Tim said everything was pre-paid, but they still had to pick out the color of the casket, and what picture should go on the prayer card, and then they had to pick out all the readings and songs and such for Mass, so it was still a bit of work.

Oh yeah, we did have to do that stuff (save the casket). Sucks!

The best ("best") was after my grandfather died, my mother and grandmother went to the funeral home and just bought the cheapest of everything, basically, and got in the car after and laughed until they cried, because the funeral home people must have thought they didn't like him much! But no, we're just not spending extra on stuff for that.

JZ and her brother had to pick a special steel lined casket for her dad because Plague Death. They were tempted (okay, amused) by the Ultra Mafioso number the funeral home had.

(((((Teppy and Tim and his brothers))))) It's always been obvious how close his family is and how much everyone loves his father, and my heart is aching for all of you.

I'm so glad they're all working together and supporting each other--I remember in the utter catastrophe of my dad's death, the total comfort of one brother being able to be there for the whole surreal funeral-planning/casket-choosing/burial-spot-finding mishegoss and all the associated crying and laughing and "Seriously, WTF, how is this real"ing.

As Knut and brenda noted over on FB, it's like trying to plan a BIG wedding except you have less than a week to do it in and also it's approximately 14,000% more upsetting.

ION, we get a Scola! I AM EXCITE.

My main memory from dad's funeral was my sisters going out with me dress shopping because none of us were prepared. Of course for years later I couldn't wear the pretty yellow and gray dress without thinking of him. That was 38 years ago! Mom was far more recent and it was the last time I spoke to my niece. She called my poor devastated brother and screamed at him over the phone because we had inadvertently neglected to list one of her children in the great-grandchildren list in the obit, which of course we fixed. Dear bro lived with Mom and Step-dad when she died and had done the middle of the night call and watched the frantic EMS workers. He has MS and is in poor health anyway. Short version: never going to speak to my godchild again because yes, I carry a grudge.

It is good that Tim has you and his brothers to lean on during this time of grief. Picking all the music and readings for a mass is a lot of work! Thankfully Step-dad was in the choir and did most of that while I shook my head in agreement.

More mememe - going to the 6 week follow up today on surgery this morning. Hope to get swimming clearance. I even have a new bathing suit arriving today in anticipation!

Fingers crossed, Laura!

I just realized I forgot to separate some ground beef I bought before I froze it, so I was thinking I'd just make a vat of chili, but now I think I might make some of it into Cincinnati-style chili! People who know, does this recipe look legit? [link]

So much love to you and Tim, Steph.

Continued supportive vibes for Sheryl, askye, and everyone else who needs them.

That's an incredible house, HEC and JZ. I hope you get it!

I just realized I forgot to separate some ground beef I bought before I froze it, so I was thinking I'd just make a vat of chili, but now I think I might make some of it into Cincinnati-style chili! People who know, does this recipe look legit? [link]

Looks pretty legit, although I would use unsweetened cocoa powder instead of chopped chocolate. I personally have my chili as a 4-way with beans, because I don't care for onions. NoiseDesign will say a 5-way is best.

There's at least one chili place in town that makes a 6-way, where it's spaghetti, chili, beans, onions, cheese, and a fried egg on top. I have never tried that, and don't plan to. My brother says it's good, although odds are very good he was drunk out of his mind when he had it.

[edit] I just googled, and another chili place does a 6-way with fried jalapeno caps in place of the egg.

Woo, the stress migraine has arrived right on time.

Looks pretty legit, although I would use unsweetened cocoa powder instead of chopped chocolate.

Same. The spice blend there is pretty different from the one I use (1 teaspoon of cumin? HA) but it looks like it will still be tasty.

(I also don't boil the ground beef, but that is the correct way to get the authentic Skyline texture.)

Tep, I'm glad the funeral arrangements are going smoothly.

Zmayhems, I hope you get that house!

I'm going to assume the funeral home will insist on masks, and beyond that, I dunno.

If the funeral home doesn't, maybe you can tell the funeral home to put up a sign, then blame it on the funeral home if anyone is being a jackass.