Who the hell would have a snit about getting a TiVo? Shape up, man!

Thanks for the sewing machine advice. I've done my research and think I would like to get her a Bernina or Elna or Janome. One of those Swiss babies that runs forever. She doesn't want the computer chip, and we'll angle for the metal one. There's supposed to be a great place for used machines out in Walnut Creek near her Mom. Also sewvacdirect seems to have some good deals on close out models.

Huzzah! I have done a good deed on Christmas day and was blessed tenfold!

I had walked down to the corner cafe to get EM a decaf coffee. On the way back I spotted a woman in the bus zone in front of our house, tugging futiley to get stuff out of her trunk. I glanced at her back wheel and confirmed she had a flat.

I delivered the coffee and mulled it over in my head. On the one hand, did I really want to be a greasy sweatball on Christmas day, fixing a flat in the rain? Plus she was a young woman with a Beemer. When do we enjoy a class war except on these occasons? But she also had a baby stroller and was obviously having trouble with it and it was after all Christmas plus drizzling. No fun for anybody, and it didn't look like she was waiting for Triple-A.

So I went back down and offered my help which she gratefully accepted. She put me on the phone with her husband and he went over the BMW jack with me. It is a thing of beauty the BMW jack! Plus you get a real tire, not this fake emergency biz. Anyway, we chatted and she was British, and her husband was home with the three month old baby, and they really celebrate Hanukah, but it was rainy and she was going to the grocery to get the makings for beef bourginon.

I assured her that she would have her beef bourginon on my watch! She apologized, saying, "It's 2005, it's ridiculous that I don't know how to fix my own flat." I told her that we wouldn't revoke her feminist card, what with the new Mom credit, plus in the rain on Christmas/Hanukah. She was very charming and appreciative, and we both got covered in axel grease. But after turning the wheel this way and that four times, finally got the new one on.

Now I'm feeling chuffed with my good-deed-doingness. So I say, a good cure for holiday blahs is to do good deeds. Worked for me anyway, and I wasn't even feeling that blah.

{{MG}} I'm so sorry to hear your DH is unappreciative, it makes it so hard to enjoy the day. I hope the kids were a little happier about their gifts! Heck, you give me a TIVO and I'd be your slave for....well, a month at least.

I got really good loot. The best? A $40 gift certificate to my daughter's salon so I can get a half-body massage. WhooHoo, am I looking forward to that!

there's no way we'd be allowed to live if we tried to get them to eat breakfast, first,

Oh, yeah, I remember those days. In some ways I miss them, in others I don't. But, really, I can't wait to have grandkids because I love that unmitigated delight that children have in Christmas.

Well, back to drinking Kir Royales (my brother brought champagne and cassis to make them, niiiiice brother) and watching "40 Year Old Virgin."

MG, I'm sorry -- I'm not sure which is the worse suck, knowing that a gift you thought would be loved didn't go over, or knowing that a gift you don't like was chosen with care so you feel grinchy not instantly loving it to death.

That said, I think you should declare that the TiVo is henceforth a whole-family gift, and offer DH something that's just for him -- a nice dinner for the two of you or the like. (Anyway, we all know he'll come around to the TiVo....)

OTOH, salt licorice is pure evil, and I have no reassuring words on that front.

I've never even heard of salt licorice. And it does sound nasty, because I am not a fan of salty foods. Ugh. But then, I was a wierd kid who like hoarhound drops. It takes all kinds.

I can understand not being thrilled with TIVO, if you don't know it , but it has seductive charms...

talked to my folks. Dad insisted on talking to m e- he read the first chapter of the book I sent and liked it. and then we talked about home projhects, my health issues, waterh heaters and... This is the man that I always thought of as a non - talker...

what I am wearing is a couch potato sack

[link]

DH insists on calling it a onesie

better picture

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I think DH might be right in his terminology.

He'll come around on the Tivo. It's a Tivo, after all.

I'm enjoying my 1942 Boston Cooking School Cookbook. Here is the recipe for "Toasted English Muffins":

Split English Muffins (baker's or homemade) or pull apart with fork. Brush cut side generously with melted butter. Toast in broiler, buttered side only. Serve hot with jam or marmalade.

With Cheese. Sprinkle with grated cheese before toasting, or put a thin round slice of soft cheese on each.

Also, at least half of the recipes in the appetizers chapter essentially boil down to "cut in cubes, stick with toothpicks, serve around a bowl of Mayonnaise."

It's fantastic.

Oooh, beth, that looks cozy! I always keep a couple blankets on the back of the couch for cuddling with, but that couch sack would be great to plop into at the end of the day to watch TV with.

Hee, my brother has crashed on my bed. My father is laughing like a loon at "Virgin" and teh daughter and teh nephew have gone off to a local bar to play darts. I can do whatever I want, now! So, I'm sitting here enjoying doing nothing, nothing, nothing.

We HAVE a Tivo in the bedroom, so he is not unaware of, what I consider, the virtues. He doesn't like the pause in changing channels, but I think he just really needs a remote lesson, or maybe I have the machines connected funky or something. I never have a problem with it.

He won't even consider hooking it up in the family room and ignoring it cause he says he can't change channels the way he wants to. I just don't get it.

Perkins - the salty licorice is yours. I'll bring it over NYD.

Everyone else loved their gifts. K-Bug and her iPod, C and her record player, CJ and his skateboard....all are happy. C is off with her mom for Christmas dinner but should be back later tonight.

eta - DH doesn't like his new cell phone either. I lose.