Dear Carmen,

Well, there have been another 2 deaths in my circle of peeps. Both completely unrelated and both from past chapters of my life. I feel like I have a greater understanding of death now, but it sure doesn't give me anything to say to those left here.

In other news, we had the most glorious T-day. We went to Carvers, as planned, and I got a Cider Maple Porterhouse Steak (at least I think that was what it was called) with apple chutney. Talk about delish! The old man actually fore-swore the traditional fare as well and opted for filet mignon. The Lady Brass got coconut prawns, her fav. and the girls the traditional dinner. We had a blast! True to our family style we discussed politics over dinner!! We seem to find that as a general subject, politics is actually much safer to discuss than our family life or related happenings. We are all less touchy about it, discussing everyone's different points of view, etc. The most unexpected was our discussion of capital punishment. You would be shocked at my opinion there...

Remember the film Gosford Park? Well, these political conversations remind me of those upper-class dinner conversations, primarily because there were so many affairs and touchy personal things going on amongst the persons sitting at the dinner table that politics and other intellectual topics were a much safer bet for dinner conversation as well. Hilarious much?

Anyhoo, I had decided to take some family portraits later on, after our naps, which I am still in the process of editing, so we had a pretty fab time dressing up and down and trying different poses, etc. Our best was our BAZINGA moment. Who ever thought saying Cheese was a good idea? Try BAZINGA (from Big Bang Theory, which of course you know all about). Afterwards we went to see Tangled. Tame, but still entertaining and the parents enjoyed it. As for the rest of the holiday, legallybrunette is busily making sure to hit every Utah place of dining she misses while in Spokane and zfoxylady prepped a basket of things for the family whose mother passed away on Monday and Tuesday; we are headed to that viewing tonight. What a strange, but good holiday.

I hope you are enjoying watching the festivities from your p.o.v. Do you miss T-day with your family? I know your dad told us that one year you designed several X-mas decorations, which he cut out and you both made together. You never told me about anything like that. Sounded really cool. I'm glad you had/have a good relationship with your dad. I always thought it was strained 'cause you didn't talk about him very often, but when I met him I saw he was quite like you! And they mentioned that he was more vocal about telling you to get it together and get a little help. Rather reminds me of my old man and his dad, sadly. Why is it we don't listen to the actually important stuff?

Well, I'd rather not end on a downer, so I'm off to brave the crowds at Costco. On Black Friday you ask? Yes, I have to pick up a prescription. Maybe I'll do some other shopping as well, who knows. The siren call of the consumerist American lifestyle is certainly a difficult one for me to resist these days (wish I could post a pic of the present I just ordered for zfoxylady today, PHENOMENAL!). Ah well, I shall do my civic duty for the economy.

Love 'n stuff,

chaz