Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: My Christmas vacation was like a bad movie. I arrived at my mom's house feeling a little under the weather. Within 12 hours, I had no voice and Kleenex attached to my nose, and I couldn't taste the Italian feast my mother prepared Christmas Eve. Then a snowstorm trapped me in Williamsburg until Monday afternoon. Basically, my Christmas is a bit of a haze, but I'm hoping all you readers out there have fun holiday stories to share …

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: What's everyone reading? I'm reading and enjoying "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers. I ask because I find I get recommendations for books from the same people. They're often good suggestions, don't get me wrong. But I also feel like I'm getting a limited point of view on what's good reading.

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: Thanksgiving was awesome. Not because of the turkey (we had chicken instead ...) or the pumpkin cheesecake (though that was pretty awesome, too), but because I spent most of it doing next to nothing. Sure, I checked my e-mail and took care of a few things throughout the weekend, but for the most part I relaxed. I saw a movie, read and wandered around my hometown with my mom. Stress came with the travel, of course, but I relieved …

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: I've never participated in Black Friday. As cheap as I am—and I'm a journalist, so that means I'm very cheap—I value sleep way more than saving a few bucks on Christmas gifts. Skipping this treasured annual event every year is probably the reason my friends and family receive gifts that lack both quality and diversity. The crazy thing is, I'm built for something like Black Friday because of my aforementioned propensity to be cheap. …

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: I've been curious since Thursday about how all you Oakton residents celebrated Veterans Day. Did you attend a nearby event? Call a family member to thank them? Teach your children about the holiday's significance? Or was it simply just a typical Thursday for you? Be civil and have fun!

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: I've been reading Oakton resident and retired Vice Admiral Jerry Miller's book "Stockpile" in preparation for an interview with him this week. At one point, I realized reading his book may be the only thing I do all week to honor a veteran. Sadly, I think reading his book on his observations of the nuclear arms race might be the most I've ever done to honor a veteran during Veterans Day week. So, I turn to you. How do you plan to …

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. This week, I have a particular topic in mind. But, as always, feel free to touch on any topic you'd like. Here's what's on my mind: For as long as I can remember, I've hated Halloween. Unfortunately, I get looked at like a ghoul whenever I say that out loud. Sure, my mom has (adorable) photos of me in ridiculous costumes where I'm smiling and seemingly happy, but I'm convinced I was fooled into enjoying it. I've never been all that much of a candy lover; I'm more likely to pine for a good bag of chips …

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Grateful for a random act of kindness? Tell us! Angry about that serial burglar in Fairfax County? Vent your frustrations here. Every week a space will be created for all your new questions, concerns and random thoughts. I'll get it started with my own example: I'm curious to know your thoughts on the serial burglar. I understand people are scared, or at least uncomfortable. But do you feel like all your questions are being answered? Do you feel like your home is secured well enough to keep him out if …

Hello, readers! This space has been designated for you to tell us about anything you want. Grateful for a random act of kindness? Tell us! Angry about that serial burglar in Fairfax County? Vent your frustrations here. Think one of the commenters on this column has a valid point? Reply! Every week a space will be created for all your new questions, concerns and random thoughts. I'll get it started with a few examples from my own life: Don't you love seeing young kids in the library trying desperately (and failing desperately) to be quiet? I must thank Ms. Hopkins (I know her name because one …