Holidays

I'm glad for the holidays to arrive. I love the extra time and attention we give to family, and the fun of seeing the kids with our relatives. We had thanksgiving with Nina's family, at her sister Suzy's. The Snowbabies were in fine form, keeping us all enthralled with their cooing and how they take everything in with their wide eyes. Nina and I tried out my mom's recipe for stuffing, and found a crock pot recipe for green bean casserole. The food was great, the time with family was great, and I even didn't mind losing at Train.

Now begins the Christmas season. I've already been out shopping this morning -- go figure. I woke up real early, and felt like going out in the early crowds, for some odd reason. The lines were a little long, but everyone was civil -- except for one guy who was too important to wait 10 minutes or so, and left swearing about it. I'm sure Santa's got a lump of coal with his name on it.

For some reason, I really enjoy being out in a busy mall during the height of Christmas shopping season. I enjoy it less if I have to find a gift for someone, to be honest. It's more fun to just wander through, watching all the people, hearing the Christmas Muzak, and just feeling superior for having done the important shopping early. And online.

But let's face it: The only shopping I really have to do is a present for Nina. Once I get that done, I'm good. Nina gets the ideas for gifts for everyone else, and though I may be the one to actually go buy them, she's done all the heavy lifting for the season. I don't have to wander aimlessly in the mall, wondering what I'm going to get parents, siblings, and kids. It's good to be part of an "and" (as in "Tim and Nina" on the gift tag).

Now, you may be wondering (and I'm sure you all are), "What does Tim want for Christmas?" I'm glad you asked. I present, for your edification, my Christmas wish list for 2004:

• An orchestral recording of Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition."
• The Isao Tomita electronic recording of Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition." (A favorite of mine from my Dad's collection when I was a kid.)
• A new toaster oven. (Yeah, I know it's a "shovel," but it would actually be nice to have!)
• The Star Wars Trilogy on DVD (widescreen edition)
• Any of the Hillsong worship CDs.
• One of those cool Braun shavers with the cleaner in the charging base. I might start shaving more than once a week!
• An iPod. Hey, a geek can dream, can't he?

Of course, I will be just as happy to get the usual shirts, socks, gag gifts, and the cards and letters from all of my friends and family.

Now I'm going to break out my case of Christmas CDs, and start my annual overdose of holiday music.