I'm assuming this is you, Mom, but you forgot to log in, so I can't tell. Why not start right away? To give my wife and son some time to get ready. His Bar Mitzvah is in June of 2010, and I've agreed not to make serious changes to my appearance before then.

As for the costumes, you're the only one who's ever called them appalling. Is it the costumes themselves or the person wearing them? I'll keep making them as long as I like.

As for the wake, you do what you have to do.