fullygoldy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fullygoldy) wrote2006-12-26 01:26 pm
fullygoldy) wrote2006-12-26 01:26 pm
Entry tags:
- bday,
- family,
- good stuff,
- xmas
My holiday
Was a lovely, relaxing, rejuevenating experience.
We'd done all of our shopping before Solstice, so going out on Sat. afternoon to look for one thing didn't seem at all daunting. And since we didn't go anywhere near the malls or major shopping centers, we didn't even have to deal with traffic. After two stops, we selected a nice tawny port for our newest neighbors.
Rupert was finally the recipient of his very first new and state-of-the-art video game system. Sort of. Because the Nintendo Wii was nowhere to be found since its release, we ended up with a fully-loaded gift card, and a promise from Game Stop to call us asap after the holidays to let us know when one became available. Santa left a stuffed white tiger and black bear on the table, and they were holding up the gift card. Rupert declared that it was the best xmas present ever, after the electric bass.
Mavis received a digital camera for xmas last year, and about halfway through the year, it broke beyond repair. So last fall, as her photography class was gearing up, she asked for a replacement as an early xmas gift. We agreed on the condition she choose one that could use the memory card she already had. Of course, Santa didn't want her to feel to left out, so he left a stuffed walrus holding a pink leather CD holder for the car.
B was the recipient of a Santa surprise too, as he left the Hollies "Distant Light" CD on the table. We'd ordered it Thanksgiving weekend, and were told it wouldn't be delivered until well after xmas, as it's an import, and apparently very difficult to come by. Woot! It arrived early enough to be wrapped. His real present was silk long johns in black. mmmmmm.
But the best thing about christmas besides playing Santa for the kids, has got to be buying yourself something you've wanted for a really long time. We've needed a replacement stand mixer for several years, but have been making do with a hand mixer, and an immersion blender. They're okay, but sometimes you want to turn it on and walk away... Anyway, we'd settled on the 5-qt KitchenAid, but were not really excited about the nearly $300 price tag. Unfortunately, KitchenAid doesn't really go on sale much, so the best we've seen them run is $259 or so, and we usually don't feel inclined to part with that sum when we're making do. But Saturday morning, B was perusing the KitchenAid offerings on Amazon, and came up with a 5-qt that was slightly under that best price. Even with free shipping, I wasn't feeling too inclined to go for it. But then, he came across the Professional Grade! Deluxe! 6 Quart! KitchenAid in Cobalt!Blue! for $255!!!! It was a sign. This baby normally sells for about $500. We went ahead and ordered it, and it will arrive by 12/27. Woo Hoo! But now I have to come up with a permanent place for it to rest, since at 25+ lbs, I'm not inclined to be lifting it in and out of a cupboard on a regular basis. Oh, the tragedy of it all ...
Personally, I'd have to say it was the best christmas EVAH.
We'd done all of our shopping before Solstice, so going out on Sat. afternoon to look for one thing didn't seem at all daunting. And since we didn't go anywhere near the malls or major shopping centers, we didn't even have to deal with traffic. After two stops, we selected a nice tawny port for our newest neighbors.
Rupert was finally the recipient of his very first new and state-of-the-art video game system. Sort of. Because the Nintendo Wii was nowhere to be found since its release, we ended up with a fully-loaded gift card, and a promise from Game Stop to call us asap after the holidays to let us know when one became available. Santa left a stuffed white tiger and black bear on the table, and they were holding up the gift card. Rupert declared that it was the best xmas present ever, after the electric bass.
Mavis received a digital camera for xmas last year, and about halfway through the year, it broke beyond repair. So last fall, as her photography class was gearing up, she asked for a replacement as an early xmas gift. We agreed on the condition she choose one that could use the memory card she already had. Of course, Santa didn't want her to feel to left out, so he left a stuffed walrus holding a pink leather CD holder for the car.
B was the recipient of a Santa surprise too, as he left the Hollies "Distant Light" CD on the table. We'd ordered it Thanksgiving weekend, and were told it wouldn't be delivered until well after xmas, as it's an import, and apparently very difficult to come by. Woot! It arrived early enough to be wrapped. His real present was silk long johns in black. mmmmmm.
The best buy of the season actually came from Best Buy. We'd decided to get B & the kids their own flash drives, so off we went on the Sat after T-day. We picked up three 1 Gig drives, and between the instant rebates and the coupon, and the bonus bucks we had, the total bill was about $10.00! Then we went next door to Gander Mtn, and found comfy slippers and a pair of ski bibs for a total that was amazingly low.
