I Bought My Wife a New Cell Phone for Valentines Day

I just thought I would update my little blog here with some developments from the latest major holidays. Christmas 2011 turned about better than I expected when I was writing last time. I'm never one to focus on the gifts that I receive. I am all about giving. That said, I made out pretty great on Valentines Day. My wife gave me something I'd been asking for a long long time.

As for her, what my wife really wanted was a new cell phone. I can't say I blame her. She had a really old Verizon Wireless cell phone that I got her I think 3-4 years ago. She was looking for a new smartphone, but I wasn't really sure. We knew we were not going to be getting any iphones at this time. She had been looking at some of the Android smartphones, like the aptly named Motorola Droid.

Finally a light went off when I was watching Mad Men one night. I saw a commercial for a Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T Wireless. Now, I was a little skeptical because we had been with verizon for so long. I didn't really know if I wanted to switch from Verizon Wireless to AT&T Wireless. We've always been happy with Verizon. It was a tough choice, but when I found out you can switch cell phone carriers and keep the same number, I was pretty much sold.

One of cool things I like about this phone is it reminds me of one of the phones I had at work several years ago. I had a Pocket PC Windows Mobile phone for my old job and I really enjoyed using it. This was before the iPhone and Androids. Now this new Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone is not an Android- It is Windows Phone. Yes, Windows phone is not the same as the old Windows Mobile and Windows Mobile pro devices, but it similar enough that I find it pretty cool. I should have asked for one for Valentines Day for myself. Oh that's right, my wife gave me something I really wanted for a long time, too. I think I'll keep my gift :)

Christmas 2011

I haven't posted in awhile, mostly due to family reasons. It's been a tough couple of years, but this past Christmas things started to seem a little better.

For Christmas this past year ( 2011) we finally ditched our old artificial Christmas Tree and bought a nice real tree from a local garden center. I was very pleased with this, as I've always preferred real trees.

The presents weren't quite in abundance like they had been in past years, especially for the kids. I'm sure that's something that a lot of families can relate to. There have been a lot of changes for us recently, but we still look forward to the Holidays. They are missing something, though.

I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a better year for us. Happy New Year!

Missed Almost a Whole Year of Holidays

Wow. I remember starting this blog to talk about all my favorite Holidays as they happened. I just realized that I missed almost a whole year of holidays. My last post was about Christmas 2008 coming up and then I left off there.

So what has been going on? Like a lot of people I have felt the effects of the economy in a bad way. We really had to scale back last Christmas and will have to this year as well.

I personally have been going through difficult times healthwise and financially, but my family is safe and doing well. We might change the way we celebrate, but we celebrate just the same.

It's Christmas Time, finally!

I haven't posted much about my holidays lately. I didn't even manage a Thanksgiving post. Perhaps it's because I've been so busy with my Christmas Shopping. Like a lot of people, the economy has not been enjoyable. I have less spending money than usual, and I usually don't have too much.

Money isn't everything. That said, I am not going to let the economy get in the way of my enjoyment of the Holiday season and spending time with my friends and family.

This is why I am The Holiday Man. My life has never been filled with material riches, but I have always enjoyed the holidays and some of the more enjoyable aspects and deeper meaning you can find with your loved ones.

Halloween Coming Soon ( and Christmas Too) !

I was at Target today picking up a couple items and noticed the Christmas items are now up. Of course, I love all Holidays, but Christmas is my favorite. I think I might have to get some new Christmas lights and maybe a new lawn reindeer. My Rudolph is falling apart!

And of course there is a whole section of Halloween costumes and decorations. It's time to figure out what my kids are going to dress as this Halloween. What about Dad? Am I going to wear a costume this year? I don't know. Halloween is cool but I'm much more into Christmas time.

Is the Grinch Stealing Christmas this year ( 2008)?

Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and you know what that means- Christmas Presents! That means Christmas shopping and of course much of that shopping is done online. I first started to buy Christmas presents online about 5-6 years ago. These days I do much of my shopping online.

I am seeing a lot of sites that are predicting the Grinch is coming this year, however. Apparently a Barclay's forecast is saying christmas sales are slowing down this year. But if you dig further it's not that big a deal. Online Christmas shopping is GROWING. It's just not growing as much as last year. And internet Christmas shopping is growing faster than any other type of shopping or store.

The reality is, even if the economy slows down christmas gift giving this year, shopping on the internet will still be strong. Just not crazy growth like we've seen before.

I must admit, financial considerations might curtail my own shopping this holiday season, but it will never dampen my Christmas Spirit!

Ended up Having a Labor Day Cookout

Well I mentioned in my labor day 2008 post we might have a cookout. Well we did endup having a cookout and grilling up some steaks.

I ended up trying some of those Omaha Steaks gourmet mail order steaks. I had never had them before but I got a gift certificate for Father's Day. They were actually very very good. I was surprised. I'm not usually one to buy food online. Actually I think this was the only time I have ever done it.

I also got a present of a wine basket from some online mail order wine company. It's amazing all this stuff you can get online now. Never have to leave the house.

Of course the kids had hotdogs and pepsi. Overall it was enjoyable.