Christmas 2005 was a mild little affair at Chez Maggi this year. After being put on medical leave for two weeks due to throat issues on 2004, everything was looking up. However, this year hit past the mark to exceed last year.
The biggest gift came from Apple on my review. I received a very good rating from my current (and relatively new) boss Juan. So I earned a raise that should at least keep me on pace with inflation, or by its formal name, natural gas prices.
Christmas Day was a more laid-back celebration with the afternoon spent at the in-laws house for dinner and gift opening. Seems families love to drag the process out to the point of wearing out my patience. The two kids present (Hunter and Wyatt) were able to contain themselves since this was gift-opening celebration number two that day. Heck, Wyatt had to be awakened from his nap for this, but it didn’t stop him from dumping a load in his drawers, twice. Phew! Aaron and Anje have nostrils made of steel.
I made out pretty well. Video games (Sly Cooper 2 & 3!), a videogame chair (the cats have take it over when I’m not looking), gift cards and a new treadmill. How I miss the old treadmill I put about 500 miles on before the belt gave out.
However, I’m more thrilled over the giving this year. Toys for the kids. The Calvin & Hobbes special books that ran $150 (got ’em at Costco for much less) for my wife and pairs of jeans she likes from Lane Bryant. The iPod Mini appears to be working out for my friend Christina and her daughter Kyra. There are still packages to get out the door due to illness and budget considerations, but more of it has been hung up on the two of us trying to shake this annoying cold.