Lola was obsessed with Westminster last night! She kept climbing into the chair by the television and watching the action.

My sister has decided to wear black for two weeks mourning Whitney Houston (she was *huge* to her in high school--popped her concert cherry, etc--kinda like I'm gonna feel if Prince dies before I do, like the musical landscape is forever changed, even if it's not like it was in your heyday). She's having difficulty already. We're very different people with very different wardrobes, let's just say. I'd be ticked at two weeks of black, because I only have one pair of black jeans and I like being able to wear them to work, but it would certainly not cause me much in the way of issues, and clashing blacks wouldn't happen until week 2, or at all if I can put grey in there for leavening.

Thing is, we don't really wear black to funerals in my family (she'll be attending a family funeral this weekend, I think), so it's a bit weird to do for someone you don't know.

Ooo, Liese, that sounds delish.

Is Sue Perkins on Downton Abbey? It's so weird being constantly out of the loop on tv.

Where is the US broadcast of Downton up to? I watched all of S2 on DVD so I don't want to spoil anything.

Oh, Maria, my heart goes out to you and your family.

I wish there were anything, anything at all, I could do, to make things even slightly easier for you.

(Just this morning, as I do every day, I mentioned your husband in prayers for his health. And it was already too late.)

There are several Jewish phrases concerning trying to comfort the grieving family members. The one I end up saying, the one that resonaes with me (and I have no idea if it may mean anything to you, and Of course it's completely OK if it doesn't) translates roughly to "Your condolences may come from above". I wish for condolencs for you in wichever way, shape or form it may come.

Peace and love to you. You're very much in my thoughts and daily prayers.

Jessica, Sunday's episode was

the Flu, ending with Bate's arrest.

Is Sue Perkins on Downton Abbey? It's so weird being constantly out of the loop on tv.

She's the host of the Great British Bake Off, which has been a big hit over in Britain. (I only know about it from twitterstalking Tracey Thorn of Everything But the Girl.)

every internet community should have a Nilly, that is all.

Jess, all that's left to air is the Christmas special.

If there were more Nillys, the world would be a much better place.