Oh yeah, I waited until after Geraldo. I won't go there.

Another really good gift we got: a donation in our names to something called the "Christ Child Society." We are both atheists.

I checked their website and they do some good things, like giving food and clothes to poor children, but then there was this line, and I lost the love:

Working as volunteers in pediatric wards of hospitals, children's institutions, and pro-life pregnancy centers

Is that Fiona Apple on right now?

OK, seriously, what do you write to people whom you've never met, but who sent you a check? After "thank you for your thoughtful wedding gift," I mean. What more is there to say? Yet that alone seems weirdly abrupt.

a donation in our names to something called the "Christ Child Society." We are both atheists ... pro-life pregnancy centers...

I just needed to read that again.

Rio, send it back. Better yet, get the donation in cash and blow it all on staright shots of tequila.

eta: Where every value of "staright" == "drunk"

With the check gifts I tried to include what we were purchasing with the gift in the thanks. Thanks for the generosity. Your gift contributed to our purchase of the mirrored ceiling, or whatever.

Thanks for understanding, Gus.

Laura, thank you. Very helpful.

Rio, with checks I always talked in a general way about the sort of thing we planned to spend it on, whether it's saving toward a down payment on a house, getting some nice prints to hang on the living room wall, or whatever.

ETA xposted, of course

I have had half a glass of wine.

I am now one of the drunk natterers.

I spelt natterer wrong the first time.

Narf.

Also Laura how did you know about our mirrored ceiling?

checks for webcam