Seems like everyone's got a tale to tell.

Mal ,'Safe'


Goodbye and Good Riddance 2011: Maybe the even years are better  

Every year we watch the Charlie Brown special, do the Snoopy dance, wish everybody a Merry Christmukkah, and thank our Secret Santas in the good riddance thread. Which is this one, in case you were wondering. 2011? Room for improvement. Srsly.


erikaj - Dec 24, 2011 10:31:34 am PST #185 of 408
I'm a fucking amazing catch!--Fiona Gallagher, Shameless(US)

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.


msbelle - Dec 24, 2011 11:13:50 am PST #186 of 408
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

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


Deena - Dec 24, 2011 11:33:59 am PST #187 of 408
How are you me? You need to stop that. Only I can be me. ~Kara

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.


Liese S. - Dec 24, 2011 11:34:34 am PST #188 of 408
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

Aww, Deena.


SuziQ - Dec 24, 2011 12:47:09 pm PST #189 of 408
Back tattoos of the mother is that you are absolutely right - Ame

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.


Tom Scola - Dec 24, 2011 1:52:05 pm PST #190 of 408
Mr. Scola’s wardrobe by Botany 500

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!


sj - Dec 24, 2011 2:04:31 pm PST #191 of 408
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."

Tom, that's a great gift!

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


SailAweigh - Dec 24, 2011 2:18:42 pm PST #192 of 408
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb

Aw, Tom, those are great presents!

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


Scrappy - Dec 24, 2011 2:21:08 pm PST #193 of 408
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

msbelle is the bestest secret santa-ette ever!


meara - Dec 24, 2011 2:41:54 pm PST #194 of 408

Aww, that's wonderful Tom! And go msbelle, organizing that in her not-at-all-spare time!