I keep not applying to volunteer at the school because I'm scared of the security check. And there's nothing to turn up. Um, other than various seditious behaviors like listening to radical punk bands. But that accurately reflects my seditiousness!

Does Jacob still make cool clothes? I used to like shopping there. Now they've made a statement about reducing retouching. Skin tone evening and tattoo removal only.

Paul Newman used to do that. But, you know, he could.

Paul Newman could have stomped on puppies (HE'D NEVER!) and I'd still adore him.

the joy of egg nog, made with whole eggs, but cooked

It took me a sec to figure out that you probably cook the whole concoction and not just the eggs. I was having a hard time figuring out how to incorporate cooked eggs into a drink. And I haven't even been. Drinking. But I think I'm going to go get a glass of wine now.

I know a few people who love Jacob, ita.

My sister called me to ask if I would bring the 3rd book in the Millenium Trilogy home with me, then launches into a long meandering explanation of what she's leaving me in her will and how I can minimize the taxes I will pay on it. I finally had to interrupt her and ask why she was even telling me this now. She is very obsessed with money.

I saw eggnog in the grocery store yesterday. Too soon.

-t, I love to spread the joy of egg nog, made with whole eggs, but cooked

My family has boiled custard at Christmas, which seems to be peculiar to middle Tennessee. It's milk, eggs and sugar cooked on a low heat until it thickens, then chilled. It's served with bourbon and sometimes vanilla extract, and each person spikes it to their own preference.

I swear to god family. My mother just called because she remembered she hadn't told me my aunt has been in the hospital for a week! Diverticulitis and etc., she's had surgery, but will be in the hospital for another week. Yikes. Poor her -- she always gets the worst of everything.

each person spikes it to their own preference.

ita will not abide.

For some reason, I don't react well to my immediate family teetotalling. It's absolutely not fair. I grumped at my sister when she stopped drinking (it's okay--she's back on the bottle now), and my father didn't drink the last Christmas we spent together. It's totally ruining my fun.

More distant relatives and the unrelated are free to indulge or not as they see fit.

It's milk, eggs and sugar cooked on a low heat until it thickens, then chilled. It's served with bourbon and sometimes vanilla extract, and each person spikes it to their own preference.

Sounds yum. Maybe I'll try it this year. We need to add a little cheer to the festivities, I think. I mean, we're cheery... I'm talking about the liquid kind.

I missed all of September in Natter. That makes me sad. And out of the loop. Six thousand posts.