Christmas Past
It's odd, one thing that grates on me at Christmas is direct launches into the "loot list" without any reflection at all on the holiday, or what it means, or at least on basic events (saw this, ate this). It just seems crass to me.
And yet, I find that this year, I don't really have anything else to write. I don't have anything to say about how magical Christmas is; in fact, it barely felt like Christmas this year. I enjoy seeing my family, and even though we have our "issues" my family is relatively calm in terms of actual arguments and hostilities compared to others.
I guess, most of all, Christmas isn't a big reflection time for me. It's just quiet, and peaceful, and an opportunity to just be.
Therefore, on to the "loot":
Before Christmas (and before the stomach virus), I got a $19.99 Costco special reversible down jacket. Also from Costco, a can of Chamba Chai, and a paperback copy of Crichton's latest, Prey. Yay!
On Christmas proper, my mother got me a Target gift card, a turtleneck, an Adidas Moves perfume and body mist set (must snag as many of those as possible on clearance), some manicure and pedicure tools including cracked foot cream for my poor heels, socks, fudge, Dentyne Fire, a weird rave pen, a Corona bandana, and Travel Boggle. The Boggle comes in a nice little zip-folio and matches my Travel Scrabble, for anyone that's seen it.
At my grandfather's, I got another Target gift card and a rather bizarre grab bag from my aunt containing candy, microwave popcorn, a large candle, a phone card, two musical dancing hamsters, and a Firemen Calendar made as a fund raiser by the local volunteer department in her small town.
My dad as always gave cash, the gift that keeps on giving. Combined with my $70 total in Target cards, I should be able to replace some of the winter part of my wardrobe.
Now, it is time to hit the after-Christmas clearance sales. Once I get motivated to give up my flannel pajamas...
And yet, I find that this year, I don't really have anything else to write. I don't have anything to say about how magical Christmas is; in fact, it barely felt like Christmas this year. I enjoy seeing my family, and even though we have our "issues" my family is relatively calm in terms of actual arguments and hostilities compared to others.
I guess, most of all, Christmas isn't a big reflection time for me. It's just quiet, and peaceful, and an opportunity to just be.
Therefore, on to the "loot":
Before Christmas (and before the stomach virus), I got a $19.99 Costco special reversible down jacket. Also from Costco, a can of Chamba Chai, and a paperback copy of Crichton's latest, Prey. Yay!
On Christmas proper, my mother got me a Target gift card, a turtleneck, an Adidas Moves perfume and body mist set (must snag as many of those as possible on clearance), some manicure and pedicure tools including cracked foot cream for my poor heels, socks, fudge, Dentyne Fire, a weird rave pen, a Corona bandana, and Travel Boggle. The Boggle comes in a nice little zip-folio and matches my Travel Scrabble, for anyone that's seen it.
At my grandfather's, I got another Target gift card and a rather bizarre grab bag from my aunt containing candy, microwave popcorn, a large candle, a phone card, two musical dancing hamsters, and a Firemen Calendar made as a fund raiser by the local volunteer department in her small town.
My dad as always gave cash, the gift that keeps on giving. Combined with my $70 total in Target cards, I should be able to replace some of the winter part of my wardrobe.
Now, it is time to hit the after-Christmas clearance sales. Once I get motivated to give up my flannel pajamas...