Funny though, two of my best girlfriends and I are having a party on Sunday and I’m looking forward to that totally. Maybe because the Christmas pressure is off. It’s just friends, most of whom are musicians, and will most likely be a musicfest of the most fun sort. Each of us is asking 10-20 of our friends. Yes, we have friends in common, but I think the surprises in the mix will make it even more wonderful. And three times the hands makes one third the work, which takes a lot of the pressure off too.

Very tired now. Off to bed.

Barry, I am impressed AND intrigued that you are baking pies. Wow.

Robin, I looked at the Tofurky today. Almost bought it, but decided not to since it serves four and no one else will eat it (wish you were here! I’d share!). I also imagined the reaction it would get from my mother-in-law. Not good. I’ll just fill up on all the side dishes and desserts.

Why are we making special meat dishes for our families, but nothing special for ourselves? Next year, let’s plan a main dish that we can enjoy too!

Barry, sorry to be the voice of reason, but remember back to those days when either of us would have been ecstatic to get copyedits from a real editor at a real publishing house–on Christmas Eve or otherwise? Suck it up, man. This gets to be your real job now.

Ah, well. Once I kill a few more dremora and a couple of xivari, I’ll feel much better.

And shame on you, Robin, for outing Emily!