It's been like Christmas around here...

Or better yet, I suppose it's been like my birthday, since mostly, I'm the only one who's been getting presents! :)

The biggest news is that I am writing this here blog post on my brand new laptop. My awesome dad took it upon himself to roll the next year's worth of presents into one and get me something I really needed. Yay! I love it. Thanks, Dad! (This is honestly going to make such a difference in my grad school work the next 7 months!)

Also, a shout-out to Joel's brother Jem, who came over this morning and actually figured out how to make the laptop pick up the wireless. Turns out it was something fairly simple, but it wasn't something that two fairly experienced computer people (Joel and I) could figure out...we needed someone semi-professional, so thanks Jem!

Before the laptop came, arrived a package from Oz. Then, it really was like Christmas, because Joel and I got Christmas presents from his other brother Jon and his wife Courtney. It'll be a year of knitting ahead of me...thanks guys! I'm not sure if I'm going to start with the string-bikini gloves or the "Live to Knit" washcloths. Nah, in all seriousness, the year-of-knitting calendar is cool, and I have already earmarked a couple of the patterns. :)

On top of that, Joel's mum (yup, she's a mum, not a mom...) sent me a learn-to-knit book which looks quite good...and a couple of very nice balls of yarn. Thanks, Maria!

Oh and goodness, how could I forget?!? I got my new winter coat! Ooooohhheeeee! I love it! It's long (to the knees) and black and warm...what more does a girl need? Seriously, I was so used to getting an instant chill up my back when I left the house before because the coat that I was wearing most of the time was at least 4 years old, and quite worn out. The first morning I went out in my new coat I waited to feel the chill and was thrilled when long moments after I left the house I was still warm, and cozy, and fuzzy and in love with my new coat. This coat is so warm that I have to take it off if I go into a store for more than 10 minutes, because I just get hot. It's great!*

Now, don't misunderstand me...this does not mean that I really want to be outside in the winter time yet... but, it does mean that when I do have to be outside in winter time I will complain less. And this is a good thing right?

There is more Christmas coming up... the book I ordered Joel for Christmas is still on its way from the UK...last email I got said it would be here sometime in Feb. Good thing I ordered it at the beginning of Dec, right? Had I waited any longer I might have to use it as a present next Christmas!

Also, my mom finally sent out my Christmas present from her...on Jan 12. Soooo she's a little late. Better later than never...I'm waiting. :)

Wow...what a horrible post about a whole bunch of material stuff...but mostly, I guess I wanted to say thank you to all the people who gave this stuff. It is nice to get presents, especially the kind that people think about and give you because they know you want or need it. And it's even better when people give you their time and knowledge...so thanks...to all of you! ;)

*Oops! Did I forget to mention that it was my awesome older brother who helped me get my hands on the coat! I did! Well, the outdoors expert helped me pick it out, had his friends help me size it, and then helped me buy it for a fraction of the reg price. :) Can't beat that. Thanks bro! :)