Well, all my carefully calibrated Thanksgiving plans have evaporated – poof! Everyone is fine and feeling well so far, but I think we all understand that when an uninvited guest like Covid shows up to the party, most people will opt out of the festivities.
This is life. Things happen. We are so lucky that it was a mild case of Covid and not something so much worse or more devastating. So very lucky.
Nonetheless, I’m feeling…
- Disappointed. It’s always nice to see family, especially when it’s been a while. (That came out snarkier than I intended, but I’m leaving it because it’s true.) I haven’t seen my niece in far too long, and I wanted to squeeze her and marvel at how much taller and more brilliant she’s become since I last saw her. And I had managed to orchestrate the exact houseguest experience that I preferred: everyone in my house, while we were ALL on a break, for a fixed and doable amount of time. None of those things is happening now. Carla is bereft. She was SO excited to see her cousin. And now: nothing.
- Cranky. Now my least favorite type of houseguest experience is going to happen. My MIL has a doctor’s appointment the week after Thanksgiving, and instead of staying in a hotel as planned (after staying with us for Thanksgiving for six days), she and my FIL will now be staying at our house. Which is fine in the sense that we DO want to see them both, and spend time with them. But is less fine in the sense that now they will be staying at our house when Carla is in school and my husband is at work and I have all the normal challenges of keeping our workweek schedule running smoothly on top of hosting houseguests. (Who wants to throw me your best Using Up Thanksgiving Leftovers recipes I can try out on my in-laws next week please?)
- Relieved. All of the pressure of hosting has been postponed by a week.
- Deflated. The most prevalent feeling is one of deflation – of all that anxiety and energy being stored up for weeks of planning and then having none of the fanfare of the fun part of hosting: showing people around the house, gathering for a big meal, playing games as a family. Add to that the fact that I have to gear myself up again, a week from now, to host – when I haven’t planned for THAT at all… and I’m reeling a little.
I am hopeful that Whole Foods will allow us to dramatically downsize our turkey. I am hopeful that they will allow me to not bring home the two enormous veggie sides I already paid for, and that they will refund me. (And, if that’s not possible, I plan to make some Szechuan green beans out of the leftovers.) I am grateful that my little family of three will have time to ourselves. I am grateful it wasn’t something more serious that’s keeping us apart, and that there will be (God willing) opportunities to get together again.
Ugh– I am so sorry. I think Minnie has pinkeye, so our guests might not want to come either. I was sort of hoping Thanksgiving would just cease to be a thing the other day because I was so stressed, but now that I might get my wish? I definitely feel sad.
Oh, I was wondering. Oh dear. I hope you are all feeling okay and are not too sick with it. I would be SO deflated. And now houseguests but not the fun kind of houseguests…well, there’s nothing for it, I guess, but that’s disappointing.
Well damn it.
I’m so sorry! That is such a bummer (and extends the prepping/fretting anxiety until next week). I hope Whole Foods does you a solid and and your routine is only a little messier than usual as you navigate this.
Oh no! I am so sorry. It’s such a horrible feeling to do all that prep and be stressed and excited all at the same time just to have it delayed. Gah. I hope you all feel better soon. And good luck with the in-laws staying over for so long. I hope your MiL’s appt goes well <3
Oh NO!!! I am so sorry to hear this. What a disappointment. Ugh. I cannot even wrap my brain around this.
Stupid Covid is still ruining things three years later. I’m so sorry for you guys 🙁
Oh sweetie. I am just…ugh. Ugh. Ugh. This stinks and sucks and noooooooo. Glad you can find a few silver linings but, yeah, this really sucks. I 100% see why “deflated” is the biggest emotion right now 🙁
Sending love and hugs.
Oh, no. That’s the worst. I’m terribly sorry. Who needs that?
Oh, that is a bummer. I’m sorry for the letdown. All that planning for nothing.
Beth, North, and I all had covid last Thanksgiving weekend, but we weren’t having guests so it didn’t change our plans much. North was the only one who felt very sick.
Oh noooo! That sucks. I totally get all your feelings. In spite of the stress involved, you were all geared up for it. Plus it’s hard to have a disappointed kid. I hope the three of you have a fun holiday anyway, as much as possible. And I’m glad to see you see have your sense of humor… I’m chuckling over the title of this post.
