Quilty Gifts?

This is so true. And I feel blessed and charmed when I'm able to find something "just right". It's a problem for everyone! I'd be happy to go back to the old days (before my lifetime) when Christmas did not revolve around gifts. Children used to receive small gifts on St. Nicholas Day, December 6 (at least in Germany), and nothing else. Just a Christmas tree decorated with edible goodies. So sensible! I'd much rather spontaneously give my loved ones something whenever the impulse strikes.

DH this year bought himself a 142-CD set of the complete record>Now, now, Susan. I'm happy to see you posting but the tired is coming

Howdy!

Oh, there are often "Sand-ta" gifts under the tree. Husband just laughs; he knows my "get what you like, like what you get" motto. Too often the Wish List is like advice: they either misinterpret, ignore, or screw it up entirely, so why bother? LOL I understand the charm bracelet collection: I asked for a couple of the Mercedes-Benz collectible teddy bears; lovely little critters, got them sitting on shelves around the house. Of course, other relatives & friends saw them & assumed, "Oh, Sandy collects bears!" And so the bears came in, in quantity. They make nice re-gifts; people are always surprised to receive a nice, cuddly bear - without the M-B logo. ;-P Also, of course, since I don't ask for anything, I can't complain at what I receive. Truth is, just like with fabric: I like almost everything!

Happy New Year!

R/Sandy - with my favorite after-shopping questions: "Did you get what you want? Do you need help carrying it in?"

I asked for a new ironing board. Didn't get it. All but my quilty friends thought I was nutz. My quilty friends don't, they know how important a sturdy ironing board is. Now for a question...Does anyone have any suggestions for an ironing board that does not cost the equivilent of a quilt? I'm hoping to find a wide board, sturdy, for less than $100. Any suggestions? DH made me a "big board" look-alike several years ago that I use all the time but the support for it tilts at a rather dangerous angle. Donna in Bellevue

I got mine at Target a few years back, have also seen larger boards at Bed Bath and Beyond. Good luck!

Costco had one a while ago. Bed bath and beyond is where DH got me one for my birthday a few years ago. I think the BBB one was around $100. Everyone thought it was a weird gift but I asked for it and like is a lot. Taria

I asked for a new ironing board. Didn't get it. All but my quilty friends thought I was nutz. My quilty friends don't, they know how important a sturdy ironing board is. Now for a question...Does anyone have any suggestions for an ironing board that does not cost the equivilent of a quilt? I'm hoping to find a wide board, sturdy, for less than $100. Any suggestions? DH made me a "big board" look-alike several years ago that I use all the time but the support for it tilts at a rather dangerous angle. Donna in Bellevue

Aw now, Donna, you're not having any fun at all. Why does the big board your sweetheart made for you tilt? I've become quite the maniac about solving problems with: SuperGlue, duct tape, 3M hooks and assorted other 'handy man' accessories. If your honey was smart enough to make you a big board, I'm betting the two of you could figure out why the board tilts and what sort of support it needs and where. ( Do keep in mind that I'm running my serger with a hefty flashlight holding the foot control wire in place.) It's not like you can't afford a new one; it's just such fun to attack and conquer the problem. Polly

Christmas this year was really great. We have been dithering about a new tv= for a while. We last bought one about 16 or so years ago. It was a nice, 2=

2-inch screen that replaced a tiny 12-inch screen and we've been fine with = that. We only watch movies on it. No cable. The week before Christmas when = I was really sick with this nasty cold, I got my three men together and tol= d them to go buy a TV for Christmas. And eat nasty big burgers and drink be= er at a sports bar. Without me. And that became the Christmas for our house= hold. In the process, my sons pooled some money and came up with something = having to do with games that they bought for themselves and each other. And= our Christmas shopping was done. I finally went out two days before Christ= mas and bought a paper back book for each of them that I thought they'd lik= e (and one for me I knew I'd like). DH got stocking stuffers -- chocolate S= antas and wool socks and the like. We had fun. I don't get quilty gifts. Th= ey don't really get it. And that's fine. When I really want/need something,= I get it. No guilt. I'm not ever profligate with the spending on quilting = and I figure I'm worth it.=20

Gifts ... on the whole I'd rather give than receive. Nobody knows what I re= ally want except me, and I'm pretty good about making sure I get just exact= ly that.=20

Sunny

Polly, We did look to see why it tilts. It's the same reason I do. Old age and creaky joints. I think we could fix it with a soldering torch and solder and a small extinguisher. I don't think Bondo will work - that's his go to answer in case we are out of duct tape. I'll have a look at BB&B after I get my car back on the road. Right now I'm dependent on DH for rides. Left rear tire had what looked like a horseshoe nail in it (wonder if Rudolph lost a shoe over Christmas). Couldn't be fixed so a new tire was ordered. The roads should be safe around here until about Wednesday. Thanks to all for the answers. Donna in Bellevue

I know I shouldn't complain about the gifts because I have so many other things for which to be thankful. It just gets old sometimes. I always buy myself gifts. Sometimes I even wrap them and put them under the tree. Thanks for reminding me that Christmas isn't all about the gifts.

Susan

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:05:10 -0600, "Polly Esther" wrote:

You kind of have to look at people like they are a fridge. You open the fridge and no matter how much you want something out of it if it isn't there you can't get it. Sometimes we want from people what they just don't have in them. People that care try to learn but sometimes what we need just isn't in them. We love people in our lives as best we can and have to appreciate them for what they are able to give. Learning is a big job in this life. I am still working with all this. Hugs to you Susan, Taria

I know I shouldn't complain about the gifts because I have so many other things for which to be thankful. It just gets old sometimes. I always buy myself gifts. Sometimes I even wrap them and put them under the tree. Thanks for reminding me that Christmas isn't all about the gifts.

Susan

How true. I knew I was marrying a left brain guy. At first it bothered me that he didn't notice if I tried a new hair style or rearranged the furniture. Finally I realized that for the same reason he didn't notice my attempts at change he also didn't notice if I hadn't cleaned in a few weeks. I decided to accept the good with the bad. Unfortunately my two children are also very left brained. I know there is nothing I can do about it. They were born that way. They excelled at math and science. It goes with the "leftbrainness" of our household. It only bothers me on my birthday and Christmas. I more than make up for it by buying my own gifts after each event. Thanks for the refrigerator analogy. I will keep that visual in my mind next Christmas as I open my gifts.

Susan

Susan, I know people with kids and/or husbands that seem to have no brains! At least you have something there to appreciate. ; ) Taria

How true. I knew I was marrying a left brain guy. At first it bothered me that he didn't notice if I tried a new hair style or rearranged the furniture. Finally I realized that for the same reason he didn't notice my attempts at change he also didn't notice if I hadn't cleaned in a few weeks. I decided to accept the good with the bad. Unfortunately my two children are also very left brained. I know there is nothing I can do about it. They were born that way. They excelled at math and science. It goes with the "leftbrainness" of our household. It only bothers me on my birthday and Christmas. I more than make up for it by buying my own gifts after each event. Thanks for the refrigerator analogy. I will keep that visual in my mind next Christmas as I open my gifts.

Susan