Thanksgiving Dinner and Other Disasters

Do you remember when you had just moved out of your parents house?  You might have moved out to go to college, get married or maybe just to get away.  Regardless of why, there is typically a period of time after you move out when you are pretty much exempt from contributing to family holiday meal planning.  I know there are some people who would say, "No way, we always do every holiday meal together as a family.  We love spending time together and cooking.  It is sooo much fun."

However, when I moved out, I particularly enjoyed the exempt period.  I was (am) not a good cook so it wasn't very fun for me to try to look graceful at something that as my husband says makes me look so awkward.  I got to partake in the said period for a few more years and boy did I enjoy setting the table and acting like that was such a great contribution.  Then...it was over.

The first holiday where I really remember helping was when we spent my first Thanksgiving with Mr. Domestic's family.  It was then I decided that I probably couldn't pull off watching tv with the boys and kids under 10 and decided to offer my help.  They gave me an easy job, opening chicken broth cans for the dressing I believe.  Easy peezy.  If you recall, those cans have a pop top.  Long story short, I "popped" one of the cans of broth all over the kitchen.  That was year's ago, with multiple minor incidents along the way.  Last year we had our first Thanksgiving at our new house.  Here is how it goes:  huge blizzard, Mr. Domestic left turkey to thaw outside, dogs ate leg off of the bird, when we went to get it to cook we discovered the mutilation.  All ended up well, but I am sure no one will ever let us live that one down.

So anyway, my exemption period is over now and I help the best I can.  That being said, I now understand the importance of a group effort.  I actually enjoy group projects more now that I am out of college.  Well I used to.  The thing is that not everyone has apparently gotten to the point I am at now.  There are still some people who agree to be in a group and really have the best intentions, but for some reason or another become dead weight for the group.  I know this is not some great discovery, but when you agree to lead a group and then the entire group flakes out and leaves you to do everything, it ends up not fun.  So somehow it has come to this.  It is fun to be a part of a group.  It is even fun to lead a group.  It is not fun when there is no group.

I have totally led this story to a current situation going on in my life, but the message is clear.  Don't leave the group leader (aka shower planner) to do all of the work.  Ciao!