Does anyone think about what to get for Christmas?

Saturday, December 29, 2012

I wonder what people think when they buy gifts.

My son bought me a pair of exercise pants. They were XL. When I opened them I kindly informed him that he'd made an error. "Really? What size are you? Large?" Clearly the boy has not been paying attention. I was XL ... ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO!!! Then I lost about 90 pounds. No son I wear medium.

My sister-in-law, whom I have known for 42 years, bought me beer glasses. I have never been enough of a drinker to even finish a glass of beer once it's poured. In fact, I am about as close to a teetotaler without actually being one. A friend gave me a bottle of Irish whiskey one year. In three years I had taken maybe two shots from it.

Someone sent me chocolates. My sister made me one of her absolutely delicious cheese cakes. A nephew thought that "being into fitness" means that I would love a round of golf ... I abhor golf.

They all remembered me but did not think about me. At least I didn't get seven wool sweaters (yes that happened one year. All I got was sweaters. All sweaters all the time.)

My daughter-in-law gave me a plaque the says "My Races." It's just a painted board with four wooden cabinet knobs to hang race medals from and two cup hooks to hang bibs on. It's painted Orioles orange. It must have cost her all of $10.

THAT was a thoughtful gift.

I love my daughter-in-law.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

2BDYNAMIC 12/29/2012 12:25PM

Got'cha!! (And I ABHOR golf too!!) ....... that and bowling!! ......... Report Inappropriate Comment

KATEM325 12/29/2012 12:07PM

Aw, that stinks! I am very lucky to have family that always seem to know what I want! Among many things my favorites were workout gloves, a zumba gift set, lots of yoga pants and cowgirl boots! Report Inappropriate Comment

DORAL33178 12/29/2012 10:42AM

For the past 3 years I have been spending Christmas with my in laws. There are no surprises on Christmas Day......we call around after Thanksgiving to find out what the other person wants (within reason). Your daughter in law is so sweet. She knows how much you love running and the Orioles. Report Inappropriate Comment

DATMAMA4 12/29/2012 10:05AM

Goodness, I thought I was the only one who suffered through thoughtless gifts -- and I have a sister who is constantly telling me how ungrateful I am when I don't want to keep clothing that's not my size, not my style, items that are simply not "me" or not needed, or which are completely opposite to anything I could possibly ask for. My mother has always been famous for saying things like, "That's very slimming," when she buys me clothing that's a size (or two) too small; "I just loved this -- so I bought one for you, your sister, my sister, and my cousin," (making me feel very very special indeed); "I know you like those longer, flowing skirts, but I just think A-line above-the-knee [fill in the words plaid, wool, or corduroy] jumpers are so flattering on everyone,"' ; and my personal favorite: "I know you said extra large, but I held it up and it just looked so big," as she gives me yet another too-small item of clothing. Gift lists don't work with her. For me, the hubby, the kids, no one. I have finally gotten to where I offer to help her by ordering what we want through Amazon, having it shipped to her house, and she sends me a check. Everyone gets items they like and I'm a lot less frustrated. Mind you, I'm 47 years old and this has just come to fruition in the past year. I feel your pain. I would rather have no gift than something obligatory that could have been given to anyone...probably why I struggle with what to get people, since I want to give something personal and useful. Report Inappropriate Comment

MINDBODYANDGOAL 12/29/2012 9:14AM

Hmmm...I think that is a familiar theme in many households. Christmas puts people at an obligation to buy a gift. And you are right, they remembered you but didn't really think of you in their gifts. Their hearts were in the right place, they just somehow took a detour once they got there. I actually got great gifts and all very relevant. But we have also turned into a family that operates off wish lists. I was specific in some things and vague in others. My family did ask my sizes and they did great. That being said, I got a lot of sweat/yoga/workout pants and that is never a good plan. 5'10" and most of it legs? Yeah...the odds of lots of those things being flood pants is probably pretty good! I hope you have the happiest of New Years! Report Inappropriate Comment

