A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

I have never in my entire life been to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.  I always had this idea that restaurants on holidays were for sad lonely people without family and no where to go.

My parents went to San Francisco to see my little sister. My older sister moved back to N. Carolina. The friend that invites everybody over for everything moved too.  Mj and I were on our own this year so we made dinner reservations.  The people there didn't look too sad and lonely and we weren't either.  We had each other.


I was actually pretty excited about it.  I've always wanted to see what it was like.  Dinner would be at 4:30pm and Thanksgiving would not be an all day affair of grazing on foods and drinking wine.  Not that I don't enjoy that.  I enjoy it way too much.  That's the problem.  I overeat when there is food staring me in the face all day long.  We showed up, got seated and then went off to have our fill of the Thanksgiving buffet.  We each got one glass of champagne that came with dinner.   We went back for seconds and dessert, enjoyed a good meal and were on our way home by 6pm for more relaxing.  It was perfect.  The only mishap had to do with Yams.  Amidst the throngs of people lined up in the food area someone dropped yams and I happened to be right there.  I noticed the sticky globs on my Tom's wedge booties when I got home.  I LOVE these shoes so that kind of sucked but my cleaning solution took care of it.  I don't even like yams.

If I had to pick one way every year forever it would be to spend Thanksgiving with family.  It's what I've always done and I'm very grateful for that.  It didn't work out that way this year but it was nice to do something different.  I didn't hate it. 

I'm not into Black Friday at all.  I've never done it. I'm not trying to get up at the crack of dawn to spend money I shouldn't be spending on things I don't need on my precious day off.  MAYBE and that's a big maybe, if there was something specific I wanted. Instead, we did something we haven't done in a long long time.  We cuddled up in bed until about 11:00am dozing off and chatting.  It was way better then Black Friday as far as I'm concerned.   I'm not shopping right now so I did my best to ignore all the 50% online sales.  I did however score a free digital issue of Self and Allure magazine for my my i pad.  It's something.

The only thing I did that day was a mani/pedi.  With a name like this I was expected to be handed a glass of champagne when I walked in.   Nobody else had cocktails but maybe they didn't want one.  I picked out my color, sat down and waited for someone to come take my order.   Turns out there were no cocktails to be had.  But can you really blame me for thinking otherwise? That name is totally misleading.

I've been checking Maui weather obsessively.  Things can be really iffy in December with rain but it's looking good for us so far and I'm hoping it stays that way.

The packing started on Thursday and didn't end until Saturday.  It makes me sad to see the sheer volume of stuff I need when I go on vacation.  I have one small suitcase dedicated to hair products, toiletries and shoes.  I'm a chronic over packer.  My packing anxiety has improved a lot.  It kind of had to with all the traveling I've been doing or else I'd drive myself crazy.  Mj checked on my round trip ticket that wasn't.  I used frequent flyer miles to pay for my trip there.  Mj used his points to pay for my return flight; or so we thought.  Apparently the price went up before the booking was confirmed so they cancelled my return flight without us even realizing it and didn't even give him his points back.  Crisis averted.  I got the very last seat available for the return flight so it looks like I won't be stuck in Maui.  Although, when I think about it I kind of wish I was.  I mean, Maui!!!  I'm not ever going to want to come home.

17 comments

  1. I'm not a fan of black friday either. I've never gone and have no desire to. I'm not a fan of crowds (really hate them) and the fact that I don't have extra money to spend probably plays a small part in that, too. Lol.

    http://choosingjoy7.blogspot.com

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  2. I love Thanksgiving too. One year we did it in a restaurant, and I think that the part about not having to clean up or do dishes was the best. I am so jealous of your Hawaii trip! I hope that you have fun!

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  3. Looks like you have a great thanksgiving :) It's so nice not having to cook and just be with family who loves you. I'd like to have thanksgiving at a Restaurant one of these days

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  4. Actually not having to slave in the kitchen all day sounds ideal! Looks like a great night!

    Enjoy your time in Maui! I'm so, so jealous!

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  5. Your hair is so thick and gorgeous! Looks like you had a Fab time, enjoy your trip.

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  6. I laughed at the yams in the soles of your shoes. That sucks! I've never had Thanksgiving at a restaurant either. This year it was just me and J and I still cooked like we were hosting 8 people:-) Thinking about it now - plus on the 4th day still eating turkey dishes - maybe we should have made reservations as well. I'm glad you had a good time. Happy belated Thanksgiving.

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  7. Have fun in Maui!!!!!! That sounds so exotic and exciting. Cant wait to see pics!

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  8. y'all look so happy and cute, enjoy your trip!!

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  9. It looks like you are always having a good time...living it up. You seem to live the life that my/others' dreams are made of (yep, I know...insert a little "the grass is always greener on the other side" comment here)...with youth on your side and lots of travel! How exciting! Since travel is not likely to be something I'll be able to enjoy for a long time, I suppose (with your permission) I will just continue to live vicariously through you & your blog. Carpe Diem!

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  10. sounds like you guys had a nice time even though you weren't with family. I definitely graze allll day so it would be kinda nice to limit the eating. maui sounds SO awesome. have a great time!
    -- jackie @ jade and oak

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  11. We had a similar Thanksgiving, celebrated in a restaurant while the rest of our family stayed in LA or London. And it was okay for us too! Glad you both had a great time as well.

    Safe travels. Have the best time in Hawaii! And pack away my friend...there are worse things you could do. :)

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  12. That is a different kind of Thanksgiving, I didn't even know restaurants were opened on that day. You definitely didn't look sad or lonely quite the contrary :).

    Have fun in Maui.

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  13. I'm glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! LOL at the nail place, I totally would have thought the same thing - that's so weird. I'm beyond jealous you are going to Maui!! Safe travels!!

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  14. I think your Thanksgiving sounds pretty perfect!! All we did was eat all day last Thursday and it really does make you miserable. Fun that you got your nails done, too! Not fun that the name was totally misleading.

    Have a BLAST in Maui!!!!! We just booked our Hawaii trip to Oahu (where my brother lives) for February. I may need some travel tips!

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  15. So happy you enjoyed your Thanksgiving with your beloved husband. Maui, please say you a place in your bag for a pregnant woman. That's a destination to stop by, ENJOY it :)

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  16. My thanksgivings use to be in NY but I moved to AZ with my parents and sister. Since the holidays have never been the same. Last year we did a thanksgiving a t a restaurant and at first I was like, "ugh this is going to suck." But I was surprised at how nice it was to be out with family and see so many other people doing the same. At the end if the day it doesn't matter what you so for a holiday. It just matters who you are with!

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  17. We've eaten out twice for Thanksgiving, and it's not terrible! Better with family, but nice at times too.

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