It's The Thought That Counts

Chocolate covered cherries are the devil in my house.   Every year, without fail, my husband gets a package of them as a Christmas gift as a reminder of that one mistake he made years ago…

One Valentine’s day, my husband at the tender age of 16, was scouring the stores looking for a gift for his dear mother.  He just couldn’t find that special present that would express all the wonderful things his mother was: kind, patient, loving.  And then he found it.  He heard the angels singing and saw the light shine on the gift that would change his life forever: a box of chocolate covered cherries.

Okay, it didn’t really happen like that.  The tard forgot, and when he realized that his sister had something and he didn’t, he ran to the closest gas station and bought his mom the first thing he could lay his hands on.

As you can imagine, they were not well received.  Now, it has become a Christmas tradition to never let him forget the inconsiderate gift he bestowed upon his mother all those years ago.  The funny part is that the gift comes from his DAD.  We see it coming every year and we all get a good laugh.  In reality, when it comes to gifts, it’s the thought that counts.  My kid better be running to the nearest store if he forgets a gift for me!

Holiday Gifts NOT wanted

What's the worst gift anyone can possibly get for the holidays?  Everyone can deal with the really cool sweater grandma gives you or the appliances your husband attempts to squeeze by as gifts.  The most horrible gift EVER is weight gained.

This morning I finally had the nerve to weigh myself and I shrieked in despair! I saw 4 more pounds on the scale.  That's my grand total of weight gain for the holidays.  After my shock wore off, I realized that 4 pounds was not that bad.  I gave myself a pat on the back and ate a cookie (I didn't). Seriously though, in the many holiday gatherings and tins of cookies that passed my way, 4 pounds sounds like cake to lose! 

Then I thought of all the things that weighed 4 pounds (a chihuahua, a premature baby) and I got depressed.  I gained my nephew over the holidays!  So I celebrated by eating Outback Steakhouse and living in the moment.  I can lose 5 pounds just as easily as 4, right?