I got a kettle (heavy cast iron type) that you put on/above/near your fireplace. We have a pot belly style, cast iron, non-ventilated, propane fireplace. The air gets really dry when it is on. Anyway...my sister-in-law gave me this kettle...and I was floored! I had mentioned it once a few years ago. Since then, I have just put a pot of water atop the fireplace and it sufficed. She said she remembered from a while back and had been looking for something appropriate ever since and just stumbled across it at an oldworld/Amish store she happened into. *THUD and hugs to her*

I also got a compliment from my mother-in-law that floored me. Two weeks ago she hurt her back something awful. I already had her presents at the time, but one day I was out getting some last minute gifts and I saw a heat/massager for the back that had a remote control. I shrugged and bought it as an afterthought, assuming she might already have something of that nature anyway and it wasn't all that expensive. She's used it since the day after Christmas and made a special call to thank and compliment me on such a helpful and thoughtful gift! *THUD* Not to talk bad of her or anything...but she never likes anything that anyone gets her...but just pretends till they go away and talks about it behind their back...lmfao!

And one more thing...not that it's so very an unsuspected source, but that the gift itself was a shocker. Mr. Lixy gave me a tanzanite and diamond ring...*THUD and THUD*

Oh...and one more shocker, but not necessarily unsuspecting source. Our close friends gave us the most beautiful lighted, bell wreath to decorate the side of our barn. I've never seen anything like it and it compliments the icicle lights that hubby has cast across the eaves. It was one of those gifts that when you opened it, it was "nice"...but when you light it and put it in it's place...it's STUNNING! *THUD again*

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~