Whereas I love moonstone and labradorite

I am Bev!! I like my birthstone, too, but I never wear it. Don't have it in anything. If I ever have an engagement ring, I'd prefer that it be sapphire than diamond, but who knows when if ever that will be.

What's a good wedding gift for my neighbors

Donate to a Peace Corps Volunteer's project, or some other organization? Gift certificate to a fancy restaurant?

It can't be too extravagant, cause that would be weird coming from me in this case. Hrm. He's big into conservation, just got a masters in some sort of forestry thing. Maybe need to look at Heifer or something for a "tree/rainforest share" down in south/central America, where she used to work. Though that still seems a little weird coming from me.

Hell, maybe I'll put together a welcome home thing of doggie biscuits and a board/card game they can play with his daughter, since they do gamenights (taught me hearts!)

Ok, talking it out (as much as I love the idea of a project gift) I need to find an old school boardgame. Luckily will be near a toystore that carries some real classics this weekend.

Are they coffee drinkers, sara? The price of decent coffee has gotten so high I'd like people to give it to me, anyway.

I was born 20 hours too late for opals, what are among my favorites, along with garnets and amber. I'm not particularly fond of topaz.

What about a tree or something for them to plant in the spring, sara?

Not enough yard or yardworking inclination (I often do his leaves in exchange for heavy lifting help,) though otherwise, that'd be my inclination. Plus, he's made some noises about moving (WOE!) to a place with more yard now that they have a dog and might be entertaining the possibility of more kids. And omg, calmest dog ever. She's a golden retriever, still under 18 months, and doesn't bark but just looks soulfully out the front door, only gets really excited when new people come into the house in the form of trying to curl up/lean on them.

Oh, Goldens. Such nice dogs.

Cass, it all started when she linked this, [link] which is an article about a new series from Greene, which starts in ten minutes on PBS, by the by.

Fantastic! It's already set to record.

What's a good wedding gift for my neighbors (who are getting hitched this next week)? He doesn't drink much (half a beer and he's woozie,) so a nice bottle of wine is kinda wasted on them.

Damn, wine is my default "you have all of the stuff you need" gift. Donation is now my default gift for people who don't need Things. And when that isn't the right choice, something that will be used up. Which is why wine used to be a great choice. Consumable.

Also I might have managed to get to Trader Joe's with no list. So I am sadly lacking in real food but I did buy chocolate. And lemons for my garbage disposal.

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Oops, I forgot to post this earlier…

Cass, what are you doing for this? My cat is losing weight and I can't figure out how to make him eat more. I keep giving him food he really likes but he just doesn't eat enough.

Oh, I am ridiculous and feed her a combination of canned tuna and, um, a mixed blend that I cook. I honestly kept trying everything until I found the foods she would eat well. Also I find that changing up what I feed her keeps her interest. So I go through a couple days of tuna and then a couple days of the homemade.

(Side note: I really wish the parentals would ask me BEFORE laying out money for tech. Now I'm faced with setting up their shiny new tablet remotely, and it's not even the best solution for their needs.)

Oh, hell yes. If I am going to expect me to be your tech support, you need to check with me before you buy the wrong thing.

Oooh, I have golden retriever envy. Also, board games make great wedding gifts!

Also, board games make great wedding gifts!

You should come by Chez Zmayhem on Thursday which is Family Game Night.

However, I must warn you that Emmett will win 80% of all the important rolls of the dice. I know this is statistically improbable, but JZ will back me up on this.