#1) Hmmm...... - Tiffany has an enviable ability to pick up on stuff very quickly, and alter her statements accordingly. She came to pick up the Baby Name book from Lily's, but sensed it was going to hurt Judy's feelings. Quickly she said she forgot Jake was going to buy one for her. After suggesting an idea, she changed topics again, to avert discomfort. On one phone call, she called to be sure Lily wasn't offended by her not accepting the original book. In the discussion with Jake, who's ego was bruised by the sale of Phil's, she quickly helped him see the he was really needed. Tiffany was there to play mediator between Judy and Jake, and yet never sought to get the credit she deserved. Plus she sees the good in people around her: "Wow, you must be psychic. I do need to get a few things from the drugstore." I look forward to seeing more of her.

#2) Grace & Eli - We've seen it for a long time. Numerous discussions have covered this topic for over 2 years. Jessie is aware of it. How come the parents don't notice? Grace has had a crush on Eli since Boy Meets Girl. It faded some, but returned over and over. They almost kissed in TSTA, and in this episode, they had a very hard time being in a room together comfortably. When all four kids were watching a movie together, Grace and Eli's chatter just got on Jessie's nerves. Raising the volume didn't help combat the popcorn war or the tickling/poking fun. Jumping to her feet, she told Zoe, "Let's go! They obviously want to be alone." Mortified, both Grace and Eli quickly found excuses to go their separate ways. Or how about when Eli came home, and saw that they had ice cream? He brushed right passed Jessie's offered spoon, and said he wanted Grace's. tsk.tsk. Awkward bumping in the kitchen, halted conversations, and finally a planned moment in the attic room alone seemed to prove to Grace that this is getting out of hand and is perhaps just a little silly. Maybe her journal will reveal more to us later.

#3) The Name Game - H&Z wove a couple of literary references throughout this story today, and we had the privilege of finding out what various character's names mean, or how they fit. An interesting parallel to note was when Jake found his name, he looked at us with a "What the heck is that supposed to mean?!" and when Tiffany searched for her name, it wasn't even included in the book.

#4) Augustus Interruptus - August Dimitri is Grace's new Creative Writing teacher. When she made the mistake of yawning in his class, she became his focal point that day. What did she think about writing journals? They're "nice." Gracie, you should never have yawned! Later, she approached him to see if she might be able to avert any future embarrassment, but he interrupted her every thought with his own. While he seems to be motivating her to become a better writer ("You don't have to be the bravest person that ever lived, just the bravest writer."), his tactics are very aggravating. I doubt he lets people interrupt him. How could they? They'd never get the chance. <grin>

#5) Karen's Faux Pas - Karen excitedly points out what a great thing Judy is about to do, until she finds out Lily is going to be a partner. "You were running Booklovers all by yourself. Why would you need anyone? This is YOUR baby! .... ooops. I'm sorry." But instead of sticking to that apology, she compounds her mistake by probing Judy for more details about Lily's involvement in Eli's life. Judy tries to reassure her: ""It's probably easier for him right now, 'cause she's not his mother. Let's face it, it probably doesn't hurt that she looks great in a towel" "What?!" whoops. Looks like Judy made an error herself. But don't worry. Karen freaks out and calls Rick at work to let him know how she feels. Karen is really good about sharing. <grin>

#6) Farewell Will Gluck - In the wedding episode, we were sure that Judy and Will had made a connection. Over the summer, Lily assumed that they had stayed in contact. Judy says she's late. "For what? To see Will Gluck?" but no, he never called her. Later, in the kitchen, Judy has exciting news. Lily fills in the obvious for us all: "Oh my god, You're getting married to Will Gluck!" Again, no. Will has found his 19 yr old daughter in Tallahassee, Fl, where she waxes legs. Will decides he's going to move there, to get to know her. But first he thanks Judy: "Ever since I met you, I started admitting the truth to myself. And that is what you do. Well, maybe it takes you a while sometimes, but you do. And you make what you want come true." As they hug each other goodbye, they both wish things could have worked out for them as well. A lone Judy-tear is shed during the embrace. "Your daughter is lucky to have you."

#7) The Idea - Now that Judy has money to expand Booklovers, Tiffany suggests that she open up a "bookstore-slash-restaurant", because she knows where she could get one really cheap. And she could have Jake run it for her. Judy gives that some thought. Later, she starts to bring it up with Lily, but after being interrupted, she holds her tongue. The next day, Judy brings over a gift basket to Karen, thanking her for her assistance with the licensing contract. (Note to self: Stick around after giving the gift and I can have some of the stuff I paid for too!) As they share wine and treats, Judy tells the idea to Karen, who loves it immediately. She too recommends that Jake help run the restaurant. Judy, now determined, follows through and buys the foreclosure from the bank, and informs Jake of what is to come. A butting of wills occurs, but in the conclusion, Judy tells Jake that it was all Tiffany's idea. The smile on Tiffany's face was worth a million bucks! Judy, you did good this time.

#8) Quest for Work - Lily did a little footwork this time, trying to secure new employment. In the first one we were privy to attend with her, she didn't recognize her married name, which gave us some comic relief. By the way, I looked at some of the other applicants, and Lily's attire seemed to fit in with the others. Later, Tiffany clues Lily in on an opportunity to work at a radio station, for Les Creswell, a newsman for 25 years. When he sees her, he hires her on the spot. (I would too! But I digress.) Although she had doubts, and tries to create some comfortable ground, we all seem to feel we are watching Lou Grant with Mary Tyler Moore. Not that that is a bad thing. I loved that show. And Lily's new haircut kind of reminds me of her as well. But here's one snippet. See what you think: Les: "You’re a people person, aren't you?" Lily: "Is that a bad thing?" "Elizabeth, you know how a person sometimes gets off on the wrong foot with another person in the work environment, but then they work together and they get t know each other and eventually they come to be almost like family?.... Well that's not going to happen here." Door slams shut. Lily turns to regain some lost composure. You get the idea.

#9) Eli Defined - Jessie looks him up in the Book of Names, and she reads to us "Eli means the highest. .... I should tell him that." Perhaps she knows more about Eli's extracurricular habits than we gave her credit for. She just might have smelled something sweet in the air right before their pillow fight. Judy didn't need the name book. She noted the amount of food he consumed, and figured that the high teenage boys get very hungry. Lily dismissed it, but she and her new hubby are going to be in for a shock pretty soon. Karen will take it worse, I'm sure.

#10) Sisters - This entire episode really surrounded the Judy and Lily, as they tried to work together, but really couldn't any more. Judy has been growing for some time now, and Lily wants to do her own thing. If you were to watch only the black&whites from this episode, you would be in tune with the internal battles they both have. Love binds them, and yet it kind of blinds them too. And yet neither wants to let go of the other. Judy asked if Tiffany was her replacement. Lily, in response, asked if Karen was hers. Of course the answer is no, but it takes a lot to figure that out. The show concluded with them both talking about Daddy, and how "he would never believe it that I (Judy) would be the one to end up running this place. He would never believe it in a million years." True. As their heads rested against each other, they looked at Phil's picture, and knew they just grew a little more that day.

Marc