Did you get a present you were truly impressed by?

Yep, and don't laugh. I got an air compressor for Christmas. I really need one out here. I live ten miles down a dirt road and 12 miles from the nearest air pump of any sort. I love it.

How much down is supposed to be in that jacket? I cannot imagine any kind of down jacket being able to be folded as small as you say. I have a raincoat which folds up small and goes into its own pocket and would be about the size you say (or maybe slightly smaller) but its not padded with anything at all, it's just a hip length nylon raincoat with a thin lining. How they could get a down filling into that space also beats me.

Yes, I was impressed that I received any at all.

I was impressed because I was totally surprised by my brother sending computer headphones via Amazon--that, too, after he'd made 2 trips & lots of trouble getting me set up with this computer at home.

Even more...

1 co-worker gave me a pine spray with pretty gold bow. She was also crocheting intricate tiny snowflakes for us, which she didn't quite finished, but we're still impressed by her artistry, as always.

I was especially impressed by those who found time to make food gifts.

On Monday, one neighbor delivered jars of homemade jelly to everyone on the block. Not only that, but it's a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc Wine Jelly, impressive to me. Obviously, it's very much a Wine Country gift.

I've been equally impressed by those who brought me such things as cookies, pumpkin walnut bread, & even leftover roasted veggies. All of this was while I played on Y!A & didn't do a thing. One person even delivered cookies from the persimmon cookie recipe that I'd given her years ago.

How's that for amazing?

Well, I still might find time to bake cookies for the New Year, but I'm not making any promises.

We got a gift from someone who is a casual acquaintance. He did a kindness for us a few years back when we were broke and living on food stamps and we never forgot. Ed does a lot of repair/handyman type of stuff for him and never charges very much. He stopped by on Christmas Eve and gave us a gift and said he considers us family. That was not so much impressive as it was touching and surprising.

Your jacket sounds wonderful. I've never seen anything like that.

That sounds very interesting. Is there any possibility you could give a link to that or a name for the product so that I could search for one. Maybe there is a brand name on the bag or something.

You sound really happy with your present - do post a link or the name of it.

We no longer do Christmas presents, it's too hard to get everyone's taste right.

We have wonderful elaborate family gatherings and dinners that we all enjoy.

That is neat! I havn't seen them yet.

I collect elphants and was expecting an elephant. But not this one! He's a big round tea container painted to look like a big bull elephant. Very different, not expensive, and I love it.

Neat jacket!

We no longer do presents, but I'm blessed with a loving family, and get them whatever they need all year long.

Yes, I did. My daughter came over Christmas Eve and spent the night with me! I could not believe she gave up Christmas Eve with her husband to come and be with me. I wept tears of joy too.

She got up early and started my cooking. She allowed me to sleep in while she carried on with my chores. She gave me the gift of love and there's nothing greater than that.

outstanding poem, Gideon. i think of God could be satisfied if we could all love one yet another. Then, there could be peace on earth, we could shelter 1 yet another greater effective, and, there could be no starvation. the kind of super style of problems on earth could be solved if we only accompanied the ten Commandments, and, repent of our sins. Merry Christmas, Gideon, to You and your loved ones!