Thanksgiving Let Down

So I've been in the cave. All sorts of caves. The writing cave, the submitting cave, the edits cave. NaNo has come and gone and I hit 38K, which wasn't bad considering I had a new release, did edits on two books, promo for another new release next week and subbed two novellas and a proposal...yep, no grass growing under these furry flip-flops (my slippers, if you're wondering.)

But one thing all that stuff hasn't left much time for? Coming up with fun blogs. So that's where my good friend Marika comes in. She wrote up an awesome blog on short notice and believe me, she's a true friend because she's one busy lady! She's a wife and mother, writer, reviewer and reader...plus she has a full-time job! So please show her some love and tell us how your letdown week went! (And yep, she's right - I have been watching my basketball!)

Take it away, Marika!

Thanksgiving Let Down

Hello, its Fan girl again.  Cari has asked me to blog for her today.  She mentioned something about being in a cave and being behind.  Honestly, I think she’s watching her Orangemen play basketball.  Anywhoos, you get me again.

Have you ever thought about the Thanksgiving Let Down?  Yes, Let Down.  I call the week after Thanksgiving, the Let Down.  This year we had 24 days to prepare for Thanksgiving.  Yes only 24 days before we had the horde of relatives came to your house or you went to theirs.  On 24 days to shop, cook, clean and get ready for that one day that we are truly thankful and overeat.  The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday or for most retailers it actually starts Thursday night.  Grrrr!  Don’t get me started on Black Friday starting early.  That’s a whole another post.  So after fighting the insane masses to get that deal that you just had to have right now, you go home and hopefully take a nap.  Saturday, you’re looking at the relatives and thinking…when are you going home?  I want my home back.  On Saturday, you are also to that point that if you ate another bite of turkey, you might gag!  ***hint***  Pizza is good either Friday or Saturday.  Just saying…and yes, that’s what we had.

Sunday is the day that everyone leaves, you get your house back and you start cleaning.  Whew…house is clean, football is on or maybe you are reading, right?  Here’s the Let Down part…Monday, you go back to work and you’re thinking to yourself or maybe talking to co-workers about decorating the house.  What???  This year we have a full month between Thanksgiving and Christmas, people.  Think about it?  That’s about 30 days before the most chaotically beautiful day of the year.  So why do people feel like that they have to start with the shopping, cooking, baking, decorating, party throwing, oh shit I have Christmas Cards to get out, panic mode?  For me, the Thanksgiving Let Down is a week to rethink about when we are going to decorate, realize that I’m NOT going to bake anything again, be truly thankful that I have a job even if I complain about it, watch my 6 year old son already whip himself up in a frenzy because Christmas is coming and look at my husband and thank I’m the luckiest woman alive right now.

Of course, the Let Down is a time to think what in the hell am I going to get everyone for Christmas this year, what do I want for Christmas and pray to the gods that no one gets sick during the season.  Think about it…what have you done this Let Down Week?  For me, we went to work and nothing else.  Yep, nothing to even resemble getting into Christmas.  For some, that might sound Scrooge-like but for me…just trying to save up for the insanity that will sure sneak up on me when I don’t expect it.

Oh and Cari…how are the Orangemen doing this year?  My Sooners and Aggies…too early to tell.

Cari here: LOL, Marika, they're ranked #4 in the nation but they haven't been tested yet. We'll see. Hope the Sooners and Aggies do well, long as they aren't playing my Orange. ;)