. Sonny-boy went with us, but of course we flew. Hubby went out a few days earlier, and Sonny-boy and I had an early Thanksgiving day flight. There is a three hour time difference between New York State and Nevada, and we were scheduled to arrive in the early afternoon. Since air travel is horrendous during the best of times, and even worse during Thanksgiving, it figured that Sonny-boy and I had a flight delay and actually missed Thanksgiving dinner not arriving until after 10pm. After this one we stopped traveling long distances during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Now, we usually just go out to dinner with whoever is around. Many times it has been us and my parents, sometimes just us and Sonny-boy. This is a real departure from the Thanksgiving dinners I used to make for my ex-husband’s family on Thanksgiving. That was 15-30 people depending on who decided to attend. I never minded the big dinners just as I now don’t mind going out for Thanksgiving. I just go with the flow on Thanksgiving, and for us the flow has been a small dinner at a restaurant more often than not the last few years.
How about you? What are your Thanksgiving plans?
Stephanie B says
Last year I hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners at my house. Each holiday was 12-20 people, so as you know, a lot of work. This year, since Thanksgiving is the 28th, my MIL’s birthday is the 29th, and my birthday is the 30th, we are going to spend it with my in-laws. It was supposed to be only six of us for a simple family dinner, and then we found out his aunt invited herself and that turned into that entire side of the family coming. So, I guess no simple Thanksgiving this year, but at least I don’t have to cook!! We are driving the 3.5 hours there Wednesday evening and if I know my MIL everything will already be prepped for the next day by the time we get there. Well, except the turkey, we are bringing it with us. I imagine next year we will have to travel to my mom’s house for Thanksgiving to keep it fair. She was invited last year, but since my dad was there she wouldn’t come. Oh the joyous holiday season lol
Ann says
I never had to deal with divorced-parents at the holidays, Stephanie. Sonny-boy does, and the only one I ever mandate he spends with me is Christmas Eve – and my ex knows it and laughed that he would come too.
Ann
Shell says
I have no clue because I have had pneumonia for the last two weeks. I just realized yesterday it was a week away. Last year I got sick as we were packing to to Louisiana. I sent hubby on without me and stayed home alone sick. I did manage to online shop though and got a few good deals. I am feeling better today, but have no clue if I am going to be well enough cook anything or maybe jut go out for a meal. I hope being sick doesn’t become a tradition for me 🙁 Two years in a row is more than enough!
Ann says
Oh no, Shell! Get better soon. That is terrible.
Ann
KimH says
Well most of the last 15 years we’ve had Thanksgiving dinner at our house with friends & family.. with the exception of a year or two at M’honey’s moms before she passed on & one year we went to Chicago to his sisters house..
This year its going to be smaller than it normally is.. I cant believe it. My step son is going to his girlfriends families Thanksgiving in Pa.. My stepdaughter is supposed to be at her in-laws at 2 which is usually when we normally and she wants to go to her aunts house as well.. Somewhere in there, she’ll make it over.. so its sounding like it’ll just be me, M’honey, & my daughter for the most part. M’honey was talking about inviting a friend of his so maybe he’ll show up.. Yuk! I hope not but wont stop him. lol.. I may call M’honey’s niece & see if she & her family want to come over..
Ann says
Oh no Kim! Always unsettling to have such major changes to family gatherings. Most leftovers isn’t really a substitute for having the children home. I hope you have a great day though, regardless of how many attend.
Ann
Skirnir Hamilton says
Often times we travel to my husband’s parents at Thanksgiving, which now that we live in TN rather than WI, is closer, but my hubby decided he wanted to stay home this year. He is feeling a bit tired out and traveling is always hard on us as we sleep horrible in hotels, etc. Looks like it will just be hubby and I and our 16 year old son. I am wondering how many more years will our son be predominately home, as he will be in college in a few years and I suspect that is going to change things around here. Friday morning I will be volunteering at the food pantry at church and I suspect my family will be lazing around with laptops/playstation, etc. Should be a restful long weekend, with a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.
Ann says
Sounds like a very soothing Thanksgiving, Skirnir … and how good of you to volunteer at your local food pantry and give up Black Friday deals. 🙂
Ann