Heartbreak City...

After days of nail-biting waiting, Meghan heard from NYU today regarding her Early Decision application. She didn't get in. A nice one-page letter about them getting a record number of early decision applications this year, blah, blah, blah... NYU doesn't do deferrals, so Meghan is out of the running. She was, to put it mildly, absolutely heartbroken. This was her No. 1 choice and in spite of our gentle cautions, she really had her heart set on it. It was hard for me to hear too -- as a parent you want to call the damn school up and say something like, 'So what's wrong with my child? I think she's brilliant and a very good investment!'

But it's not to be, I guess. All I can do is commiserate and encourage her to move on to thinking about her other schools. And there are several really great prospects, including two Early Action possibilities (Drexel in Philadelphia - which Howard and I are really rooting for; and Hofstra on Long Island). She is continuing to get her regular decision applications out, too: BU, UMass-Amherst (as a safety), Ithaca (???), American University in D.C.; Johnson & Wales (another safety school). God, is that even enough in this competitive time???

Wish us luck, you guys. I hate this already.

Too Late, Ladies of Nutrition...

Hanukkah Claus has succumbed to the request of Sibling #6. Behold the Masterbuilt Four Seasons Electric Digital Fryer ~ Steamer ~ Boiler. This device can accomplish the following (and I am NOT kidding; the amounts are exactly what it reads on the box):

(To the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas" ... Music, maestro...)

On the 25th Day of Christmas, Hanukkah Howard gave to meeeeee...

"10 pounds of crab legs
10 pounds of chicken fingers, french fries AND fried shrimp
6 pounds of boiled shrimp
5 pounds of buffalo wings
4 cornish hens
2 whole chickens
3 mounds of vegetables
A "low-country boil" (We don't actually know what this is...) for 10 people
and a 14 pound - big, honkin' - turkey"

OK, it doesn't say "big, honkin Turkey." It just says 14 pound turkey. But everything else, including the amounts, is word-for-word on the side of the box.

Shaun is going to have a monster food climax just gazing at this thing.

Fried Green Health Experts North of Ellsworth

So... guess who wants a turkey fryer for Christmas? Sib #6. It's either that or a blooming onion maker. How's that for justification for the obesity epidemic in America? Good lord. Howard has her; I'm not sure what he'll do on this one. Her other request is for a gift certificate to A.C. Moore.

I say, send her to the craft store! Cuz sending her to the grease pit is NOT a good idea.