My cousin (a Dolphins fan) attended a party and was able to get an autographed football from O.J. Anderson (Super Bowl MVP of my beloved NY Giants).

I also got assorted jewelry, clothes and a "new" digital camera with loads of accessories. Now I have to set aside some time to get some new lighthouse photographs!

Happy Holidays to all!

I'd have to say mine was the Toby Keith concert my older sister took my mother and I to the day after Thanksgiving.

I would say it's a new Camcorder. Now to learn how to use it.

Bert

Digital Camera (my first!!) and Diamond earrings.
Lookout lighthouses here I come.

Finally got me a turkey fryer !!!!! Standby, there'll be grease flying around my garage this winter

Coolest gift? I got a new Ariens Snowblower just before Christmas. That's a gift that will keep on giving for many, many years to come.

For Christmas I received a new Epson CX6400 printer with a complete extra set of ink cartridges, paper and photo paper. I guess the old HP Deskjet 682C can retire now.

I guess the coolest gift I really enjoyed was the fact my whole family was here and healthy. Usually one or two family members has a cold this time of the year. I have many elderly relatives well into their 80's. It's good to see them enjoying the holidays.

Bob

I got three, yes my first three Harbour Lights with rods.

Omaha Steaks, they were frozen so they were pretty cool.....

I just ordered a new STYLEPRO Series 21 FD Trinitron® CRT CPD-E540 which I guess is not only a present to myself but to all who enjoy the images of the new lighthouses on the Harbour Lights website.. My old monitor is not what it used to be.. It will still work as a backup, in case of a disaster..

My best present was spending the weekend with Sue and the kids at our home and then their home on Monday and Tuesday... Chad had to work Christmas Day, I told him not to go into TV News!

I would have to say, that while I got lots of cool stuff, the coolest gift would have to be Ray Jones' The Lighthouse Encyclopedia . The book is divided into three parts--Lighthouses Through History, a detailed history of lighthouses through the centuries, A Lighthouse Lexicon, an encuclopedia of lighthouse terms from Fresnel Lens to Moore, Catherine (trivia question for you: Who IS Moore, Catherine?). The third part of the book contains a listing of "major" lighthouses around the world, from Hatteras to Suances on the Cantabrian coast of Spain.

In my opinion, every lighthouse fanatic on the planet should have a copy of this guide. Let me tell you, if I ever have a lighthouse question that I don't know the answer to, this book is my first stop.

After having spent a couple of days sitting next to Ray Jones on the Chidester bus tours before the Providence Reunion, I highly would recomend any book or project that Ray Jones is involved with!!

He has a wealth of lighthouse knowledge..

Catherine Moore, Greg? That's an easy one. She became the official keeper at the Black Rock Lighthouse in CT in 1871 at age 76 and served until she retired in 1878. However her father was keeper before her from 1817. Because he was disabled Catherine did much of the job herself from an early age. She lived to the age of 105!

Christmas brought to our house 135 Ocracoke, 700 Big Bay, and...................... 111 Coquella River !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Stephanie and Better Half

WOW! Great Gifts Steph!!

It wasn't a gift in the physical sense of the word, but the worst and best part of this month involved my son's health. He had a massive surgery done in Holyoke, MA on the 19th that we flew out for. It lasted 6 hours. The true gift for us this year is that he is now recovering nicely, and will be back home tomorrow.

I don't know how anyone could come up with a dearer gift than the one described by Ned. It's great that the surgery was successful and we wish your son a continued and speedy recovery and your family a Happy New Year!!

PS: All my gifts were paltry by comparison.

Dan

I have to agree with Ned and Dan.

It wasn't really a Christmas Gift, but just being able to celebrate Christmas was special to me this year after my little escapade earlier in the year.

I want to again thank everyone here who passed along their thoughts and prayers during my time of need. I'm feeling much better- almost normal.

Dennis

Does that mean you're no longer a WACKO?

Paul,

That's why I said almost normal.

I have to explain to people that I am not only a card carrying Wacko, but a Poconut (a fan of the musical group Poco). I do get some strange looks when I say that.

Dennis

"Sunday, Sunday, Sunday" Going to Christmas dinner in Williamsburg in our new Dodge Hemi." Actually since we get stuff all year, Robert and I don't exchange gifts anymore. But, the truck arrived right before Thanksgiving, so I guess it's kinda a holiday gift. Spending the day strolling around Colonial Williamsburg with each other and having a 5-course meal at one of their great restaurants is and will always be our Christmas present.

Joyce

We're glad your doing OK Dennis. You'll always be a Super WACKO in my book. COngratulations on your 2100th post.

Bert

Thanks, Bert.

I didn't even notice I had hit another round number, sort of.

I'm just doing my part towards the 100,000th post!

Dennis

We have a very diverse age group of people who frequent the CF. Usually young people don't discuss health issues when they get together, but I know the more senior people do.

I guess what I'm leading to is the greatest gift a person and his or her family can have is their health. If you and your family have good health, you have everything.

You can't put good health under your Christmas tree, so a few material things are appropriate. Never lose sight of the fact that your health is, and will always be, the most important thing to you and your family. Don't wait too long in life to find that out.

Bob

How right you are, Bob. I asked for and got a pedometer for Christmas. My goal is to do 10,000 steps a day.

Seagirt, you forgot to mention the most important fact about Ray Jones' The Lighthouse Encyclopedia.

That is that the cover photo on the book is of Michigan City Pier Light photographed by Bruce Roberts!!

I just received my copy from Amazon.com..

We finally splurged for a 36" High Definition TV for ourselves and upgraded to HD cable. Also received an excellent LCD touch screen Universal Remote to replace the dozen+ remote controls! Now for all the necessary learning and programming time....

Kinda 'flashy' for visiting lighthouses, isn't it??

Smoothy Blender!
Margaritas, icy drinks, adventurious blends. Oh My/

John didn't you see the commercials this year, "Diamonds go with everything".

I got a great lighthouse gift, check this out!!!!!



Yes, it is what you think it is.

Well I think you should win the most unique lighthouse gift award, Mike! (lol!)

Bob

Without a doubt that has to be the coolest Christmas gift.

Mike,

Did you get the appropriate paper to go along with that?

I was threatened by my kids that they would not tolerate Lighthouse things going that far.

Dennis

No accessories came with it, I was quite satisfied with this. My wife just shook her head......

I got one of them last year from my daughter - not quite a nice as yours but nicely padded and comfortable This year, I got a candle and a nightie with lighthouses on it.

Eskilady

The looks on my family's faces as I presented Al with a 6 hour ride in the front seat of a squad car on a Saturday night touring the streets of Mountlake Terrace.

But better yet was the screams and excitement from the girls and grandkids when they opened up theirs -- an opportunity of a lifetime as they get to become "firefighters" for three hours riding in the fire truck with sirens blaring, putting out a simulated fire, etc.

Wishing you all a wonderful new year.
Darlene and family

Wow Darlene, that would be so awesome! What a lucky family you have.

I have always admired these old world signs in my travels and I got one for Christmas from my Husband. It looks great in our living room and was a very nice surprise. It's 3-d, so the waves and lighthouse stand out from background, and it's wooden, with that old world charm! Definately one of the coolest presents this year!

Wow, some cool stuff!

In reply to the posts in reference to mine..

OK, Sue, so that was easy...hey, I'd never heard of her.

And, yes Paul, definitely any book by Mr. Jones is amazing. His works are all treasured articles on my lighthouse bookshelf (which, at 2' 2 1/2" is almost full!). And the cover photo is an extra added bonus!

Just one thing...I originally saw a different cover for the book a couple months ago. Was it changed right before printing?