Notorious msbelle!

Honestly 2017 is hard to nail down.

Pix and I sign paperwork on our house tomorrow morning, the funds will clear later that day, and on Wednesday we will officially be home owners. The huge thing is that it really is a dream home. I'm still in shock that it's really going to be ours.

On other sides this is the year we lost BC. He was a member of this community, but he was also a close personal friend of mine and had been for a lot time. We were the same age, in the same career. There are still so many echoes of him in places where I teach and work.

Two of my employees lost their fathers this year and my heart aches for both of them.

On the work front, my little business keeps growing. We opened attractions in China, Taiwan, and Russia this year, as well as projects here on the home front. I still have to stop and look at what my little company has become. Many of you remember me when I was living in an apartment with two roommates barely making ends meet. I still stunned that I have gotten here

So yeah there' a lot to unpack, and as usually I have a very difficult time saying this year is good or bad. It's been a year, and the next one is almost here.

I do know that I'm so glad to have all of you and so thankful that everything this community has meant to me for so many years. I have lifelong friends because of this place. Pix and I met and got married because of this place. I really cannot understate what it has meant, and continues to mean, for me.

Congrats on the house, ND and Pix. Very happy for you.

And yeah, BC. Weren't that close, especially is the 3-4 last years, but the world feels emptier without him. I am very sorry that he is gone, yet I can't help but to smile and feel hopeful when I think of him. He was that kind of a person. And writing "was" still feels weird. (And now Ouise.)

Gifts report: I sent some of the gifts, and others will be sent later this week.

I have not yet received anything, but no worries, Santa. Israel Post does not have the best reputation, and it can take a while (usually three weeks from the West, up to two months from the East. I see the 10 days shipment estimations on various sites and laugh and cry and laugh).

I hope that I will get to post a reflection of 2017 here sometime soon.

So I was a good and patient girl and waited to open my packages from Anne until yesterday. Granted, I did sniff them several times and could not pin down the source of the delightful aromas. The nose joy originated from several sources! First a bag of Mexico Sicobi coffee which claims to have a semisweet chocolate body, with a malty sweetness, and a raisin acidity. I will be brewing this tomorrow because I already had prepared my pot this morning before I was awake enough to remember I had those beans awaiting me. Also, a slew of mesh produce sacks, which I will use the heck out of, and have already for that matter. They were responsible for none of the aromas emitting from the packages. That would be the box of soaps including Peppermint, Vanilla Bean, and Cinnamon Spice.

I am well spoiled and grateful! Thank you Anne!!

My Secret Santa (I think?) has also sent me a lovely body wash! I don't know who said Santa is, though -- none of the gifts included a clue. Thank you, whoever you are!

Oh! I got a package from the Secret Solstice Santa (aka the Mystery Pillowcaser)! With a kitty-themed pillowcase in honor of Mr. Murderbiscuit (Tim saw the print and immediately staked his claim on the pillowcase) and kitty-themed coffee mugs that are going right into the mug rotation.

What a lovely, thoughtful surprise! It seriously makes me feel warm on this ridiculously cold day (currently 6 degrees Fahrenheit, WTF).

I got another Secret Santa (I think?) gift! A gorgeous silver tree of life necklace, which I absolutely love. Thank you again!

I got a lovely package yesterday! Which also included an awesome pillow case, and some lovely hand made cloth napkins, which are one of my things.

Part 1 if my gift was mailed from the store, and a card was sent. Part 2 will be a bit delayed as I'm not sure I'll be leaving the house for the next several days, except for mandatory dog-parking. Brrrr.

Also? brenda made me cry, but in the good way. ♥

Prezzies! Thank you, Lisa!

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A Neko Atsume figure of Billy the Kitten, kitty socks (I was just thinking I needed socks for sleeping in, adorable Japanese design sticky line markers, a beautiful Dia de La Muerte ceramic ornament, and a perfectly exquisite embroidered and beaded Dia de La Muerto pouch. I actually said "Oh my god" when I unwrapped it. Pics above!