We did that until the in-laws both passed away. I don't know about you, but after Second Thanksgiving Dinner (I sound like a Hobbit, lol!), we were staggering around with food coming out our ears! Like you said, she must feel the need for a break, to get over the loss of her Dad. That's certainly something to respect.
The wife decided on _The Aquarium_. For $35, they have a buffet with all of the Tday standards. http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/ http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston/home.htm http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston/event/TG-buffet.html
Thanksgiving is kind of weird when your immediate family is down to two people. I don't have time to drive all the way "home" and back, don't want to deal with flying on this crowded weekend, and my mom has to work on Saturday. So I think we're just both driving to... say, Texarkana... to spend a couple of days in a motel in a strange city, go to a buffet or whatever, but at least it gets us out of the house. I hope it won't be too depressing, considering circumstances... I think we're used to my dad being gone by now, but my supposedly lawful wedded husband (Ferdinand) won't be there either. He has to work, but that's not all of it... in the middle of a messy attempt at separation and all that, just in time for the holidays... anyway, at least we'll distract ourselves. I may try to find something to do in Dallas or somewhere the rest of the weekend so I don't have to go home until the end of the weekend.
