The Gift that Keeps on Giving

The Skimmer has given me many beautiful and thoughtful gifts over the years. Pretty clothes, books, concert tickets, gels, creams, lotions. Fireplace mantles.

When we moved into this house ten years ago, I was disappointed that there were no interesting architectural details. So, our first Christmas here, he went to an antique store and bought an old, gorgeous, ornate fireplace mantle. Stripped it, refinished it and installed it in our bedroom. It's beautiful. And functional! Not for fires, but for books. He built a bookcase within it because I had also been missing the built-in bookshelves that were in almost every room of the century home we had just moved out of.

The Skimmer is an artist. And he's painted my portrait multiple times. Simple black and white line drawings and pretty pastels. Once, he worked on a large oil painting for weeks and I wasn't allowed to see it until it was almost done.

"Well, that's interesting!"

"What?"

"Are you serious?"

"What?!"

"Whattya mean, what? Is that me or Dolly Parton? And what's with that outfit?!"

"What?! I like it!"

"I bet you do!"

"And it's not Dolly Parton! I used this shot of Tyra Banks as reference."

"You've lost your mind. Cover me up! I can't get that framed!"

Yes, The Skimmer's been very thoughtful about gifts over the years, never thinking of himself at all.

The year before we were married, I took a weekend trip with my mom and sister. At the time, I was living in a very tiny apartment. I had complained to The Skimmer that I couldn't wait to move into a bigger place, because of the kitchen. There was no counter space whatsoever.

When I got back from my trip, The Skimmer had built a table that fit perfectly between the refrigerator and stove. Giving me space to, you know, open cans of green beans and frozen food packages.

When my mom saw what he had done, she hugged me, "He's a keeper!"

The Table that Love Built was definitely a sign that indeed he was.

But, none of this, not any of it, has stopped me from calling him Dual Bag for the last two weeks!

On my last birthday, he didn't get me a vacuum cleaner. He didn't get me extra memory for my computer. Or even an Absersizer.

He didn't get me anything at all!

Last May was tough times here at the Blue Manse. Big changes were occurring and my birthday got lost in the shuffle. Which was not only okay, in fact, I was and still am totally grateful for it.

"Honey? Honey? It's time to wake up!"

"Why should I? You didn't get me anything for my birthday."

"Honey? The game'll be starting soon. Do you want me to order the pizza with sausage or pepperoni?"

"What difference does it make since you never got me anything for my birthday."

"Oooh, I forgot. Your mom called earlier."

"Why am I not surprised you forgot. You know, because of my birthday and everything."

Last night we were in Macy's shopping for my mother-in-law's gift. I thought a piece of jewelry would be nice. Maybe something with her birthstone. She and I share the same birthday month.

I asked the saleswoman to take a very simple and elegant emerald necklace out of the display case.

"Oooh, this is pretty. Don't you think, Skimmer? And meaningful, too.

"Why?"

"Because it's her birthstone! May is emerald!"

"How do you know?"

"Seriously, Dual Bag?! It is totally the doghouse for you! Nothing but quiche and lattes. Ow-ow-ow-oooo! Ow-ow-ow-oooo!

I am grateful because it gives me something to torture him about for the rest of his life. No gold, diamonds -- or even emeralds -- could ever beat that.

It truly is the gift that will keep on giving.

Comments

[Wren]

Oh ... my.

Men can certainly be ... thoughtless. However, women have their problems, too. I almost (I didn't do it, really!) bought my guy a wireless headset for the TV for Christmas this year. So I wouldn't have to listen to the bad movies (think "Conan the Barbarian"} he watches almost 24/7, thanks to the Miracle of Cable TV.

It was close, BG. Real close.

[blue girl]

think "Conan the Barbarian"

lol. Oooh, Wren. That was *close!* :)

The Skimmer's much more thoughtful than he is thoughtless. It's just that, I can't let something that good die! lol.

[Lucy]

Yeah. I'd torture him forever too, just like I do with the one and only one truly thoughtless gift Reg has ever gotten me: a Winnie the Pooh video and four pez dispensers wrapped in a Giant Eagle bag. All the rest of the time, he's pretty much spoiled me, giftwise. Still, Winnie the Pooh in a Giant Eagle bag? Too good not to mock.

[Shayera]

See, I think it was terribly thoughtful of the Skimmer to give you something to hold over his head. ;-)

[blue girl]

Winnie the Pooh video and four pez dispensers wrapped in a Giant Eagle bag.

Now see? He probably would have been golden (somehow) if it weren't for the Giant Eagle bag! lol. It actually sounds like a cute little present. But, I'm a sucker for pez.

Shayera! Right on, sista!

[kathleenmaher]

Imagine a man so thoughtful he must takes pains to give you a legitimate reason for sulking!

[blue girl]

I haven't really sulked. But, I should. It's such a great word. :)

[Nicho]

I'm still anxiously waiting for the Skimmer to say something...

[Adorable Girlfriend]

I saw your comments over at EotS and I am working on a post. You raised great questions and I will formally respond sooner. I'm sorry I've been so gosh darn busy and on vacation that I wasn't able to respond sooner. (Next time, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail because your comments are soo important and worthy of a meaningful response. Unfortunately, my PhD studies, paid work, and various other new projects no longer allow me to check the blogs with the same vigor that I once knew.)

[Kathleen in Oakland]

you guys are both the best

[send flowers to philippines]

How thoughtful he is giving portrait..That Skimmer is greatly nice.lol

-Ashley