Last year, I started a little Christmas tradition of buying myself something completely unnecessary but undeniably fun.
My pick was the Steam Deck console—a portable gaming device that lets you play PC games on the go. It’s like having a mini gaming setup in your hands, perfect for unwinding or diving into epic adventures anywhere, no desk required. Funny thing is, I’m not really a gamer… but it turns out my husband is—who knew? 😊 So, the Steam Deck has become a household favorite, heavily (and only when I allow it!) used by the kids and Jānis.
This year, I decided to keep the tradition alive. After some deliberation, I went for the Meta Quest 3. Do I need it? Not at all. Is it amazing to have? Absolutely!
For those unfamiliar, VR (virtual reality) is like stepping into a whole new dimension. With the Meta Quest 3, you can explore immersive virtual worlds, play games that make you feel like you’re inside the action, and even use it for fitness, relaxation, or learning new skills. From slashing beats with lightsabers to walking through art museums, the possibilities are endless—it’s like having a ticket to adventures you can only dream of.
Sometimes it’s nice to indulge in a bit of joy for the sake of it—‘tis the season, after all! 🎄✨
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
Indulging once in a while keeps the thirst away the rest of the time. Instead of one, I went to several pieces of art made by artists in Ukraine. The sizing is off from Amarica so I’m having fun trying to find mattes and frames. It’s amazing the talent of the Ukrainian artist on Etsy.com. They have an entire community of Ukrainian artist of al types of goods. I’ve purchased several awesome handmade sheep wool propucts for one woman. We’ve struke up several conversations and has even invied me to come stay with her after the war for a visit. The kidness of the people is so amazing. Have fun. I bought my husband a remote control airplane at Santa’s request. 🙂
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It’s wonderful that you’re supporting Ukrainian artists, and it sounds like you’ve found some amazing pieces! It must be a fun challenge to find the right mats and frames to showcase them. The kindness of the people you’ve connected with, like the woman you’ve bought from, is truly heartwarming—what a special connection! Your husband’s remote control airplane sounds like a fun gift from Santa! I hope you both enjoy it. 😊
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The Ukrainian artist I’ve puchased my art work from have all included an extra piece of art and one woman I’ve purchsed many pieces from sent a Christmas car, two hand made coasters and an extra piece of art. they have such kindness in their heart. The lady I buy wool clothing from is so cool, everything is made on long antique looms and the vest and coats are beautiful. I bought a great vest but it’s still not quite cold enough. I’m committed to helping. 🙂
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I ve bought some yarn from a Urainian shop. They couldn’t have been more helpful.
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They have been so kind.
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That’s wonderful! Supporting a Ukrainian shop not only helps their business but also carries so much meaning right now. It’s heartwarming to hear how helpful and kind they were. What kind of yarn did you get? I bet it’ll be extra special to work with, knowing it came from Ukrainian. 😊
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That’s such a beautiful and heartwarming story! Ukrainians truly have such generosity and kindness in their hearts, even amidst challenging times. It reminds me of my mom, who knits woolen socks and sends them over to Ukraine. It’s her way of contributing, stitch by stitch, to bring a little warmth and comfort.
Your support through art and handmade wool clothing is wonderful—every little act makes a difference, and it’s inspiring to see so many people finding creative ways to help. That vest sounds amazing; I hope the weather turns colder soon so you can enjoy wearing it! 🙂
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Her vest and coats are perfect for Latvia weather. I also bought two chair pads and they are so warm. She modified my vest and wouldn’t charge me more. We don’t see that type of generosity very often in America. It happens more in smaller towns. I’m blown away with the toching note in the Christmas card. 🙂 So glad your mother is helping, everything counts.
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he personal touches, like the modification and heartfelt note, really do make all the difference. It’s wonderful to see such kindness still shining through, especially around the holidays. 😊 And yes, my mother’s help means the world—every little bit really does count!
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Talking with many Ukrainians has taught me a few lessons in life. I truly admire the nature of the people and would love to visit if that’s ever possible. 🙂
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we all need fun. Lighthearted play is life ke a vacation.
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Absolutely! Fun and play are like little vacations for the soul, giving us a chance to recharge and find joy in the moment. Even the simplest, lighthearted moments can feel like a breath of fresh air amidst life’s busyness. Here’s to sprinkling more of those playful “vacations” into our days! 😊
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how fun! and I do think it’s important to treat ourselves sometimes
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Absolutely! Treating ourselves is so important—it’s a way to show self-love and recharge. Whether it’s a little indulgence or simply taking time to enjoy the moment, we all deserve it! What’s your favorite way to treat yourself? 😊 I like to buy a jigsaw puzzle…
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oooh, I love puzzles and books and movies
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Good choices 🙂
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A fine tradition – even with your choices a bit techie for me
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Thank you! 😊 The Meta Quest 3 is definitely on the techie side, but it’s been so much fun to explore VR and see what’s possible. It’s like stepping into a whole new world—definitely a treat for the curious at heart!
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I like to treat myself also, Ilze! It’s important to award yourself to keep your life fun. After three years of hard work studying for my Doctor of Education while working full time, I bought a new car for myself. 😍
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Nice treat! Was thinking about a car, but can’t afford it now and don’t want to take a car loan 🙂 Some day, maybe 🙂
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We don’t get a loan for most anything. We buy things when we have money. I got a very low interest rate for my car and I paid it off in five years. 😊
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That’s awesome that you paid off your car in five years! 😊 I’m lucky to be free from loans or debts right now, so I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible
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That’s a wonderful thing to do Ilze. I’ve done some calculations on the interests of loans. The interest for a 30 year home loan makes the cost of the home price double. It’s crazy of all the money wasted. 😊
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Thank you! 😊 It’s true—loan interest can be shocking when you see the numbers laid out. That’s one of the reasons we’ve taken a very resourceful approach to renovating our house. We’re doing much of the work ourselves to keep costs manageable and avoid piling on debt. It’s definitely slower, but it feels more rewarding in the long run. How about you? Have you found any creative ways to save on housing or big projects? 😊
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