Celebrate

I think its time to celebrate.....I believe everyone's lists have been posted.

Great job! Now the shopping part, my favorite (ha ha).

The poll re: the new tradition of a sort of prize-winning fun game is still up in the air. I'd love to know anyone's thoughts. It was a tie between "yes" and "just tell me what to do" so at this time I will wait to see if anyone has some thoughts and then either 1) wait until its too late and not do it or 2) decide to do it and see if it is so fun we will never have another holiday without.

let me know any thoughts, comments are fine.

Mike and Tracey's Updated Wish List

Mikes update to list:

Gift Certificates to Cabela, Yen Yen in Gardner and Papa Gino's

Tracey's update to list:
Redkin Blonde Glam Shampoo and Conditioner
Gift Certificate to D'Angalo

Papa'a List

Taken directly from the email -
Ok: I'm practical:
Cabela's LA92-1322 2XL shooting gloves


Jeans: DESIGNER 42/30 I have no buns but my thighs are out of sight. Relaxed fit I guess is what they are called - my wife (also a nag) wants me spiffi up if we go out casual. She doesn't want me in the $14.95 Wal-Marts


Flur. orange hooded, sweat-shirt 2XL

My favorite lotion is Saxon; Woodspice after shave. The one I now luse was bought in the 60's


MA sporting license and stamps - next year the cheap bastards can buy mine. At 70 I get for free!
Do not laugh - I have nothing else on my list.

Tracey's Wish List

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Bath and Shower Gel
Gift Cards(no particular preference): Penzyes Spice, Walmart, Five Guys, Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Wendys, McDonalds, Red Robin.

Tracey's List

Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Bath and Shower Gel

Gift Cards: No particular preference for the following:

Wendy's, McDonalds, Walmart, Borders, Barnes and Nobel, Red Robin, Five Guys, Penzeys Spice.

Mike List

Pampered Chef Kitchen Spritzer-#2506
Small Muffin Cups Baking Pans-two of them

Malakai Kieran Kraskouskas

Clothes size 10 Regular lands end fits perfectly but is starting to grow out of...will prob be in size 12 by this summer.

Shoe size 6 to 6.5

Snowboarding paraphenalia. Loves Shaun White. This could be chapstick, cool neck warmer, warming things, decals for his board, matching hat and gloves (he goes through several as some get wet and we need dry to account for his constantly being outside) or gc to the snack bar or something at wachusett mountain.

Legos. I heard from him (this is mama posting this because I am so sick of asking Malakai to write down his list that I am enabling him and doing it for him) Still loves Legos. Star Wars, Boba Fet something something has so many doesn't know what to do and never picks them up but still wants more di more di more di.

Vans shoes. Loves them he is in size 6 right now.

Clone Wars stuff.
Star Wars Stuff.
Sheet sets (flannel or cotton) for his double bed
Silk thermal or other thin underthermal underwear for snowboarding/outside
a new sweet shovel for shoveling snow
tools for making bike jumps (shovel, cart, stomper, etc)
tools for making sling shots
books on making simple tools and weapons (ie sling shots, catapults etc)
headbands
beads for his hair
alarm clock that is able to wake him up


that is all i will post for now, i think it is plenty. he can add or refine as he desires later.

Chris' CHRIStmas List

I am kind of wearing the heel of my favorites shoes out - they are Keens...I looked on the Keen website for ideas...

I would like a pair of brown size 12 shoes, I will put some styles and colors that I like down. Some of the colors say black, even though they are brown...

Kelona WP Lace in the color slate black

Finlay in the color bison

Austin in the colors woodbury, black olive or potting soil

I am also eyeing a pair of fleece lined jeans like LL Bean's Double L relaxed fit (40x30).

And lastly a book that I am sure will provide hours of great sleep: The Handbook of Fractures by Koval. The soft cover version is good to lug back and forth to work while on call....

Hope everyone is doing well and Happy Holidays...

Bonnie's Christmas List

Now that I have assisted 2 out of 3 in my household create their lists - I will provide my wishlist:

Soft Furry Blanket like this or like this. Blanket does not have to be exactly like these- just want a very, very soft blanket for relaxing. (The new year is going to be more relaxing - I just know it;-o)

K-Cups for my Keurig coffee maker - coffee any flavor (lots of coffee) but also enjoy the tea (decaf) and hot cocoa

Mini Donut maker or Mini Cupcake Maker - not that I need another kitchen appliance but these seem like they would be quite fun. (It does not need to be exactly like these from Target, similar from any other source is fine - however, I have been looking recently and Target is the best price I have found for these).

