Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Steemit! Another year. A little more humble than last, but what we lacked in extravagant bull market gifts, we definitely made up for in quality family time. Last year, markets were all green. I remember taking my mom, @bonni, to the Apple Store to buy my stepdad an Apple Watch. She kept saying “No, no. Don’t do that. It’s too much.”. I remember showing her that by the time we left the store, I’d made more than the watch itself. Certainly not how this Christmas turned out, but it kept us humble and reminded us what the real gifts in life are about. And, hey. Look at this Christmas market!

This year, Christmas shopping started early. I remember cringing as I sold crypto at November prices to buy the fancier gifts. As it turned out, not the worst idea. My last trip to LA was just before Thanksgiving. Fortunately, doing that time I was able to get ahead buying most of @guthrie’s presents with fiat, not having to touch my crypto-portfolio. I’m a notorious last minute shopper. I procrastinate, then wallow in my own reality while shuffling through the aisles at Target late Christmas Even. I ended up there this year as well, but just to buy food for a modest Christmas dinner.

Another convenient outcome for this Holiday was @guthrie’s wishlist. He’s a good kid. Not overly materialistic, and appreciative for the things he has. When asked what’s his favorite thing in life, he will always reply “family”. He does like he gadgets, iPad and electronics. He’s a hardcore gamer, be it iOS, PC, or PS4. This is a trait that has been passed down three generations. This year, though, his requests for relatively easy […and affordable]. Top shelf items included NERF guns, “fox things”, and a Indoraptor mask from Jurassic World […undoubtedly something he saw on YouTube].

@bonni and Grandpa bought him some utility gifts, like a new backpack. @vermillionfox also got a new backpack and a few other special gifts that I’ll leave for her to share her on Steemit. I also bought @guthrie a few trade paperbacks of Adventure Time. He’s really excelling at reading and I’m hoping these will keep him actively literate. I was able to share the entire morning with @bonni, Grandpa Hal and even Opa, @guthrie’s Great Grandfather. We take for granted innovations like Skype and FaceTime, but moments like this really allow me to appreciate the ability to connect with loved ones far away.

Seeing him open these things brought be a lot of joy. He was deeply thankful for his gifts. I managed to pull a full cost saving moves putting together a craft box. An $8 wooden box from Target, complete with glue, popsicle sticks, buttons, pipe cleaners, pens, pencils, stickers, scissors, etc. Over the last few weeks, @guthrie has taken breaks from his iPad. A few days here and there. During that time, his creativity really flourished, creating small paper dolls from his favorite games and drawing comics, something that makes me so happy. I’m hoping the craft box is put to use.

Thanks for reading. I hope everyone had a great Holiday. I bumped in to @timcliff and @artist1989 during that Christmas Even Target run. Yeah, we’re all dealing with this slump, but the friends and memories I’ve made here on Steemit far exceed the value of STEEM. I’m going in to 2019 being humbled by 2018, but accepting a measured future and almost no expectations. I’m looking to work on fun projects like @coppercoins with @ghostfish, @axiomproject in the spring, and to reconnect with my photography career and remember when I wanted what I currently have.

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