LOL Coookebook!!! After the martinis we have a couple of husbands drive us to & from the restaurant. That way we can be carefree about imbibing. Taking into account that poem, I guess we still have to be a LITTLE careful!! Well, due to my limited stock, I was able to test two different drinks yesterday. One, I had found on the internet on a vodka company website (smirnoff I think). It was very simple, a combination of vodka, frangelico and a twist of lemon. I put several drops of lemon in it and it tasted really good! Then I decided to try the exact same recipe only with Creme de Menth instead of Frangelico. Bingo! It was delicious and GREEN so it fit in as a holiday drink. I think the lemon adds an extra tang and dilutes the alcohol just a little bit. I'm going to do that same martini again tonight except I'm going to pay attention to proportions so that I can make a pitcher full for the party. I do REALLY appreciate all the recipes because I have a Martini Party every year or year and a half where we drink four to five different kinds of martinis along with munchies. I've saved all these recipes because I try to have different kinds every year. I know the recipe I've picked is as far asay from a real martini as it gets, BUT it's green, it's good, and it will look so cool in a martini glass with a red cherry!! Thanks everyone!!

I'm right handed, and my table next to my recliner is on my left side. It's more comfortable for me to reach over w/ my right hand to pick up my beverage in a cup w/ a handle rather than twist my wrist to pick it up on the right side. I'd have him try it out on the left before committing to a right side table.

Kahlua is fab poured over ice cream if you're looking for something easy and cooling. I was thinking aguas frescas might be a more refreshing drink. My favorite is jamaica (hybiscus) but it doesn't mix well with some people's medications. I don't know anything about the fish part of the fish dish, but I think that sounds like a nice lunch. In general, I think the often stated more often broken, adage against fish and dairy products is stupid, but I don't think Mexican fish dishes would go well with either the White Russians, or shakes or ice cream. Dairy isn't great when it's hot anyway (even ice cream). How about a Kalua iced coffee slushy, or something kahlua coconut tropical? Kahlua sorbet? So...if you want the lake perch, could you have your dad over the evening before? Have a nice visit with him and a bucket of fish?

Just a few thoughts. I always tell myself that the best thing I can do is keep being there and listening no matter how uncomfortable everybody is. It takes a long time to start to be able to communicate when something like this has happened. Still the people need to know you're there and supportive as I'm sure you know. I'm blinking back tears just reading what happened and I cannot imagine how long it takes to even feel like a person can move on after that. They need all of our love and understanding and time... plenty of time and space to feel what they feel. I really really admire you for being able to continue in times of stress. In case I haven't said so before I tend to completely collapse. I'm working on it but I'm not the best at it. I've been struggling a bit with depression which is regular for this time of year for me. I keep trying to remind myself take another step to another little thing, it will add up. Not enough but it will add up. Those mysterious two pounds have stayed off. Unfortunately more have not joined them.