[doydie]

Linda, sounds as if your DI L's need to be asked. They may think that you want the dinner to be your way. They may have some favorite dishes that they could fix. Have you been to their house for a meal? If so, you could say that you enjoyed that particular dish a lot and could they bring that along. I guess I have never been to any meal where if you don't bring something, you at least are in the kitchen helping to fix the meal.

[redjpwranglergirl]

OMG- anybody who likes cheesecakes needs to go look at the website "atlantacheesecakecompany.com"! I saw their advertisement in one of my Southern Living magazines and just looked at the website. They're very EXPENSIVE, and I doubt I'd ever pay that much for a cheesecake but they look WONDERFUL!

[Jomar]

ohhh just smear them on my tummy!! that's where they will end up showing-LOL

my son got us a gift cert for here last Christmas-
The place had just opened then and is still packed all the time.
so we haven't used the cert. yet.
http://shop.thecheesecakefactory.com/

[Boopers]

You guys are all so wonderful. Thank you for listening to my gripes and groans. You have convinced me that I need to talk with the DIL'S and explain to them that I'm just not able to do it all anymore. I do hope they will understand.
Yes, Lisa, that's the way it is here. All three grandchildren think Grandma has nothing to do accept play with them, while DIL'S sit in the kitchen catching up on each other's lives and sons and dad are sitting in living room watching a movie or talking about cars.
Lisa, the doctor has me on advair and atrovent besides oxygen. They seem to work pretty well. My lungs are all scarred from the ARDS I had four years ago and then with the COPD, it makes it worse.
Thanks guys, I feel better now, I am going to talk with them and maybe this year, I can also be able to get in on some of the conversations of just catching up!
You guys are the Greatest!!
Linda

[redjpwranglergirl]

Originally Posted by Boopers

You guys are all so wonderful. Thank you for listening to my gripes and groans. You have convinced me that I need to talk with the DIL'S and explain to them that I'm just not able to do it all anymore. I do hope they will understand.
Yes, Lisa, that's the way it is here. All three grandchildren think Grandma has nothing to do accept play with them, while DIL'S sit in the kitchen catching up on each other's lives and sons and dad are sitting in living room watching a movie or talking about cars.
Lisa, the doctor has me on advair and atrovent besides oxygen. They seem to work pretty well. My lungs are all scarred from the ARDS I had four years ago and then with the COPD, it makes it worse.
Thanks guys, I feel better now, I am going to talk with them and maybe this year, I can also be able to get in on some of the conversations of just catching up!
You guys are the Greatest!!
Linda

Linda,
I can't imagine them getting mad at you but if they do....well, I don't know what to say, other than "they'll get over it".....These aren't children we're talking about- they're grownups now and they need to see/realize that Mom needs help and things are going to have to change. Tell them that you are now "retired"- that you may provide a turkey (if they'll carve it), or a dessert, or side dish, whatever, and the rest of it is up to them, as is the cleaning up afterwards- that Mom wants to sit down and watch TV and visit with them from now on. It sounds like you are in no shape to be doing all this work. If they don't like it, I guess you could nicely say something like, "well, OK...I guess we'll just have bologna or peanut butter sandwiches, or hotdogs, or something like that....I guarantee you that that might change their minds! You've earned the right to take a break so stick to your guns!

[LisaL-TOS]

Originally Posted by redjpwranglergirl

OMG- anybody who likes cheesecakes needs to go look at the website "atlantacheesecakecompany.com"! I saw their advertisement in one of my Southern Living magazines and just looked at the website. They're very EXPENSIVE, and I doubt I'd ever pay that much for a cheesecake but they look WONDERFUL!

....and load your basket up with those cheesy cakes, get your Visa out and check out, Red. Call me when they arrive.

[redjpwranglergirl]

Originally Posted by LisaL-TOS

....and load your basket up with those cheesy cakes, get your Visa out and check out, Red. Call me when they arrive.

Lisa, my buddy, you KNOW you're on the list to get some cheesecake! I'll call you when they arrive- but, don't tell your cardiologist....he will NOT be happy, as those cheesecakes look like heart attack on a plate to me....

