Thank you Santa Brenda! I got a HUGE box of Crunch Berries (in response to this post, I assume, and this wonderful thing called a "Buddha board." I can paint on it with water with a Japanese-style calligraphy brush, and the design fades after a while so I can paint something else. 'Tis very cool, and will be a fabulous desk toy.

I was planning on waiting until Christmas to open it, but impatience got the better of me.

My mom just gave me crap for opening my secret santa box today instead of waiting. I told her that there was nothing on the box or the card on top that asked me to wait...so I figured it was up to me.

I have always assumed that when you open your sekrit santa prezzies is entirely at your own discretion, especially if not noted on the exterior. To your mom, on this matter I say ptui.

AW Megan, I'm so sorry about Jimmy. Poor Jim Jam.

And secret Santee, I'll be mailing your present after Xmas.

Yay! I'm so glad you liked it, Anne. I'd seen it in a store a while back and as soon as I got your name I knew I had to find it again.

I am (thus far) still holding out for x-mas before opening. We'll see how long that lasts.

mmm...fruitcake. Thanks , Anne.

so sorry about your kitty megan

Ah, 2006. Though it was a tumultuous year, it was so much better for me than 2005 that it seems easy in comparison.

The Challenging:

• dealt with frustrating administrators and landlords
  
• was the new teacher twice since I changed schools this summer
  
• moved twice
  
• signed away my dream house and finalized my divorce
  
• missed far-away family and friends
  
• watched dear friends deal with heartbreaking personal tragedy

The Good:

• found a new school that I love and feel a part of
  
• found a wonderful new home and moved in with ND
  
• made new friends and became a part of new communities
  
• continued to have the good fortune to be able to travel: to Arizona, to Seattle, to San Francisco, to Florida, and home to Connecticut
  
• finalized the divorce: closed old chapters and opened new ones
  

All told, a good year. Most of all, though, I am grateful for the continued growth of my life with Drew. I love you, you crazy kilt-wearing freak. Here's to adventure and life together in 2007 and beyond.

OK, libkitty continues to be made of awesome. I got the rest of my Seekrit Santa gift today.... Wallace and Gromit's Three Amazing Adventures, and a very cute blue scarf that I'm wearing right now (AIFG!) Also, the pink tiara wrapping paper was awesome. Plus, mail from Alaska! Whee! Thank you so much!

Merry Christmas Adam, everyone!

Ok. Don't think I'm a totally dork. Well, I mean, you already know I am, so I guess I'll just give you more proof. My brothers and I "came up" with "Christmas Adam" when we were little. We wanted more days to celebrate. So, if there was a Christmas Eve, clearly the day before had to be Christmas Adam.

I'm with my whole family this Christmas, and we're laughing a lot. This morning, dad woke up and came running to wish us all a Merry Christmas Adam. To which there was some rolling of the eyes, but some laughing as well. From the mouths of us as babes...

Anne! I got your fruitcake yesterday. Perfect timing as we desperately needed a little holiday cheer. So delicious and gingery and yum.