show and tell

What day is it?  Thursday, you say?   Anybody else lose track of what day it is during the holidays?
Looks like we made it into the start of another year.  2020, let the vision puns begin.

We don't make much of a big deal with Christmas gifts since the kids have gotten older.  I still like to buy them things, but their interests get more specific and expensive with age.  So we prefer to give experiences - trips or something to "do" rather than "have".  This year was very low key since we just moved and didn't want to leave the animals to fend for themselves just yet.

I remember when I was in elementary school and teachers would have a show-and-tell after winter break for kids to bring in stuff they got.  That practice probably ended years ago, since not everyone celebrates Christmas or receives a big haul.

With that in mind, I do have some newness that I bought for myself for show and tell.  So not necessarily holiday gifts, but they coulda been.

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 1 is this mini waist pack thing I picked up for a steal at Sierra Trading Post.  It's tiny and lightweight and stretches just enough to hold my phone for when I go running.

I don't like to carry much with me when I'm running, and usually don't bring my phone.  But since we just moved and the surroundings are still a bit unfamiliar, I feel better having the phone with me for now.  This belt/ waist pak has served me well already

Next up...






this marijuana lotion I found at Whole Foods yesterday.  I did go there for lotion, so this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment purchase.  As I was deciding which Andalou Naturals to pick, I noticed two of the choices had what looked like a marijuana plant on the labels.

Upon further examination, I found the lotion includes hemp stem cells and organic hemp seed oil.   I have no idea what role those would play in skin care, but it was the same price as the  non-weed lotions, so what the hell.

I have not used much of it yet.  I'll keep the blog posted as to whether it makes me happier/ more mellow or not.

And speaking of show-and-tell, our house back in Colorado Springs is officially on the market now.  It's weird to see it online, all dressed up.  In reality, it's sitting there empty.  Online, it's been virtually staged as if someone still lives there, but... who?

Pictures including tasteful furnishings, rugs, plants, and wall hangings make it nearly unrecognizable to those of us who know of its most recent appearance.  I'm all, "Where are the gaming consoles?  The amateur artworks? The guitar amps? The pet toys and random shoes and what not?"  It looks like a showcase from "Let's Make a Deal" or "The Price is Right".

So we're entertained by the transformation.  Kids have texted things like, "... so uncomfortable", "the weirdest...", and "holy sh*t..."  One most humorous thing is the much loved you-crank-it pencil sharpener that Magnum hard mounted to a corner of the kitchen counter many years ago.  It's still there.  Here's one of the fancy-pants realtor pics

See it?  The pencil sharpener?  It seems almost to speak to me..."take me with youuuuu!!!!"


Have you Secret Santa-ed yourself?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linking up with Mama Kat this week for the prompt:
4. Did you buy yourself any gifts this holiday season? Share what you selected for yourself.