This is always the time of year I look back and think of all the things I'm thankful for. Topping the list is this board. More than a few of you remember when I delurked, so I don't think I have to go there again.

I've traveled because of you guys, and gotten to meet many of you. I wasn't at my best last time I hit SF, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to visit SF once in my life, much less twice. It was a lovely gift, and the memories of you all there are precious. When I couldn't travel some of you have come to me and I treasure those memories as well.

I've gotten very close to many of you, so close that my children think of you as aunts and uncles (or, in the case of one of you in particular, fairy gothmother) and have been spoiled a little more rotten, and everyone in the family looks forward to news from you all. You've held my hand through the ups and downs, like Aidan being albino, not just albino but autistic, and Kara's not just smart but a little scary too. I've also had the opportunity to celebrate some births with you, and hope that I'm considered an honorary auntie to those children as well. I've celebrated Mac with Msbelle--even going so far as to subscribe to natter so I don't miss any news.

We're in our very own home this year, and that, too, is due in part to the buffistas. You helped us with our down payment, and with what you gave, and what we could scrape together, and a little help from family, we were able to pay for inspections, and closing costs, and all that stuff that has to be done before assuming a frightening mortgage and having a home you can paint any color you like. Everyone here in this new house is rooting for Liese and her home, for Jessica and hers, and wooting about nerdholes (and wondering how we can make one of our own).

From all of you I've learned that it's okay to not want to read non-fiction, but that some of it can be interesting (and I can't wait to read about the vampire people in the lobby). I've learned about animals I'd never heard of, and watched the debate around the serial comma, the olive-laden mufaletta, and preferential voting. I've learned that my punctuation or spelling doesn't have to be perfect to get my point across, but it helps. Your fierce intelligence challenges me, and that's a good thing, and many of you read comics, romance novels, sci-fi and fantasy, and that's heavenly.

I've learned I don't have to be ashamed about depression and that finding the right medication is good and not giving up on the doctors is pretty okay too. I've personally discovered fibromyalgia since I joined this board, and fuchs' dystrophy, and psoriatic arthritis and they'd all be a lot scarier if it weren't for the support you've given me. My health has improved a lot since Aidan's birth, and I think that's at least partly due to the encouragement and advice I've been given here.

I've rediscovered the joy of giving, and had the best Christmas ever this year. I was giddy at the opportunity to give to others on this board. It's so much fun, I wish I'd been able to give more.

I bought Christmas cards and lost them; bought stuff to make some gifts and misplaced it; had other things planned but health issues sidelined me. I had a long period this year where I had no words (to quote someone else) and though I'd read the board almost every day, I couldn't find anything to say. Even then, though, I sent the vibes. I know how much good they can do.

I'm getting awfully sappy here. I just want you to know that I appreciate you all and that I wish for all good things for you in the coming year.

Migraines. Migraines migraines migraines migraines. And drugs that caused dizziness, drugs that caused stupidity, drugs that caused me to forget words -- hell for a writer -- drugs that caused me to sleep all day.

I want a new drug, or a new brain.

I still had true love, true children, a fantastic job, a fantastic life. But my head hurts.

A happier 2007 to all of us, and God bless us every one.

2006, let's see...

2006 involved a lot of adjustment. New job (which became officially mine as of the beginning of April), new house (still being worked on, with the last round of work being finished only this past Friday, fairly non-existent RL social life (not necessarily a bad thing, but still...)

2006 also involved a nasty health scare with some woozy spells with some symptoms that were a little too close to "you are having a heart attack" territory. It meant a stress test and a month with a heart monitor, but the good news is, the woozy spells aren't due to anything harmful, and my heart was considered healthy enough for me to be invited to participate as part of a control group in a study, so yay. I have also managed to lose 60 pounds over the past year and a half, and there's every chance I'll make my goal weight in 2007.

2006 was also the year of my twentieth high-school reunion, which was generally enjoyable, although I'm a little disappointed that none of the "we must get together!" exclamations have yielded any fruit. Yet. I shall put out feelers in the new year. It also caused me some moments of deep thought as I realized that I'm not very advanced in my career (a natural side-effect of a career change, alas), and was one of only two people in my class who is not attached and/or does not have a child. I'm not bothered by this, just... thoughtful.

In 2007, I will start teaching knitting again, which is something I am very much looking forward to, even though there's some anxiety since it's been nearly two years since I've taught.

I am very glad I was able to make it to the F2F this year, and see some of my favorite people in person. I feel so fortunate to have this group as a place not just to play but to come to when I'm in need of support.

Goodbye Gus.

Goodbye Gus.

This is a sucky way to end the year.

Here's a toast to one of the funniest Buffistas ever. Here's to ya, Gus.

Goodbye to Gus, one of the wittiest, bitterest, most well-informed of us all.

Bye Gus.

I finally found it and now I'll probably remember it. I delurked on Christmas Day of 2002. Just had a postiversary and didn't even realize it.

Happy New Year, all. May 2007 bring more joy than sorrow for everyone.

Oh, Gus. In honor of your Irish self, let me just say:

May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back;
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're gone.

The "Freedom Fries" song, and making his colleagues sing it in the bar, and posting from the bar.

His trip to Switzerland, which is where (IIRC) he met Kimi.

His fierce parental pride of Seamus.

Ah, Gus, our weremonkey. Dr. Guy Straley, I'm immeasurably blessed to have known you. Requiesat in Pace.

What a sad end to the year. Goodbye Gus. Blessings and peace to Kimi and Seamus.