OK, BREATHE. You have until Thursday. It is a matter of rewards and encouragement. Do NOT overtax yourself, please. Do not worry what others will say. You are the hostess. You are in charge. If you choose to sit on CAF and recreate a bit, as is permissible of a Sunday and restful recreation, you may do so.
Just today, yank the turkey out of the freezer and put it in the bottom of the refrigerator, wrapped in a couple plastic bags from the grocery store, or sitting in a large pan; but still in its turkey wrapper from the turkey factory. DO NOTHING ELSE. I mean, you are not brining it or any other Alton Brown tricks, right? OK, so turkey is on slow defrost.
Tomorrow (and not until tomorrow), if you do not plan on using genuine Thanksigving Chinet, the good paper napkins with turkeys and pilgrims, and plastic table service- fold the napkins and polish the silver or stainless. Set them aside where kids will not use them, and cats will not nuzzle them. Make a centerpiece if you are not using the food as the centerpiece. AND THAT’S IT. Do this while watching TV, or listaning to some nice music.
Congratulations! You have done two things toward getting yourself ready for this event. Treat yourself to a glass of wine, or a serving of potato chips! Good job!
If anybody calls between now and Thursday, asking what they can do to help, have a list by the phone AND ASSIGN HIM OR HER SOMETHING. Make sure the person is clear what he or she is doing. If they don’t do it, then it is their problem, not yours. If they didn’t want to help, they shouldn’t have asked. Thanksgiving will still be here, with or without green bean casserole.
On Tuesday: If you are making pies by hand, today is their day. Otherwise, find the time in your area when the grocery stores are not that crowded, and get anything you might need at the last minute. Play plenty of music while you do this, if you are making the pies. Buy a really good bottle of wine or two while at the grocery store, and treat yourself, a glass at a time, as you accomplish things.
On Wednesday: Shovel all the household junk you don’t want showing, including the dirt, in the garage. Or out the back door into the shed. Or to the portion of the basement nobody uses, in the dark corners. Get the kids to help. Unplug the TV and hide the remotes until it is time for turkey and football. Anything that needs to thaw needs to get put in the refrigerator. Prep your onions, celery, and that sort of thing if you are making your own stuffing (if not, make sure you buy a box or two of Stove Top today). The potatoes, veggies to be cooked, carrots sticks, and celery sticks can soak in cold water in the refrigerator. Any distasteful tasks can be accomplished by your hubby, if you have one, when he gets home from work, as the TVs don’t work. If the pies are frozen but need cooking, do that tonight. If they just need to be defrosted, again, put them in the refrigerator. Go to bed early.
T-DAY: Get the bird out of the wrappers and washed. If you’re going to stuff it, get that done. BE SURE TO PULL OUT ALL THE PLASTIC BAGS. Get it into the oven. As people start to come over, hand them a task as you take their coats. Do not yap at them if you don’t like the way they did it, just make sure they get full credit for it.
Wait, didn’t you and I trade posts about exactly this topic a while back? Pride/perfection? Argh! When will we learn?