From the beginning my santa was communicative and thoughtful. I have a genetic disorder which can cause some difficulties with things at times, and my santa made sure to take those things seriously (which is not always easy!).

My mother in law is undergoing treatment for stage IV cancer, and lives in a land far, far away. Her home is in an area without things like cell phone signals, mail delivery, or anything but (unreliable, excruciatingly slow) satellite internet or phone service. The area is breathtakingly beautiful, peaceful, and restorative... but there is not much (beyond all the work it takes to maintain the home and property) to do there. I spend as much time there as I possibly can, caring for my mother in law, her home and property, and helping with the business they own.

And so! My santa sent me WONDERFUL DVDs! I am just THRILLED TO BITS about these! Because! We can watch them with everyone who is there all at once! It's exciting to have things to watch that the children (I have three) and the adults will all enjoy watching together.

Aaaaaaaand.... I kind of have an enormous celebrity crush on Alton Brown. My santa did not know this. I did not mention my deep and abiding love for all things Alton Brown even once. He's kind of amazing and brilliant and handsome and dreamy and sigh.... I really, really love Alton Brown. And now I have a brand new BOXED SET of Good Eats! Ahhhh! I'm SO THRILLED!!!

(my older kids also love Good Eats, as does my husband, and my in-laws too! this is fantastic!)

My Santa also sent me INDIANA JONES!!! I LOVE INDY!!! Little know fact : when I was a girl, I was a 'featured extra' in several of the young indiana jones television program. Since that time, I've just adored the whole franchise. But! I'd never gotten around to buying -any- of the movies. And now? I OWN ALL OF THEM BECAUSE MY SANTA IS SO AMAZING AND SENT ME THE BOXED SET!!!

My kids have never seen these movies. I am so excited to show them to them. I am guessing my middle son (he's at the best age for this, he's ten) is going to spend the rest of his summer running about the wilderness pretending to be an adventuring archeologist. I'm excited.

Lastly... this one is more personal. And a little difficult/awkward to talk about. But I will anyway.

My children are all autistic. My youngest son is non-verbal, and needs a huge amount of support. He gets that support, we make sure of it. (They all need varying degrees of support, but my youngest has the greatest and most urgent needs) We are currently embroiled in a legal battle with our local school district to force them to meet my son's basic needs (as basic as eating; they have no way to feed him due to his quite severe feeding delays, and refuse to do thing necessary in order for him to be able to eat food at school. at present he literally cannot eat food at school, at all).

Each year, we spend many thousands of dollars out of pocket for our children's medical and educational needs. This year, we've had to add many times over the 'normal' costs associated with raising children with autism, to fund legal fees, private evaluations, private nursing not covered by insurance, assistive technology... and we're breaking under the weight of all of the financial strain.

My Santa has been spreading the link to the crowd funding campaign we have for my son. This act is just. Bah. Well. It made me cry. It is so meaningful and so touching.

Thank you Santa. You are a thoughtful, generous, kind person. I wish I could do more to thank you. (give me your address, I'll bake you cookies!)

OH PS! There was a shipping note that mentioned something on preorder... but since I was so late picking up my gifts (I had a medical emergency, I am so sorry!) I've no idea if that thing already arrived. If it did, THANK YOU AGAIN! If it did not... holy frijoles. I will update this when it does? And probably cry some more....