The Bertana-English Dictionary

Tomorrow is Sancha's birthday! She's turning 33.

I tried to beat her into the office this morning and failed, damnit. I'd wanted to leave her cake sitting on her desk so it would be there when she got in. Instead, I just walked up and handed it to her and walked away with her going, "What? AAHH!"

And no, I didn't bake her cake. I bought it at Fry's. I am the laziest of the lazy-asses.

Apparently, one of the downsides to being a vegetarian at Thanksgiving is that one misses out on all the post-Turkey sleepiness. I'm done looking at the clock.

Today was really lovely. Mingo made breakfast and lots of coffee (yay coffee!) and then he, Tati and I worked on getting various things ready for our feast. I made a big pan of roasted vegetables with rosemary. Mingo helped me figure out how to turn a casual comment from a friend regarding "cranberries, orange juice and brandy" into a thick, rich sauce that was used to top brie, which was then wrapped in dough and baked in the oven. He smoked a turkey *and* a ham, and roasted butternut squash, and I'm quite certain that he made other things about which I'm currently blanking. Tati made a green bean casserole. Ianuk and Ivan showed up with ginger carrots, black bread, home-made mustard (hi, I love you!), and four (FOUR!) pies. I'm sad that I only sampled the apple and the pumpkin. If I'd had even a bit of space left, I would have gone back for pecan. Darnit. (As it was, I gave in soon after dinner and changed from jeans into comfy flannel pajama pants.)

I called home just before we were ready to sit down and eat, and got to say hi to almost everyone. It was nice to hear all those familiar voices (though for some reason, I can never believe I'm hearing my 'little' cousin, J, on the phone. His voice is so deep! I keep forgetting *he* is all grown up now, too.) Everyone wanted to know how the weather was, and I teased them that they should all come out here next year.

We spent the evening watching cheesy movies and playing a cardgame called "Beer Money," at which I suck. Badly. By the way, if anyone ever suggests that you watch a "sci-fi" movie called "The Godmonster of Indian Flats," run away. (You might want to kill that person, first, just to make sure they can't infect anyone else.) I deny any claims that the selection of that movie was my fault. I just pointed it out. That's all. I was not the decision-maker! (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!)

Jadi and Alec stopped by and hung out for a bit, and it was just an all-around good day with friends—for which I'm thankful. Holidays ... well, they generally suck—and this one didn't, which is a lot for me.