Oh, yes, thanks for the reminder, lisah. I got some cool fancy chocolate - with almonds and GOLD, I'm assuming from my Secret Santa. I haven't broken into it yet, it is too pretty. Thank you, thank you!!!

I also got a lovely snowflake and it made me smile.

My elf gift is waiting for me at my parents' house! I'm so excited.

Sounds like you needed a smile. Glad it brought you a bit of brightness.

Thanks so much, Secret Santa Lee! I opened the "Big Books" t-shirt and the chocolate orange(Saving two to open later)

Save two the rest are food instant gratification

YAY! They got there.

I hope one of the remaining ones got there in one piece. I was a little worried about it.

I don't think my secret santa wants to reveal themselves, but THANKS to whoever it is. (forgot to say that part the other day)

Secret Santa, after finals are over I PROMISE I will send the box.

Totally, T. I will totally reveal myself to my santee, but I'm just waiting till the end.

I know the de-lurking thread is in October, but I was thinking of you all today. I'm currently pregnant but miscarrying. It is sad but I'm okay. I feel pretty strongly that this being/life/whatever you call it was sent to send me a fairly specific message about courage and standing up for myself and being brave but not actually meant to grow into a baby. It looks sort of weird as I type it but my point is, I'm okay.

But I've been thinking a lot about you guys because it was my almost identical miscarriage (happened at the same time of year and in almost the same exact way) thirteen years ago that brought me to the board. I was angry post-miscarriage and Buffy kicked ass and I was looking for more of that.

I've thought a lot about ita this year, and more recently Ginger, and how much you all have meant to me over the years. I'm doing well. Ellie is 10, Frisco is almost 8. He was recently diagnosed with mild autism/Aspergers. It's helped a lot with understanding him. Sammy is almost 4 and is a joy.

I bought a house with my parents earlier this year. It's not perfect but we all like living together. I'm dating a guy who I love very much. Also not perfect, but I'm learning that it can be not perfect and yet still good. The pregnancy was unplanned and kind of threw us for a loop but overall, I love having him in my life. We've been dating 8 months tomorrow but its seems like more and we have been through a lot.

My law firm is growing. We have a total of 5 employees now and my brother is my office manager. Sometimes I am a little tired of doing the same thing but there's always a client or two that reminds me of why I love my job.

Anyway, with everything going on, I've been thinking about the board a lot. I think I"m too busy to post regularly, or even lurk, but I do miss and love you all.

I love you, Stephanie. It's good to see you around here any time; you and your dude seem marvelously happy from what I can see on the facebook, and I hope this loss will be eased by having lots of love around you.