{{{Nora}}}

I think the single hardest thing about my father's funeral was having to look at his body at the viewing at the funeral home the night before. I did it and said all the right things, but as soon as DH and I were by ourselves, I made him promise my funeral would be closed casket all the way.

My body goes to Emory Medical School. I really really hate funerals.

Just the other day I had to log on to my sister's flickr account for her. She couldn't figure out why I wasn't able to see her pictures. I swear that I asked her no less than ten times, "Are you sure you didn't mark them all Private?" To which she said, "They're not Private! I have no idea why you can't see them."

Yeah. They were all set to Private. Go figure. Thank goodness our families have us.

I - well, like is probably too strong a word - but I am pro open casket. Wishes of the deceased and family applying, of course. Cathartic is probably not the word I want - but it's, I don't know, grounding for me. More real or solid or something.

My dad just calls me and tells me what he wants to order from Amazon (or any other Web site), then gives me his credit card number, and I place the order for him. It works well, and it doesn't bother me, while having to talk him through ordering on his own computer would probably make me snap.

ION, I found the magic beer at the local grocery store, and I'm happily drinking one now. It is SO damed good.

Unpacking continues apace. And that pace is GLACIAL. I moved in 15 days ago, and just today got the TV (plus DVD player, VCR, etc.) plugged in and working. For reals.

More real or solid or something.

Speaking of - I do not recommend touching the person in the casket. For any reason. Don't do it.

I was 12 and my older sister convinced me that our mom would want to be buried wearing her favorite Charlie perfume. We didn't have the spray kind, just the dab on kind, and I was the lucky dabber.

She felt not unlike a cinder block.

So again I say, don't do it.

That's the whole thing, Brenda. It is a very personal decision. There isn't a right or wrong answer. What the deceased wanted is what is right.

I just don't want anyone to see me dead because I know it is hard to erase that memory. I want people to remember the animated Laura.

So again I say, don't do it.

Nicole, I've been to viewings where various loved ones have kissed and -- not *hugged,* but grasped, or embraced -- maybe I do mean hugged -- the person in the casket. I'm not sure I would want to, but from what I remember, the people who did it seemed like being able to touch their loved one was all that was standing between them and total freakout.

So, I guess YMdefinitelyV in this instance.

My mother has threatened to haunt me for the rest of my life if I do not have her cremated.

Am I the only sucker who starts crying at the end of Love, Actually no matter how many times I see it? Man am I a sap.

Note to Self: Watching sweet, sappy movie that begins and ends in airports is not a good idea the same day that ND leaves.