Woohoo! Make mine a double. Thanks, luv.

I think I understand what you're going through. My own dear father-in-law died over three years ago. For such a long time I "saw" him in the faces of different people. I heard songs that relayed his spirit. I found gifts for him while shopping for others. I still do. When someone lives in your heart, they're always in your heart. You and your aunt must have loved each other very much.

I'm buying CC, so order whatever you want. Maybe some of it is the holidays getting to me too. I know that ever since my aunt died, I'm looking at things differently and I just can't get over feeling out of sorts. I have had some strange encounters lately too. Like walking through Walmart and seeing a lady ahead of me who looked just like my aunt-even had her same coat. I couldn't breathe! Then the other day I was standing in the local craft store trying to pick out ornaments for my kids(I give them one every Thanksgiving), and I see a cat ornament(her favorite animal) and it was all I could do not to just start balling my eyes out. Out of the blue, this lady clear at the other end of the aisle let out a little chuckle and then pointed out this very odd ornament. We started chatting about tree decorating and discovered that we both love the nostalgia of all our old ornaments. I wanted to hug her. I hope this all passes soon.

I have read some articles on the gift card situation too. I'm not a big gift card fan at the holidays-it gets kind of ridiculous-you give me a gift card and I give you a gift card. We'd be better off just to wish each other a sincere Merry Christmas, share a meal and/or drink, hug each other, and be done with it! I actually had a...well...let's say kinder version of this discussion with my gynecologist yesterday. We have the most intellectual conversations during exams-it's quite weird.

So I've been getting email messages warning against gift cards this year. Apparently many stores will continue to sell gift cards through the holiday shopping season knowing full well that most or all of their stores will be closing in January or soon after. If you plan on going the gift card route this season, be extra careful to know the financial state of the parent company first!

Don't worry, LUV. In some cultures, being called a B!*#ch is a compliment!

Slide over and make some room for me at the bar. I'm not quite to the edge yet but I can feel it comin' on. It's the holidays and my family never fails to make it spectacularly dramatic. This year I'll try drinking before I go instead of after.....

Okay bartender, set a bottle of tequila and a shot glass on the counter in front of me-I'm a woman on the edge......

If one more person needs driven anywhere, asks me to critique a paper, raids my wallet for money, leaves a dirty article of clothing in the middle of the living room floor, or wants to know what's for dinner and then makes a face, I'm going to blow. Nevermind my job where I am simultaneously working two projects that involve getting paperwork processed by lawyers who don't answer their phones and don't respond to voicemail messages. I KNOW that by the end of this week I will probably be referred to as a
B!*#ch at least once by someone, and I DON'T CARE!!!

Oh Piperl, that sounds sooooooo good!!!

One thing I didn't mention with the manicotti: I used Bertolli 4 cheese marinara because that's my favorite jar sauce, but you just use your favorite or make your own. I have Giada's quick marinara recipe, but the jar stuff is so easy to have on hand.