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.
'Dear Diary, Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy.' 'Today, we were kidnapped by hill folk never to be seen again. It was the best day ever.'
Jayne ,'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.
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
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!
Pix - Dec 24, 2011 2:49:54 pm PST #195 of 408
We're all getting played with, babe. -Weird Barbie
Yay! Msbelle is the BEST! Can we see a picture of the poster?
msbelle - Dec 24, 2011 3:01:35 pm PST #196 of 408
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
YAY! I just got back from Christmas Eve service. Most people involved with the poster had no idea why I was asking for the pictures. And I am sorry I did not contact everyone for pictures, but to keep them a size that made sense I had to draw the line at some point.