Yesterday morning's goal was to get eveything ready for mailing Polly's package. This involved making tassels for Lidet's special poncho and sewing them on and wrapping it up. Amelia had a few things to finish and wrap in her signature brown paper with trees staamped on it. Ray packed them all in a giant box with a lot of newspaper and sealed it up. We threw in a few cookies, since we still have a million or so. I also gathered some things for a family that was burned out a couple days ago, trying to strike a balance between getting rid of things we don't need and not giving them junk, but not following my impulse to give them everything and buy new for us!

After lunch, we drove it to the post office and stood in line to mail it. It will take over a week to get to Seattle, unfortunately. Not sure how good those cookies will be.

Then we went to Janna's house. She had been talking about doing this: spreading out all her mother's things and inviting people to choose what they wanted. A few housewares and linens, a giant table of jewelry, purses and shoes in another room. Her mother had incredibly good taste and the things she bought were of outstanding quality. Amelia and I each took a shopping bag and started putting things in it: a couple watches, a few necklaces, some aprons...Then Janna interrupted us. They were taking things out of the closets and wanted me to try some on, for me and Molli. Janna's sister Dani is still here to help with this process, and Francesca. None of them can wear any of them, and in fact, Molli and I are too small too. Some are 2X and size 20 or 22. The older things are smaller, in fact, too small for me, but they are too dated. Amelia and Janna advised me as I tried them on. Coats made from incredible fabrics by famous makers---one in red leather.  Ron and Francesca took more than 20 coats to Suska and they picked out 9 of them. Janna was annoyed, but I am sure they don't want to be overwhelmed with plus-size items, even if they are gorgeous. They are a small store. I called Airee, who owns a vintage store, a step up from a flea market. She is supposed to call Janna today and come by and buy some of them. I hope it works out.

I began to be concerned about my Dad and getting home at a reasonable time to eat something. I took a suitcase full of gorgeous things, that were big on me but still look amazing. It's enough to motivate me to gain weight to be able to wear her clothes. She was also a few inches taller than me, so some of the skirts and dresses are the wrong length--no way to grow a few inches, but I could get someone to alter them.

We stopped by the grocery store and grabbed a few things--milk, juice, dog food. The checkout lines were long, so Amelia had time to run to the pet store and get Leia some food while I was waiting. We got home about 6:30. My Dad was there. Ray had taken care of all the animals for me. All we had to do was heat up some food for ourselves: fish, pasta, roast beef. Amelia cooked the broccoli we had cut up on Chrismtas eve, but not cooked. My Dad sliced the meat--and cut himself with the knife he had sharpened a week or so ago. Minor crisis with cold water and band-aid. No emergency room trip, thank God. It all tasted really good. Then we played some cards--Oh, Hell for the first time since my Mom died, I think. It was okay, but I was pretty tired. We played down, but not back up. It was almost 9:30 when my Dad left.