Plans and Lists, Oh My!

After blogging yesterday, it suddenly hit me. Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away. I am hosting Thanksgiving HERE next Thursday!! I have no menu, no food bought, no major cleaning done. ACK!!! At that point yesterday the only thing I knew was Thanksgiving was at our house and we are having 16 people give or take one or two. LOL

For just a minute let me back up and give the info on family. I am an only child and both of my parents are now angels. DH is the youngest of three and the only boy. His mom is also an angel. DH's older sister R is married with two wonderful boys (24 and 21). Both boys have girlfriends. DH's other sister C who is the middle child is married with two children (our 22 y.o. niece and 9 y.o. nephew). My niece has a boyfriend. And then there is my very sweet father in law. So do the math. If my nephews bring their girlfriends and niece brings her boyfriend, we add up to 16.

Last week I talked to sis in law R and asked about the girlfriends. She wasn't sure if they were coming but it doesn't matter as we always have a ton of food. I talked to sis in law C this morning and my niece and her boyfriend may eat at his mother's house. We won't know for sure but that is okay too. I get off the phone and start going about my chores that must be complete before the end of the week. Lucky for me, we all share in the cooking and I have that sorted out. So I crossed that off my list. I now know my entire menu and know what I need to buy so other than the actual shopping, I can cross that off my list. Other than the actual cooking and baking, I need to make the house all clean and sparkly. Sigh...I hate that part. I wish I was rich and could have a maid. But until I win the mega millions, I am stuck with me. A little while ago, I pretty much settled on how things are going to get done including a party we must attend this weekend. I think I can do it and figure for today, I will finish up my normal everyday laundry and straightening. Then bright and early tomorrow morning, I will be taking apart either the kitchen, living room or dining room. The living room and dining room are not bad but I have hardwood floors and a cat and I know there are cat furballs under the sofa and loveseat. So I need to get the floor clean, furniture polished and that should be it. This should be a one or two day job at the most.The real test is keeping stuff off the dining room table from now til Thanksgiving. LOL The kitchen cabinets need to be wiped and the fridge cleaned out. I need to make a promise to keep no leftovers from now til Thanksgiving. I also need to clean the oven. The kitchen is a definite two day job. Now I just need to do it.

My plan is doable but I have to stick to it and not get off track like I have a tendency to do. Then I figure the weekend will be the shopping and then on Tuesday I will start prepping anything that needs to be done and do the baking. It should then be smooth sailing to Thursday.

Of course, the only way this plan will work is if I have complete cooperation of my children and DH. I am not worried about DH. He always gives a helping hand. That is why I am keeping him. LOL The kids, well, they are kids. Looks like I may have to put the fear of God into them or the case of DD, the fear of Santa. LOL Hopefully the next time I speak of this, it will be Sunday and things will be going well. Otherwise, you will hear me whining loudly from wherever you live. LOL

As for me having any kind of life, I plan on stitching in the evenings. I am home all day and I can get it done so that I can at least have some time for me. I will need it for my sanity.

Well I better get my plan in motion. Have a great day everyone!