My Christmas List

(Quick note: Take a look at the wonderful Secret Santa Spins so far and don't forget! Tonight is the last night to get in on the fun! Email me at spriteskeeper[at]live[dot]com with your short list of favorite blogs!)

"All right, Jen. We're down the the wire. What do you want for Christmas?"

I smiled at John. This was the third time he had asked me, and for the third time I answered simply, "Nothing."

He rolled his eyes, as he had done the past two times. "Come on, there's got to be SOMETHING for you under the tree!"

My smile never wavered and my mouth never opened again. Case closed.

I am typically a very easy person to shop for. If you're looking for a gift for me and happen to be in the vicinity of a Barnes and Noble, Target, or Starbucks, chances are you'll see me smile when I open my gift(card). I never want for anything since I just don't need it. I'm not a clotheshorse, nor a fashionista, not even a purse aficionado.

(Total tangent on the purse thing: My current purse- yes, I have only one- is what John calls "the black hole". It's a big bag on the outside, even bigger on the inside. I lose everything in there. If you call my cell and I don't answer, chances are that I heard it, but had to stop somewhere around my wallet and ask for directions. I have overturned my purse in frustration and anger too many times to count only to lose more patience as I picked everything back up. So, when my mom wanted to know what I coveted for Hanukkah, I kept my eye open for sales on Black Friday and spotted a nice purse with organizational compartments made for someone like me. The price was perfect and I dropped my new purse on the counter as she was paying for other items. "Want to know what I want?" I asked. She looked to the purse I had forced into her pile of purchases. "Happy Hanukkah to me," I added. The purse is now sitting wrapped under our tree while I torture myself for just one more day until I can switch my things from old to new and reduce "the black hole" to more of a dwarf star. I would give the old purse to Sprite, but I'd probably lose her in there.)

John gets annoyed with me when I can't give him concrete answers on what I want, since my answer is always "nothing". (His list was easy. He wanted the World of Warcraft expansion pack. And he got it. Or will get it tomorrow.) So, to appease his growing temper (or completely push him over the edge), I am publishing my list.

What I want for Christmas:

1.To wake up Christmas morning next to my husband (that would be you, John) and smile in anticipation of all the plans we have for our daughter for her first Christmas at home.

2. To see Sprite's face light up with the wonder and excitement that every new activity and gift brings.

3. For my parents to arrive safely upon our doorstep in time to celebrate the ending of Christmas and continuation of Hanukkah with us.

4. For the brisket I will attempt to take on to actually come out okay. (Or we can look forward to spending time together in the ER.)

5.. For my sister, in-laws, nephews, and nieces to know how much we miss being with them at this time of year and to know how hard it was to make this decision to start our own traditions, especially knowing we may not see them.

6. For the economy to stop picking on my family. And my friends, real and blogwise. Let's just say the country as a whole. (I think the economy could use a little Christmas spirit in its eggnog.)

7. To relax in the safety and warmth of my home with the closest people in my world. And my Google Reader.

8. For John to fold the load of laundry that is currently beeping in the dryer and breaking up my concentration. (Just seeing if you're paying attention, babe.)

9. For all my friends, in both the physical and literary sense, to get all of their Christmas wishes.

10. A wonderful memory of Sprite's and my first actual Christmas to carry with me for the rest of my life.

John, if you can find a way to get this all under the tree, you'll have made all my wishes come true. And give Santa a run for his money..

Comments

[Kat]

That would be an epic gift (especially the laundry folding!)

[Casey]

What a great list, I hope you get all of those things. And that your new purse finds you some organization. I don't own a purse, my keys, phone and credit cards all fit nicely in my pocket. I hope Sprite enjoys her first Xmas morning at home!

[Ginger]

Now THAT'S a list! Love it!

[Michelle]

Wonderful list! I hope you get everything on it. Especially number 6. I wish we could all get number 6.
Chag Sameach, Chanukah Tov and Merry Christmas to all of you!

[Baba]

I hope you get everything on your list.
You already know what your getting for the Holidays from me and dad. She (Jen) wraps all gifts for me. Don't start to early ! We would like to be there for the gift giving.

[Michele]

Great list. I hope you get all of it.