GARDENCHRIS 12/29/2012 8:12AM

THAT is why I get people gift cards from their favorite store or Haircut gift cards. I would much rather get a gift card from my very favorite nursery that I can use in the summer in my garden than ANYTHING else that people buy me. Report Inappropriate Comment

JSTETSER 12/29/2012 7:09AM

Some people just feel that they MUST give a gift. I love it when people are more wrapped up in each other rather than the gifts. Read my blog! http://www.sparkpeople.com /mypage_public_journal.asp?id=J STETSER Report Inappropriate Comment

SPIRALDOWN 12/29/2012 1:22AM

I wonder those same things sometimes. Great of your Daughter in law to do something so special.. Report Inappropriate Comment

WANNAREAD 12/29/2012 1:19AM

I hung up on the cabinet the order form for a book I really wanted for Christmas but I guess nobody noticed! Ha ha ha Report Inappropriate Comment

SYDLETZIII 12/29/2012 1:10AM

Well let see what lemon aid we have here 1. You will get exercise returning the warm-up pants for a smaller size, you can even up it a notch by walking to and from the store. 2. Regift the glasses 3. Offer the candy and cheese cake to visiting friends (they will love you) minus a small sample from each for yourself. 4. Thank or hug your sister-in-law for getting something thoughtful 5. Create and pass out a wish list of what you can use and need for b-day and next x-mas Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELWENDYMAMA 12/29/2012 12:52AM

Sometimes it helps to share a wish list for Christmas gifts including sizes you take in case anyone intends to get you clothing, and mention colors you dislike or fabrics or styles you most prefer. You can even go to websites you love and make wish lists and send the links to friends. Instead of being unhappy about it, consider ways you can improve their gift giving easily.. and also try to be grateful that anyone cares enough to get you anything. Not everyone is that lucky, even if the gifts are not perfectly you. As for beer glasses, they make great water glasses, too, right? And do you abstain from chocolate? I have lost 75 lbs, but I still eat chocolate almost daily. I love it! You wear a medium now - Congrats!! Maybe you can exchange the pants for ones that fit if you know where he got them. :) Getting the exercise pants is a nod to your success, regardless of him not knowing the right size. Report Inappropriate Comment

FENWAYGIRL18 12/29/2012 12:32AM

hahahahahaha I guess those are the people I see in the stores and wonder hmmm why would someone want that for Christmas hahahaha I'm sorry they didn't put enough thought into your gifts... I know I do when I purchase something for someone. Report Inappropriate Comment

The only guaranteed program

Thursday, December 27, 2012

I g'ar'ntee it!



If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. -- Anthony Robbins

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

-DYET- 12/28/2012 9:59AM

Oh.... my..... wow Report Inappropriate Comment

DEBIGENE 12/28/2012 9:51AM

If you wanna make a change, you have to want it EVERYDAY !!! We will watch them come and go .... AGAIN in 2013 !!! I'm here for the long run !!! EVERYDAY !!! This was great, thanks for sharing it !!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JENG83 12/28/2012 9:16AM

Love it! And this is the time of year I watch so many say they "want to" and then do absolutely nothing about it. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAGGIE101857 12/28/2012 6:39AM

Love it!! Perhaps we should print this one off and hang it on the fridge?? Report Inappropriate Comment

SYDLETZIII 12/28/2012 12:40AM

Now I won't be able to eat for a week. Report Inappropriate Comment

DORAL33178 12/27/2012 11:39PM

So true. lol! Thanks for showing...I mean sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRIS3874 12/27/2012 10:18PM

I had heard it was Einstein who used to say "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing when faced with the same situation and expecting different results" Report Inappropriate Comment

CATINCJ 12/27/2012 10:14PM

I LOVE IT!!! Gotta set goals, make priorities, then get'er done!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ITSMATT 12/27/2012 10:10PM

Agreed. It is through the DOING of things that change happens. Make it a great day! Matt Report Inappropriate Comment

Mother Nature has other plans.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Dr Dani and I had a date this morning to go running. But mother nature had other ideas.

