#21: Gluttony Season, Lost Cats, Restaurant Etiquette & Holiday Chaos

In Episode 21 of Doing the Most, Scarlet and Mitchell dive head-first into the whirlwind of late-November life: holiday overeating, chaotic family traditions, questionable restaurant behavior, and the multi-day saga of their missing cat, Kennedy. This episode is a cozy mix of humor, chaos, and real-life family moments. ⭐ Episode Summary Scarlet and Mitchell open the show reflecting on the post-Thanksgiving exhaustion—specifically the nonstop cycle of indulgence that begins at Halloween and doesn’t let up until Valentine’s Day. They share their mutual fatigue around heavy holiday foods, family expectations, and the attempt to reclaim healthy routines.  They also vent about a shared pet peeve: people who blow their nose in restaurants and over-slurp their ramen. (Yes, it happened. Yes, they were sitting right next to him.)  A major part of this episode centers around the dramatic story of Kennedy, one of their five cats, who went missing for several days—only to be found after some deeply coordinated, borderline-military-level cat-tracking efforts. The emotional rollercoaster of searching, the relief in finding him, and the chaos that followed (including another cat, Beans, getting stuck in the Christmas tree at 1:30 a.m.) all make for an unforgettable story.  The episode closes with some reflections on reinventing family holidays, minimizing stress, and imagining future Thanksgivings with more simplicity…and maybe a smoker. 📝 Key Topics Discussed • Gluttony Season & Holiday Food Fatigue Why the holiday eating cycle feels endless, from Halloween candy through New Year’s snacks.Scarlet and Mitchell talk candidly about trying to stay healthy in the midst of constant food events.  • Thanksgiving Expectations vs. Reality Romanticizing past holidays vs. the logistical stress of preparing, hosting, or waiting around for food.Scarlet talks about childhood memories at her Meemaw’s, while Mitchell reflects on wanting his kids to have their own cherished memories.  • Dining Etiquette Crimes The man who blew his nose at the table and the loud ramen slurper sitting inches away.Scarlet’s visceral reaction and Mitchell’s “hold your breath and pray” strategy both make an appearance.  • The Lost Cat Saga Kennedy goes missing for up to five days, triggering a neighborhood search with posters, late-night flashlight sweeps, and reviewing camera footage.The emotional payoff when he reappears in the garage is pure gold.  • Beans vs. The Christmas Tree The same night Kennedy returns, Beans manages to get stuck in the artificial Christmas tree, injuring Scarlet in the process. Midnight chaos ensues.  • Rethinking Holiday Traditions From soups on Christmas to dining out on Thanksgiving, they explore how to simplify holidays and reduce stress.  🐾 Cat Roll Call This Episode Kennedy – Missing, found, covered in leaves, instantly forgiven. Beans – Got stuck in the Christmas tree, clawed his human, still on thin ice. Hammy – The vocal spokesperson of the feline crew. The rest – Chaotic as always. 🎧 Notable Moments “Halloween launches the beginning of fat season.” “Why are we STILL talking about turkey?” “He blew his nose right next to me.” “I need you to get Beans… he tore up my face!” “Hold your cats a little tighter next time.”(All drawn from the transcript.)  📬 Listener Interaction Scarlet and Mitchell invite listeners to share their holiday stories, dining etiquette pet peeves, and smoker-vs-grill opinions via email or social media.