We tried something new this year and went out to eat - at an Italian restaurant. We've tried all kinds of other ways to do Thanksgiving, not really settling on a tradition. This is not to say we have not tried!
One of the unfortunate aspects of a screwy family dynamic is that, well, things get screwy. Like three years ago when I slaved in the kitchen 'cause I thought that's what you're supposed to do. The girls were to come over at 10 a.m. to spend the holiday at our house. The Mother requested just two more hours - apparently The First Family was in town, then another hour, and they actually showed up a half hour after that. I served up the feast to learn they'd just finished their meal at The Mother's. Actually she has managed to have an effect on our holiday most times, such that 2 years ago, when we were driving away from her house with one of the kiddos - who immediately and unexpectedly requested to go back home the next morning, because yet again, the First Family was in town, spouse-man did a U-wee in the street and said something to the effect of "I ain't dealing with this crap", dropped her off 45 seconds later and we went home to a very quiet day.
We've been orphans at friend's homes, spent it alone, cooked the whole gigantic meal between the two us, traveled to other states and it always feels like we're making it up new each year. I don't feel very thankful with unfamiliarity each year at a time when I really crave familiarity.
So we went to Maggiano's for a little Italian flair and good leftovers. Both girls joined us with a boyfriend in tow. We figured it was uninterrupted because - yep - The Mother was at her important job. Funny how her lack of presence even had a presence.
As for our holiday, later this weekend I will cook the one thing that seems to find it's way into the diet around Thanksgiving; Wild Rice Soup, from a famous place in - where else - Minnesota.
Oh, I so feel your pain about Holidays getting screwy. Going out to dinner on Thanksgiving is sounding better and better to me each year. Here's a story you might get a chuckle out of... although it relates to Christmas. Last Christmas we were "allowed" to have my stepchildren for 2 weeks for Christmas Vac. Because we now live some distance away.... my husband requested that the kids miss their last day of school (half day)before vacation so he could avoid driving delays, etc. The ex agreed..... only if we PROMISED to build a gingerbread house because Stepson's 3rd grade class was doing that at their Christmas party and he was really looking forward to it. Ok, no problem. I took charge, Looking up patterns online, getting all the supplies(Special little candies etc,) baking the gingerbread pieces for the house and so on. IT would be our wonderful Christmas Eve family project. The Ex even called a couple days in advance to make sure we were going to do it. When it came time to make the Gingerbread house.... stepson announces that he doesn't want to do it because he already has......at mom's house the night before dad picked them up! I was seathing!!!!!!!! However, My own children had never made one so I "cheerfully" went on with the project for their sake..... while we had to listen to my non- participating stepchildren make comments throughout about how "we did this and mom did that with ours." In the end I guess "Hers" turned out much more GRAND than ours did, although the one we created was pretty darned awesome. I told my husband that "SHE" will never dictate to us again what we do at our house... for the childen or otherwise. It is always a trap. This year they spend Christmas at their mom's..... and I am soooooo looking forward to it.....no interference and no negativity.
Posted by: Kelly | Nov 25, 2007 at 06:16 AM
I can't much stand the interference and negativity either, although this year all of the kiddos forgot to call The Egg Donor on T-Day, so we had some relative peace.
I like the sounds of Maggiano's, though. What a nice tradition, with both girls and boyfriends in tow. I know it will mean a lot to them that you make your own tradition. Glad it went well.
Posted by: Stephanie | Nov 25, 2007 at 10:54 AM