OK, I know I'm not the first, and probably not the last. Nor do I expect this diary to be of interest to many except that kind person here on the Daily Orange who gifted me (Anonymously) with...
A LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION!!!
I would have posted this last night, but was out and busy all day. Imagine my surprise when I got home last night and checked my email. Holy Chrismahanakwanzika! Santa Kos (whoever you are) left me a gift subscription under my socialist, pagan, holiday tree!
Let me just say that words truly cannot express my thanks. It's been a rough few years, mom's stroke, giving up my job to caregive for her until her eventual(inevitable) move to a nursing home, job-hunting (unsuccessfully so far) and trying to keep our home while mom resides elsewhere.
But this site, no matter what happens in my day-to-day life, is always here for me.
I joined DK in November 2004, a few days after Kerry "lost" the election. I had been lurking before but the 2004 election really threw me. How could two elections be stolen and Americans not give a damn?
And, to tell you the truth, I was a bit intimidated. What are UIDs? How do you get to be a TU? How do I post pictures and videos and links? How do I post a diary and, even more, how do I join all the cool kids with a diary on the "rec" list?
So I dipped my toe in the orange pool and learned and participated more and more.
You were there for me when my mom had her stroke. Mom was gifted with a community quilt from the supremely talented Sara R and her quilting elves. You gave me love and hugs when my beloved pootie Charlie passed away in May, absolutely rocked when I was collecting donations for a fundraiser for our local domestic abuse shelter, not to mention kept me educated, informed and saved my sanity.
I won't bore folks with too much more, but let me say that I treasure you all more than you will ever know. This is not only a community, it is a family. I enjoy the political dust-ups, the recipes, the pooties and woozles, repair and garden diaries, Cheers n' Jeers, and everything else that appears...well, except for the trolls (though I do sometimes get a kick out of playing with them...tee hee).
I wish you all the best Holiday (whatever you celebrate) and warm wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. I look forward to Democrats kicking butt in 2012 and (hopefully) the rabid right's fall into an abyss from which they will never return (please Santa, please?).
And a special thanks to The Great Orange Satan, The Big Santa Kos himself, without whom we wouldn't be here!
Let me just finish by saying that this is the coolest Christmas gift I ever got, except for that guitar I coveted when I was ten.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS extra hugs to all orange people far and wide (well, except for Boehner!).