Guess what today is...after you read this post, you should promptly send a celebratory e-mail to my sister (feel free to copy me on it, because I would love to see what you say to her :). I shall think you a simpleton indeed if you cannot remember what it is...and Mary will think worse of you if she doesn't receive some kind of proof that you didn't forget her today. I'll give you 16 clues to help jog your memory:

1. we're decorating right now
2. we're discussing very important dessert plans for tonight
3. Dad was just sent on an emergency run for tissue paper
4. it's December 19th
5. the number of clues I am issuing (however useless) is significant
6. I don't know if I can get 10 more clues out
7. There are signs all over the house with a special greeting
8. half-way done
9. Mary and I just iced a cake
10. there will be a party tomorrow in honor of this occasion
11. mary will receive presents from each of her family members...tonight
12. there will be lots of good food involved
13. she could legally be on the road now...alone
14. how old I am :)
15. a number she leaves behind...today
16. it rhymes with "pappy mirthday"

Okay, so I'm not sure how helpful clues 6, 8 and 14 were, but I ran out of ideas. I think all of you know what today is, but I wrote this just in case. :)