wrt to exchange, I will be checking in at elfster to see how things are progressing. If people know they will be later than today in sending their gift, please email me at my profile address. thanks.

First, I want to volunteer to be a stand-in if anyone is unable to fulfill their Secret Santa (or Slacker Santa) role.

Second, 2011. Hm. A terrible year for many of the people I love, and for that, I’m glad to see it go. For me, it’s been a very mixed year. I watched my beloved Byron’s cancer return and had to face putting him to sleep, which was one of the hardest things I have ever done. After almost 18 years together, losing him was like losing a part of myself. But many good things happened this year, too. I was promoted to Department Chair at my school and am really enjoying my new position, despite its pitfalls. ND’s business continues to grow, and though we backslid financially during the first half of the year, we were finally able to catch up on all the back taxes and get current on estimated taxes for the first time ever during the second half of the year. Next year I hope to begin chipping away at the final hurdle: the massive pile of credit card debt that has haunted us for years. I think we may finally be able to do it, now that the back taxes are under control.

It was an incredible year for travel, for me. I was fortunate to be able to tag along with ND during his work abroad this past summer and fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit continental Europe (Spain and Italy). My two days alone in Barcelona were a revelation. I also spent time traveling for work (Massachusetts--not quite as exciting, though I love New England) and went home to Connecticut for a week to visit my parents. ND and I used frequent flier miles and vacation points to go on two vacations this year--one to the Pacific Northwest, and one to Hawaii--which were both wonderful times for the two of us to reconnect outside of our busy, busy work schedules.

I continue to feel incredibly lucky to be supported and loved by my family (actual and urban) and the love of my life, Drew. They are what make everything else okay, even when it isn’t.

Here’s to 2012--may it be peaceful, joyous, and healing for us all.

Tom, God knows I can't offer advice, because I'm stuck too, in a different way, but you're an awesome guy and I hope things work out.

I made my secret santee go on a hunt for part of the gift. HEE! I'll wait for the post.

I've been thinking about this end of year post for a few days, and every time I think about it, I don't think so much about how really, really hard this year has been. I've been thinking instead about how surrounded I am by love. In this, the third year of our tradition of baklava on Christmas Eve, I remember Suzi's mom and am thankful to have gotten to meet her. When I look at the Christmas tree ornaments, my bookshelves, the art on my walls, the toys in the kids' toy boxes... I see buffistas. In the warm fuzzy throw I wrap around me, in the warm scarf and the hats I put on the kids' heads. My teapot collection. My beautiful tiara. Everywhere. Love. I am so grateful you're here. Whatever 2012 brings, I know the love continues.

Aww, Deena.

Oh Deena. Your words are so special.

I have been missing my mom a bunch today and to have you mention her both warmed my heart and made the tears spill over. I didn't realize how close they were, but this is one of those good cries, so I thank you.

Msbelle is a fabu Secret Santa. She spoiled me last year. Not sure how I would have felt about a hunt though.

So msbelle contacts me this afternoon to see if I can run an errand for her in Brooklyn. She needs me to pick something up for her at the Walgreens photo counter. I figure that it’s something for Uncle G. So I go there and pick up the poster-sized print, and then msbelle asks me to open it up and check the quality for her.

I open it up, and it’s a montage of a whole bunch of Buffistas holding hearts. (And also Jon Bon Jovi, for some reason). Thanks, msbelle! I especially needed to feel loved today. Perfect timing.

Oh! And I also received this print in the mail today! Thanks again! msbelle is the best Secret Santa ever!

Tom, that's a great gift!

I love reading about the buffista gift exchange, even though I don't partcipate.

Aw, Tom, those are great presents!

The variety of gifts and sheer deviousness displayed by some of the Santas is a joy to behold.