Saw "Lord of the Rings", finally. Visually gorgeous, artfully filmed, beautifully performed. But ya know what, I found "Monsters, Inc." more captivating. If that's a sin, well, send me to the seventh circle of film-geek hell (which I imagine is an eternity having lunch with Leonard Maltin, except there's no lunch).

Friday's flight largely uneventful.

Since September 11, I've flown on six different airplanes. Will be eight before the new year--provided all goes well, anyway (knock knock).

Had Christmas-eve-eve dinner tonight at Grandma's house with Grandma, Grandpa (they are divorced but still hang out on these types of occasions), Dad, Uncle Al & Aunt Al, their kids Nathan and Cody, Aunt Al's sisters Julie & Rosemary, their mom Marie, Rosemary's husband Mike, and Julie's kid Sara. Grandma's boyfriend wasn't feeling well, so he didn't make it to dinner. The kids (all teenagers) spent most of the time watching "The Matrix" and "Rush Hour" on TV. We "grownups" talked about whatever grownups talk about. Looked at photos of Grandma and Grandpa's recent trip to Texas (yes, though they are divorced they still travel together sometimes) for my Uncle John's stepson's wedding. Whew. Anyway, it was great to see everyone. Grandma is just as spry as ever, still performing with her tap-dancing group and managing to feed everyone all on her own. Meanwhile Grandpa spends a good deal of his time spoiling Al & Al's kids rotten. This was my first time meeting Julie (or at least the first time either of us remembered). She lives in Manhattan, so she gave me her contact info so I can visit in the near future. Cool to have a sort-of relative in the area! Bonus that she's really nice, too.

Mom volunteered me to make Christmas-eve dinner tomorrow for the immediate family (Mom, Stepdad, Sister) and my other Grandma and Great-aunt Alice. I spent much of today creating a menu and shopping for groceries. I'll cook everything as long as I don't have to clean anything, I told mom, though I'm still making stepdad cook the squash. Just have to try to find some fresh salmon tomorrow (as a former Seattleite, I have to remember that the definition of "fresh" fish here has to be a bit more broad than I'm used to) and we're all set. I bought an emergency pecan pie in case my attempt at a sweet-potato pie is a failure. I've made one before, so I don't know why I worry. Pays to be cautious, I guess.

That's my exciting life in Nebraska thus far. If you're bored enough to be reading this now, I sympathize.