My energy is pretty low this year, as are funds, so we're doing a bit of Christmas-skipping. I've shipped most of the presents I'm giving (still have a couple to make), and sending cash to the kids if we have it to spare paycheck-after-next. I bought myself an anniversary present from what was in my Paypal from my etsy shop sales (which has been way more successful than I dreamed, and so needs to be re-thought), and we're getting Shawn's by trading in some stuff at GameStop.

For Christmas for each other, we've already bought and exchanged. No wrapping, no trying to hide stuff, no fuss. We plan on spending a quiet Christmas day, relaxing and cooking and snuggling. Maybe going for a drive.

What I got? A replacement camera for my old Sony DSC-S85. I think I mentioned previously that the battery died. I'd really wanted to, when the time came to replace it, get a dSLR, but we just couldn't afford that, so I went with a pocket camera. Portability has its own rewards, and the old camera was not easily portable.

My new H3 is a huge improvement on the S85. I really adore it so far, and it fits in my pocket (if barely), my purse, wherever. If I didn't currently have a half-finished tunic sweater in my Yarntainer, I bet I could toss it in there as well. I haven't really done a full test. Just a "getting to know you" sort of thing. But I'm impressed so far. It could be that having been reliant on six-year-old tech I'd be impressed at just about anything, but so far I'm thrilled at what she can do that my S85 just couldn't. My initial complaints are only that because of the small size, I spend a lot of time accidentally hitting the flash button, and that the Steady Shot feature leaves a lot to be desired (does not appear to work at all if you are using zoom, which is when it's really the most necessary). In fact, I think I'm getting a lot more blur at this stage in the game than I'm used to, but we'll see how things go once I understand all the controls. (Maybe I'll even RTFM. Maybe.) I did miss having a viewfinder a couple times, but I haven't had a glare problem with the screen just yet. I just find it easier to find moving objects (planes, birds, etc.) through a viewfinder.

So far what has excited me the most besides just how much faster the thing is, was that I was able to get shots indoors at night without flash or blur from messing with shutter speed. The aren't brilliantly clear. But they are viewable. Which is much more than I could say for my old cam, even on a tripod with shutter speed adjusted.

Another new yesterday was American Pie Pizza Company in Pinellas Park. The pizza was enh, but Shawn loved his Red Zepplin -- a calzone with chicken cooked in Frank's wing sauce (the kind we buy for homemade wings). They have a... "eat a 29-inch pizza in 29 minutes (two people max) - and it's free" deal if you're into that sort of thing. Oh, and, one night a week (I think Tuesdays?) from 4-8, I believe, they have a thing where kids can come make their own pizza, for free if you buy a grown up pizza. We enjoyed the atmosphere, though, and will probably be back to try the toasted ravioli (one of my favorites, in general, so a new place to get it would be cool). Shawn tried to get me to play Madden with him (PS2 games at every booth), but uh, no thanks.