*waves at Helena, Ouise's sister*

• waves at Megan*

Thanks so much SailAweigh! (now that I can thank you specifically)

Also, (fun thing that may only be entertaining to me) I just realised that while you (SailAweigh) were my Seekrit Santa, my sister (Ouise) was yours. It's almost like you had each other (only not quite, because I don't intend to share any of my precious goodies with her... mwahaha)

I'm a complete slacker, but my secret santa gift is going to be mailed out today. Really sorry that it's so late.

Also, if I'm one of the giftees that people are worried about not having received the gift yet (wow, that's horrible sentence structure), it's because I ended up being away from DC for longer than I planned. But if it's been received at my building, then it'll be waiting in the front office for me when I get back.

*waves at Helena, Ouise's sister*

Oh, yay, I thought that but wasn't sure. And thanks again!

Lilty, glad you liked it. I had fun picking the pictures to put in.

waves from the great cold north

If my Santy is wondering, I won't be home until Monday.

You are very welcome Brenda, I'm so glad you like it (I certainly had a fantastic time making it -- I'm fairly new to knitting so it still seems like a miracle every time looping my yarn around sticks results in something wearable).

Hmm... as Ouise's sister, didn't you have a hand in a Very Special Secret Santa gift a few years back involving Sports Night MPreg and Big Turks?

(I should note, by the way, that that particular gifting is thought of often, as I have a couple Big Turks still lurking in my freezer. They support the ice cream in email.)

I'm feeling vague guilt over having a pretty good 2005. I think I bogarted the luck or something.

That's Ouise's other sister!

The Clan Ouise is a talented bunch!

I guess it's about time to make an end-of-year wrap-up post. 2005 was a good year for me, all things considered. I was a student for the whole thing, and really solidified relationships I had started making at school in the latter part of 2004. I've made wonderful new friends (not something I was really expecting), and professional contacts, and I'm starting to feel ready to head back into the Real World. Except when I remember about the having to go to work every day. Ahem. Anyway.

My family is reasonably well. My father's had some rough times, but is at least ending the year on a good note, with a job he enjoys and is doing well at. My mom carries on, doing a million different things at once. My grandmother seems to be on the mend after being in the hospital for the week before Christmas.

My friends have had some amazing experiences this year -- I was in two weddings, there are babies on the way (not for either of those couples), houses being bought, all the Big Grown-Up Stuff. I guess we're finally getting to that point in our lives. As for me, I'm recently back together with Mike, after being "broken up" (but still in contact) for most of 2005. I still have some trepidation, but am hopeful.

I'm really looking forward to 2006. With any luck, I'll have a great last semester at school, come up with a kick-ass final project, find an awesome job in the spring, and go from there. The past couple of years have been transitional for me, and I can finally start to see what I might be transitioning into, not just what I've gotten away from.

I deeply hope that for many of you, the turning of the calendar will be an end to the enormous amounts of crap you've been dealing with lately.