That major storm that hit the country's midsection with tornadoes on Christmas arrived on the East Coast today. Not tornadoes. But when I got up and dressed to go to the Y, it was cloudy. As I stepped outside, I had to turn around to get my keys. I normally run the 1 1/2 mile to the Y then run back. Today, by the time I had gotten dressed, the ice arrived. Pellets were bouncing everywhere.

By 30 minutes into my session, it was all snow. About an inch had fallen and I sent Dave home. Dr Dani came down around 10 to go or, with two inches of snow on the ground and changing over to a bitter 35º rain, not go running. "I'll just use the treadmill Dad." Good idea.

If it had stayed snow, I think I might have gone running. Of course if it had stayed snow we would have had about 18 inches of snow and running would be a problem tomorrow.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANDYLIN90 12/27/2012 2:29AM

Living in AZ, I usually don't have to worry about snow...extreme heat is usually what sidetracks me. Report Inappropriate Comment

SYDLETZIII 12/27/2012 1:41AM

So you started your routine with ice pellets ( ), switching to a treadmill was a good choice. Tomorrow you can still do a video workout, treadmill, or walk an indoor track if available. Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCYPAT1 12/26/2012 11:50PM

Sorry the weather messed with your plans. At least you don't have 18 inches of snow - that stuff is hard to shovel when it gets up that deep. Report Inappropriate Comment

Naming the Grandfather.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

We went to Dave's house since of course Carolyn is in no condition to travel. What fun it was to have all my children under one roof. And the in-laws and both their daughters too.

I had bought Colin a whole mess of Orioles clothes. From a onesie ha can wear in about a month to a sweat suit he can wear in a year. Carolyn is a big Yankees fan. It was hilarious to watch her opening the bag. It was like she was dipping into a bag of slime. Then she looked at me and said, "I suppose he could wear this stuff around the house."



Yeah, my children did this to my Grandson.

I have always figured I would be known as PopPop. But as a joke while we were waiting last week, I commented on Facebook that I was waiting to see if I was a PopPop or a Nana. My cousin told me he thought I'd be a nana. Dave said I'd always be a Super Nana. I was the stay at home dad after all.

That conversation seemed to take hold. It looks as though I may be the only grandfather to be called Nana.

But then Nana means King in Swahili and some other African languages. Hmm Nana might not be so bad.

But then in Italian Nana means dwarf and at 5 foot 6 inches, that might not be so good.

I'll take Nana = King.

If that's what sticks.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AHTRAP 12/29/2012 12:37AM

Hey, if you get to be King of the Dwarves, that's not a bad gig (if you're a Tolkien fan, anyway). Report Inappropriate Comment

ELSCO55 12/26/2012 11:49AM

What a precious child. Enjoy Grandpa Report Inappropriate Comment

GARDENCHRIS 12/26/2012 9:33AM

Nonno is Italian for grandfather! LOL In my German family it is Oma and Opa ...I married into an Italian Family so it was always easy to tell which set of grandparents my kjds were talking about. have fun PopPop! Report Inappropriate Comment

Merry Christmas.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Oof. We had a houseful this afternoon for dinner. We normally have a sit down, but this year because we were expecting a baby on Christmas Eve, we opted for a buffet. The baby arrived on Friday, but the die was cast for the buffet.

Dr Dani is in town and she and I went out for a run together, 4 miles. She was not used to hills or cold but I kept pushing her.

I just got back from Midnight Mass. It was as usual very nice.

So I am ready to go to bed.


Merry Christmas to all and to all and to all a good night.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DORAL33178 12/25/2012 6:30PM

Merry Christmas. Everyone being home for the holidays is what makes it special. Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKERB2 12/25/2012 9:56AM

Have a wonderful, Merry and safe Christmas. Report Inappropriate Comment

GARDENCHRIS 12/25/2012 9:46AM

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Report Inappropriate Comment

COOP9002 12/25/2012 9:33AM

Merry Christmas!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KENTUCKYWOMAN 12/25/2012 4:37AM

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Report Inappropriate Comment