Monday, December 27, 2010

I'm So Spoiled....


Wow. Could I be any more spoiled? Hmmm...let me think about it.

NOPE.


Before I get to my annual Loot List from my husband and kids, I have to mention two other gifts I received. My mom gave me my yearly Franklin Planner pages, which I would totally be lost without. I carry my planner with me wherever I go and I truly appreciate her renewing my pages every year. Mom is such a blessing!

My dad did something cool this year. He had one of our old movie reels transferred onto a DVD. When I popped it in the DVD player, I realized I had never seen those particular clips. They were of me when I was a baby, through about age 5. Talk about priceless. And not to brag or anything, but I was so darn cute! :-) He made a copy for my mom, too, which I think was pretty thoughtful.

Now, on to the spoiling I got from my fam.:

* Those who know me well know that I battle neck issues. I have one of those older model shiatsu massagers that are boxy and difficult to maneuver over problem areas, so I rarely use it. When I saw a new softer version that conforms to your neck with various settings (vibrate, shiatsu and heat) in the Bed, Bath & Beyond circular ad, I put it on my list. And my amazing family came through. Not sure if they wanted to bless me or are just glad to get out of having to rub my neck anymore, but it really doesn't matter to me. My neck thanks them!

* I love Smelly Stuff... especially Dark Kiss and Twilight Woods shower gel and lotion...two amazing scents from Bath & Body. I have enough now to last me a few months. Ah....

* There's not much I like more than shopping, and JC Penney tops my list of places to go. They carry the brands that seem to fit me best and I can't wait to get to the mall.


* OK, there is one thing I like more than shopping and that is going to the movies. Yes, I'm quite the addict and my family knows it. That's why they got me a Celebration Cinema gift card. Woot!


* Another favorite thing to do is meet friends for coffee. And because I now have a Biggby gift card, I won't have to pull out my wallet for a while.

* Have you seen gas prices lately? Ridiculous! Which is why I am geeked about my gas gift card. My family thought it was kind of cheesy, but now that I'm taking in less money because the consignment store where I worked closed down, this gas card will come in handy! I love it!

* More shopping...this time at Bed, Bath & Beyond. I love this store and find the coolest stuff there. Plus, they always have great coupons. Being Dutch and taking in less money every month, this works for me!

* For a while now, I've wanted a book I can use for a portfolio of sorts. Something I can display all of my writing articles, greeting cards, and awards. I got the coolest book just for that. Now I get to have fun putting it all together.  I'll try to post some pics when I'm done.

See? TOLD you I was spoiled!

But the most precious gift my family gave me this year was themselves. We had the best time on Christmas Eve, playing games (we made up some cool new rules for Sorry Sliders), eating subs, and opening gifts. It's not often that we're all together (those with teenagers can surely relate!), so a day like this is to be treasured. Before we know it, the kids will have their own families (hopefully not TOO before-we-know-it), which is even more of a reason to savor the moment.

So what about you? What did "Santa" bring you this year?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, it's so much fun reading this and all the nifty gifts you got.

I was given a candle from my friend, it smells like Mint Chocolate! I love it because it reminds me of the girl scout cookies, thin mints.

I also got, Pajamas, a Baltimore Ravens purse, the Sims 3 for DS, a best buy gift card, a wal-mart gift card and my brother & sister-in-law gave me a monopoly card game, a sketching pad and pencil set.

That about covers it. I love everything I got too! :)

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Great gift list! Isn't it fun?

Rose McCauley said...

Hi Lynda, I'll play. Loved your loot list! I also feel spoiled and blessed that my family knows me so well. My dear hubby went all out, with my usual gift certificates for massages and scrapbook supplies, then he added a Live Scribe pen and notebooks which I had first seen at the ACFW conference, and a new Bible, and lots of dark chocolate. My children also know me well, and got me a sweater and 2 tops and a gift certificate for a photo setting for a family portrait which we haven't had done since our yougest daughter's wedding 3 1/2 years ago. So color me happy! rose

Joanne Sher said...

Hubby got me a digital photo keychain, which I LOVE (and, of course, the computer I am typing on LOL back when I really needed it a couple months ago). Kids got me cute little "kid stuff" - and my folks showered us with gift cards. GOOD stuff.

And I LOVE that stuff YOU got too.

Susan said...

Congratulations on all your loot, Linda. So happy you got so many things your heart desired.

It was a wonderful Christmas here, too. My daughter made numerous pieces of dollhouse furniture for my miniatures hobby. My son gave me a new Santa for my humongous collection of those and my husband gave me a photographing "studio" of sorts for my eBay business!

There were many other gifts from friends and family, too. My fave was a soft pink throw with little "diamonds" all over it, to use on my lap in the living room near the fire. Luxurious!

My heart is so filled to the brim with gratitude. Susan

Susan said...

p.s. Sorry, spelled your name in the traditional way. I MEANT to write LYNDA. Susan

Dara said...

Got lots and lots of chocolate. Spent time with my sis making kolachky (an Eastern European fruit cookie). Got some earrings and some cute things for the baby. Got Wii Sports Resort too and can't forget my Nook from in-laws! Surprisingly no gift cards this year BUT hubby and I got a significant chunk of cash to help us with finishing the basement (to buy a nice shower stall) and to purchase a video camera. Yeah, we're spoiled too.

Diane said...

Quite the haul. Yippee!!! :O)

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Glad to see I'm not the only spoiled one! Sounds like everyone took in an abundance of blessings.

Susan...don't worry about the spelling. I honestly don't even notice it anymore. :-)

Vonnie said...

Well, rah rah rah for all you princesses!. I'll tell you what I got for Christmas....I was blessed with a couple dogs who barked for an hour while I was trying to sleep. I was given the great opportunity of working my rump off wiping up dirty butts, having meds in pudding spit in my face and listening to wanh wanh griping. I was also blessed with an aching back, not one, but two sore feet and one head that I wanted to have chopped off my shoulders so hip hip hooray for the princessess......
Ahh, not really, just joshin' teehee. Just had to add a little bah, humbug!
Actually, I'm Lynda's Mom, absolutely love love love the loot and I had a most wonderful Christmas. But the most awesome was having the whole family together, hearing the laughter, seeing the smiles and watching the interactions and caring that was going on between our mixed bunch of adults. To see kids from so many different backgrounds come together in love makes my heart leap with joy. (isn't that the saddest, most over-used phrase ever, all you authors?)And, of course, we happen to have THE most beautiful, adorable, smart, funny and precious grandchildren on the face of the earth so, well, who could possibly be more blessed than us, I ask.
Well, gotta run...Michaels, Family Bookstore, Hobby Lobby...they're all waiting for my visit. Have a New Year filled with new adventures and new insights into God's love.

Lynda Lee Schab said...

hahaha...yes, I have to agree that you DO have the THE most beautiful, adorable, smart, funny and precious grandchildren on the face of the earth. Of course, look at their grandmother. Is it any wonder? Love you!

Raquel Byrnes said...

Completely jealous! Sounds like a wonderful spa weekend is in your future with all those goodies. The portfolio sounds like both a great gift and a smart idea.
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