I Don't Know If I Can

[Samuraisan]

I have had a bad cold for a week or so, I tried to rest a lot over the week end, but am still bunged up, coughing and sneezing. The problem is Christmas Dinner.as every year, I will be cooking the whole works for 10 people, my son is going to help me this year ( 30 ) as he wants to learn how to do it, but even so, I don't know if I want to. I know I could pull myself together, give orders from the sofa, so to speak, but the thought of it exhausts me. I don't want to cancel and disappoint the family, especially as there are two tots, but as you all know it is a two day operation. What would you do? I think I will go to the dr. today as I am now getting out of breath too and hope I don't have bronchitis.

[murraymints]

then you just have to tell them you are too ill...there must be a woman or two in that number that can take over..do not be a martyr and make yourself any worse !

[Canary42]

Does the 30 in brackets refer to his age - if so he ought to be able to cook a decent meal by now.

Good luck at the Docs, and hope you get well in time anyway.

[Canary42]

That's very sexist murraymints ;-)

[murraymints]

quite apart from being a health hazard in the kitchen..do they really want to catch any bugs you will leave in their food ?..no Sam you stay well away from kitchen.they will manage !

[murraymints]

Canary..not meant to be..only speaking from personal experience..I know no man that can cook !

[Canary42]

I can, and have been doing so for more years than I care to count !

[Mosaic]

Poor old you. Feeling exhausted and down is all part of having a very bad cold. See the doc to discuss the bronchitis fear - very sensible - and maybe also mention your state of mind. The totally medically unqualified Mosaic barefoot doctor advice is this: do what makes you feel less under pressure. So if the thought of cooking for 10 is upsetting, how does it feel if you give yourself permission NOT to cook for 10?
Try it now in your head. Makes something lift? Then there's a bit of an answer.
You're family sound like there's at least one other grown-up - contact these folks and explain that you will need them to muck in and sort it all out as you aren't so well. Or perhaps even move the whole shebang to one of their homes, so you don't even have to play hostess.
I bet by the age of 30 you, like me, were running the whole show more or less single handed. Enough is as good as.
Think of it as just one meal. Sunday lunch. You can arrange that meal again another day when you feel better.
In Spain there's Three Kings Day on 6th Jan so you could plan to celebrate then instead, if you feel you'd still like to do the big hostess thing.
Think about yourself, your health, and your feelings. These are very important. Give yourself permission to be happy in your decisions. And get well soon!

[murraymints]

then can you get up here for Christmas Canary ?? more than welcome to the kitchen !!

[Baldric]

Yes you do mm, you just don't know me that well!
;o)

[murraymints]

ha ha Balders xx

[B00]

Why is it a two day operation?

Christmas dinner is just a gloried Sunday roast. Granted in your case its for 10 people, still, it shouldn't take 2 days to do.

Dose yourself up, you've still a few days to get better- you'll be reet!

[Canary42]

Sorry murraymints, I'm already committed.

[murraymints]

:o( x well can you give on line skype lessons to my OH ..he has yet to locate the kitchen !

[Sqad]

I agree with BOO.......dose yourself up and "get on with it."

[jd_1984]

Do what you can. Your family will understand.
One issue however is germs if you are handling food and coughing/sneezing.
Hand the reins over to your son and guide him. We have had Christmas's like this and luckily in any event family pull together and make it work

[murraymints]

oi Sqad !! poor wummin is sick ! get your pinny oot..grab your treatment back and get round to help her !!

[woofgang]

If you don’t want to then don’t do it. the two tots won’t give a tuppenny fart about christmas dinner and if you do it every year its about time one (or more) of them took over for a year.

[Samuraisan]

Oh Sqad !! How unsympathetic of you !! Thanks all for your comments and advise. I am off to the dr. now.

[Samuraisan]

Update. My lungs are clear thank goodness, she told me to take a different medicine, and she thinks by Thursday I should be more or less ok, but to get plenty help. So I have told me kids I will be directing but they will be the chefs. Should be fun! Merry Christmas everyone.

[Retrochic]

Samuraisan -we have a family get together party around the 20th Dec so those not here at Xmas can exchange gifts. I normally do everything myself -takes weeks of prep. This year I told everyone I could not manage because of ongoing health issues and everyone rallied around. Daughter in Law suggested everyone bring something, and it was the best party yet -everyone was involved -even grandson aged 7 made some star wars cup cakes. So, does yourself up and be the 'foreman' but let everyone do their bit and excuse yourself for some quiet time now and again I bet you have the best time ever.