Gook luck with the purse thing. I use a messenger bag. Lots of organization and not hard on the shoulder.

Need help with your brisket let me know. I've got a recipe for that.

[Sprite's Keeper]

Er, Mom? I'm gonna have to pass that by John. He's kind of anxious to get under the tree. I'm anxious to get it packed away by the weekend. You helping? (Hint, hint)Don't worry, we'll save some things for you! (And yes, I do wrap all the gifts for my mom. I know what everyone is getting long before they get it.) (And I've never used that to my advantage..) (I know, weird.)

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

I never know what to tell anyone. I think more about what I can get other people. What I wanted this year no one could afford: A new Canon SLR camera and/or a laptop. So, I didn't tell Hubby anything. If he wanted ideas I would have told him a journal and a digital camera card (bigger so I can fit more photos) (of Jonathan of course) (Look at me with the parentheses! I'm like you now! What have you done to me?!)

In the end, though, I don't care about gifts for me. If I can get some for Hubby and Jonathan and watch them enjoy their gifts and then have a good meal with my family....who cares about the rest.

And hey, call your mom! Don't take up space on our comment section. I mean your comment section. You know what I mean. :-) What do I mean? Yeah, I can't wait until I can get out of work at noon!

[Sprite's Keeper]

Ouch, Lisa, has my mother gotten to you too?!?
Okay, I'll call her. (Pfft!) :-)

[Cameron]

What, no shoes or purse or sexy outfits? How bout diamonds?

Have a merry Christukkah, Jen, John, and Sprite!!!

[Rhea]

You're awesome. And easy. That's great. My purse sounds like yours. I have ONE, only one, and I love the biggness. But it would help to have compartments. Where did you find your new one?

[shonda]

I love number one, that's so sweet. I would like the same, except I need to add for my night's rest to be uninterrupted by a four year old and a two year old.

As to the economy, I walked around a closing Dillard's department store yesterday, saw the pitiful sign that begged, "Make Offers On Fixtures" and thought, "Wow, this is really the perfect culmination of the Bush presidency."

Also, how do you make your brisket? I'm a brisket lover myself and since my husband and I farm and ranch, we always have a few in the freezer. I'm always looking for new ways to prepare them.

[Krystal]

Awesome List!!!

BTW - here is the Secret Santa but it won't be available until Friday

http://mommysescape6.wordpress.com/2008/12/24/spin-cycle-secret-santaspin-cycle-secret-santa/

[goodfather]

Great, great list. John's going to have have his hands full.

Congrats on WOLK John! I mean some kind of 'expansion pack' for 'World of Warcraft'. Whatever that is.

Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah to all of you!

[hubbyjohn]

Hey Honey, I'm happy to report that I took care of the laundry issue -- I turned off the beep! :)

[Robin]

Awwww. I love this list. Hope you get everything your heart desires!

[Sprite's Keeper]

John, I foresee a lump of coal in your stocking.. But thanks for the laugh. You DO realize uppence must come now, right?

[The Stiletto Mom]

That is a great list! Who could ask for more than that.

I hope all your Christmas wishes come true and I'm so glad I found you this year!

xoxo
Mary Anne

[Captain Dumbass]

I will happily fold all of your laundry if I can get in on that brisket.

Merry Christmas and enjoy the rest of Hanukkah.

[HeatherPride]

What a wonderful list of Christmas wishes, Jen! Merry Christmas and Happy continued Hanukkah! Good luck on the brisket and cheers to the beginning of new traditions!

[Deemarie]

What a great list!! I hope that John took care of that laundry for you!!!
Did my Spin post!
http://deemarie917.blogspot.com/2008/12/favorite-thing-that-begins-withl.html

[Michele]

BTW, here is my Secret Santa Spin http://michele-dogslife.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-do-i-stalk-thee-let-me-count-ways.html

[Jim]

I hope you get every, last wish :) Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!

[Lee Ann]

I hope you have a wonderful first Christmas and continuing Happy Hannukah! We love you guys and wish we could spend it with you.At least we will be spending New Years with you guys! Can't wait! We have got to get the plans in order for New Years!! Thank you for the great picture of Sprite and the scratch offs! Love you guys!!

[carrie]

Cool List
Merry Christmas in 15 minutes!!