Riley: Oh, yeah. Sorry 'bout last time. Heard I missed out on some fun. Xander: Oh yeah, fun was had. Also frolic, merriment and near-death hijinks.

'Never Leave Me'


Goodbye and Good Riddance 2014: so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good bye...  

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

Buh bye, 2014.


amyth - Dec 25, 2014 1:01:11 pm PST #153 of 300
And none of us deserving the cruelty or the grace -- Leonard Cohen

Got it! And responded.


Laura - Dec 25, 2014 3:30:55 pm PST #154 of 300
Our wings are not tired.

After an extraordinary amount of self restraint I opened my box from the brilliant Aurelia this morning! I posted a picture on the Buffista FB page.

First there were 3 packs of DAVIDsTEA of different varieties that I am very much looking forward to sampling. They were packaged in cute little mittens. Then there was a WrapSack, which is something I had never heard of. The reusable gift sack has a tracking number on it. You go on line and register the sack and you can watch it travel around and about. So far the sack has been in Chicago and Pompano Beach. I have already considered where it shall travel next...

Now inside the WrapSack was about the most perfect Laura gift ever! It is an absolutely lovely turtle teapot which is perfect because turtles and teapots are two of my most favorite things.

Thank you for the this most delightful Christmas gift, Santee!!!


aurelia - Dec 25, 2014 10:52:07 pm PST #155 of 300
All sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story. Tell me a story.

Hooray! I have to admit I was a little astonished to discover a teapot so perfect for you.


Laura - Dec 26, 2014 4:26:09 am PST #156 of 300
Our wings are not tired.

I am enjoying Santa's Secret tea this morning. It is yum. The tea pot is adorable. It will have a place of honor in my kitchen.


lisah - Dec 26, 2014 9:44:05 am PST #157 of 300
Punishingly Intricate

I arrived home to a porch full of packages! 2 from someone named C. Krit! hmmmmmm


beekaytee - Dec 26, 2014 12:31:35 pm PST #158 of 300
Compassionately intolerant

smonster elf, first let me start with MWAH!! Thank you so much for putting so much thought and heart into my gifts.

Everybody! smonster is the bomb.

Okay, so opening the box, I found a wrapsack!! It was fun going to the website to see where my sack has been, but its first journey is to me. Now, here is the problem...it's beaUtiful! The colors are so lovely. Seriously. I have a hard time imagining sending it off.

This is coming from an unrepentant regifter!!

Inside the wrapsack was, hands down, the most interesting dog treat I've ever seen. Again, this is ME talking. I've seen me some dog treats.

It's Nutria. I didn't even know what a Nutria was and then to learn that these treats are actually supporting the preservation of marshlands by eliminating a non-native scourge. If Cagney had the option of eliminating those furry invaders himself, he would! (though I fear one of those little beestards would chew him up)

I'll be honest, I feel guilty sometimes about the things I feed him, but I obviously can't deny him meat. With this, we can both feel good about it!

Next up, a cute little light switch cover in vibrant colors, featuring poppies. (I'll save that one for my next apt.)

THEN, two Weck glass jars. I'm not even kidding, I am obsessed with storage stuff and, as I mentioned to smonster, I'm striving to eliminate plastic from my kitchen These jars are fabulous...and totally new to me.

One of the jars was stuffed with a colorful, hibiscus patterned scarf. I've been watching wrap tutorials on youtube and will definitely practice with this one.

In another box, I received a large wooden plaque with a quote about the impact of losing a dog and then getting a new one. It is very sweet, very true and, well...allergies.

Lastly, there is a tea from a company called Waterdog Farms. It's holy basil and, can I just say...I'm having a massive catnip-like response to it. No lie, I can't get my nose out of the bag. I might put it under my pillow!!

Thank you so much, my sweetie. I am so grateful for your kind and generous heart.


msbelle - Dec 26, 2014 1:36:39 pm PST #159 of 300
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

well dones all around. love reading the posts.


Tom Scola - Dec 26, 2014 4:47:25 pm PST #160 of 300
Mr. Scola’s wardrobe by Botany 500

Two more postcards, postmarked Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

A little worried whether or not my Santee got their package.


smonster - Dec 26, 2014 4:52:57 pm PST #161 of 300
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.

Oh yay!! Glad everything got there okay. I got the wrapsack in last year's box, I think, but never got around to going online and entering myself in. Oopsies.

The tea is from my friend Rickie and his spouse Christopher's farm. The light switch plate was decoupaged by my friend Crystal, a photographer. I hope Cagney likes the treats! They have another kind, more biscuit-y made with oats and such and Frankie just gobbles those down, so those should be good. As for the plaque, I stumbled over it months ago and immediately thought of you. And then when you ended up being my giftee... I had to get it for you.

I got the jars at World Market, but you can find them online, too, if they work well and you want more. You can also buy replacement seals for the glass jars if those wear out.

Much love to you, I had a wonderful time being your elf.


Laura - Dec 26, 2014 5:03:43 pm PST #162 of 300
Our wings are not tired.

but never got around to going online and entering myself in

With the Wrapsack site you can put the location of the person that sent it to you in when you register.