This Forum is not dying

[nns1400]

Originally Posted by Crankyfeet

Why don't you switch to email cards and letters. Its easy to send the same one to multiple recipients. And it actually allows you to reap the rewards of spending time on the computer.

I realize I have just done the usual male problem-solving routine, without considering that it isn't about the problem. So I understand that you are burdened with doing all the work and everyone else gives you no thanks and just enjoys themselves. I understand. It sucks.

OH and BTW.... nice thread tangent

Well, somehow you just did both...problem-solving (that was a very good idea) and understanding.

I am actually planning on a lower stress holiday season. My new resolution (why wait for New Year's?) is to attempt a lower stress life. At least for today, and hopefully the next day, and the next day, and the day after that. Which means only doing what I can reasonably do without going nuts, and asking for help with the rest. And if I don't get any help, I guess it won't get done. And the world will not actually crumble if it doesn't...(I think...so if the world does start to crumble, y'all, then you know it was all my fault )

[Crankyfeet]

Originally Posted by nns1400

And the world will not actually crumble if it doesn't...

I have a sudden craving for apple crumble and ice-cream after reading this sentence.

[Felt_Rider]

Originally Posted by nns1400

Yeah, well, I will be resting my case after I find the gift certificate to the spa in my stocking, if I have to be the one that puts it there!! And let this be a little holiday reminder to you guys...start thinking about giving your wife something awesome to pamper her this Christmas....you'll probably find it was well worth it .

Believe me my non-creative brain has already started to churn, but I just don't know. Why? Her rules

When we first married these were the rules:
"Don't bother trying to buy me clothes since I am petite and hard to fit and please."
"Don't bother trying to buy me jewels because I am very picky."
....and there are other quotes.

This is a woman that spent a span of two years with me driving her to two other states and hundreds of furniture stores just to find the right dining room table. She has talked about getting another diamond ring for the last 5 years and hasn't found the right one yet.

For the last years it has been easier to just give her a thousand or two in cash to put into her "furniture" account. But I will still try to think of something new and creative anyway.

I make it easy on her for my gift. I usually order some bike gear online and when arrives she wraps it up.

[nns1400]

Originally Posted by Crankyfeet

I have a sudden craving for apple crumble and ice-cream after reading this sentence.

Okay, now I want a cobbler...thanks a lot And tomorrow I am making THE most incredible tasting pecan pie bars in the known universe....way better than pecan pie. (And I wonder why people expect me to bake stuff )

[nns1400]

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

Believe me my non-creative brain has already started to churn, but I just don't know. Why? Her rules

When we first married these were the rules:
"Don't bother trying to buy me clothes since I am petite and hard to fit and please."
"Don't bother trying to buy me jewels because I am very picky."
....and there are other quotes.

This is a woman that spent a span of two years with me driving her to two other states and hundreds of furniture stores just to find the right dining room table. She has talked about getting another diamond ring for the last 5 years and hasn't found the right one yet.

For the last years it has been easier to just give her a thousand or two in cash to put into her "furniture" account. But I will still try to think of something new and creative anyway.

I make it easy on her for my gift. I usually order some bike gear online and when arrives she wraps it up.

Agreed, women can make it frustrating. I understand. But I somehow don't think there is a woman alive who wouldn't like a massage...get her a gift certificate for something like that. It doesn't have to be her whole gift - if she's happy about the furniture account (and the right dining room table is quite important) then great. But something extra that would be a nice treat is always good - and how picky can someone be about receiving a service.

[Crankyfeet]

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

Believe me my non-creative brain has already started to churn, but I just don't know. Why? Her rules

When we first married these were the rules:
"Don't bother trying to buy me clothes since I am petite and hard to fit and please."
"Don't bother trying to buy me jewels because I am very picky."
....and there are other quotes.

This is a woman that spent a span of two years with me driving her to two other states and hundreds of furniture stores just to find the right dining room table. She has talked about getting another diamond ring for the last 5 years and hasn't found the right one yet.

For the last years it has been easier to just give her a thousand or two in cash to put into her "furniture" account. But I will still try to think of something new and creative anyway.

I make it easy on her for my gift. I usually order some bike gear online and when arrives she wraps it up.

OK Felt...so your wife's a perfectionist. Why not follow NNS's suggestion and get her a gift voucher to a Day Spa? You can't go wrong I don't think. Its totally consumed in a day so it doesn't have to be perfect.

