“Friends are like bras: close to your heart and there for support.”
I got an early Christmas present in the mail yesterday. It was from Danae.
I sat in my room, poking through the box she sent, and seriously got all misty eyed.
It wasn’t just what she sent me that set off my sap-o-meter… though what she sent was awesome. Candies and a menu pad that is rocking my socks, and a Naughty- But Oh So Nice memo pad (that will come in handy when leaving little notes for Master), and even a little ouchie toy for my Master from her Master- among other things in the box.
It was that she sent anything at ALL.
The generosity and thoughtfulness of the people I’ve “met” since I started blogging has just been amazing. It’s friendship, with no expectations, no strings, no demands. It’s acceptance and affection.
I got a little misty eyed because I’m blessed to know Danae- and all of you. Thank you so much, Michael and Danae. I hope your holidays are as wonderful as you’ve just made mine.
I may even thank Kitten if/when she sends me that snowflake spatula.
But probably NOT… lol.
Master has yet to believe me when I tell him spatulas belong in the freaking KITCHEN! 
Continuing on the subject of good friends, Master and I spent almost the entire day yesterday out shopping. And we enjoyed every single second of it.
I just love, love, love his company. He’s funny and smart and loving and indulgent and romantic and generous and — well, this list is endless.
Round about midway through, we took a break in a little coffee shop in the mall and just enjoyed each other’s company. Watched the other shoppers, enjoying the rich smell of the shop. He always teases and jokes with the waitstaff whenever we’re out somewhere, makes them laugh, puts a smile on their face.
I think that says a lot about a man, don’t you? How he treats a waitress or a clerk?
I love him.
Later in the afternoon, after we’d finished our secret shopping, we had the kids come meet us in town so they could finish up their own shopping. Even that was fun. Other than B-man, who hates shopping in any capacity.
By the end of the shopping Master had a rather pained expression on his face. He said his wallet was squealing.
Then we stopped and had dinner at Applebees. Jack and Jill came down and joined us for dinner, and we’re going over to their place for a bit this afternoon and having dinner with them.
I’m feeling full to the brim with friends and good people.
Christmas spirit. I haz it.
(have to sneak in some lolspeak!)
I suppose when we leave their house, we’ll come home and play board games with the kids, or watch movies or something. And tomorrow morning, we’ll do the usual.
We’re going to have a nice Christmas. Master really spoiled me and the kids with something super-cool. I’ll post about it after Christmas. 
As for my dilemma over amount of presents vs. amount of money: I went ahead and picked up some smaller, cheaper items to wrap up for B-man. As most of you said, he’s plenty old enough to understand the money, and he’d be perfectly happy with just the guitar, nor would he ever be so inconsiderate as to mention the number of presents. He’s just not that way.
The person it would bother is ME. So I bought more to make myself feel better..lol
It’s just little stuff. A guitar strap and straplocks. A chord book. Some small bottles of cologne.
And it’s still not exactly even in number, for any of them I don’t think. It’s just not so incredibly lopsided that it niggles at me like it was.
I’d really hoped to avoid having to go anywhere near a store today, but no such luck. Since I happen to be an expert and successful procrastinator, I have to go get groceries or we will not be eating Christmas dinner (or breakfast or lunch or any other eats). I am seriously not looking forward to it.
Though I will do it with a grin because morningstar sent me a “neener neener, I don’t have to shop today” message.
You see what I mean about friendship? It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be… enjoyable. I enjoy you guys.
That’s the best gift there is.
Thank you.
I hope you all have terrific holidays. 
Uncategorized | kaya | 
Thursday December 24th, 2009 6:32am
Have a fantabulous Christmas! I hope that you get everything that you wished for! Thank you for being such a wonderful blogger, i enjoy you so very much!
What a wonderful, joyous, delightful post. I am so glad to have you all in this place. It is special when people we care about come through difficult and challenging times — and find themselves safe and comfortable and happy on the other side. Merry Christmas to all of you!
hugs, swan
[rq=1623249,0,blog][/rq]Holiday Baby
I had a thought reading what you wrote about judging based on how a man reacts to those that “serve”, clerks, waitresses, etc. I’ve always analyzed these things with men in my life. I got wondering if it is somehow connected to having a submissive nature? Ya know like subconsciously analyzing their appreciation for good servitude. Hmmm…
I understand your point about number v’s cost of pressies and it just so happens I decided to buy my little guy (7yrs it’s 1/2 size) a guitar for xmas. To help even out the unwrap ratio my partner taught me something. wrap each little thing separately. So even though I got him a nylon string acoustic guitar I got it in a beginners pack and it came with a cleaning cloth and a pitch pipe and a instructional dvd and I bought him a couple of picks cause he’ll need them and I got them in yellow cause that’s his favorite color and I wrapped each different thing and put them inside the front pocket of the gig bag then put that in the box it came in and wrapped the box. So instead of just unwrapping the present and that’s it and ignoring the stuff in the bag now he has to unwrap everything else as well.
I did feel slightly guilty today though when I surveyed the pile of presents I had to wrap and realised the one I bought myself cost more than any other individual present I bought anyone else. Not by heaps just $20 but still.
Have a great xmas and thanks for all your blog posts this year I’ve enjoyed reading everyone.
I sent you and your whole family massive, amazing, very-cool presents that will make your souls explode with happiness. Srsly.
I addressed the box as follows: “Dear Mr. Postman. This is for Tess! Sometimes known as Kaya. She lives somewhere in Michigan. It’s really cold there, if that helps. I’ve adorned the box with many, many naked pictures of her (basically the only pictures I have of her, dontcha know), so you *know* who I’m talking about. See that she gets this, please! Kthnxbai.”
I’m amazing. I did a really good job. So the package will arrive shortly – I’m sure it.
I bet I made your post officer’s Christmas card list next year, too. I’m outstanding.
~Chloe, brimming with Crimbo-love.
[rq=1624726,0,blog][/rq]Fear vs Common Sense: Epic Battle To The Death!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I loved your post…glad you’re having such a wonderful holiday!
As far as your Master, i think that is sweet how he is nice to people, that says a lot about your man….plus you know you really only want him being mean to YOU!
Merry Christmas kaya…thank YOU for sharing your life with us.
Kaya,
Have a wonderful Christmas. You going to get any pretty bruises this weekend? hehe
Dave
The bit about how you love your master made me quite misty-eyed. Merry Xmas to you and yours!
[rq=1625556,0,blog][/rq]Stepping out
I hope you and yours have a terrific holiday! I’m so glad to know you as much as I can online.
<3
[rq=1626369,0,blog][/rq]Public Post
hope you have a Merry XMas!
Sounds like you will all have a wonderful time
Enjoy! You deserve it
Thanks for being such an awesome blogger!
Have a very Merry Christmas
May it be a safe and fun holiday for you and your family.
[rq=1629285,0,blog][/rq]Welcome to my Journal!
What a wonderful post. I have enjoyed reading you for years! Merry Christmas to you and yours girl! I, too, feel the blessings and love in my life strongly today!
XOXO
[rq=1629867,0,blog][/rq]Happy Holidays!!!!!
This was a very nice post hon. i’m lucky if Alderon will go near a store let alone go into one. It’s really nice that the two of you can do so many things together.
Hope that you all had a great Christmas.
[rq=1633558,0,blog][/rq]Happy Christmas!!
I’m so happy! Your snowflake spatula is in my mailbox today!!!
This is a banner day.
[rq=1652066,0,blog][/rq]Update