I love this thread for hearing about how everyone is doing. Sometimes I get behind on the boards, and it's nice to be able to catch up with everyone.

Meanwhile this, for me, is not a year end post yet. It's just to comment that I'm highly amused by the thread title, because this year I bought my sister's family all penguin-themed items. The March of the Penguins dvd, a penguin finger puppet board book for the boy, a cute stuffed penguin for the girl. I think it's cute, but they may be slightly bemused. Still, since they live in Africa, I thought it would be fun for them to have cold weather toys to take back with them, kind of to celebrate their winter in the states. Although they're actually celebrating the holiday itself in Hawaii, so maybe the point is lost. But still, penguins!

erika! Your gift made me a little weepy. in a good way. Thank you!!!

Hey Liese, where in Africa does your sister live? (If you want to say, which you may not.) Because South Africa has penguins, so I think your penguin gifts are totally continentally appropriate.

For DX, and Liese, and all of us: [link]

Wow. That is one giant penguin.

Meant to thank Trudes for the link.

West Africa, Kate. Guinea.

And hee, I did not know about South African penguins.

Also, I think I love brenda's giant light-up penguin. I think we should all have one.

I didn't find this thread 'til Laura pointed it out- that's cause I always have message center up on this computer.

This was a strange year. We moved to Ca in 1998. Every year , until this year, it has felt like a Big Event happened. I have minor quibbles with this year- like DH needs to find another job and we need to learn to save some money. ***

As I was typeing that I realized - yes something very big, and not so good happened. This is the year I found out I had asthma by ending up in the ER. And since April we have been trying to get back to normal. Which, because I forgot about it .. means maybe things are getting back to normal. But it does explain the slightly worn around the edges. feeling. I went thru 2 months of anger at all the drugs in my life - and DH still twiches if I don't feel well. (BTW, I never get sick)

There were lots of good thing. We live in a neighborhood where I could bang on lots of different doors at any time if I needed help. We have fun with these people. We put on our first house concert. We had a wedding of some friends in our backyard. DH made a guitar for a our 7 year old neighbor.

To go back to what I want for next year . For us to learn to save even a litlle money. That will chase the money hamster out of my head and give us a little confidence. A new job for DH. even if all the bad parts went away , I think he has grown beyond this job. and I'd like to find a way for me to go to school. I think I have the place picked out, I just need to find a way.

another post that is less about me will show up soon.

Japanese Get Fat Penguins to Exercise

Cute picture!

TOKYO - It's wintertime and the king penguins at a zoo in northern Japan are putting on weight. But the keepers there have a solution: exercise.

Authorities at Asahiyama Zoo are taking the penguins on 500-yard walks on the snowy grounds twice a day, said zoo spokesman Tetsuo Yamazaki.

And hee, I did not know about South African penguins.

There's a beach in Cape Town where penguins have set up a colony, in spite of the fact that the beach is also full of tourists. It's ADORABLE.