Dear Santa –

I’ve learned that lists are necessary, so here y’go. I’m quite thankful for all that you bring me each year, and throughout the year. Honestly, I’m quite spoiled and overflowing with blessings…

Not sure how the whole winter will stack up, but I’ve been granted garage space in my current lodging, so I still have de-icing spray (somewhere in the trunk).

As always, square boxes of tissues from Sam’s Club, and any crunchy, chocolate, granola, mint, caramel, Spree (original, not chewy), rice crackers (found in Aldi’s or WalMart’s Asian Trail Mix), cheese, beef jerky (not the sausages), fruit (fresh or gummy, not candied), nuts… y’know, about 85% of what can be found on the Sam’s munchie rack. Italian wedding soup (Campbell’s over Progresso) and canned mushrooms would also be nice, or the Sargento Balanced Breaks (any).

Gift cards are always a hit – Aldi’s, Speedway, Chick-fil-A, Kroger, McD’s, Texas Roadhouse, Wal-Mart, Red Lobster, Arby’s, Trader Joe’s, Mark Pi’s (they have one here!)… I mentioned Aldi’s & Chick-fil-A, right??

Tea – Lady Grey & mint are favorites, not excited about most others. I have plenty of Sweet-n-Low and hot chocolate, and a hot water pot that accepts Keurig Cups. Cider, lemonade powder, and creamers (caramel, irish cream, french vanilla, hazelnut) are nice too. Just remember, my pantry’s in my closet with clothes & shoes & hair do-dads & more.

An aroma necklace would be lovely, I have oils already. I’m including a link, but it’s basically a locket with an open design on the front and felt pads inside to hold oil. The right smells are supposed to reduce anxiety – if it works in the grocery store, I’ll be most grateful! (Turns out they exist for car vents too – not interested in a bracelet.)

The Entrusted lesson series by Beth Moore from Lifeway. I have the workbook, missed my opportunity to see the teaching videos. Unfortunately, the video rental arrangement has a limit of 2 weeks — that won’t work.

Nichol Sponberg album, On Our Way Home.

Telescoping Back Scratcher (or two).

Small (glovebox) First Aid Kit (or just the refill stuff).

Wisp disposable toothbrushes by Colgate. I prefer mint, cinnamon’s fine too. Stores stopped carrying them, but they show up online.

Short Ink Pens – they look stubby, but fit in my smaller purse or pocket quite nicely, and I can still write with them. I like fine points. Haven’t found them in stores, but they show up online.

An extra-fat bottle-brush for cleaning my water bottle…it’s just narrow enough that my hand would get trapped, and I’d look quite silly with a blue bottle hanging off my arm. It would also make clear signing much more difficult.

Current subscriptions are to Geocaching.com (jmjhil), AAA (yes, I surrendered & subscribed), and Adobe’s Photography suite for Photoshop. I don’t know how they handle overlap, trust they’d just tack it on to next renewal date. One might suppose a subscription to Sirius, but nope, I’ve got my Moody Radio station and it keeps me happy (and well fed). Now, a broadcast map with station numbers on it would be great!

A trip to the Museum of the Bible near DC. (If we do this, all above is off, including chocolate, ‘K?)

Some Tuesdays or Weekends on the schedule to meet up around Richmond for museums, shopping, and other fun sights. Key here is _on_the_schedule_ – I know life messes with the calendar, but when we don’t at least try to plan, we don’t do anything. There’s a fairy garden tour, likely a Mom & Rita thing more than a Dad thing…and car museums, likely a Dad thing more than Mom…you get the idea. A collection of proposed dates would be fabulous.

A sewing weekend with Mom. There are things I don’t know yet, like dealing with non-cotton fabrics, zippers, and maybe (?) sleeves. I also stink at any round/circular sewing…may still after training, too. Oh…and I now have a box (yup, box) of zippers and grommets that require more experience than I have.

A wood weekend with Dad. Specifically, for the two of us to build a scale model of my tiny house design. I realize that over 85% of the gift will be getting Dad to agree to the concept, but you can convince him that a scale model will demonstrate which one of us is a little impractical (as though there’s a doubt).

And Santa, if you’ve got a few elves who enjoy good food, mention the Dine & Donate fundraisers & encourage them to schedule a few in 2019. Culver’s, Panera, Chick-fil-A, Texas Roadhouse, and more will share profits from a specific date & time with non-profit organizations. Silent Blessings can also receive funds through Amazon Smile — y’know, for those online items.

As always, pick a thing or three from the list…I don’t need everything (and don’t have space for much). I’m quite well taken care of, as needs go, and somewhat spoiled as wants go. World Peace would be on my list, but Jesus has already promised we’ll have that later – unfortunately, there will be more craziness first.

Merry Christmas!!

OH! Raisin Pie – always the raisin pie 😀