[Jaye]

With Parkinson's, our cognitive abilities to routinize and prioritize diminish--in other words, we can't quickly think what to do next, and forget making it come out on time! Sooooo... in 1997 I did all the work of organizing the event over the preceding weeks, and while a lot of the work was done on the big day, I parceled jobs out to the young adults according to the schedule. The schedule was posted on the fridge for all to refer to, so people could pitch in where necessary. Dinner was on time and the best I've ever made, also the last. We have lived all over, not always near our families, and sometimes the holiday dinner meant the two of us went out somewhere, so that's the tradition that we carry on these days. Anyhow, without further ado, here's my master plan, useful for anyone:

Thanksgiving Timetable for any year

Resources: The Washington Post 19Nov97
http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/eg...eggencore.html -Thanksgiving No-Brainer
Planning Timetable from Cooking.com
www.soyouwanna.com
A Thanksgiving Timetable by Rebecca Staffel, Amazon.com

One Month in Advance
 As soon as you decide to host a dinner: Make up a guest list and invite your guests.
 Arranage to borrow chairs and dishes if necessary.
 Plan the menu and keep it simple. Include beverages.
 Decide what you want to allow/ask guests to bring.
 Make shopping lists for remaining menu items.
 Nonperishable to buy in advance
 Fresh to buy Monday or Tuesday
 Fresh to buy Wednesday
 Assess your batterie de cuisine and buy or borrow needed items.
 pots and pans
 turkey roaster
 baking dishes
 instant-read thermometer
 knives
 cutting boards
 food processor
 pie plates
 storage containers
 cheese grater
 strainer
 mixer
 mixing bowls
 measuring cups and spoons
 heavy duty foil
 baster
 Take inventory of décor items and serving dishes, and buy or make those needed.
 tablecloth and napkins
 candles, centerpiece
 dishes and silver
 glassware
 house decorations
 individual gifts/favors
 Make and freeze pies, turkey broth, and anything else that can take the storage.

Two Weeks in Advance
 Write out your cooking schedule for Thanksgiving Day. Decide when you'd like to eat and plan for the turkey to come out 30 minutes prior. You'll have time to make gravy and heat casseroles in the oven while the turkey rests. (See sample schedule on Thanksgiving Day, below.)
 Confirm number of guests.
 Polish the silver.
 Check on whether turkey needs to be ordered.
 Prepare guest rooms.

One week before:
 Order turkey if necessary.
 Make and freeze desserts if possible, such as pie crusts and cheesecake (if not already done).
 Shop for nonperishables and frozen turkey (to get a good one).
 Clean out the fridge.
Saturday
 Go over your menu and recipes and make sure you have everything you need for cooking and serving.
 Decide which chores can be assigned to people who want to help.
 Shop for all but last-minute items.
 Make cranberry sauce, relish, and other side dishes that benefit from a little rest.
 Put coolers for beverages in the kitchen.
 Check guest rooms, make up beds.

Thanksgiving Week
Sunday
 Pick out music and preload CD player
Monday
Start defrosting frozen turkey.
 Start making ice.
Tuesday
 Rearrange furniture to create sideboard, bar, and coffee and tea service.
 Set the table and decorate the house
 Assemble and label serving dishes in kitchen.
 Vacuum and dust.
 Assemble your batterie de cuisine.
 Make cranberry sauce, relishes.
Wednesday
 Pick up fresh turkey.
 Buy fresh flowers for sideboard, salad, any other fresh food.
 Make pies, rolls, side dishes.
 Prep and chop sturdy vegetables for cooking on Thursday.
 Put beverages in coolers with ice.
 Start thawing side dishes and desserts as appropriate.
 Go out to dinner or order pizza.

Thursday
Thanksgiving Day
 Eat a good breakfast.
 Review cooking schedule. It should take about four and a half hours.
 Turn on the oven.
 Follow prepared schedule, and remember to clean up as you go.
 Set out ingredients for each dish.
 Remember to take breaks.
 Put the potatoes in the crock pot and the gravy in a thermos.
 Clean up and get dressed before guests arrive.
 Turn on the music.

Sample Cooking Schedule
Zero minus 4:30:00
 Put 14-18 pound turkey into oven.
Zero minus 4:00:00
 Assemble side dishes (creamed onions, sweet potatoes), refrigerate till cooking time.
 Place butter, cranberry relish in serving dishes, refrigerate.
Zero minus 1:45:00
 Make stuffing.
Zero minus 1:30:00
 Stuffing and other baked side dishes go into oven with turkey.
Zero minus 1:00:00
 Assemble corn bread, biscuit ingredients.
 Put out ice, soda, wine.
Zero minus 0:30:00
 Turkey and side dishes come out of oven.
 Corn bread, biscuits go into oven.
 Cook stovetop vegetables.
 Make gravy.
 Have helpers put vegetables in serving dishes.
Zero minus 00:10:00
 Carve turkey.
 Send serving dishes and utensils to table (check off on menu).
 Dinner time
 Remember corn bread in oven.
 Remember butter, cranberry relish from fridge.

Hope this helps someone!
Jaye

[Jomar]

That really breaks it down time wise very nicely.
Thanks for posting it.

[redjpwranglergirl]

Awesome idea, Jaye! You did alot of work just putting this list together. Thanks!