This started out a fairly typical year, but around July most of the certainties of my life began falling away. People say that the friends you meet on the Internet aren't as good as the ones in real life, but they've never met my invisible friends. You folks are better.

I wanted to thank everyone by name for their comfort and support, then I realized that there were so many I'd be sure to miss someone. From back when I was in the hospital last year to the lovely gifts I've received this Christmas, there are dozens of people around the world who care about me and who make me know I'm not alone.

My only wish, aside from the typical ones for a more secure life for Hubby and me, is that someday I'll be in a position to be faces and voices and three-dimensional presences to all the wonderful people I've met here.

I'm with a lot of you in that 2005, as JZ so eloquently put it, can kiss Tom Delay's ass. This was a tough year, and it involved making a lot of hard choices, such as temporarily moving in with my father-in-law until we recover from financial disaster.

In the end, though, my blessings this year have been huge -- healthy kids, a strong marriage, and a contract to write new books (which really is a priviledge). Add to that wonderful friends, and I have very little to complain about. (Even though I do. All the time.)

Still, I'm hoping for a lot of things in 2006 -- some financial security, a new home. And for everyone here, I'm wishing for health, happiness, and some well-deserved peace.

If this was from my Buffista Seekret Santy, Thank You! It's an awesome poster. I would link to an image of it, but all I can find online is the original.

You're welcome Jon. I thought I had included a "from your Secret Santa" note in the tube, but it may have gotten lost in transit. Or I may have just been too sneaky for clarity.

For those interested, the Simpsons version can be found at thewirelesscatalog.com

And all I can think is -- that's a paying job! Someone got paid to write bios for the Keebler Elves! Where do I apply?

You laugh, but I've been in on brainstorming sessions for the creation of a company's signature cartoon characters. It's not all yummy cookies and milk, there's a huge amount of "How will our target demographic react to x character wearing a skirt rather than jeans or shorts?" waffling. I suspect given the money involved, the Keebler Elves were also designed by committee.

I keep trying to find the words and failing, so I guess I'm just going to start, go on, and then stop, and see what happens. I may edit for clarity, if nothing else.

This has been an interesting year. I've done work I'm not so fond of and work I truly enjoy. My pay has gone up a bit; my husband's has, effectively, gone down a bit, but we're managing for the first time in my life. In health news, things are better for me than they've been since Aidan was born.

My family is beautiful. Aidan is finally beginning to talk to make himself understood rather than just making noise. He doesn't try to beat the bejesus out of me nearly so often and he's learned that STOP means stop. Kara is planning world domination with charm and her own brand of logic, and beat her big brother at dominos tonight. Nick is working at a real job with regular hours, planning the beginning of his college career, and just generally being a blessing rather than a pain.

And then there's you guys.

I am constantly blessed by Buffista generosity. When I'm able to give it makes me happy. When I'm the recipient, I'm overwhelmed. Buffistas sent Christmas presents to my children this year (and one or two for me), for the third year in a row. That's just an amazing thing to me.

And then I received an e-mail yesterday that many of you have given to help us start a nest egg to make our dream of owning our first home a reality. I couldn't post about it yesterday. I didn't know what to say and I was having a little trouble controlling my emotions.

I am so blessed, in so many ways, but one of the greatest is knowing all of you and being at home here on this board.

I wish I had the words to say how much you guys mean to me and how much you've touched me and my family but all I can think of to say is thank you.

So, thank you from all of us here at Casa Deena; we can't wait to have enough space to breathe. When we find our home, be assured, there will always be room there for buffistas.

I finally got to open my Seekrit Santa present! Thank you, aurelia; I love it. I think the box has been here for a few days but we just got open and it was waiting for me on the table. I got two beautiful blue (my favorite color) hand-painted coffee mugs, filled with yummy chocolates. I'm claiming the dark blue mug as my own. I also got some beautiful blue, sparkly snowflake ornaments and a Spike postcard! Yay, Spike!

Thanks so much, aurelia!

I got my seekrit santa gift!

Thank you, libkitty! I got CHOCOLATE. 2 bars of 88% Dark! And a wonderful Alaska calendar, and a gorgeous red and black scarf! Plus, a little blue bag with a birthday present that I won't open until tomorrow.

Thank you!!

I'll have another wrap-up 2005 post in the next few days.

For the meantime, Helena Handbasket, who I know is not around here much (or at least doesn't post much), sent me the most beautiful, handknitted scarf, in various shades of red. It's amazing. And cinnamon tea, which is perfect for me, since I love cinnamon and spicy things, and I've just recently gotten back into tea drinking since I got myself a new electric kettle. Thank you so much! I'm just thrilled.

(Oh, this morning. My sister hadn't seen me open the package, and she came through the room and saw the scarf, and stopped and was all "oh, wow, where'd you get that?" Just thought I'd pass that along.)

Woo hoo! I have been well and truly gifted. Thank you so much, Maidengurl. For the record, you are not a dork. The note was more than sufficient for me to figure out who you were.

I made out like a bandit: penguin chocolate, a penguin ornament, champagne-vanilla bubble bath, PMS soap (hee!), Republic of Tea Red Tea Good Hope Vanilla Rooibos tea, shea butter lip balm, vanilla blackberry body souffle, caramel creme latte chocolate, and beautiful embossed note cards. I shall have a lovely time pampering myself, and then writing a thank you note to one of the best people I know.

Oh, and the package arrived on the 24th, but I didn't get the notice until I returned from PA yesterday evening.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

edit: To my seekrit santa--I'm waiting for one more piece of the puzzle. Your present should be going out this week. I hope it will be worth the wait.

Man, I keep reading about the stuff people get and feeling like I felll down on the job. But I really loved the stuff I sent, so I hope it'll be okay and my giftee will see it the same way.

Man, I keep reading about the stuff people get and feeling like I felll down on the job.

I do this every year too.

I caught a cold on Boxing Day, so last night Robert agreed to watch Mal and I took a nice long hot bath, using the orange scrub and mitt and scented candles, and read Batman. AmyLiz, thank you again! It was perfect and much needed.