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Lesley Stern

Lesley Stern

Posted: December 22, 2009 02:05 PM

My Annual Holiday Letter

What's Your Reaction:
2009-12-22-sad_tree.jpg

Dear Friends, Family and Whom it may concern:

Is it almost 2010 already?

2009 has been a busy year at my house. And there's no better time than the holidays to reflect and reconnect with loved ones.

Where to start on the extraordinary year I've had?

It started with a flurry of activity. After months of campaigning and donating 40% of my annual income ($50.00) to elect transformational candidate Barack Obama, I was able to kick back and enjoy the fruits of my labor. The lavish star-studded inauguration ceremony and celebrations were fabulous! Through a happy quirk of fate, my cable wasn't disconnected until the next day.

My career has been more challenging than ever. In addition to conceiving genius work that's won praise and accolades from my mother and father, my salary has reached a level previously unseen since I was half my age. I feel like a girl again!

2009 has also been a year of some of the most satisfying naps ever!

Being civic minded, I put in record time following the news this year. In fact, I won the Anderson Cooper 360 challenge several weeks in a row this past fall.

Other honors include finishing the TV Guide crossword puzzle 42 out of 52 weeks and getting my Costco card stamped enough times to get a free brick of Tillamook cheddar cheese. Even this past week I was surprised by a "best customer" award from the pot delivery guy.

I've also made great strides on the financial front. I discovered how to get the laundry machines in the basement to work without quarters! That ought to save me several dollars a week.

Perhaps best of all, in 2009 I found Mr. Right. It was love at first sight when our eyes met at the shelter. He's sitting on my lap right now. Thank goodness he gets along with my other cats, Denzel, George, Barack, Brad and Ashton. Next year, we plan to adopt several kittens and begin negotiations for a reality show.

At this very moment a light powdering of dust is forming on the windowpane. I can hear the faint crackling of paint peeling and I'm overwhelmed with a sense of joy, contentment and unity with God (or whatever) and all of mankind. Of course, that could just be the cough medicine.

Have a happy, healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Love,
Lesley


Have you ever wondered what it's like being broke in France? Learn more.

 
 
 
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
WomanInOrangeSweater
04:23 PM on 12/26/2009
Congratulations on discovering how to get the laundry machines to work without quarters! That's a major accomplishment! How did you do it? Seriously, I want all the details, step by step. ASAP, please.
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Lesley Stern
12:41 PM on 12/27/2009
The trick is using Canadian quarters. If you put their quarters in the slots and push slowly with a quick release, the machine starts AND returns the quarters. Pick some up next time you or someone you know crosses the border to stock up on affordable pharmaceutical drugs.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
WomanInOrangeSweater
04:11 PM on 12/27/2009
Damn! I knew I should have invested in foreign currency when I had the chance!
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04:21 PM on 12/26/2009
Lesley, I look forward to your posts. Our lives are apparently much alike, but I don't get home deliveries of anything........ Thanks as always for the laughs! Somedays laughs are the ONLY thing keeping me going........
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Lesley Stern
11:09 PM on 12/26/2009
Thanks, msbadger! Some days hearing that I made someone laugh is the only thing keeping me going.
07:03 PM on 12/23/2009
Now I just don't understand. ALL these columns about not having money. ALL these entries offering clever frugal solutions to today's problems. And THEN, I read THIS!

"Even this past week I was surprised by a "best customer" award from the pot delivery guy."

You're getting Cookware continuously delivered to your home? How is this possible?
My fragile reality has been shaken to the core!
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Lesley Stern
01:01 PM on 12/24/2009
It's my little way of stimulating the economy. I make sure all my cookware is grown...I mean made....in the US.
01:03 PM on 12/23/2009
Don't bring up the inauguration. We were so excited. I actually cried.

Now, I look back and feel emotionally violated - like when I listen to those OnStar commercials.
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Lesley Stern
02:40 PM on 12/23/2009
I'm sorry. I felt I had to bring it up being, an important part of my fabulous year and all. I cried too.

I still have hope that he's doing the right thing under the circumstances. Maybe this time next year we'll be praising his wisdom. I won't my breath though...that could cause me to need medical attention that I just can't afford.
11:24 PM on 12/22/2009
Bragger!
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Lesley Stern
02:25 PM on 12/23/2009
It was either this or a desperate plea for money. This seemed more uplifting.