lovey dovey
November 18th, 2007 @ 9:33 pm | love, miscellany | Post a CommentI am somewhat hesitant to talk about love and marriage on this blog (despite the title, I suppose) for two reasons. One is privacy. This little corner of the internet is not hidden from my real life and because many readers know my husband too, I have two people’s privacy to be thinking about. Two, I can imagine for those out there who are not in happy relationships (either not in a relationship at all or in one but unhappily), hearing saccharine musings on love and forever togetherness probably just makes you want to gag on your lunch.
I will try to avoid both upchuck and sounding like a family-values conservative, but I love being married. Sometimes I wonder how time passed so quickly and I ended up going from crazy college girl to bride to smug married. Then again, I feel like marriage just fits us. I’d feel naked if I faced the day without it. With it though, I feel all cozy and warm and happy. It’s good, really, really good.
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NaBloPoMo is killing me, and I am not even doing it! I have been trying really hard to keep up my reading and my commenting, but dang you people are dedicated! For Thanksgiving I will be in the land of dial-up (who knew that still existed, and along the I-95 corridor no less!) and I will no doubt come home to hundreds of unread posts in my feed reader. I am already planning to sneak away to the free Panera Bread WiFi once or twice but no promises, people. It’s more likely I will be in a stuffing-induced coma and unable to drive or type.
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I am working on compiling my Christmas wishlist and will post it here when it’s finished. I’m having a much harder time with the gift-giving list this year, mostly with parent gifts. Is anyone getting their parents something really awesome, not cheesy/boring, and not too expensive? Do tell! I know Black Friday hasn’t even happened yet but I am feeling behind on my shopping and if I have to traverse the mall in med-December I might instead choose to jump off a bridge.
i think i am going to get my parents a digital picture frame loaded with pictures of me!! (i’ll probably be nice include pics of my bro and nephew too…)
written by k
November 18th, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
I always find my parents very difficult to shop for, so if you come up with something good, let me know!
written by jessica
November 18th, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
My mom reads your blog occasionally so I don’t want to spoil anything here but think magazine subscriptions and wine chillers for our rents.
written by alison
November 18th, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
I’m thinking about the Heifer Project or something like that because Lord knows my parents don’t need any more “stuff”.
written by Virginia Gal
November 18th, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
I second the digital picture frame. I gave my parents one at Father’s Day, my mom’s birthday in June and they really liked it. I recommend getting a jumpdrive so you don’t have to put your camera card in it.
written by Brie
November 18th, 2007 @ 11:48 pm
I NEVER know what to get my parents. They just got into wine…so maybe some cool wine accessories?
written by Larissa
November 19th, 2007 @ 3:26 am
I usually have no problems finding something for my Dad. My Mom on the other hand… gosh it is very difficult to find anything for her. This year however I am at loss and have no idea what to get them.
written by Kat
November 19th, 2007 @ 3:49 am
I hear ya - parents are tough! My parents have everything they need and really want no more. So, my brother and I have compiled a bunch of pictures we took in the beach town where my parents have a vacation home. We’re going to pick the best and frame them (we bought a great multi-picture frame from Red Envelope, but this can be done more affordably at Target - I’ve used their frames before, too, and love them).
written by Nilsa S.
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:52 am
I love that you were honest about you and your husband, I think it is good for people to hear there are couples that are happy and love to be married out there. My husband and I have been married for a year and a half now and I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I do sometimes feel akward mentioning how much fun we have when we are around our single friends, but then again it is a huge part of your life and people need to know there is happiness in this world!
written by Lauren
November 19th, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Yay that you are so lovey-dovey! I take it that the weekend “away” was a success? Even without chocolate body paint?
My dad collects scale-model cars to the point where they are taking over the house, but even though I promised my mom that I wouldn’t add to the chaos, I found these awesome mahogany models from a booth at the Mushroom Festival this year. So, I think I’m going with the Corvette just because it’s pretty. There are a bunch of other models that dads might like. Golf cart? Fire engine? Tank?
My mom just redid their kitchen, so I’m going with a package of kitcheny stuff: cute apron/hot pads, Barefoot Contessa cookbook, a couple of gadgets, etc.
I had a terrible case of giver’s block last week, but now, I am ready to go, except for my grandma. Any ideas for grandmas?
written by RA
November 19th, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Thank you for posting this! For my mom’s present, I had no idea what to get, but now I am totally copying Nilsa and framing pictures I took this summer from the town where we used to have a beach house. Maybe I’ll do the same for my dad. (They are divorced.) Now I just have to figure out something for my husband’s parents.
written by -R-
November 19th, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Oh, RA, my husband’s grandmother’s eyesight is getting really bad, so we are going to get her books on tape.
written by -R-
November 19th, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
RA: grandmother’s are hard…my fall backs are 1. pretty notepaper, stamps, & a new arthritis friendly pen, 2. a few packages of pretty paper cocktail napkins, 3. amaryllis or paperwhite bulbs (with dirt or stones & pot) to grow in a window and enjoy the blooms in January/Feb. Things she wouldn’t buy for herself but enjoys.
written by Virginia Gal
November 19th, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
I am totally not in the gift-buying spirit since parents and sister will all be in Namibia for Christmas. It makes the shopping pretty anticlimactic. Although, I did get my mom personalized stationery for her birthday and that went over super well and I got my dad 3 months of Netflix for HIS birthday and he loves it. Both gifts are under $50.
written by Laurel
November 19th, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
I agree with digital frame for the ‘rents and it’s not a bad idea for grandparents, too. Especially if you can scan and display old-school non-digital photos on it (I don’t know, I’m not a techie kind of gal.)
