Post 55: Wherein the Author Finds She Has Too Many Books, and Resolves to Walk to the Library Instead

As usual this holiday season I've received at least one gift card to Barnes and Noble, a present that is always welcome, no matter how many times I receive it. I will always use a gift card on books. Most people who know me, know this.

My dilemma this year is as follows: I live in a tiny room, with only one bookshelf and one wall shelf. Although in my childhood room my books overflowed the bookshelves, I had four of them. And more space for overflow, such as windowsills, a window seat, and a very large desk. (NB: I have many many more books than I will ever need!) I occasionally bring even more books to my apartment from my childhood home, but have to start moving them the other way or my room will be positively overrun by books! Furthermore, I have decided (finally) to start cleaning out my room in my mom's house. So I need to stop buying books. Seriously. Being not only a reader but a bibliophile and a pack rat complicates this goal.

So how do I spend this gift money without buying more books? DVDs are a good alternative. There are even a few I want. Though I shouldn't start stocking up on DVDs, either.

Instead of buying books, I'm going to attempt to borrow more from the library. Even if it does mean I have to spend even more time outside in the cold, walking to and fro. Walking is good, it's healthy. So is fresh air. Which I will be telling myself every time I go.

Doesn't solve my gift-card/too-much-stuff problem, but it might prevent me from buying all the books I'd like to read, and I can focus my attention and money on buying the books I really will read more than once, and will really love. Some of the books I've taken off my old shelves this holiday have made me wonder why in the world I had to have them years ago. Others, old friends, read at least half a dozen times, will hopefully be with me until I settle down, wherever/whenever that happens.

Randomly, I don't think I've mentioned that I was completely impressed by Simeon Varlamov's first two games between the pipes in the NHL - and am looking forward to seeing him in net again soon! What a talented young man.

Holiday Greenery

For all that e-cards save trees and paper, and even money (how much do stamps cost these days?), I would rather send the traditional snail-mail holiday cards, even if I do spend a dollar on every international stamp I use. They're more fun, and I still prefer getting mail in my real mailbox as opposed to emails. Emails are so common these days. And there's none of the romance a hand-written letter has. Not to mention the pretty holiday cards and envelopes.

Well. This year, I started a little late (blame the cookies) ... as in, I started today. Since it's a little too late to expect many people to receive the card before the end of December, I've gone with e-cards 100% this year. Although I did save time, money, and trees, I feel a little guilty about not spending more time on them, and a little sad that I didn't get to spend the time writing the holiday greetings and yes, even the addresses.

The good part about the e-cards is that they don't use consume fuel while traveling across the country/ocean, and they don't waste paper, destroy trees or get thrown out (accidentally or intentionally).

So I may not always be as green as this year when sending out holiday cards, but I will incorporate it at least a little every year from here on out.

Another "green" holiday activity I've started doing recently is to cut up holiday cards I've received in previous years and use them as To/From cards on gifts. Which reminds me. Received a package of gifts for others that included brown paper instead of packing peanuts, which has worked really well as wrapping paper.

Good News from Britain

Evidently, Great Britain has been taking care of its waterways, and British otters have taken note. Who'll drink out of the Thames, now that it's good enough for otters? :)

Interesting fact: Otters can grow to be four feet long. That's almost four-fifths the height of the average American woman.

On Drinking Water

Bottled water? Only until I buy a Kleen Kanteen or SIGG water bottle...

Filtered water? Well, I didn't drink it because the filter never gets changed in time, and they only filter out certain contaminants, not everything.

Tap water? Currently my water of choice, though I believe that will change... Generally, the standards for tap water are more strictly designed and enforced than bottled water, but I suppose the exception occasionally proves the rule. Thank you, Washington Aqueduct, for making tap water in DC and Northern Virginia the exception.

I think it's about time we changed the filter on our Brita pitcher.

Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum

On the last day of November (happy belated Advent!), I went shopping at Merrifield Garden Center, one of the most exciting places to shop for plants and such. I had earlier in November been introduced to a living Christmas tree, personally, which transformed a vague interest in living trees into determination to have one. I think the clincher was that one can start them small and keep them in a small pot until one is ready to grow it, which makes it ideal for a single young person living on her own. Although a bit heavy, it is remarkably easy to transport (a little easier than this). There are plenty of advantages to live Christmas trees, to which I'm happy to add the above, and main, reason that I chose one this year.

So I have my Christmas tree for the next three decades, which is one thing I won't have to worry about during future holiday seasons. I have a little bit of Christmas at my apartment, and when the season is over, I'll have a house companion. Kind of like a cat, but much easier to take care of. And free of allergens.

After buying my new Christmas tannenbaum, I had to find decorations for it. Which proved to be harder than I thought, given that this tree is almost two feet tall. Putting normal-sized ornaments on this tree would have been like wearing earrings the size of baseballs. Uncomfortable, and unbalanced. So I eventually ended up at Target, on the advice of a friend, and fortunately they had several sets of ball ornaments cheap. Also, I picked up some mini candy canes while I was there. The candy canes complete the decorations. Definitely they add a certain pizazz to my little tree. Also I now have a bunch of candy for the holidays. Especially satisfying since I missed out on Halloween candy this year...

The only thing missing is a star for the crown.