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.
So, how was your summer? Mine was fun. Saw some fish. Went mad with hunger. Hallucinated a whole bunch.
Angel ,'Conviction (1)'
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.