I just really don't get the whole concept of restraining orders. Do they really stop wackos?

It seems to be working with my uncle, but he's a wacko with a lot of respect for the legal system. When I asked my cousin if she thought it would work, her response was that he can't break it, because if he does there are all these horrible consequences (read "slaps on the wrist") that he will face. The funny thing is that I think he, like she, will interpret "slaps on the wrist" as "horrible consequences" as well.

tomorrow is pie day. the town brings in tons of pies for the worker bees. mmm....pie.

Hey. When we have pie day, it means we have to bring in the pie. Actually, we don't have pie day, but that's the case with any other kind of food.

I hate potlucks. There's always some guy who shows up with a 2 liter, while the women are looked down upon if they don't make something. I love to cook, so that's not a problem, it's just the Principle.

The few guys here are actually pretty good about bringing good stuff, and no one gets on anyone's case if they don't feel like cooking. What I hate, though, is when someone who never helps coordinate any event comes up with really great, helpful suggestions that will require lots more work for me. My response is usually, "That's a great idea. I think you should do that," at which point I usually get splutters or defensiveness ("I was just trying to be helpful!!)

My Cousin is apparently all furious that my family's T-giving is going to be a smaller affair, instead of the usual do at rented hall with 50 people as in the past. She always invites friends to the event but has never, to my knowledge, brought a single item. She has promised to, every year, but somehow never has been "able" to help out. My 78-year old mom and her 80-year old mom were the ones to get to the hall in the morning and set up all the tables and lay out all the silver and cook the turkeys (when I was home, I did that stuff, of course, but I haven't gone home for Thanksgiving for 5 years or so). They decided this year to let another cousin host a family-only event at her home. Cousin has accused them of selfishness and said they ruined the holiday. It kind of blows my mind.

Blarg. I made it downtown only to find that we are once again craxy with unpaid parking tickets. A quick check with the circus center at the end of the block confirmed that they're still registered with the "Volunteer here to pay off your parking tickets!" program, so off I go to sign up with that tomorrow.

Hmm. Matilda is in the Baby Björn right now, ruminatively licking my shirt. Possibly it's time to feed her again.

Hmm. Matilda is in the Baby Björn right now, ruminatively licking my shirt. Possibly it's time to feed her again.

She's trying to seduce your shirt. "Ohh, mah sweet lovely shirrrt... open yourself to me mah delicate flowerrrrr..."

Cousin has accused them of selfishness and said they ruined the holiday. It kind of blows my mind.

Eh, I kind of get it. My immediate family is small, so big Thanksgiving and Christmas were always a real treat for me. It made me feel like I was actually a part of a huge network of unconditional love. Of course, if I were over 25, I would bring something.

Now that my grandparents are much older, and families are getting split into smaller groups, I don't get to have that anymore and am having to suck it up and deal.

Still, Thanksgiving in beautiful Hot Springs with the world's best in-laws, Mr. Jane, and a friend of ours will not even be in the realm of sucky.

If your mom is 80, you're not much younger than 30 (and that's if you're a change of life baby), and probably closer to 50. The ladies in their 70s and 80s shouldn't have to do that any more, and if the next generation misses doing it, they can...do it.

But by bringing something, or participating beyond just showing up, I would never have reason to boggle. Different vibe.

eta: What Cindy said better than I...

Bisquick's honey and butter biscuits are way too sweet for me. Except then I realized that I have been craving cookies for days. Now they hit the spot perfectly. It's all a matter of perspective, it turns out.

Yeah, she's 54. And even this "small" T-giving is going to have 25 or so folks at it, so she can bite me.

But by bringing something, or participating beyond just showing up, I would never have reason to boggle. Different vibe.

Totally different vibe. Specially when you toss in that the cousin brings friends that expect to eat. For free, essentially. And none of them ever brought anything? What. Ever.

My dad's side of the family has a big Christmas do. They get a conference room at a hotel, everybody brings booze and food, and they party it up. Those who don't want to participate, don't.