Oh, all that planning for nothing. I’m so sorry. I hope you are able to try to get together with everyone at another time!
Oh, what a bummer! I’m so sad for Carla and her cousin. :/ I hope you can all plan something else together for another holiday or break. And I hope the crud moves along quickly and no one feels too terrible!
Bummer! I’m sorry to read this. The best laid plans of mice and [wo]men, right? I hope you’re successful with getting Whole Foods to allow you to change your order and that y’all feel better soon.
Ah, jeez, that sucks! It’s hard to look on the bright side in a situation like this. I hope that Whole Foods helps you out. Surely they’ll have someone who wanted a bigger turkey but was too late to order it?
Oh I am so sorry to hear this! It does simplify things a bit but it’s the simplification is too close to the planned event to be a good thing, especially if you have massive amounts of food to eat. I’m so sorry friend! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so I would be very very bummed. I hope your covid case(s?) remain mild!
Oh, dear! Getting geared up and ready, then having to completely change the plans–that’s disappointing and jarring. We should be used to it since we’ve had lots of practice since 2020, but I still haven’t adapted.
Suzanne,
Well that sucks! Be a rebel and have a lovely Thanksgiving, anyway — if for no other reason that to spite Covid! You know what? Be an extra rebel and consider having another Thanksgiving in January or April or whenever all your family and friends can get together again. Because as far as I can see, you can be thankful and feast at any time of the year! Maybe it’s not traditional, but you do what you gotta do in these trying times! Mona
Booooo! I’ve had Covid crash more parties in the 1.5 years than it did in the first 1.5 years! (I guess there weren’t that many parties in the first 1.5 years so maybe that’s why…) I’m so sorry. It really sucks to be looking forward to something and then have to manage the evaporation of the anticipation. It causes a real emotional hangover! I am very lucky that our Thanksgiving and Christmas plans are always very low key – we never travel and no one travels to see us – so we can pivot when needed. I hope you can find some bright spots amongst the gray. Sending positive vibes your way.
sorry to hear that, what a bummer! I guess you can “recreate” dinner after the official thanksgiving day? that’s always good excuse to host dinner to family.
Hope you are all doing well.
Oh my. Covid is not over. I’ve heard from a few people who recently had it. I am so sorry. I hope the symptoms were mild… and I am sorry that you had to fret over the hosting situation and then for everything to fall apart before the holiday. I hope you can make the best of it and enjoy a quiet holiday instead. (It does feel like 2020, doesn’t it?)
Aw rats. Boo to COVID the party crasher. Yes you had a lot of stress but it would have been worth it. Hopefully the family will reschedule their visit. The takeaway that I got from when we went to CHI a few weeks ago is that it’s not that difficult to pack up for a weekend and go somewhere, and we don’t need to only do that for weddings and holidays.
I’m trying to imagine entertaining houseguests during the workday and eek I don’t know how I would do it.
SO sorry about covid! But glad the case was found before and not 12hrs after Thanksgiving dinner…. which I fear will be more common this year than is desirable. Hope WF’s is helpful and retains your business. Best wishes!
Oh dear! That sucks! I am so sorry, how disappointing. I hope everyone continues to feel OK. We had it in March, and felt like crap. Not ‘I can’t breathe and need to go to the hospital’ crap, not even ‘please call the doctor and get me the good drugs’ crap. Just like a bad cold, which is NO FUN. I hope you can cancel all of the extra food and get refunds. BAH HUMBUG!
Oh no, Suzanne! I’m so sorry. I hope everyone recovers quickly. COVID is still floating around unfortunately.
I read this morning about a turkey and pepper jack cheese quesadilla which sounded delicious.
Oh Suzanne! I am so bummed to hear this. I know that feeling of building up something in your head and then the deflation of when it doesn’t happen. I hope you were able to have a nice Thanksgiving even with all of this. <3
Well shit. I’m so sorry about this. What a bummer. But like you said, it could have been more serious. XOXO
Oh I am sorry this happened. I hope you still had a wonderful time even though the circumstances. Houseguest that need entertaining is tough. Specially when you are at home and trying to maintain the schedule.