Our children are just a little less far away than they would be if they lived in England, so getting together with them is not practicable. Kris just got back from north of Boston, where her mom just got out of the hospital, and may need to go back in a week or 10 days if she gets out of rehab on schedule, so doesn't want to make the trip again right now.

We thought we'd spend the holiday with just the two of us, but my second sister, who lives about 1 - 1.5 hr. north of us, invited us to have dinner with her and husband, their 3 children and spouses (spice?), and 6 (I think it is now) grandchildren. Two more of us won't be much of a problem, and we'll be bringing beer and cookies.

P.