Gifts.

[alpharaposa]

We opened up all the gifts we'd received today. Not only did prester_scott send us chocolate oranges, he sent us Florida chocolate oranges. I look forward to discovering the difference between this and the ordinary chocolate oranges that appear in the local stores. ;)

Both of us received interesting selections from our Amazon wish lists. anher received Barlett's latest, which is something he put on the list way back when he was playing Beast on an X-Men mush. But he was still happy to get it. It's fun to be able to simply flip open a large book and find something pithy.

I received both America Alone: the End of the World as We Know It and The Cube and the Cathedral. I choose to read the lighter (read: Steyn's) work first. Oddly enough, Steyn's book was gifted to me by my decidedly liberal sister-in-law and her husband. Still, they're into politics and ideas, regardless of where they're coming from. This only goes to show how indespensible wish lists can be.

Among my treasures was The Abolition of Man, by CS Lewis, and also a huge, coffee-table sized collection of seven of CS Lewis' works (which includes The Abolition of Man). This was the only serious duplication, and one I don't mind. The big book is neat, but the little one is convenient for those times when I only wish to read one book.

I think anher has received the geekiest reading lamp I've ever seen. It's an automatic LED book lamp. Not only is it an LED, but you press a button and it unfolds itself to be nicely positioned over the page. Score more geek cred for my hubby.

We have more DvDs to watch. Seasons of Sci-Fi shows, mostly, but also some Miyazaki and other anime.

Really, the lists of neat stuff are secondary. Part of the fun was just getting some time to snuggle together on the couch. We started the day with a fire in the fireplace, hot cocoa and cereal (not exactly traditional Christmas breakfast, but hey). Once we tore through the gift wrappings, we cleaned up the paper and watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Not bad. I missed some of the things from the book that they had to skip over while cramming in the plot, but that's a very small complaint for a two hour plus movie.

It was good to watch a movie, with the Christmas tree lights on and a fire. Just us and the kitties, which is a little lonely, but not so bad. I'm feeling much better than I did on Saturday, and even better than yesterday. The gifts of the day are not just the books and DvDs, but also the time to sit by a fire and snuggle kitties. And beyond that, of course, the big gift. God gave us Himself on Christmas. We want Him, and ask for Him constantly. That's a thought that has been burbling on the back burner for a while, now. Every time I see another movie or show where Santa Claus is really real in spite of the doubters, I think about that need.

A whole day of Mythbusters on TV hasn't hurt my mood, either. Science! Blowing things up!

Comments

[jocelmeow.livejournal.com]

Uh oh. I don't *think* the Steyn was from us - just in case there's someone else a note should go to, here's what I have as having sent along:

* 1 of: My Favorite Things [Original recording reissued]
Sold by: Amazon.com
* 1 of: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh (Aladdin Fantasy)
Sold by: Amazon.com
* 1 of: Bridge to Terabithia (rpkg) (HarperClassics)
Sold by: Amazon.com
* 1 of: Princess Mononoke
Sold by: Amazon.com
* 1 of: Tenacious D [Explicit Lyrics]
Sold by: Amazon.com
* 1 of: The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time
Sold by: Amazon.com
* 1 of: A Christmas Together
Sold by: Amazon.com

[stryck.livejournal.com]

Whoops! I went and sorted through the little receipts and messages. Looks like America Alone was from mom-in-law and co.

[prester-scott.livejournal.com]

Florida chocolate oranges are chocolate oranges that are sold here, of course. Betcha can't get those anywhere else!