Wanda's post yesterday about shopping and Christmas had me laughing a bit because while I usually have a list of a few things I'd like to have to make writing/life/whatever easier, this year the top of my list?
A board.
(Laughing yet?) Yup. I've asked for a board for Christmas.
Let me explain. As someone who sits at a desk all day I've noticed some parts of me...expanding. (Heh. That's a nice way to state I've gained weight.) I don't get enough exercise and I hate the time it takes away from all the other things on my to-do list--like working to get my daily pages written.
After seeing a fabulous article on treadmill desks, I decided I wanted one--but not to the tune of $4,000. (Really???)
In my research I found an article about how a woman transformed her treadmill into a walking-desk using a simple laminated board placed over the arms. She tried various speeds to make sure it was stable (I still wouldn't put a laptop or expensive piece of equipment on the board without securing tho, JMHO.), and after adding her laptop, phone, drink, etc, she set the speed very, very slow and began walking while she worked.
Having talked to other authors doing this very thing (and managing their weight!), I made my request for a board, along with one for a pair of good shoes, and I hope to be 'walking my way through work' very soon. (Yes, I realize I could go out and simply buy the board myself but I have to tell my husband *something* and this gives him a 'guy' thing to do by making the trip to the home store. LOL)
So, in the spirit of the season I'll offer up two copies of CHRISTMAS IN MONTANA, the third book (of 4) in my North Star, Montana, series chosen from those who answer the following:
What's the most unusual thing you've ever asked to receive from Santa?
37 comments:
I have read and enjoyed Christmas in Montana so don't enter me in the drawing.
Your treadmill idea sounds like a really good way to exercise....I could use both a treadmill and a board but my board would hold the book I was reading along with a drink and maybe my securely attached laptop so I could exercise while reading and writing reviews.
Oh darn forgot to answer your question....my most unusual request for Christmas was made when I was about 5/6 and I asked for a baby sister....I already had two brothers. And no I never got my sister but I also didn't get any more brothers.
Kay--There is no way I could walk and write without a disaster of some kind, so I am in awe of people who can use the treadmill desks. I can see myself forgetting to walk and my chin hitting the board as I go down and my laptop flying into the air...uh, yeah.
I don't think I've ever asked for anything usual for Christmas. My wants are very basic, lol.
I’ve had to do a lot of exercise bike riding to recover from various knee injuries, and have kept it up over the years. I get a lot of reading done during that time!
I can’t remember getting anything too weird for Christmas, but I do recall my brother asking for a ukulele when he was MUCH younger. He denies it now, but my mother has kept his Santa list all these years! But then, he was also the kid who was overjoyed with his toy vacuum cleaner and a big blue stick.
My son asked for a "Beaver coat (medium)" this year. First of all, this is a kid who wears shorts and a t-shirt to school even when it's 40 degrees outside. Second of all, I have no idea where to even get one. He has since scratched it off his list. There is a part of me that is sad, because it's not something your typical nine year old would ask for.
It's a toss up. One is truly strange, and the other was only strange because my poor father was in early stage Alzheimers and just couldn't grasp the concept.
I'll start with the latter. Several years ago now, I asked my dad for Rose Levy Beranbaum's The Cake Bible for Christmas, which I wrote on a piece of paper for him. I saw it on every bookstand everywhere I went, not just in bookstores and not just among cookbooks.Even though I saw it everywhere, my father kept telling me he could only find Cook's Bible (which is an actual Bible). He even said he went to Waldenbooks and asked the clerk for help. Go figure. Eventually, he gave up and got me something else, and another friend got it for me -- without any problems, as it shouldn't have been.
The other weird thing was a chinchilla cage. It wasn't because I wanted one but because we'd acquired a chinchilla from a coworker for my daughter , and I wanted something that was easier to clean. So, Santa brought me a chinchilla cage.
I feel your pain, Kay. :-) Good luck with the treadmill desk! I kept that article from RWR but haven't done anything about it yet. As far as odd Christmas requests, it's hard to beat a chinchilla cage :-), but I do keep asking for a swingset. No kids, it's for myself. :-) Unfortunately Santa hasn't granted my wish yet.
Never asked for anything unusual from santa, my list is always the same, books and pink fuzzy slippers. I always get the books, but the slippers seemed to confuse everyone, actually got a pair two years ago, now new ones can go back on my list! Looking forward to your Christmas in Montana, it will be on my list this year!
LOL EllenT, at least you didn't any other little surprises! ;)
Jeannie, that is too funny. If you can run marathons I'm fairly sure you could handle walking at 1 mph. Speed isn't the issue. It's just being on your feet moving versus not moving at all.
Kay
Sonya, hope the knee injuries are better! And I've always spent my time on the treadmill reading. That's not a problem. This will be the first time I've attempted to type on one tho. We'll see how it goes.
Kristina, LOOOVE the beaver coat request! Too funny.
Kay
JV, ((hugs)) on your dad. Glad you got your book, though. I'll have to check it out.
Kathy, I hope you get your swing set!
Kay
Gloria, now that you mention it I do need new slippers and I love the fuzzy ones I saw in JCP the other day. I had to throw mine out the other day because the bottom of one of them had cracked and wasn't fixable.
