My sister was so fixated on mimosas at Boxing Day brunch that she was sorely disappointed that the included drink was a Strawberry Bliss (they add strawberry puree to the traditional mimosa). She's such a hardcore traditionalist.

I, on the other hand, am a lush who loves fruity bubbles *and* alcohol. Very pleased.

I didn't make egg nog this year because I was sulking. First year in a couple decades I haven't, because I was mad at my father and acted like a 12 year old. A 12 year old not drinking egg nog, unlike the actual 12 year old I was. Hmmph.

I realized I missed out on Christmas mimosas because my mother had to run to the church to drop stuff on and we all forgot about them! LAME.

In non-lame news, I was saying to someone recently that I'm afraid my family doesn't understand me at all, because no one had gotten me Mindy Kaling's book, but I forgot that we didn't do presents with my closest cousin until today, and she totally got it for me! Yay!

I love that ruby/diamond ring and the sapphire necklace. Both are just gorgeous.

I won at the knowing sister sort of thing because I hit two notes, independent of gift-giving:

• I named the guest account on her new laptop "invitado"
• She was able to log in without asking me the password

I scored a hug for those two. If I'd switched Windows 64 to Spanish, I don't even know how she'd have reacted. However, I'd have driven myself insane.

Dana, my condolenses. My father died 13 months after my mother. That was 6 months longer than I thought he would last. He wasn't in ill health, he just slowly gave up.

If you believe in an afterlife, then they are together.

They think the funeral will be Wednesday or Thursday. I'm considering scheduling my travel so that I can be at home to watch the Saints playoff game on Saturday night.

Thanks, everyone. My grandmother literally started going downhill the day after my grandfather's funeral -- okay, not literally, as there are really no hills in New Orleans. But she fell and fractured her pelvis and has had multiple problems since.

They were married for 67 years.

Oh, the pelvis fracture seems so terrible -- my grandmother had that this year. OW.

Oh, man, Dana. Poor woman.

Speaking of the not bling, I keep looking at this necklace and thinking it's just too shiny. Even for silver. But I love the design.

Does anyone else hear the "Law and Order" bah- bamp noice after this e-book description:

No woman could resist the pleasures he offered....

They are the Merricks, two brothers and a sister, restless, daring, proud. English by birth, they came to Scotland with their father to occupy McClairen lands. And there each would find a love as wild and glorious as the Highland isle they claimed as their own.

Fia, the only daughter, is the ravishing one. Raine, the second son, is the reckless one. Ashton is the eldest son. This is his story. . . .

Oh Dana, I am so sorry.

In funny and weird news: I had just stepped out of the shower this evening and I heard someone knock on the door. I peered out of the bathroom and thought it best to ignore it.

Then the person on the other side of the door tried the door handle. MEEP. I rushed to the bedroom to get dressed in the dark when my car keys came shooting through the mail slot. My friend C was dropping off keys earlier than anticipated. DOH.