Okay, so there’s no storm here. Mostly cuz I won’t fight. Pointless activity in situations such as ours.
Anyway. I finally forced myself to think about Christmas presents for the spouse. The grandkids and kids were far too easy. I was rather tempted to tell him that I’d spent too much on them and couldn’t afford a present for him. Sorry Dear.
Frown, I don’t have it in me to be purposefully mean. I think a lot of mean things. To carry them out? Sigh, not me.
Shopping for someone you’ve known for 30 years should be a breeze. Really.
It’s become torturous.
Thinking of things to get him isn’t the problem, I know him well. I’ve got privileged access to what he has, and therefore needs. That’s not the problem. The trauma of Christmas pasts tends to be at issue.
There is nothing (And I mean nothing on this planet) that is engineered properly. My spouse can glance at an object and go into agonizing detail as to how it’s all wrong, and then launch into the way it ‘Should’ have been made. Blank stare
It sort of sucks the joy of finding the perfect present. Instantly deflating, actually. He has received two presents which he liked without complaint. The last Slippers.
These slippers met his exacting standards of form, combine with proper materials for maximum function. I scoured the internet for days in order to locate this prized pair of slippers. We won’t talk about how much the things cost. Let’s just leave it at, one could purchase a LOT of slippers from the drug store with what I paid for these.
At finding them suitable, did I get a smile, hug or thanks? Nope. “You should have bought at least two pair. You’ll never be able to find them again.”
Now that makes me want to run out and start next year’s search ASAP.
I scored the perfect VCR a number of years ago, on sale no less. He never, not once, complained about it for any reason. This is my one shining example of success in all of our years married, and that was for Father’s Day… so does it even count at Christmas?
Yesterday I nabbed a couple of things he should like, but not enough to deconstruct before telling me how to make a better one. The first pair of slippers is wearing out, so a different pair was ordered. They aren’t the same brand. The sole looks as if it will hold up better, but. They’re different.
Ghosts of Christmas past have a litany of complaints, comparisons, odd facial expressions (he excels at these) and “They’re nice, but – fill in the blank – or the other ones were better.” Running through my head.
“Should I send them back and get the other ones?”
“Oh, no, these will do. For next time you know.”
There won’t be a damned next time. grr And I’m sure of it, until the next year. Cross my eyes.
I’ll let you know how I fair. The kids will LOVE their presents. I’ll concentrate on them, yes I will.
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