I mailed my Secret Santa present yesterday...turns out the APO has been open all week, rather than just Thursdays, to provide Xmas service, but they didn't tell anyone. So anyway, I hope that it gets to my Secret Santee by Epiphany or Orthodox Christmas. Or just gets there, knowing the APO.

I don't know what to say about this year yet. When I was 18, I had a major watershed year: left my small home town for the first time, lived on my own in a big city, went to college, fell in love, and completely changed as a person - looks, attitude, wardrobe, everything.

18 years later, I think I may be doing the same thing, though less voluntarily. Motherhood is changing who I am as a person. Who I was is being squeezed out, and I don't know the new me. The depression is changing who I am, or who I perceive myself to be, also. When all is said and done, I hope I like this new person.

erika, coolness! V. cool gift.

Ooh, thanks for the reminder. I'll take my Secret Santa stuff into work and mail today.

Thank you Seekrit Santa Beej! I'm looking forward to a cosy evening with all the ingredients you provided - book, chocolate, tea and candlelight! Just the thing to keep the cold at bay.

This year has been pretty eventful for me. I started this job a bit more than a year ago, so that doesn't really count, but I moved, wrote two actuarial exams, had a really scary time in the spring when my sister was in the hospital (she's posting here now, by the way) and went with her on a trip to Wales to visit our father (first time seeing him in five years) and meet our step-family. Oh, and my father had a heart attack in the spring as well.

It's been a good year overall, though, and I'm really happy with how my job is going - it's still a surprise to get positive feedback and to be working for a field that actually has money.

The main downside is that I haven't had a home computer set up all year (no grounded outlet). I hope to have that conquered soon, so that I can stop being ultra-grey.

Glee! I've been tapping the proverbial fingers, concerned that the mail minions would not get your package to you on time Ouise..."it IS another country you know" said the counter person. (sheesh) And I do hope you are keeping warm.

I need to look over my date book to see just what happened this year. So much in some quarters, so little in others. But I do feel like 2005 was much better than either Ot3 or Ot4. I started the decade feeling like I was living in the 'zeroes' in many more ways than one. Not so much now.

Ooh, my Secret Santa just arrived! Well, not in person, though that would be even better. Now I have to figure out whether to open it or wait for xmas. What to do, what to do.

OPEN IT!

Yes. I'm really that greedy. I don't simply want to know what I'm getting, I want to know what everyone else gets, too. NOW!

Or... you could wait.

Open It! Open It! (unless your santa indicated you shouldn't on the outside of the package, which would be mean)

Okay, when I finish my work thing that I've been stalling on finishing, I'm opening. Stay tuned.

Oh! And now my coffee from SIM Coffees (Stephanie - Dec 6, 2005 7:23:33 am PST #1997 of 2003 Mark Block ) just arrived! Wish we had a grinder in the office. But a two package day! Yippie!

Except my apology, but I received a whole list of these that I enjoyed and trimmed it to only 3 so you wouldn't mark my posts as spam.

Santa answers letters:

Dear Santa
I wud like a kool toy space ranjur fer Xmas. Iv ben a gud boy all yeer. yer Frend,
JaKe

Dear Jake,
Nice spelling. You're on your way to a career in lawn care. How about I send you a friggin' book so you can learn to read and write? I'm giving your older brother the space ranger. At least HE can spell! __________________________
Dear Santa,
I have been a good girl all year, and the only thing I ask for is peace and joy in the world for everybody!
Love,
Sarah

Dear Sarah,
Your parents smoked pot when they had you, didn't they?
Santa
______________________
Dearest Santa,
We don't have a chimney in our house. How do you get into our home? Love,
Marky

Mark,
First, stop calling yourself "Marky." That's why you're getting beat up at school. Second, you don't live in a house, you live in a low-rent apartment complex. Third, I get inside your pad just like the boogeyman does, through your bedroom window.
Sweet Dreams,
Santa