Thankful It's Over: Thanksgiving Edition

Tradition dictates that I cook and host all major holidays. No worries.

This year was the first year it was going to be different. One of the baby birds is currently gone from nest, leaving a significant hole at the dinner table.

My parents were going to be out of town. I, admittedly selfish, choose not to make a huge dinner. At least not for our remaining four and my brother's brood totally five.

About a week ago, my brother calls to "wish me a belated happy birthday." After several minutes of him talking of his happenings he says, "So. Thanksgiving's at your house?"

I reply no, that I wasn't planning on cooking the feast, per se. I feel immediately guilty; although, the relationship between my brother and me is shaky. The only reason I talk to him is that I love his kids.

Brother tells me that it's no problem that his work his having a dinner (which I found odd since he works at a little joint that rhymes with Awful Mouse), plus there is a dinner at the church. I think nothing of it.

I declare this the almost best Thanksgiving ever. The four of us ate dinner with husband's work, called it Thanksgiving, and planned a day lounging in pjs, watching movies and playing games.

Two days ago, I get a text from my mom wondering what we are doing for the holiday. Turns out they chose not to go out of town and meal planning commences.

Circling vulture honing in on his meal

Two hours until dinner was to be served, I get a call from my mom forewarning of an upcoming phone call: the sister-in-law. Call waiting beeps.

Me: Hello?
Her: with no inflection of the voice: Brother wants to know what you guys are doing today.
Me: :long pause, then speaks with a bit of sarcasm: You know exactly what we're doing. Brother just talked to my mom.
Her: Well, he wants to know if you want us to come over.
Me: What happened to all your other plans?...never mind. I don't care. ::slight pause thinking this is incredibly rude:: Sure. Come on over, I want to see the kids.
Her: Okay. I let him know *click*

Scrambling happens. I call my mom back to discuss the conversation. My dad made a trip to the store. Big Daddy ended up making ANOTHER trip to the store. We were worried about not having enough food, ice, etc.

I had to adjust things around for cooking times because Brother didn't get off of work until 2 and lives 25 minutes away.

Two and half hours after the SIL phone call, but two hours before they were expected, Brother and family show up at door.

I was not dressed for company. Big Daddy and the fellas were gone to the store. I was not happy.

Me: Um. I thought you got off work at four.
Him: Uh. Yeah. Uh. I got off early.
Me: Well. I wasn't expecting you until 2:30 at the very earliest. That's why I look like a just rolled out of bed. I use game show model hands to accentuate the hot mess I was. 
Him: That's okay.
Me: No. It isn't.

Trying to be a gracious hostess, I let them in and told them to make themselves at home, but I had to get back in the kitchen.

We had a nice dinner. The nephew and nieces gave me their Christmas wishes. Overall, it wasn't a horrible day.

Then they left. No goodbye (directed towards me and Big Daddy). No thank you. Nothing to indicate that they were grateful we were all together minus one*.

And according to the countdown counter, we get to do it all over again in twenty nine days. This time, with gifts and higher expectations.

To be continued.

*For new readers: Daughter is in the military. She left this summer for boot camp and extended training. She was unable to come home for Thanksgiving. 

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