My mother pretends to listen, then she gets me either some approximation of what I want, or something she feels like getting me.

We may have the same mother. Hmmm.

BTW, Steph, I just took a peek at your Amazon wishlist, I think it could use a little sprucing up.

I think my sister asked me for a list for this Christmas, now that I think about it. I'm sure she won't give me whatever she bought for me in Mexico until December or January. She asked what I wanted, and then countered with "Well, what about earrings?" when I told her what I wanted. Truth is, earrings are great! I just forgot. I have a standard "bring me back from foreign" list, and I forgot it's probably too pricey for her. And bulky.

But when my family travels anywhere even slightly different it's mandatory to bring back gifts, and I ask for a knife from just about everywhere.

Last time my mother asked what I wanted for Christmas I told her black and silver jewelry and she went out and hit up the mall and came back with just that, and lovely to boot. I have to give her credit for consistently buying me stuff she wouldn't wear (she's sad I don't have her taste) but that I love.

Okay--did I take my meds this morning? Can someone please tell me? I'm operating on one hour of sleep, so things are a little blurred.

BTW, Steph, I just took a peek at your Amazon wishlist, I think it could use a little sprucing up.

Heh. I update it around Christmas when prodded by family. At which point my mom tells me to NOT look at it again so that I don't know if "Santa" (and she insists on saying Santa, not her) got me anything.

(Believe it or not, I actually *don't* look at it again. I don't know where that fortitude comes from.)

my favorite gifts to buy? For Buffistas. It was very cool last year to go into the bookstore, admire the van Gogh notecards and know that Anne would get why I thought they were cool. And I can buy Buffistas books without it being considered a "Take the hint," present. ETA: Because, apparently, if you buy books for people that don't read, you are calling them a moron and gift-wrapping it. Which never occurred to me when I did it. I thought they would enjoy whatever-it-was.

Oh, and gift certificates were also a sign You Didn't Care.

I can kind of see how people think that, as it can seem to be a gift without thought. But I tend to prefer getting them myself, and I usually give gift certificates to my mom and one of my cousins specifically because I know it gives them the fun of going shopping in addition to being able to get exactly what they want.

my favorite gifts to buy? For Buffistas.

OH! That reminds me that I really loved the idea of the lists of Buffista preferences that Deena used to (still does?) keep. Like, favorite colors and scents and what not. I always thought something like that would be good for my family to have. So I could indicate, say, that I love nice lotions but I am sensitive to floral scents. or whatever.

I'm dealing with this right now, since my birthday is next week.

ME TOO!

When??

8/26! I'll be 40!

good call. I should add some stuff to that list, come to think of it. Also, wish my brother kept up a Wish List...not even for me to duplicate exactly, just so I know things like "He's over rap," or something.