The (sort of not) appreciated gift #MFRWauthor

I am not married to a romantic. Don’t get me wrong, he has his moments—lots of them, actually—but not really when it comes to gifts. He doesn’t give me flowers—Bouquet of tulipsever. He is of the opinion that when a man buys a woman flowers he’s feeling guilty about something. And he doesn’t buy perfume or pretty trinkets, though at times he has gifted me with some of my favorite earrings. No, my hubby is a practical gift giver.

I have at least three brief cases, despite the fact I’ve never worked in a field where they were needed. One he even told me he bought because it would hold folders and such but looked like a purse instead of a briefcase. That gift proved that he’d never really looked at a purse. I’ve also received two digital cameras—with all the extras—despite the fact I rarely remember to take photos, and that we now carry our phones with us everywhere. I’ve received speakers for the computer—once a high-def woofer and tweeter—all when I don’t like to listen to anything when I’m working on the computer.

None of that dispels the excitement of receiving a gift from him. He’s also bought all three of the eBook readers I’ve had and a few pretty fabulous things like Kitchen Aid gift!my KitchenAid mixer and kitchen tools. He also learned what I do like in pocketbooks, in spite of the briefcase mix-ups, and he’s discovered that jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive for me to love it. One year when finances were particularly tight he wrapped a bag of miniature Baby Ruth candy bars, and it thrilled me. When the right sentiment is behind it, any gift can be wonderful.

I smile (or try to) no matter what the gift, mainly because the man who gives them is far more important than anything he could ever wrap, and because he’s Wedding ringsgiven me gifts that can’t be measured in terms of money or usability: his name, his heart, and time to share his life.

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee
Only a Good Man Will Do: Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife. Good luck with that!

Naval Maneuvers: When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!

The Best Gift Ever! #MFRWauthor

As usual, I want to jump the guidelines of the blog topic and talk about TWO best gifts, but I won’t. Well, okay, I will just a touch. Runner up best gift was in 1999 when Jack gifted me something I’d barely read about—an electronic book reader! Yes, they were out that far back. It was made by RCA and weighed about as much as the Kindle. Indents on the back for fingers and a rounded edge that fit perfectly into the palm, made it so easy to hold and turn pages. I swear, that thing changed my reading life!

But the first thing I thought of when considering the best gift is a Kitchen Aid stand mixer. My mother-in-law had one that she had received when Jack was a young boy. She still used it 25 years later. Then she traded it in for a newer model. Fortunately, Jack didn’t do that with me after 25 years, but I digress.

Back then I did a lot of cooking and we also hosted quite a few holidays and dinners for family and friends. I wanted a Kitchen Aid with every fiber of my being. At the time, we lived in Virginia and my mom lived in Dallas, so every two years we would use ChristmasBest gift under the tree break (I taught) to drive to Texas, visit for a few days and then hightail it back home. One particular Texas Christmas, Jack carried into the house the gifts we had brought for Mom, my aunt, and cousins. On Christmas Eve, after midnight Mass, we were sitting around and quietly letting the night and season wash over us. My grandmother asked, “What would you like for Christmas, darling?” I said, looking hopefully at Jack, “I don’t think I will get it, but I’d really like a Kitchen Aid.” Quick as lightning, Jack answered, “Some people are just born to be disappointed!” We all laughed, said our goodnights and went off to wait for sleigh bells signaling the arrival of you-know-who.

So, the next morning we all had a bite to eat, filled our coffee cups and gathered around the tree to distribute gifts. Jack gave me a mysterious round present that turned out to be two stainless steel bowls taped edge to edge and filled with mixing spoons, a whisk, and measuring cups and spoons. I was thrilled—can’t have too many kitchen items! Then when everything was open, Jack pulled out one more gift, and this one was Kitchen Aid gift!big and heavy. Yup! It was a beautiful, shiny white Kitchen Aid! I was so surprised. By everyone’s reaction, I must have looked pretty funny. In fact, I did, as witnessed by the photos I saw afterward. I’m sure I didn’t stop smiling for the whole rest of the holiday. And Jack benefitted many times over with all kinds of breads, cakes, and goodies.

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee
Naval Maneuvers When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!