Wednesday, March 14, 2007

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From my brother, who said an author shouldn't be using a Word program almost 10 years out of date.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!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



22 comments:

Denise Patrick said...

Great list, but I really think #13 should be #1.

Amelia Elias said...

I saved the best for last, Denise! *grin*

Unknown said...

Awww, great list. Sounds like you have an awesome family!

Chelle

Anonymous said...

You were in the navy? It's amazing how many different experiences most of us manage to cram into one lifetime.

My husband's a computer geek - so I'm never without a computer or computer assistance for long.

My list is up too - all about chickens.

Di said...

Yes...kids are great gifts...and my son was kind enough to be born on December 23, so in addition to the gift of his presence, I got to spend a lovely quiet Christmas alone with my new son while my husband and daughter did the whole family chaos thing!

And the bunk beds? We have a whole summer house done in what I call, "Goodwill Chic"...basically stuff that our friends wanted to get rid of! It serves its purpose and the price is sure right!

Wylie Kinson said...

Your cat was named Ziggy Stardust? Oh, I love it!
But we're dating ourselves!

Mo and The Purries said...

That's a great list -- and yeah, I think you saved the best for last, too! Although it's hard to top chocolate & garnets!
:)

Great TT!
It’s A Blog Eat Blog World

Nancy Lindquist-Liedel said...

I love your number thirteen. I've got four boys and I just love the stuffin out of em. Much to my nine year olds horror.

Amanda Young said...

Cute list, Amelia. I still have a shoebox filled with old love letters from high school hiding somewhere in the house.

Mercy's Maid said...

Meteorites? Wow! Not many people can say they've been given meteorites. :) Fun list. Thanks for stopping by my 13.

Tina Bendoni said...

Anyone I have ever known that was in the armed forces tells me that the letters they get while in boot camp saved their sanity. It makes me feel better for having been the phone call one guy made every week. I never realized how much he needed it until after.

Unknown said...

I love you list! It's wonderful to take stock of what we have in our lives that makes us happy.

Bianca D'Arc said...

Great list! Sounds like your family is a little like mine with the love of computers and the final frontier. BTW, did I ever mention to you how much I loved Hunted and Outcast? Really excellent reads!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

now that is a great list...

smiles, bee

Joan said...

I agree that #13 is probably actually #1 in importance! thanks for coming by my blog.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic list, especially 8, 10 and 13. :-)

Crazy Working Mom said...

What an awesome list!! I loved it. I especially liked the letters from your father. He must be a great man!

Angela James said...

I'm not sure I could come up with 13 things like that. What a great list!

Claire said...

What a cool list, your dad sounds so lovely.
And the meteorites sound cool, do you have pictures?
Definitely agree that 8 is a gift, its a shame you cant wrap it up and pass it on.
Thanks for visiting me, you did very well on my list. The rest of the definitions are up now.
toodle pip.

Tempest Knight said...

#2 reminded me of my parents buying me my first amp for my electric guitar. A double-stack Marshall. It was loud, but they didn't care. :)

Christina (BookTasty) said...

I also LOVE getting letters (or cards) in the mail. It means so much more! :)

Andi said...

I absoulutely LOVE THIS LIST!!!