When I tell you, it’s been crazytown around here, I’m not kidding.
The Lady Parts Exams are all finished. Let me tell you. I had a mammogram set for last Friday, the 16th. This is always the one exam that causes the most stress and anxiety for me. Anyway, I was told that I would receive the results between two to three business days. That meant by tonight.
I couldn’t relax. The phone finally rang and results were fine so now I feel no stress leaving for Paris tomorrow. But man, stress can be a killer. My skin check is in two weeks but I’m just going to have a good time for the next few days!
I’m happy. My girls are happy. My fancier bras are happy.
In our neighborhood, many homes are already sporting Christmas lights and decorations. In fact, on my way home from work, I spotted a lighted Christmas tree through a window. And I wonder—is it me? But I cannot wrap my head around the fact that Thanksgiving is the lost holiday.
The tree won’t go up until the first or second weekend in December!
It just seems lost with all the focus on Christmas.
My lone 2018 Christmas Snow Globe! Every year I treat myself and the Eiffel Tower seemed appropriate! I’ll decorate when we return. But first I have to clean. It’s a process!
But I’ll tell you—tomorrow as we drive from Philly to JFK, and we hit the PA and New Jersey Turnpikes and the infamous Belt Parkway, we’ll hit the Thanksgiving traffic—the busiest travel day of the year! And I’ll be saying very naughty words in connection with this holiday!
Unfortunately the traffic on the Belt Parkway won’t be moving this fast!
Back to Thanksgiving. It’s just not my holiday. Growing up, it was a bit weird because there were many Thanksgivings when my dad was working—he was a NYC police officer so we spent quiet Thanksgivings—even on the ones he was home. And we spent it with my grandparents and aunt. I can’t say I ever remember my mother every cooking a turkey because she had the deli across the street make it.
True dat! When I was in my early twenties, I would have rather spent Thanksgiving being my own turkey!
And then as I got older, Thanksgivings were just that holiday that was more of a chore. Being young and single and living in NYC, I would rather spend the holiday with friends or by myself.
I must admit. I’ve never experienced a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving. Although I must admit–Cathe Lartigue Christmas’s are pretty darn epic!
When I was married to my ex-husband Thanksgiving was a very dysfunctional holiday. My mother-in-law was a control freak and stressed everyone out with the timing of the cooking. Nobody could help. Then on Thanksgiving morning the menfolk would go to the local and legendary football game between two rival high schools. The men would come back drunk but for the most part, happy drunk.
Oh Dear Lord! Some of the most dysfunctional Thanksgivings were spent at my in-laws. But I have to say, my father-in-law was a ton of fun!
Then my mother-in-law would get all bent out of shape because the men were drunk. And she would be scowling for the afternoon.
Then it was time to eat and most times her eldest son would be celebrating Thanksgiving with his wife’s family—I longed to be spending it with them too. So, my MIL would sit at the table and cry because her oldest son wasn’t there. Forget the fact that her other two sons and their families were there.
It was during these dinners that I would excuse myself to go to the bathroom. But in reality, I would go upstairs to the attic where my mother-in-law kept all the baked goods and I would give myself a five-minute stress eat! Yummmmmmm Yum!
And one year I did it. I got so annoyed that I announced at the table. “For God’s sake, will you just be happy that everyone else is here?” I believe she got up and walked out of the room.
Thanksgiving stress and yelling just made me feel all warm and toasty inside!
I didn’t mention. With all the prep work my MIL did, the act of being at the Thanksgiving table actually eating dinner lasted all of twenty minutes. Then there was the stress of her telling everyone to leave the room so she could clean.
Yeah. I swear this is making me laugh because it’s pretty-much how my mother-in-law served Thanksgiving Dinner when her oldest son wasn’t in attendance! It’s so real!!
And then when my kids got slightly older Thanksgiving became a different kind of holiday. When Oona began to compete in Irish Dance at the regional level, we would head to the Oireachtas in Philly. On Thanksgiving night.
From the time she was eight years old to this photo in high school…
…and up to her Senior year in college. Every Thanksgiving weekend was spent at the Oireachtas in Philly! Those days were fun!!
