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One of the irritants hazards frustrations depressors adventures of being a military family is never knowing how we will be spending any given holiday from year to year. This year, our Thanksgiving plan was to go down to Florida and spend it with my youngest brother and his family. Jeff will be transferring (army) to Hawaii the beginning of the year for 3 years, so this was to be special.
The only thing more enraging challenging than planning a holiday around one military family, is planning it around two military families. Jeff found out that within a month of moving, he will be deploying to a combat zone for who-knows-how-long. So his wife decided it would be better to stay on this side of the world, near family and friends instead of moving to Hawaii with their two boys. So, she moved to NY the beginning of the month. (Jeff was out west for training). Thanksgiving plans: canceled.
So, commence forming Plan B. Done. Oh, but wait. Sick family member coming to live with the parties involved in Plan B. Plan B down the toilet.
Damn. Aw Shucks.
Adapt and Overcome. With a smile on your face and a cheery disposition because your the mommy and you set the tone and it’s a holiday so it’s all up to you to make sure that the family isn’t effected by your disappointment and has happy memories of Thanksgiving.
Harold M. Lambert/Getty Images
And I did it. I made the entire meal. Some from scratch, some from cans and boxes marked “instant.” Just for our nuclear family. Served on the fine china. Turkey (5lb breast), mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, green been casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, rolls.
Everything was done within minutes of each other. Tasted delicious. Looked fabulous. I even wore an apron and a smile. Not bad for the first time I’ve ever done it all myself.
So, now to form plans A, B and C for Christmas…
Filed under: Military Life | Tagged: canceled plans, military family, thanksgiving
Plan A is to always have Plan B right? I can relate! Glad it came together and it sounds like you made great memories!
You rock, lady! My plan is to never cook Thanksgiving dinner by myself. I don’t think I could do it.
I’m lovin’ your blog and want to add it to my “good reads”. Is that alright?
Thanks for commenting.
Lots of love,
Pinky
Good for you. I have made t-day dinner three times and managed to burn something each year. Year one: the rolls (my fave, very sad) Year two: mincemeat pie (hubby’s fave, i think it’s repulsive, not sad at all) Year three: apple pie (everyone’s fave, very very very sad) fortunately i made 2 of them!
Perfect timing on your first ever time cooking the t-day dinner is awesome!
Wow what a confusing bunch of planning happenstances! Makes my Thanksgiving seem a breeze. Glad it all worked out for you though. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with instand anything!
Sorry to hear your plans went awry, but sounds like you pulled it off like the stellar mommy you are! Sounds delish, too.
When DBF gets back to his regular job in 18 months, he’ll be deployed for 2 1/2 months and on land for 5 before starting the cycle all over again… I have your type of holidays to look forward to.