Hay Bag Feeder for the goats- like this. We have one, but a second one would be nice so that they don't fight over the one. Taz is really pushy!!!

Hay Bale Bag with Wheels for transporting and storing goats' hay.

Slippers - any soft fluffy type style - but good luck finding them in a size 11!!

Generalities about me - my favorite color is purple; I really like giraffes and anything giraffe print (they are such spectacular animals - so big and yet so graceful); I love eating out - my favorite chain restaurants are Olive Garden, Marie Calendars, Red Robin, Outback Steakhouse, Famous Dave's, Stanfords; I also like shopping at budget type stores - Target, WalMart, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Old Navy and online - LL Bean, Lands End, ThinkGeek, and Amazon.

Young-Tony's list

Mr T says " I pity the fool that sets off this 120 DB Lock Alarm"
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/departments/tools-shop/shop-gear-organization/organizers-shop-organization/35525.aspx?feature=product_7
This item can be found at Duluth Trading in Duluth MN

Chamois Cloth Shirt-size Large/Tall please Green, Deep Blue or Red
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/22611?feat=813-GN1

Magic Trackpad
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC380LL/Afnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=MTg1ODE3MDE
The Magic Trackpad - can replace the mouse - the trackpad on Katie's MacBook is awesome - way better than the one on ours.

Oregon Scientific THWR800 Wireless Floating Temperature Sensor
http://www.google.com/products/catalogl=en&expIds=17259,17291,27615,27744&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=wireless+pool+thermometer&cp=12&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13050387631713906118&ei=WATzTJnBFoiosAOlocisCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CCsQ8wIwAQ#

Widget Removal Notice

Thanks to Jenn for informing me that widgets make Mac Users Blogs run slowly. I have removed most of them excep the Santa Countdown thing. If it still is too slow I can remove that, too. Everyone seems to be doing a great blog with their lists. Keep it up!

Katie Marie's Christmas Wishlist

New Timex Watch- any color, Woman's WR 100 M is preferred (on amazon for $32, the url is http://www.amazon.com/Timex-Womens-T5B721-Ironman-Triathlon/dp/B00020J1GW/ref=sr_1_21?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1290962413&sr=1-21 )

Squire-Protector of the Small book 3 (also on amazon for $3.36, the url is http://www.amazon.com/Squire-Book-Protector-Small-Quartet/dp/0679889191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290962272&sr=1-1 )

Book- Sailor Mercury: Ice (on amazon for $3.95, the url is http://www.amazon.com/Meet-Sailor-Mercury-Naoko-Takeuchi/dp/1892213311 ) If the hyperlinks don't work, copy and paste into the url line.

Amelia's Christmas Wish List

I just saw the Harry Potter movie and I love anything Harry Potter.

I especially loved the red dress Hermione wore in the movie - it looks like this. DELETE THIS ONE - We just found the perfect Red Dress and purchased it as a birthday gift!

Still need- To go with the red dress I would like some red high heel shoes like this.

I would also like Harry Potter sheet music for violin "Hedwig's Main Theme"

I also like Star Wars and Lego items. (especially need more girl Lego people)

I enjoy horseback riding and love reading realistic fiction (example: Dork Diaries, Diary of Wimpy Kid, etc...).

My favorite colors are green, blue, turquoise, red, and purple. I do NOT favor pink.

I wear a size small in women's, size 14-16 in girls, and size 7 in shoes.

Gift cards that I would enjoy - Toys R Us, Movies (AMC), Target, and WalMart

Lynne Marie Kraskouskas

....my list is still in progress....not all for SS but a general wish list.......

