Normally, I don't necessarily like "useful" when it comes to gifts. I live a fairly utilitarian life as it is and rarely can buy unnecessary things for myself, so I sort of hope for things I don't need as much as things that I'd really just like to have. My daughter scored big with me this year by buying me the complete Harry Potter series. Totally unnecessary but, I certainly will love them.
However, this year I also received several gifts that were quite useful, yet that I also will really enjoy using.
In addition to my daughter receiving her first cell phone, I was also given an upgrade to a new phone that is quite nice.
I also received, from my son, a very nice pad that is as long as I am tall that provides both heat and massage for my hip, neck and legs. This is really wonderful and I find that if I use it both before going to sleep and first thing upon waking I am much less painful and can almost hop right out of bed! I think if it weren't for the fact that Steve was getting up and down all night for various reasons, I might have slept the whole night through.
However, my hubby gave me the best gift of all...a beginner's telescope! We have a wonderful place for stargazing because there are absolutely no lights around here. On clear nights, we can see so many stars, it's sometimes hard to pick out which stars go with which constellations. My new telescope should allow me to take the next step beyond identifying constellations and seeing some of the details of the moon with our binoculars. I've done some research via some stargazing websites and according to them, I should be able to pick out some serious detail on the moon, see Saturn's rings, and possibly even pick up some of Jupiter's moons. It will take a certain amount of practice to really get the best out of it, but I'm looking forward to some nights of stargazing now!
The only drawback...after dark it's only about 8 degrees F (that's -13.3 for those who use Celsius). It's too cold to take the telescope out from the warm house...I think there is a distinct possibility of damaging it. However, I am going to set it up in my room and aim it at the moon. It will be a long time before I tire of watching the moon anyway.
