Madness

In my household, we have this little quirk. We like to know what the other one wants for a gift. Rarely do we attempt the surprise gift. We like a sure thing. (Now, on the rare occasion we do go for the surprise, it's usually a success . . . like the custom made bobble head and cordless screwdriver and diamond watch.) We also think that it is a good idea that the giftee come up with an idea before the giftor panics and blows the budget.

Ever since the 'big girlfriend break up of 2009' I haven't really been in the mood for gifts and frivolity directed at myself. It's an odd phase to be in, not wanting to be gifted with stuff. But, it's causing a bit of madness in the household. I didn't get a birthday gift this year because I didn't want one. Now, heading into the home stretch ahead of christmas, I haven't thought of a thing I want. And Phenom is getting annoyed.

I mentioned this to the Old Woman this morning. She couldn't relate. She said she couldn't think of a time when there wasn't a book she was wanting . . . and suggested that perhaps I should ask for a book shopping spree. She's so full of great ideas . . . and it is utterly typical that the first thing that would come to her mind would be books.