Bellydancing DVD

Bamboo Pizza Peel
Sock Yarn : I like anything with unique fibers, beautiful colors, fairly traded, eco-friendly dyes, etc. Love sock yarn, can't go wrong. This site has all different examples. Have never actually bought from this company, but the blog has lots of info on sock knitting. Also have been knitting a lot with worsted weight yarn.
Flannel Sheet Set LL Bean (Not necessarily for secret santa, just general wish list)
Snowshoes
large size cuisinart
Glass containers/spritz bottles for herbs and herbal concoctions
Priscilla's chocolate. no creams prefer milk chocolate numma num.
Burt's Bee's beauty products
Flat iron (ceramic)
Penzey's gift certificate

Posting SS Lists

You have all been added as blog authors so you can make a post. If you are familiar with blogger you know you can add links pics videos, etc. If you are low maintenence you can write a paragraph like my hubby with some ideas. Anyway, the point is you can post but you need to have a gmail account. Mike and Dad do not, but you can just post on mom or Tracey's accounts. Good luck with posting your lists. Lynne

Justin Merriman/Black Friday

Hi Everyone! Happy Thanksgiving. I guess today is the big day for commerce in our country as the shopping craziness gets into full swing. I work pretty close to the Mall At Whitney Field (I mean, SEARSTOWN) and the parking lots there were all filled up and there was a steady stream of traffic. I hope whoever might be shopping for me knows that I am not picky. I really do believe the thought is all that counts so don't go out of your way for anything. I have a wishlist that is on Amazon.com. It really isn't all stuff for me. Mostly it's just stuff I put there to remind myself of things for Mal, Scarlett, etc. Anyway, it might provide a few ideas. (I think this link works: Justin Amazon).I would also like gift certificates to places like home depot, lands end, even target or wall mart. I also like to get an unexpected surprise gift too. Hopefully everyone is doing well and enjoying leftovers from a good meal yesterday. Love Justin

Scarlett True Merriman

I know that Scarlett is technically not in the Secret Santa pool, but I thought I would post some sizes and gift ideas for her as we can all see this blog.

She is currently fitting into 18m size exactly and so to be on the safe side would buy 24m size stuff. She doesn't wear many dresses. Likes leggings and a shirt or tunic type dress or a mini skirt legging combo. She has a big foot and I will have to add the size later but we are all set on shoes, really.

She has a play kitchen and could use some play food or other play kitchen items.

Bath toys, she loves anything she can play with in the tubby.

Blocks or other building type things.

Little handbags purses etc.

Art/drawing supplied....finger paints

A Doll-ee. kind of looking for a weighted doll maybe felted or natural fiber but don't be too picky

Double size sheet sets. Flannel or regular for her new big girl bed.

Musical toys like musical instruments marrakahs or things she can bang or shake

We use Burt's Bees Baby products for her.

She loves any kind of music

Do you need help Posting your list?

Please let me know if you need help posting your list. There are several ways and I would be happy to figure out how to make it easiest. The very basic is telling me and I can type it, but I think we can all type an email or if you are a kid, your mom and dad can help you.

I think you all know my email and leaving comments on the blog has been very helpful as well.

Just to clarify, the "make a game out of it" or "$20" portion that has been confusing to everyone is just an idea for a new tradition. I thought it might be fun to do some sort of secret santa guessing game but i think it is known in certain households who has whom which is completely fine but it sort of renders that idea moot. I am still interested in making a collection and somehow making a contest or other such way to win the money that has nothing to do with age. Anyway, the one suggestion which I think has been helpful is Bonnie's suggestoin that we contribute $5 or $10 and I think that is fine (if we do it at all). So, I will post a new poll asking if anyone would like to do a petty cash sort of contest to win money or other prizes????

I also think the blog would be a good way to post pics, videos and other craft/recipe holiday based themes.

So much fun and only 29 days til Christmas!!!

Secret Santa List is Finished!!!!

Check your emails. I found some random software application that would do our
secret santa list for free. You do not have to sign up for an account. Just check your
email and you should have the email w/ the secret santa name that has been randomly generated. I know who I have to buy a gift for, I don't know who has me or anyone else for that matter. I have the master list in my email in case you lose your name, but just write it down right away, K?

Secret Santa Blog

I thought this blog would be a really great way to connect across the miles and share our Holiday info etc. It is a place to share gift ideas, recipes, crafts, etc. We could even upload holiday videos so that we could be a part of one anothers' holiday traditions. I hope you will help it be an interactive and fun tool to make our holiday gift giving experiences more enjoyable and rewarding.


Peace and Love

The Kraskouskas Merriman Family