Sigh.  I swear some days I just can't face the computer.  So here we go
again:  purrs to those dear friends in grief, and happy purrs and
high-up tails for those celebrating good things.

I really wanted to send cards this year, but didn't think I was going to
-- until the last minute, of course!  So I guess most of you will have
to think of them as "Happy New Year" cards!  Believe me, it was a bit of
a crazy time getting them done.  I designed them.  I found a card kit at
the grocery store, but there were only 20 in there.  I printed off 20.
And then I tried to find more at Staples, the office store where,
certainly, they must carry such a thing!  It went like this:

On the phone:  "Do you carry greeting card kits?"
"What's that?"
"You know, card stock paper and envelopes that you make your own
greeting cards out of?"
"Um, no.  We don't carry that."

In person:  "Do you carry greeting card kits?"
"What's that?"
"You know . . " (well, you get the idea).  "We don't carry that."

As I was still trying to better explain what I was looking for, I saw a
whole box of 75!  I said "THIS is it!"

DH says Staples' new slogan should be "We don't have that."  I agree.

At any rate, that was the Saturday before Xmas.  A friend said she'd
take me to do errands, but apparently the madness got to her, too.  My
M-I-L saved the day, but cards did not get into the mailbox until the
Sunday before Xmas.  So, um, "Happy New Year!"

I've enjoyed so much receiving all the wonderful cards,  They are all
posted around the doorway that goes between the living room and dining
room (both sides) and they look so beautiful.  You have no idea how much
they cheer me up.

I managed to get a tree, but had to walk over to Lowe's (thank heavens,
I *can* walk there).  But half of the stuff I needed, they didn't have.
 And the tree selection was pitiful.  I ended up bursting into tears
like a fool in the middle of Lowe's, prompting someone to help me find
things, including a tree that didn't look like a "Charlie Brown" tree.
I had to take a cab home, of course, but oh, well.

Then I had to put the thing up myself because DH was working, and,
besides, it's always an argument when we try to do it together.
Needless to say, it was more than a bit difficult for me to manage.  So
the tree ended up in the stand, all right, and up off the floor, all
right, but it was a little, um, leaning.  Okay, a LOT leaning.  DH
didn't laugh too much (lucky for him).  We straightened it out the next
day.  He even put some ornaments on it without b*tching!

Of course, we don't buy each other gifts anymore.  We just take $30 for
ourselves, and buy our own gifts :-(  Not nearly as fun as buying a gift
and wrapping it and the anticipation and surprise.  But, speaking of
surprise, we surprised each other this year, before and after Xmas
(we're Pagans anyway, and celebrate Yule -- lol); he got me the third
"Pirates of the Carribean" DVD (I had the other two, and hadn't seen the
third yet), and I got him the whole series of "Firefly".  Otherwise, I
bought all my own gifts, but at least it was something.

The best gifts I gave (didn't give a whole lot, but managed to get a few
little things for the relatives) weren't material.  I've talked about my
awful next-door-neighbor, the drunken abusive cab driver.  And I've
mentioned Karen, his injured in many ways yet still kind significant
other of 20 some years.  She asked me way back in October to write her a
poem.  I did, and as usual, procrastinated finishing it up and getting
it to her.  So I finally got it ready and gave it to her Dec. 23rd
before she left for her family's and a blessed break from Maynard.  She
cried, but said it was the nicest thing anybody had ever done for her,
and that it made her very happy.  I felt so good.

The other was a risk, but I'm glad I took it.  I was at the Candle
Ceremony on Xmas Eve, and a woman there had recently lost her d-pet.  I
tend to not be judgmental about anyone there in the chat room, but after
the Ceremony, she was coming across a bit -- annoying I guess is the
best word.  She finally said "Would anyone be willing to talk to me on
the phone?  I think I just need to hear a friendly voice."  Well, that's
kind of a *really* dumb thing to do, in general; just give someone on
the Internet your phone number and say "Sure, call me!"  But something
made me think I should, so I did.  She turned out to be a young lady
with bipolar disorder, who was well-spoken and insightful, and truly
just did need to talk and hear a supportive voice.  She seemed to feel
much better, and I was glad I had taken the risk and called.

The kitties made out like bandits this year.  I couldn't get to Cat
Welfare to get their catnip mice, but I had a Drs. Foster and Smith
catalogue . . . .  Hehehe.  Or Hohoho.  They got a calming mat, and a
hidey-bed, and a play-tent, and some good-quality yummy food (at least
it appears they thought so!) for a special treat.  And I'll give them
the catnip I forgot on New Year's!  Of course, now they are all *quite*
spoiled.  Just the way they should be ;-)

Well, this is already way longer than I had intended!  But y'all know me
by now ;-)

At any rate, Wishing all you wonderful people and your beautiful furred
ones a very belated Hannukkah, Yule, Christmas, not-so-belated Kwaanza,
and an on-time (early) Happy New Year!