Tom, that's a great gift!
I love reading about the buffista gift exchange, even though I don't partcipate.
Atherton: Half the men in this room wish you were on their arm, tonight. Inara: Only half. I must be losing my indefinable allure.
'Shindig'
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.
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."
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.
quester - Dec 24, 2011 3:31:44 pm PST #197 of 408
Danger is my middle name, only I spell it R. u. t. h. - Tina Belcher.
msbelle is the nicest and the sneakiest!
Sue - Dec 24, 2011 3:33:39 pm PST #198 of 408
hip deep in pie
Oh msbelle, that is the best.
Tom, are there any career counselors around that could help you figure out an exit plan?
askye - Dec 24, 2011 4:19:32 pm PST #199 of 408
Thrive to spite them
I wish 2012 treats everyone better.
I wish 2011 had been as good for everyone else as it was for me.
The big news (which was news last year) - I moved to VERMONT! From Florida to be with my wonderful sweetheart Will. (Who occasionally lurks on the board). I moved in April. I live in a little town, in northwest Vermont and so far I love it. The town is great, I've met some wonderful people and I'm really happy here.
The job search hasn't been so easy, no full time job but with I've found some part time work and made some good contacts, my goal for 2012 is to find, if not a full time job, then 2 part time jobs that will be almost full time hours.
I can't even express how positive and wonderful this change is. I lived in Florida almost my whole life, in the same town and I always felt like there was this shadow, or weight on me, just dragging me down. I was constantly stuck with reminders of my past and it seemed like every week I ended up spiraling into regrets and coulda/woulda/shouldas.
That's not part of my life here and it's been really freeing. I took up crochet again, almost learned to knit, I've been reading more and feel more creative juices flowing. I may try to at least take 1 class at community college next fall.
This year has not been without sadness or stress. My sweet tabby Maddie got sick and passed away unexpectedly. But at the same time my ex neighbor couldn't take one of her kittens and so Penny, a little tuxedo kitten, came into my life.
I've also hooked up with a great therapy team and in the spring I'm going to adjust medication and hopefully I'll lose weight and do well on the changes.
Steph L. - Dec 24, 2011 6:09:49 pm PST #200 of 408
the hardest to learn / was the least complicated
Oh! And I also received this print in the mail today!
That print reminds me of a story my mom told tonight, which I don't remember at all. One of the dudes who my mom dated after the divorce (I would have been 12-14; my brother would have been 7-9) asked my mom "Why is your son wearing a black cape?"
My mom answered, totally seriously, "Because his red one is in the wash."
My brother wore a cape all the time when he was a kid (not to school or church, but pretty much all the time at home), which I *do* remember. I just don't remember that particular exchange between my mom and whatever dude that was.
My brother definitely believed/s that every boy is a superhero sometimes. Even when his red cape is in the wash.