[nns1400]

Originally Posted by Crankyfeet

OK Felt...so your wife's a perfectionist. Why not follow NNS's suggestion and get her a gift voucher to a Day Spa? You can't go wrong I don't think. Its totally consumed in a day so it doesn't have to be perfect.

And if she doesn't like it, she can send it to me...

[jhuskey]

Once again, it's all about the Barbie Doll. This doll is the downfall of western society.
When will people listen?

[Felt_Rider]

I think a massage is a good idea and will look into that.

I certainly did not want to portray my wife as high maintenance. She is far from it. She is a very frugal shopper and rarely spends money out of her furniture account. We are debt free because we work so well together as a team in our home finances. I couldn't ask for better.

[nns1400]

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

I think a massage is a good idea and will look into that.

I certainly did not want to portray my wife as high maintenance. She is far from it. She is a very frugal shopper and rarely spends money out of her furniture account. We are debt free because we work so well together as a team in our home finances. I couldn't ask for better.

Make sure you tell her that....

[Crankyfeet]

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

I think a massage is a good idea and will look into that.

I certainly did not want to portray my wife as high maintenance. She is far from it. She is a very frugal shopper and rarely spends money out of her furniture account. We are debt free because we work so well together as a team in our home finances. I couldn't ask for better.

It was rude of me to throw a label on your wife after reading one post from you about her. Your wife sounds like a jewel. Maybe the Spa would make her feel too wasteful? What if you made her something personal? Its the thought and sacrifice that counts, not the dollars.

Maybe you don't need Cranky to be getting so involved in your relationship with your wife. Only trying to help. But NNS's advice would probably be more worthwhile, coming from a lady.

[Felt_Rider]

Originally Posted by Crankyfeet

It was rude of me to throw a label on your wife after reading one post from you about her. Your wife sounds like a jewel. Maybe the Spa would make her feel too wasteful? What if you made her something personal? Its the thought and sacrifice that counts, not the dollars.

Maybe you don't need Cranky to be getting so involved in your relationship with your wife. Only trying to help. But NNS's advice would probably be more worthwhile, coming from a lady.

You two did it!! good ideals!

Stocking stuffers will be a certificate for a massage and some dark chocolate, which she likes

Then I will wrap a piece of floor tile as an indication that I will tile our master bathroom. Last year I tiled the guest bathroom and she loved that as a gift. She asked me a few weeks ago if I would tile the other bathroom one of these days. I wasn't really wanting too, but it would be something that she would like to have done. That would probably be better than buying her something useless.

[Crankyfeet]

Originally Posted by Felt_Rider

You two did it!! good ideals!

Stocking stuffers will be a certificate for a massage and some dark chocolate, which she likes

Then I will wrap a piece of floor tile as an indication that I will tile our master bathroom. Last year I tiled the guest bathroom and she loved that as a gift. She asked me a few weeks ago if I would tile the other bathroom one of these days. I wasn't really wanting too, but it would be something that she would like to have done. That would probably be better than buying her something useless.

Felt...you're choking me up with the wrapped floor-tile in a ribbon. Sounds like a great idea. We are going to need to get a feedback report after Christmas.

As for Thanksgiving:

T'WAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.
THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT
TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
I GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.
I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL; PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.
MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP,
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS,
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

[jhuskey]

Europeans celebrated something like Thanksgiving for years before the Pilgrims,but not in an official capacity.
The pilgrims of course sat down with friends and relatives for a large gathering in 1621 touted as the first Thanksgiving.
If you study your history you will find that this was their first and last Thanksgiving.
Obviuosly the first European settlers of North America couldn't stand to be around their relatives for any sustained amount of time either and never repeated the mistake.
Except for Lincoln's declaration that the 4th Thursday in November should be a national holiday and football, not much has changed.

[Crankyfeet]

Originally Posted by jhuskey

Europeans celebrated something like Thanksgiving for years before the Pilgrims,but not in an official capacity.
The pilgrims of course sat down with friends and relatives for a large gathering in 1621 touted as the first Thanksgiving.
If you study your history you will find that this was their first and last Thanksgiving.
Obviuosly the first European settlers of North America couldn't stand to be around their relatives for any sustained amount of time either and never repeated the mistake.
Except for Lincoln's declaration that the 4th Thursday in November should be a national holiday and football, not much has changed.

I think now its just carbo-loading for the ensuing shopping spree isn't it?