How 'ironic' lol

That is the best thing go get. One that works for your purpose and is something you wanted. I sometimes marvel at the things people give as gifts. I was given a complete hair care system by a clueless neice. It consisted of an electric clipper, three different combs. a carrying case and a mirror. Now that in it's self is not a bad gift, but you see I have shaved my head of all hair for many years, and the person knew this. I was truely nonplussed when I opened the gift at the large family get together and had to try to come up with an appropriate thank you statement.

John

My mom and I always thought we were "weird!" We have always appreciated "workin' gifts" - something my MIL has never understood (nor any of my local friends). After listenin' to me complain, whine, and curse over an ol' vacuum cleaner (but not so old that I would have felt okay about just ditchin' it - or blowin' it up, which is what I REALLY wanted to do), he bought me the vacuum cleaner I'd been eye-ballin' for about a year for my BD.

I LOVED it!! But of course, there had to be something "wrong" with me for appreciatin' a gift that makes my life easier (which is how I saw it). No matter how many times I told her, and hubby told her that it was *exactly* what I wanted, she just didn't get it!!

Hugs!! C> > After all this talk about irons... I got one for my birthday :) And with

I had to laugh. My wife and I sometimes get each other Joke gifts that show each is aware of the others ideas about what they want. For one of my wifes birthdays, I got her a little plastic pill splitter because she was always complaining about the trouble she was having cutting the pills she takes in half to get the appropriate dosage. I wrapped it artfully, and presented it to her the morning of her birthday. I think it cost all of about $3.50. She opened it up and gave a laugh and said, "It is just what I wanted". Actually, it is just what she wanted. Lest you think I am a cheapskate, I later in the day gave her the real present, A lovely set of custom designed, and made earings that I had a jewler friend do up. She is still using the pill splitter, every day, 20 years later, and she laughingly says it was the best present she ever recieved from me.

John

Maybe she thought you'd offer to do *her* hair. Roberta in D

"John" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@w28g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

Or maybe she thought that the clipper was what you used to shave your head.

Julia > Maybe she thought you'd offer to do *her* hair.

And it took me a few years to convince people that I really did want a tool box (it is in a step stool....really cool) and some specific tools as a gift. Every sewing room/studio needs to have a hammer, a mallet, some screwdrivers and pliers. Now if I could just keep them in the studio....sigh.

Pati, > My mom and I always thought we were "weird!" We have always appreciated

Well, you made me think about my last BD gift ... I'd been complainin' about peelin' potatoes forEVER. I love 'taters but hate the peeling involved. Mashed, au gratin, scalloped, you name it ... if it's 'taters, I love it.

So hubby got me one of those little Rachael Ray 'tater peelers (fits on you middle finger and you just "run" your hand over the tater and it peels it) - a gift that couldn't have cost more than $5. I use it at least 4 times a week (too much carbs/starch, I know, but I love'em!)

.... the funny part? My kids sat there, in anticipation, watchin' me open my gifts ... when my DD saw the box (very small - shaped like a *jewelry* box) she started crowin' that he must of gotten me a ring or earrings and immediately started beggin' me to let her borrow it/them every once in a while (she LOVES jewelry - sometimes I wonder if she's really "mine"). And of course, the wonderful mom I am, I said "Of course."

Long story short, she peels the 'taters twice a week. Never let it be said that I don't share! :)

Hugs!! Connie :)

Oh, I know how you feel ... I like to tinker around with my computers and so I own three sets of screwdrivers (phillips, flat-head and Torx). I do "paste-up" every once in a while (for graphics work) and that involves an X-acto (the ergonomic kind since I've had arthritis for 'bout 20 years), metal T-square, etc.

And I can NEVER find them. Hubby steals tools from me more than I steal'em from him. I finally had to hide them ... hubby NEVER looks in my box o' magazines (they're all quilty) ... so there they sit, snug and safe from thievin' hands in a box marked "Quilt Magazines."

What kind of stool? It sounds REALLY handy ... don't suppose you'd care to share the brand and name, would you?? Unfortunately, I'm at the point in my life where I'm shrinkin' and not growin'! Sure would be nice to reach something without having to raid the dining room for a chair!!! :)

Hugs!! Connie :)

Connie, I solved the peeling situation by not peeling the potatoes. DH and I both prefer most potato dishes with the peels anyway. I scrub the potatoes very well using a "scrubby sponge" that is designated just for vegetables. Works well for us and since a lot of the nutrients are in and just under the skin of the potato we can feel that we are not as "bad" by eating the whole thing.

Actually, potatoes as such are not a "bad" food. They are a complex carbohydrate and of themselves are not bad calorie wise. It is all the "stuff" that gets added to the potato that adds to the "bad" rap.

Pati, >

Just went and checked.... it is a Rubbermaid step stool toolbox. It has a lift up handle on the top, just like a tool box, but recessed. There is a lift out tray and all. The whole thing is about a foot high, about a foot deep and 15" or so wide. Very handy, and a lot more secure than trying to step up on a chair. (Or at least makes a step up to the seat of a chair .) I love a screwdriver that I have that has multiple bits that are interchangeable.It has a large "ball" type handle that makes it a lot easier for me to use, but DH keeps finding it and putting it with his tools. sigh.

Pati, > Oh, I know how you feel ... I like to tinker around with my computers and so

Okay, I give up! I haven't ever seen what you're talking about, and I don't see it on RR's site, either. But it sounds absolutely wonderful

-- where can I see it? ;)

I have a basement full of professional tools. But up in my sewing room I have a cheaply made in China plastic box of individual screwdriver bits that fit into a handle. There is also 5 sockets of various small sizes. On the other side of the case when opened are 6 jewlers screwdrivers and a set of tweezers, and a pair of wire cutters. I think I paid about $7-8 dollars for the kit about 20 years ago at a checkout line in a hardware store. That cheap bunch of tools gets used often enough that I would be lost without it. It sits right there in the sewing cabinet, ready to go to work at a moments notice. It saves me the trip down those 2 flights of stairs, and back up again, to get the real tools from the basement. I love them, even though they are not bragging tools.

John

The Victoria & Albert Museum has a line of tools for sale, metal covered in William Morris designs. There's a darling little pink-with-green-dots hammer, set of screwdrivers inside the handle. A garden trowel and fork, a tape measure and hobby knife. Now I can't decide if my DDs would be offended to receive girly tools instead of the real thing, or entertained by the whimsy. Roberta in D

"John" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@p69g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...

On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:54:32 -0600, SewVeryCreative wrote (in article ):

Sounds like David's reaction when I kept asking for a mixer for Xmas. He finally broke down and gave me one, but I don't think he's ever quite understood.

Though he always has understood what makes a SM a good gift! :-)

Maureen

OK, OK, I get now, a little dyslexic here.

I was wondering why anyone would want to peel a PLUM !

big DUH !

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Thanks, Kathyl! I *swear* I looked at Fante's, but I didn't find it then. Yikes, they charge more for the shipping than for the peeler! I'll wait until I have something else to order from them, too, before I get it. :)

You must have some sort of kitchen widget store in your area somewhere. The kitchen store at our Podunk outlet mall carries them. You may have overlooked one when out shopping.

Could be! :) I'm going to keep my eyes open.