PS - as someone who is finalizing her divorce during this festive holiday season, it is refreshing to read about someone who is happy. I still hold out hope for happy love. Don’t apologize for for it - you might just be an inspiration for someone.
written by Kim
November 19th, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
i feel behind on the shopping too - it’s freaking me out!
and i’m a single girl and i still like to hear about love once in awhile. it makes me hopeful
written by michelle
November 19th, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
And once again I feel almost guilty for being so mellow right about now (no holday shopping). Parents are hard to buy for so im going to weasel out and say a wine club membership and a nice handwritten letter, maybe a couples massage?
written by maya
November 19th, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Pony = Best xmas present ever! =)
written by Alli
November 19th, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
hey, I know, I’m in the same boat. I feel like I love on my husband on my blog a little on the vomitious side, but it’s all for real!
written by Liz
November 19th, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Panera. Yummmm.
written by She Likes Purple
November 19th, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
I am also feeling really behind, but maybe it’s because I have friends who are already done with their shopping. Who does that??! Jeeeez.
I am in the same boat as you in terms of parents gifts. I feel like Dad just wants golf balls every year and Mom wants new socks. Snooooze. If you come up with a good idea, please fill me in.
written by Lindsey
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
I’m trying to get organised with gifts, but finding my mum and grandma really hard to buy for this year.
It’s so hard - I’m working right up til 4 days before I go overseas.. YIKES. What was I thinking?
written by alyndabear
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
VETO ON THE DAMN DIGITAL PHOTO FRAMES! What is wrong with people????
written by Lindsey
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
I’m so jealous about your Thanksgiving. Ours was last month and I’m so craving turkey and stuffing. JEALOUS!
And, good call about not putting too much about being married on your blog.
It’s a really fine line (in my opinion) when your friends and family know about it. I find with us, and most marriages, things can be really good and really bad - and sometimes you need to keep that within you marriage and not share with the internet.
written by Laural Dawn
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
i love all your marriage stuff, but then again i am newly married myself, so maybe i’m biased.
as far as gifts go, i have no idea. people have everything already these days. my mom wants an ipod. my dad never wants anything. and my husband is THE VERY WORST to shop for. someone help me.
written by tia
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
PS I didn’t mean that I don’t like what you wrote - I think it’s great to say you love your husband. I just mean knowing your boundaries is also good
written by Laural Dawn
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Even though I’m not married yet, I feel the same way about posting lovey dovey business. Sometimes I’m hesitant to post and other times I can’t wait to share. Ah ce la vie.
And good luck shopping and Christmas wishlisting, I still have no idea what I want this year.
written by katelin
November 19th, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
I think my parents are the hardest ones to shop for. They end up just wanting money or gift cards or something, which I can totally handle so no complaints here.
Last year for Nick’s parents, we went in with his brothers and sisters and did the digital photo frame too. Must be popular nowadays. There are some out there that are WiFi equipped, so what’s great about it is that everyone in the family can email pics to a special email address and they automatically cycle through. There are siblings in Switzerland, New York and Ajerbaijan, so it’s fun to see them all staying in touch through the frame.
written by angela
November 19th, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
My parents are really hard to shop for too. I think it’s because I want to give them a thoughtful gift, not just and easy gift the Wii remote I’m buying for my brother. I think this year I might get them a gift certificate to a local B&B or a similar gift for them to spend time together.
written by Slade
November 20th, 2007 @ 12:25 am
Hmmm, I have to say that I’m impressed with the community that you’ve built here. I’ll stick to brevity though and just say that no, if genuine, expression of warmth and goodness in the world are simply good and let us not rail against it. Please give the beau my regards and know the same for you.
Peace from Chicago,
Gray
written by Gray B.
November 20th, 2007 @ 1:44 am
I do ostof my shoping online - it saves the hassle of the mall ( even though I like to be in the holiday spriit your’re right - it can kill you!) Haven’t quite coe up what to get Mom yet, probbaly jewelry and my Dad some Tommy Gahama clothes! Last year I made them a scrapbook of our vacations together- the four of us - my hubby, me and them and it was a hit - I wasn’t creative this year so it’s all up to shopping!
written by Princess Extraordinaire
November 20th, 2007 @ 7:50 am
Okay can you tell I am in the midst of an all night killer headache and typed that?
written by Princess Extraordinaire
November 20th, 2007 @ 7:53 am
We’re happy that you are happy!
Pony does equal a good present!
written by alexa
November 20th, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
My thankgiving venue is also in the land of dial-up.
we call it Dysfunction Junction.
written by jaclyn
November 20th, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Puppies. My mom asked for one, and I’m giving her two. Just couldn’t divide the two brothers. She lives 500 miles away from me, and we don’t know if my Dad (her husband) has any interest in a puppy. So, all of our long distance conversations are “in code” and I sent her a cooking mag with pictures of the puppies plastered behind the subscription inserts. We’ll see how it goes … figure little red sweaters on these two little Dachshund brothers will be very enticing …
written by Lori
December 9th, 2007 @ 8:15 pm