Freezing Chocolate Birthday Presents

For my husband’s birthday a few weeks ago, I gave him a chocolate bar among other things. It was very large, and made of high quality ingredients. Like ordering the best burger with your favorite fixing and fries then saying super-size it please. 

It sat on the center island for a few days. I stared at it every time I passed by.

“Aren’t you going to taste it?”

“Nah, not now.”

“Want me to put it in the freezer?” (Where we keep all the household chocolate because, in my opinion, chocolate tastes better frozen. Hmmm, I wonder if he feels the same way? [shrugs shoulders] Never asked.)

As I said, this was three weeks ago. Since then there hasn’t been a time I’ve passed the freezer without thinking about it being on the top rack under the Malted Milk Balls. Anyone can see it if they look around a bit. Okay, it is hidden.

He’s never asked about it since, and he goes into the freezer every night for grapes. Because he’s good. Though probably he can’t see it on the shelf where I put it. I wonder if he’s forgotten about it?

I kind of hope so because as of a few moments ago, there’s only about one tenth of that part of his birthday present left.

Oops.

Costco's Special Department

I found myself at that dreaded place again today. The one I kind of hate.

I usually don’t go. My more patient half does that for us because, apparently, he loves it (ICK!) and doesn’t mind. Orrrrr he wants something from me and thinks he’s scoring favor points (that was smart-alecky, sorry). Actually, he really DOES like going.

I’m not going to rant like I did last time but I still find that place terribly unfriendly. It actually, for me, turns a good mood into a crabby one stat.

Why don’t people smile? When you say please excuse me nicely, why don’t they move? Or if they do move, why don’t they acknowledge anything? It amazes me that people can live in such a self-absorbed bubble.

To me, it’s a giant, cement, freezing cold, way too crowded, not enough samples, unfriendly place.

Yet…..

There is one alluring department there. It beckons me with it’s come hither ways even though I pick a different aisle to traverse when bee lining to the meat case. Trying to keep my eyes forward, something always turns my head and always draws me to it. And then it’s over and I’ve lost again.

It’s the book aisle. I have a documented problem with buying/having too many books and I just gave more than100 away, so replenishing my library only seemed right.

Taking 20 minutes, I looked the whole thing over; opened every book that intrigued me. Then a light bulb pinged! It’s Christmas time, or almost. I should grab some titles for the book lovers in my world (One is to keep my non-reading hubby company, besides me, on vacation next month). Also, these book readers will swap after they've finished so I really have six to read, right?

And if you don’t know me super well, I will share with you my preferred approach to shopping for any gift. I employ the "One for You and One for Me" method.

So I bought these books. Three are gifts; three are for me.

 Guess which are which?

I also threw in “Downton Abbey” as a present possibility but I’ve been meaning to watch that series myself. I could probably watch it and re-gift it to my mother (she wouldn’t mind).

This is the reason I love Thanksgiving season. No gifts. I spend way too much at Christmas time with my approach to shopping!

Birthday Presents For Hubbies

It’s hubby’s birthday today! And he received a very timely and much desired present last night. The Chicago Stock Exchange is closed today because the NYSE is. New York doesn’t want any business transacted while it is dealing with Sandy!

Nothing, I mean NOTHING, makes my guy happier than not having to go into work.

What in the world will I do with him all day (and tomorrow for that matter because I overheard the exchange may be closed Tuesday as well)?

It is his birthday so that means we should do something fun; something he wants to do. Right? Hmmmmm…..

A movie! That’s what we’ll do. He loves popcorn (he doesn’t let me put fake butter on it though!) and the show. Maybe we’ll even see two in a row like we used to do when we were dating and newly married. But we will pay for both instead of doing the “other” thing we might have done when we were young and broke. We will pay, I promise!

[I loved being young and broke. We were tight and worked through a million things. Like vacations on the cheap; buying the condo of our dreams; eating out at great restaurants or going to two movies in a row; even buying diapers. In a lot of ways, even though things were tough, things were simpler and we were insanely happy. Does that make sense to you?]

And for his birthday dinner tonight?

Do I cook for him or take him to a great restaurant?

Be an apron only wearing chef or put on a hot outfit with black stockings to go out?

OR cook at home in hot outfit with black stockings?

I’ll have time to figure that out at the movies!