Thursday Thirteen Best Gifts I've Ever Received

Thirteen Of The Best Gifts I've Ever Received 1. Nosy When I was sixteen, my cat Ziggy Stardust had to be put to sleep. He had FIV, the feline version of AIDS, and his liver failed. I was crushed, and I knew I couldn't get another cat because I was going to graduate in a year's time and leave for college. My father surprised me by taking me to Austin to get me another cat, and we came home with Nosy, a very funny-looking Siamese. He's still here, arthritic, cranky, and still very, very funny-looking! 2. An electric guitar I wanted this so bad, I casually mentioned I'd like it for my birthday about seventy times. A day. So my parents got it for me two weeks early, just to make me happy. It made me cry! 3. A chocolate easter bunny I got married in February of '96, and happened to mention to my then-husband that I'd never had a chocolate easter bunny. He got me one, a huge, painted, iced, delicious bunny... mmm, now I'm craving chocolate... 4. A garnet ring I'm a big fan of getting myself birthday and Christmas presents. I bought that ring for myself (from the Home Shopping Network, haha!), and I get tons of compliments on it. More than that, I just love it. Best $22 I ever spent! 5. Word 2003 From my brother, who said an author shouldn't be using a Word program almost 10 years out of date. 6. The nickname "Aimless" Because it came from an online community of authors and writers who mean the world to me. They're the most supportive and snarktastic people I've ever met, and when I got dubbed with my "cavename," it meant I was one of 'em. 7. Bunkbeds These came from my best friend's mother, and were given to me right when I was starting to establish myself after nursing school. I'd bought a house, gotten a job, and then my vehicle died before I could get nice beds for my sons. The money I'd saved up for beds had to go toward a new car, and I was in a panic! They gave me these heavy, sturdy, high-quality oak bunk beds that can be separated into two twin beds, and I was--and am--immensely grateful. 8. Self-confidence Some might not think this is a gift, but I disagree. My family gave this to me by always believing in me. I hope to pass it on to my boys. 9. Many computers I am very, very fortunate to be the daughter of a computer freak, and the sister of an even bigger computer freak. Whenever their computer wasn't the bestest and fastest and mostest ever, I got a hand-me-down system that still kicked large amounts of ass. I didn't have to buy my own computer until two years ago! 10. Letters After high school, I joined the Navy. (I was injured in boot camp and discharged after about 11 weeks.) The first few weeks of boot camp, recruits aren't allowed to get mail. My father wrote a short letter for every day of those first weeks and hid them in my luggage so I'd find them when I arrived. I still have them. 11. Meteorites From my father--three of them he's found over the years. I'm fascinated by space, and I love those things! 12. My sewing machine From my ex-husband. I wasn't wild about it at the time, but man, I use the heck outta that thing now. Why did I ever think I didn't need a sewing machine? 13. My sons I tell them frequently that they're the best toys I've ever had! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


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