My mom was the very happy recipient of a Heifer Int'l "Basket of Hope." That was a relief to me, because years ago I realized I have very little possiblity of gifting her something she'll actually like. The epitome of regifting happened about 14 years ago. We were pretty broke, but I found this really nice simmering pot pourri set - white ceramic with little purple violets on it, and the pot pourri also had dried violets in it, and since mom's bedroom decor featured these flowers, I thought it was a perfect Mother's Day gift. I scraped up the cash, and got it mailed out on time, and she barely said thank you, but whatever. Then about 2 years later, we were visiting, and mom was explaining that she'd been going through all their stuff and getting rid of it. She had set aside some things for me to go through, in case I wanted them. One item was this unopened, boxed simmering pot pourri set with violets. She picked it up and said, "I'm not sure where this came from, it's something that's supposed to smell nice, I guess. Do you want it?" For the next couple of years, I didn't even send a card. I don't think she actually noticed.
I got a late Bday present - Blue Oyster Cult's "Workshop of the Telescopes" and Dar Williams' "Mortal City" which had both been on my wish list a long time. Also, another book of poetry by Billy Collins, and really really nice kitchen shears. The obligatory VS undies and really good chocolate also appeared in my stocking. I spent xmas eve and morning working a jigsaw puzzle, and then xmas day, night and boxing morning working another one. The second one was complete to 999 pieces. One piece from almost dead center is missing! But it was fun, and Mavis spent more time working them with me than ever before. Maybe she'll come to appreciate puzzles as much as me someday. Anyway, that's my puzzle quota for the year, I think. But it's a great tradition that my enabling friends seem to enjoy promoting. So thanks again for the puzzles, C & P.
My mom was the very happy recipient of a Heifer Int'l "Basket of Hope." That was a relief to me, because years ago I realized I have very little possiblity of gifting her something she'll actually like. The epitome of regifting happened about 14 years ago. We were pretty broke, but I found this really nice simmering pot pourri set - white ceramic with little purple violets on it, and the pot pourri also had dried violets in it, and since mom's bedroom decor featured these flowers, I thought it was a perfect Mother's Day gift. I scraped up the cash, and got it mailed out on time, and she barely said thank you, but whatever. Then about 2 years later, we were visiting, and mom was explaining that she'd been going through all their stuff and getting rid of it. She had set aside some things for me to go through, in case I wanted them. One item was this unopened, boxed simmering pot pourri set with violets. She picked it up and said, "I'm not sure where this came from, it's something that's supposed to smell nice, I guess. Do you want it?" For the next couple of years, I didn't even send a card. I don't think she actually noticed.
I got a late Bday present - Blue Oyster Cult's "Workshop of the Telescopes" and Dar Williams' "Mortal City" which had both been on my wish list a long time. Also, another book of poetry by Billy Collins, and really really nice kitchen shears. The obligatory VS undies and really good chocolate also appeared in my stocking. I spent xmas eve and morning working a jigsaw puzzle, and then xmas day, night and boxing morning working another one. The second one was complete to 999 pieces. One piece from almost dead center is missing! But it was fun, and Mavis spent more time working them with me than ever before. Maybe she'll come to appreciate puzzles as much as me someday. Anyway, that's my puzzle quota for the year, I think. But it's a great tradition that my enabling friends seem to enjoy promoting. So thanks again for the puzzles, C & P.
But the best thing about christmas besides playing Santa for the kids, has got to be buying yourself something you've wanted for a really long time. We've needed a replacement stand mixer for several years, but have been making do with a hand mixer, and an immersion blender. They're okay, but sometimes you want to turn it on and walk away... Anyway, we'd settled on the 5-qt KitchenAid, but were not really excited about the nearly $300 price tag. Unfortunately, KitchenAid doesn't really go on sale much, so the best we've seen them run is $259 or so, and we usually don't feel inclined to part with that sum when we're making do. But Saturday morning, B was perusing the KitchenAid offerings on Amazon, and came up with a 5-qt that was slightly under that best price. Even with free shipping, I wasn't feeling too inclined to go for it. But then, he came across the Professional Grade! Deluxe! 6 Quart! KitchenAid in Cobalt!Blue! for $255!!!! It was a sign. This baby normally sells for about $500. We went ahead and ordered it, and it will arrive by 12/27. Woo Hoo! But now I have to come up with a permanent place for it to rest, since at 25+ lbs, I'm not inclined to be lifting it in and out of a cupboard on a regular basis. Oh, the tragedy of it all ...
Personally, I'd have to say it was the best christmas EVAH.
no subject
So glad you all had a wonderful holiday! I wish I could've been there to bask in the warmth. ;->
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