During these years Thanksgiving was a more chill meal. Sometimes we had guests. Sometimes we didn’t. But after enjoying a long and relaxing meal, Oona and I would head to Philly for the weekend while my ex-husband and the boys enjoyed a weekend of football.
Then there were the years going through my divorce and thereafter. Those Thanksgivings were spent at my sister’s home in Long Island and were, for the first time, truly enjoyable Thanksgiving meals.
With Vincent and I, Thanksgiving is more of a relaxing day. The kids are grown, two live out of state. The last Thanksgiving we were all together was three years ago. Both boys were living in New York City and Oona was living in Cincinnati for the first time (she moved back due to a transfer and is now back in Cincy) and flew in to spend a few days with us.
We all had Thanksgiving Dinner at Claudette Restaurant in NYC’s Greenwich Village. And we had a blast.
Our Thanksgiving dinner here at Claudette was on of my favorites because it was just me, Vincent and the kids!
And so, as you can read, Thanksgiving doesn’t go down as my favorite holiday.
Christmas is mine. I own it!
And this year with Jake in L.A, and Roman in NYC and Oona in Cincinnati, Vincent and I will depart for Paris tomorrow.
Our Thanksgiving Dinner will be spent on Place Dauphine in the First Arrondissement of Paris. Neither of us will have turkey. But whatever we have, it’ll be good!
We’ll be enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner here at Restaurant Paul on Place Dauphine. We’ve had many great meals here with Daniele before she passed away and we will toast to her memory!
My bags are packed.
Everything is in this Longchamp carryon. I want my stuff near me!
I have my reading material.
I cannot wait to read Becoming by Michelle Obama! The flight is seven hours. The book will be finished by the time we land! And for comic relief! Sebastian Maniscalco–he’s hysterical!!!
And I’m looking forward to my return to the City of Lights. We’ll be spending time with Vincent’s family and just relaxing for a few days.
I love me some 6th!
And when we return home, I’ll be posting all about it!
I know that lately I haven’t been on target about posting what I’m wearing and my *cough* supposed weight loss journey. Truth be told—I was really scared about my health. It was affecting me in some very anxiety-ridden ways but I’m back to normal and will be posting more about clothing, etc.
So, I wish you all a great, great Thanksgiving. Whether it is stressful or not, just sit back and enjoy. Even the bad holidays are cause for some interesting memories! Enjoy the turkey and the trimmings. And enjoy the official start of Holiday Season 2018!
Best to you and your families!
In the meantime, here’s a look at some of the outfits I’ve been wearing!
Feeling festive last week at work–and happy because my clothes still fit–tightly but they still fit!
Casual Chic–heels, skinny pants and a sweatshirt with my roots!
I wore this today. An old gray sweater. Gray Pixie Pants, a scarf I stole from Oona and inexpensive Over-the-Knee boots. So many compliments that when I took the outfit off this evening I packed it for the trip!
Burgundy velvet pants, a black top and burgundy plaid flats. A nice casual office look!
Black velvet pants and a black vevet tee–I’m wearing this to dinner on Thursday. Oh my–don’t look at my nails! I had them done and now they look pretty!
Those jeans. I’m wearing them on the plane!
Wanna see more about how I packed? Here’s a litte video! Enjoy!
Take a good look and remember this face. It’s Kristofer Buckle and his makeup line rocks!
Big hair moment during the 1980’s in NYC! I loved that color too!
Today’s look. A wash with Dawn. Then in the crease, Destiny, Untamed and Edge. Fudge was later used in the middle of the crease and on the bottom lid to line. Untamed was at the outer edge. A nice look! And a light touch. It was buildable!
The finished look with all shadows from the Subculture Palette. I’m wearing Envy Wigs Chloe in Chocolate Cherry! 
Actually, it IS funny! Can you believe it???
Take a good look at the hatred in the Nazi soldier’s face–it’s the same hatred that runs rampant in our country–the hatred of Anti-Semitism that murdered eleven jews in Pittsburgh.
There is a sadness in her eyes–did she forsee what her future held?
We are in need of something that is stronger than hate. We need to stop the violence and anti-semitism that has taken America by storm.
