To start out, I had my shipping address listed as my mom's address, because I am about an hour away for college. I went home this weekend to retrieve my received gift. I was extremely excited after hearing my mom describe the heavy box and after having a failed Secret Santa exchange. I can't even begin to describe my jubilee upon opening my gift. To start out, my mom was correct in describing the box as heavy. I ripped into it, and retrieved not just one, but FOUR PACKAGES! Oh! AND MOTHER FUGGIN GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! Thin mints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first three books were wrapped with little notes attached to each: "it might not be your birthday any time soon but what fun are gifts that aren't wrapped =)" "=D" and "it isn't Christmas either but shhhhh." What my book exchange secret santa didn't know is how much I love, love, love wrapped gifts. I always wrap all my gifts because it's the best to open wrapped gifts. It was perfect.

The unwrapped book was: Quick Cook Budget Meals Being a very poor college kid who loves to cook healthy meals, this is the best cookbook ever for me, and my first cookbook. But datgoat1021 did not stop there! She went through and highlighted a lot of her favorite recipes, which I can assure you, will be the first ones I try. The wrapped books: "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" Stephen King I have never read a Stephen King novel, so I dedicated my time today to this book and read the entire thing. Excellent. "Sleep Walker" Wendy Corsi Staub "This is Not a Game" Walter Jon Williams

datgoat1021, I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful gift. Not just going above and beyond with books but also adding your own personal notes. It made a huge impact. I haven't bought a book since July. Why you ask? My dad used to buy or lend me books. Good grade on a test? Let's go to Barnes and Nobles and I'll buy you something. Valentine's Day? Have a book! He taught me how to read and taught me how to love reading anything. He died unexpectedly in July, and I couldn't bring myself to buying a book without him. This gift was very special to me, because book sharing used to happen with a very special person in my life, and now you are also a very special person to me.

datgoat1021, we should be friends :)

Happy Saturday, everyone!