Gift Guide for Guys

The holiday gift giving season is officially over. Well, except for New Year's Eve and Day but who really gets presents on either of these holidays? My husband has triumphed through many gift giving occasions and really was quite the online buyer this year. When my sister asked me if Santa had been good to me, I had to honestly say he was VERY good to the kids this year. (Last year was my year when Jeff surprised me with an iMac. Oh, and diamond earrings this year for my birthday. You.the.man.Jeff.) But this year we were a little lame. Both of us were feeling a bit uninspired to buy when we are already so blessed with stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. I thought I would create a little guide for any man who wants to know what the women in their life really want. Feel free to add more ladies.

Guide For Men:
1. Plan a date night and get the babysitter all by yourself. You call and set it up. Seriously; you can do it.
2. Gift certificate for a pedi. It's fairly cheap, thoughtful, and every lady likes pretty feet. Well, except for one of my sisters who about crawled out of the chair the first time she got one ... But really, I think she is more of the exception than the general rule.
3. Starbucks gift card. Once again, this can be as cheap as you want and shows that you know that she needs caffeine to get through her normal daily routine.
4. Case of Diet Coke. (see caffeine note above.)
5. Take the kids grocery shopping.
6. Plan and cook a dinner.
7. Look her straight in the eyes when she gets in the car and has spent some time getting "dolled up" and say, "Wow. You look really beautiful." Remember, look only at her face. :)
8. Plan a vacation. Nothing says,"I love you" like planning a trip for just the two of you or the entire family.

That's it men. You too can achieve greatness; you just needed a little guidance.

White Christmas Party

How did I end up on a date with Don Johnson AGAIN?

Funny Dating Story

Year: 1990
Place: Senior Banquet, Amway Grand Plaza, Downtown Grand Rapids
Date's Name: Let's just call him Bob

Bob was a senior and I was a junior at the time of this spring banquet. The only way an underclassmen could attend was if he or she was invited by a senior. Since I barely ventured out of my class in search of friends, I thought I was safe. I was wrong. An acquaintance I knew from sports called and told me how hurt he was that someone had turned down his invitation to this big dance. He said, "I just wanted to go as friends. I don't know why she didn't understand that. You're my friend, right?"

NOTE TO MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF ... BE CAREFUL HOW YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

I answered something like this, "Ummmm ... yeah. I guess we're friends."

To which he responded, "Well good. So you'll go to the dance with me as friends?"

NOTE TO MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF ... YOU'VE BEEN DUPED.

Since I was raised to be nice and kind, I said sure. After much teasing from my best friend (who just happened to be a guy), I planned out some of the details of this mercy date. When Bob asked me what I would be wearing I told him I had a silver/light blue dress. He seemed disappointed in the color. I quickly found out why when he picked me up in a full white tuxedo with tails accompanied by a white tie and cumberbund. Bob complained that he couldn't find a tie & cumberbund to match my dress.

NOTE TO MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF ... YOU ARE ON A DATE WITH DON JOHNSON. GET OVER IT.

The date was fine and relatively uneventful. But maybe I just don't remember it that well since I was blinded by his tux for most of the night.

Pic of Earring

I must really like you ladies because I really dislike this picture of me. Here is my beautiful earring (which is part of a set but hey, this is a self-portrait.)