iPad, how I love thee
Mr. V was very good to me this Christmas. I got a beautiful pair of diamond studs, something I had always wanted. My second set of ear piercings finally got used 17 years after they first came to be and now my ears are permanently sparkly, great on days when I don’t want to use the primary ear holes for other earrings. 
After the diamond studs, the gift I wanted but didn’t realize how much I’d love is my iPad. Several colleagues have them, as did the priest who married us, and both Mr. V and I – total Macaholics – have been dying for one. Mr. V had balked at getting me one, insisting that my Kindle should have me covered. For sure, the Kindle is awesome, but it doesn’t even come close to ease of use and utility as the iPad.
A few things I do on iPad:
1) Use it as a cookbook – pull up recipes on All Recipes and then sit it on counter in its stand while I cook
2) Play Words with Friends HD – I’m convinced that the larger screen (compared to iPhone) will improve my game. 
3) Read free books from EVERY SINGLE SERVICE out there! Kindle? Check. Nook? Check! eBooks? Check!! I’m reading a ton now.
4) Interact with multiple Facebook accounts (blog persona and real life persona) through Friendly.
5) Porn. Yup, much easier to watch on a bigger screen than iPhoe and not as bulky to head to bed with as a laptop. 
6) Check work e-mail. The iPad is so much lighter and easier to carry around. I can easily log into Exchange server and move on.
7) Listen to music in Mr. V’s stereo-less car. The iPod interface on the iPad is so much easier to work with. Great sound in the car!
Listen to books on Audible.com (see above)
9) Show off my family. The iPad can be propped up and display a slideshow. It is also super, super easy to pull up pics of the kids and in size that works as opposed to the tiny phone screen. Took the iPad to a training class recently and had the chance to show off my boys.
Although Apple has a case, I chose to get my own and I love how stylish and tailored it is.
Acase Imitation Leather Flip Book Jacket for Apple iPad (Red)
I also got a stylus for it, which comes in particularly handy when playing games.
Definitely one of the best gifts ever. My Dyson still is #1 but this is a close second! Mr. V is holding out for the next release, which should have a two-way camera to allow for easier Skyping and picture/video taking. I may have to STEAL! 