Kay
Good luck with your board. I'm thinking I'd end up hurting me or my laptop. LOL. I'm happy to balance a HQ book while riding a stationary bike. *G*
My most unusual gift request this year was vetoed by dh. I asked for a pack of legal pads. LOVE THEM! Never have enough as I like to do a lot of first drafts by hand. Seems to make the creative juices flow better. Dh said legal pads were not a suitable Christmas present. So the next night he walks in the door carrying a bundle of them. *VBG*
Awww, Jennifer, how sweet! I think he's a keeper. I have multiple notebooks stashed everywhere for just that reason. The problem is I can never find the one I need when I need it. Recently, I've started taking notes on my phone and since I feel naked without it I always have it on hand. Now my notebooks are for charting etc. (Yes, my name is Kay Stockham and I AM a plotter.)
I think the most unusual present I have asked for is a ChiPet with cat grass for my cats. :)
I have not read this book! I love reading good Christmas books so I am sure I would love this book. I can't think of a real unusual gift that I wanted.
Love that! I once asked Santa for a chimney as we didn't have one and I thought he couldn't get in our house. I was five at the time....
And this year my mother in law has asked for a torch and my nana a magnifying glass!
Hi Kay! I know most women don't want exercise equipment for holidays, but I have been asking Santa for an eliptical for the past two years. I decided if I dont get it this year the big guy gets no cookies next year and Im gonna buy it myself, lol! Aside from that the only thing I can think of is baking supplies. I get very excited when I get cake decorating stuff, lol!
Have a wonderful christmas!
I'm not sure it was all that unusual but for me as a child it was a big deal. I'm the youngest in my family and I remember asking for a baby brother or sister. I never did get one but got a doll instead :)
Hi Kay,
My most unusual Santa Request was when I was 8 or 9 and I asked Santa to have my Mom stop drinking, so we could be a happy family. Sadly she did not and my parent divorced when I was 14.
My mother died in Sep. when my son was in first grade. He had two younger cousins in kindergarten. As I stood outside his bedroom door I was in tears as I heard him explain to his cousins, not to worry. Santa would bring whatever they asked for. They would just ask Santa to bring grandma back. She would come back at Christmas.
I don't recall any unusual Christmas requests.
I am another person who can't recall any unusual Christmas requests.
I haven't read Christmas in Montana yet but I do have it in my TBR so leave my name out of the draw.
Ladies, love your posts! Please, keep them coming. I love reading about your memories as children. For those with not-so-nice memories... (((Hugs)))
Kay
Hi Kay--I loved this post. So funny.
I couldn't imagine writing while walking on a treadmill, but then you clarified to Jeannie. You're not walking fast? Hmm. Still not sure I could do it.
One year my son asked for a life-size stuffed German Shepherd. I was shocked to find a reasonably priced one right in our tiny downtown toy store. I decided to hide it in my office in the Vet school at Cornell. (The vet school is attached to the vet hospital.)
As I was walking in carrying the stuffed dog, this guy was walking out of the vet hospital. He said, "I think you waited too late to bring him in." :-)
We still have that dog. His name is Hunter and he's very handsome.
I've already read Christmas in Montana (and loved it), so don't need to put me in the contest either.
Don't recall every really asking for anything for Christmas. Not even when I was little. We usually got clothes and maybe 1 toy. Though we (one of my brothers and I) did get bikes when were 9 and 10. We were happy with whatever we got.
Geez, I started writing that post about 2 hrs ago! And am half an hour in to this one. Strange the way work interupts play time :)
Anyhow, I forgot to tell you Kay, good luck with the treadmill desk! I think I'd probably do a faceplant if I tried something like that. I could probably read going at a slow pace, but not type!
I can't remember anything outrageous. My favorite presents from childhood were my red riding tractor and my big grown-up bicycle.
I too have already read Christmas in Montana.. great book... To tell you the truth I can't think of any thing odd I have asked for Christmas, but I know there must be something. Maybe my STEELERS football jersey. For my family that would be an odd thing for me to ask for.. I want one big enough to sleep in....
Kathleen--My mom wanted a Penguins jersey one year. We were all so excited that more than one person got her one.
She wears it on game day. ;-)
I need a board. I asked for one while on my last deadline and while I was too busy expanding, my guys ignored me.
Hmm, if I made it a Christmas request they might pay attention.
I was thinking about adding L brackets for stability and to hold it in place. My husband thought of vice grips.
But since I can't walk and chew gum at the same time, I'm wondering how I'm going to write.
Oh gosh, I'm such a clutz I don't think I could walk and write - although I love the idea.
Strangest Christmas request? I guess it might be oven mitts, but each year I usually get strange looks from The Hub, so I suspect most of mine are a little bit left-field.
I asked for a pelican. We were on holidays at the coast & I found them just fascinating. I did NOT receive a pelican for Christmas. I did get a tennis racket, which was my second choice.
LOL Ellen! I love the Hunter story! That is too funny. Cracked me up.
No, you are only walking at 1-2 mph, or whatever is most comfortable for you. Basically you're just taking a step here and there but you're on your feet and moving and therefore not on your butt in a chair.
Kay
Rogenna, I hope you get your board!
Marybelle, don't be surprised if you wind up with a flamingo. LOL There is a church group here who are 'flocking' members' homes. They arrive in the dark of night and plant flamingos in the yard. It started off as about a dozen but I've noticed that it's grown to about fifty or so. Be careful what you wish for! LOL
Ladies, sorry I disappeared last night without announcing the winner. Life intruded.
THE WINNER IS: GLORIA!
Gloria, please contact me via my website with your shipping info.
Thanks again, guys! I loved reading all of your stories and requests.
Kay
And the second winner is:::
Gloria! Gloria, please contact me via my website at www.kaystockham.com. Congrats!
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