I got to NJ last night. I've got a list of stuff I'm supposed to cook today -- matzo balls, lentil pate, and a potato spinach casserole -- and family is coming for dinner tonight. (Lots of family tonight -- I think that, at last count, we were up to 10 people.)

Shana tova, all!

Barb, yup Guiding Light. They're trying to wrap up 72 years of storylines, which is of course unpossible.

Hil, how is your mom feeling?

Hil, how is your mom feeling?

Better, but still not 100%. She was all stressed out this morning because everything wasn't ready for the holiday yet. She's getting her hair done now, and the house cleaning people came while she was out, so she'll probably be calmer after she gets back.

Shanna tova!

I like the idea of another new year. Hope you mom relaxes enough to enjoy the holiday.

I have to send a sorry you show is ending email to my mom . It was her show forever. Not sure she even watches it now.

I'm going out tonight for drinks with a side of food with GF to celebrate her birthday. I'm hoping I feel more celebratory by then. Off kilter this week due to violence too close to home. I'm delicate when it comes to these things and avoid news so as not to get upset, but it was following me this week.

First one of the neighborhood hookers had her head bashed in and was left for dead in a parking lot about a block away from my office. My neighbor that works in that building says it is the 2nd time this year. Then a high school student in Coral Gables was stabbed to death a school. Kid had only been here for 5 months. I can't even begin to imagine what his mother in Cuba is going through. To top it off, last night's football game at my school was finished off 7 minutes early. We were winning 33-0 when kids started jumping kids. Massive police intervention, tasers, pepper gas, etc. followed. Thankfully I didn't go. DH was there with Bobby and another kid, but Brendon and I went to an away Girl's volleyball game because he had promised the players to cheer them on. DH got in it a bit pulling kids off each other.

So I am not feeling great. Then to add to my melancholy, Mary Travers died. Countless times since I was a teen I was told I looked like her. We always had the same hair, then we got old and fat together. So I'm sad.

I shall toast the new year tonight and may it be a better one for all.

{{Fred}} I hope the vet is able to improve things for Rigatoni.

{{{Laura}}} That is a lot happening close to home.

Also - I totally see a Mary Travers resemblence in your face, however "old" and "fat" are not words I attribute to you.

And go Brendan for flicking kids off each other. If I were a kid and he came toward me, I'd be, "I'm sorry sir. I will just go back to over there and not irritate you."

{{laura}}I would be very freaked if I was in you shoes. The best thing to do is to go out with you friend and celebrate the good side of life.