12.20.10 - Monday after Canasta

The Monday after Canasta I went to lunch with Jack's mom, Merlene.  We had sushi (yessss) and talked about how we both think Jack is wonderful.  Afterward I went home and spent a long time talking with Neil in the kitchen while he did Charter work.  There have been several times this trip during which I had no particular plans and simply enjoyed Mom's cozy, Christmas-y house while talking with people.  Very relaxing.

Neil multitasking: Charter work and petting Abigail.

Later that evening I went with Neil to Kat Kaiser's Christmas cookie baking event.  Played some Tichu with Neil, Tim and Becky.  We didn't finish the game.  I've noticed Tichu games tend to be far too slow if Jack isn't playing because most other people are far more cautious about calling Tichu.  Even if your team is doing well you only crawl along with out those 100 point bonuses.  Anyway, I didn't really decorate cookies that night, just watched and chatted about randomness--college, grad school, Mona Lisa Smile, hugs.  Katie's apartment is spacious, and she had a Christmas tree drawn in special markers on her sliding glass door.  She invited guests to draw their own ornaments.  Tim drew a Na atom with a ton of electrons, as well as an Erlenmeyer flask.  Heh.

Neil was gracious enough to drive me home from the party early so I could see Ellen when she got in town.  I visited with her, Julie and Mom.  We discovered that Ellen had also not seen any Firefly, which was a little frustrating since Mom and I were already done with half the season.  Ellen watched a few episodes with us anyway, and caught up on the others on her own.  She loves the show (obviously--she watched it, therefore she loves it).