Christmas was great--everyone was feeling well, and a nice time was had by all (I think). As my sister and her family weren't coming to my parents' home until Christmas Day, it was just the 4 of us that evening, and we decided not to go to the Christmas Eve communion service at Mom and Dad's church, which is the church where I was raised and G and I got married. It hasn't seemed the same as it used to for the last several years. On Christmas Day, though, I was sorry we hadn't gone and will plan to go next year, even if I go by myself.

G and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve (so we can have that time to ourselves), and he came in with my gift and said he hadn't wrapped it, but he wanted me to go on and open it. It was in a Best Buy bag, and I was expecting my Monkees DVDs, but it was a digital camera, along with several accessories. It's very nice, but I wanted to wring his neck. #1, I don't have a job. With my unemployment checks, there's not going to be a lot less money coming in, but there also won't be any insurance money or 401(k) taken out. AAAAAAAAARGH!! What was he thinking? It's partly for him, too. There's a really nice camera he wants, but can't afford right now unless his frogs or chameleons make some babies he can sell very soon. The other reason I was annoyed was because all I asked for was the Monkees DVD set from the 1st season. Well, turns out, he got me that, too, along with the second season. We weren't supposed to be getting each other much. I didn't get him much, but I'd done pretty well the last couple of years. I really can't fuss, but sometimes I wish he'd be a little more practical.

One of the great things about this year is that we didn't come home loaded down with candy, cookies, or even the Chex mix my dad makes. This is my dad's biggest gourmet item. Most of his cooking consists of grilling steaks or burgers, or frying eggs once in a blue moon. My mom is a great cook and Dad is pretty sedentary, so this once a year whirlwind of activity is greatly anticipated. Mom didn't make candy and we were just sent home with the country ham and the cheese Dad bought for us. We brought home some sliced beef from G's sister's house, but he'd polished that off by the next morning. We'll be bad tomorrow for New Year's Eve, but can make up for it.

Another great thing about Christmas this year was the lack of excess stuff. My parents gave us a food processor, cash, and an insulated vest for G, and a sweater (leather!) for me. We got a new phone from my sister and BIL. And we'd drawn names with G's sisters, so he got kayak accessories he'd asked for, while I got a sweater and a Target gift card. Mind you, his sister had lost the list I made, but said she remembered the gift card (I'd put down a Best Buy gift card, but Target's fab! I got the Beatles 1 with it and still have $$ left). To understand why this was so great, know that for my birthday this year, his sisters got me a little wicker chair with silk flowers in it, and a straw purse and hat. All hail gift cards!!