It was a great weekend for me as well-- Many thanks to Juliana and JZ and of course K-Bug for making it work so well.

And there are pictures! [link]

Wow. That's the best Seekrit Santa gift ever!

2007 was definitely the most interesting year of my life, in full Chinese blessing/curse terms.

In January I lost my job of almost 10 years.

In February I celebrated my first ever 1 year anniversary with a girlfriend. I also found a contract-to-hire gig that fell through two weeks later.

In March my girlfriend moved in with me, a first, and my first time sharing my living space with anyone since moving out of my parent's house 10 years previously.

In April I started my new job.

In May we began final preparation for our son's arrival. At the end of the month my girlfriend went into labor.

In June my son was born in the wee hours of the 1st. 4 days later, the morning after my girlfriend came home from the hospital, our apartment flooded. When my son came home the following Friday, it was to my grandparents' house, where he stayed with my girlfriend until the landlord could get the carpeting ripped out and the apartment cleaned up.

In July we had to relocate to my grandparents' again while the new carperting was installed in our apartment. I also completed my 90-day introductory period at the new job.

In August we experienced the joys of family life as my son got sick and proceeded to share it with my girlfriend and myself. I also celebrated my birthday with my friends, a few more grey hairs and a new perspective.

In September I had my first (and I hope against hope only) night spent in the ER, worrying about my son. Thankfully it turned out to be something very minor.

In October, we closed on our new house.

In November, we moved in to the new house. My first time living outside of the town I grew up in, and even leaving the state. My sister also gave birth to her newest son, who after some scares and a lot of waiting late in the pregnancy, was born healthy if premature.

And now we're into December. The house is still in chaos, boxes adorn half the rooms and fill the basement. The holidays are approaching, and my life looks nothing like it did a year ago.

Times have definitely been interesting.

All, in all, I would say 2007 was a good year. For all the ups and downs, the scares, the setbacks, I find myself in a house to call my own, sharing it with the woman I love and the most adorable 6-month old in the world. (Even if he does like to scream until his daddy has a headache and make a giant mess when it's time to change him.)

While I still miss my old co-workers, and I'm still not exactly rolling in money, the new job is going well, I like my new co-workers and the pay makes the whole paying a mortgage and raising a family a whole lot more feasible.

So as much as it sucked at the time, and how frightening those 3 months after were, losing my job ultimately was a good thing. I'm significantly less-stressed, able to do work I enjoy again, and feel more secure in my life as a whole.

In the end, 2007 gets a "yay" vote from me. Though I really hope 2008 is a whole lot less interesting.

And that we can get the rest of the house unpacked before it's over.

Does anyone have Deena's current email address? I need her gift preference info on my Santee before I go shopping!

Insent shortly, Jess.

Aww. Yay Kalshane!

And I'm very impressed by the Secret Santa gift. Shoot, I need to GET one. Crud.

My year has been pretty crazy, but mostly only the latter half of the year. The first half was generally pretty good, I think. And then I got laid off, turned 30, broke up with my girlfriend and moved to Seattle.

I'm still working on seeing the good in the last half of the year. I'm getting there sometimes.

Kalshane - sounds like an excellent year overall.

Suzi - wow Santa Lee and Elf K-Bug are amazing!

That's an awesome present Lee. Yay for Suzi pampering!

This has been a good year. There have been ups and downs, the arthritis is a bit worse, my insurance company sucks a lot, but I've been able to do something I never imagined and actually launch the press. In January we're adding a 'zine.

It's hard to believe I get to be creative, hang out with creative people, and do something really cool with my time. Maybe next year I'll even be paid for it. I've also gotten to do some good things that paid, like build a few websites. I've even gotten to create some art, and hopefully next week I'll have my first gallery show.

The kids are healthy, smart, and sassy. Greg's getting some attention for his website and having fun corresponding with some of his favorite authors.

I've missed out on a lot on the board, and I wish I could post half as much as I used to (which would balance nicely between being far too talkative and completely invisible) but I've been here when I could, sending vibes and celebrating victories.

I'm incredibly blessed, not least because of you guys.

Wow. That's the best Seekrit Santa gift ever!

I concur. That's fucking AWESOME.

t edit Hey, is that the nail salon we went to at the SF2F? The background looks familiar.

Am home and once again want to say thanks to Lee. Getting a break away from my life and not having to do or be or plan was utterly priceless.

Thank you.

eta - Yes, same nail salon as used for the SF-F2F.