Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Oh, what to do?


Hubby's birthday is on Sunday. What to get for a man who doesn't need more "stuff"? Aside from tools, gadgets and clothing, which he's got plenty of right now, Hubby doesn't need much. Hmmm...Perhaps if I won the lottery, that would be the perfect gift. That way, he could buy more farm equipment! Seriously, I had noooooooooo idea how expensive it is to operate a farm! The equipment, machinery...WOW!

Anyway, I don't even know what I'm doing for his birthday yet! Usually, we have a BIG "to do" about his birthday. Not so much on his side of the family, but more on my side. I grew up in a family where birthdays are a BIG thing. BIG birthday parties are a must in my family. That means inviting friends and family, having lots and LOTS of food. My family is all about celebrating. I love that part of coming from a big family and from a culture that celebrates everything with gusto. It is great to celebrate with loved ones. However, these days I am feeling really tired and I get exhausted really quickly. I hate to admit this, but I haven't really put any thought at all into planning anything for Hubby.

Since his birthday falls on Thanksgiving weekend, I know we'll be celebrating lunch (or "dinner", as they call it here) at his mom's. I just realized that we have absolutely ZERO room in any of our three freezers, so I don't think I can make an ice cream cake for his birthday this year. That's right...ALL three freezers are filled to the brim with produce from our gardens and meat to last us the winter an entire year. I may forgo the ice cream cake this year and make him one of my other specialty cakes:Funny...I'm not much of a dessert fan, but I love to bake! I just love cooking and baking for other people. I think it secretly makes me feel happy that they get to enjoy my baking...calories and all!

I've also been preoccupied with a bunch of projects and other things that need to get done. Plus, there's this 15 year high school reunion of mine that is supposed to take place next weekend. Wow! We all look so young in this Class of '93 photo! Hubby was amazed at how many people were in my graduating class. He said that the number of students in my grad class was equivalent to the number of students in his entire high school! Not everyone has confirmed yet. The venue has had to be changed due to the numbers we are anticipating. I'm actually pleased with the new venue that my friend, Steve was able to secure. Navia is a fantastic spot, if you're ever in Montreal! Navia is a tapas bar, but they do host private functions and big events. They can accommodate groups up to 200 people. They serve the most amazing martinis and the menu is quite impressive. *sigh* Not that I'll be sipping on any martinis anytime soon!!! Oh, I have nooooooo idea when I last had a Chocolate Martini, Flirtini, Sex in the City, Apple Cosmo, Lychee Martini, Midori Sour, Manhattan...Wow! Do I ever sound like quite the lush!!? I actually haven't had a drink since Hubby and I went to the Dominican Republic in March! It's not like when I used to live in the city and I'd go out with my girlfriends and have drinks after work or on a Saturday night. My life has changed so much. To be honest, I don't even miss the going out and drinking/partying all the time.

Anyway, the big thing is that I am excited to be seeing some of my classmates that I haven't seen in YEARS!!! It should be lots of fun! PLUS, I'll be in my hometown again! I'll be in Montreal and I'll get to spend time with my friends and family. THAT is what I am especially looking forward to. I have been feeling homesick for my family. I didn't realize how much I'd miss them while I am pregnant. It seems I miss them even more now that I'm expecting. I guess it goes back to the not being able to share all my pregnancy moments with them...which leads me to think of all the baby's exciting 'firsts' that my family will be missing. Well, let us not think about that right now. *sigh*

COUNTDOWN:
4 days until Hubby's birthday!
5 days until Thanksgiving Monday!
7 days until our 24 wk ultrasound and prenatal visit. Yay! We get to see "Junior" again!
8 days until we go to Montreal! Yippeee!
118 days to go until "Junior's" grand appearance! Wow. That seems so close yet so far, doesn't it?

Anyway, what would you get for a man who has everything he needs already?

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mate, soz to hear you have been feeling homesick for your mates and family. I have been a neglectful friend. I will e-mail and chat more often. I noticed you are never on MSN anymore!

118 days left until your baby is born. What, that is about 4 months, yes?

I shall have a Midori Sour for you after I finish work tonight. You must miss the routine of going to your izakaya of preference after work with your mates!

-Pete

merinz said...

Men are really really hard to buy presents for.
Of course there are the usual ones - like books, vouchers, clothing etc.
How about a subscription to his favourite magazine?

Cherry said...

How about a happy, healthy baby? I mean, does he really want much else right now?

I run into the same troubles with the gifts for my hubby, and usually end up cooking him a meal. Which I just found out he wished I put more thought into the gift giving. Sigh. I'm much more of do something for someone, rather then buy them something.

I'm so glad you will get to be going home for a bit for your reunion. I'm sure it'll be a busy visit, but it'll be nice to get a little family recharge. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you since your family is so close.

Sounds like this next month is full of exciting days. Rest up! you'll need it!

Unknown said...

Pete:
Awww! That's so sweet of you :) You're not the "wanker" you make yourself out to be! ;) Nah, I haven't been on MSN in ages. I'm only on there when ESL students schedule times to "chat"/go over homework. Otherwise I have been avoiding it these days.

Unknown said...

Mrinz:
So true! My hubby is definitely one of those "hard to buy for" men! I bought him a bunch of clothes before and they still haven't been used! They still have all their tags on them! Then again, he's the type of person who will use up his clothes until they're all worn and then use his new clothes.

He is an avid reader though, so your suggestion sounds like a great one! Thanks! :)

Unknown said...

Cherry:
You are absolutely right. That would be the PERFECT gift, wouldn't it? :)

I'm like you...I am more of a "do something for someone" or "make something for someone" person rather than a "buy something for someone" kinda gal. For the past few Christmases, I've been making things for people (either crafts like Christmas ornaments or baked goods like boxes of cookies, brownies, etc...and even preserves, chili sauces, jams, maple syrup). I noticed that the expression on a lot of the recipients' faces isn't quite the same as when they receive a brand spanking new blackberry, camera, laptop, or piece of jewelry. *sigh* Then I feel crappy. I've always felt that gifts that are made have more sentiment. They mean more when it took time and love and thought to make it. Maybe it's just me.

I'm glad I'm going "home" for a few days too! We'll only be away from Thurs-Sun or Mon (we've got a prenatal class on Mon evening). It'll be so good to be with family again. I really miss them!

Unknown said...

I know what you are going through. I go through this each year for hubby's b-day and let's not get started on christmas! I usually just try to get him something that I know he has been wanting like a video game or something like that. He is really hard to shop for!

Anonymous said...

I've got to make this quick because I'm at work but if I don't get a chance to call on the weekned, give Big J my birthday greetings! I'll try to catch up with you before you head down to MTL. Talk soon!

Uncivil said...

I have a suggestion, but this is a "G" rated blog!!!!!!LOL!!!!!

Unknown said...

D'Rae:
There was a while when Hubby was into video games. I got him a whole bunch. We had some ESL students with us at the time and they used to play on weekends (I didn't let them play on school nights. Mean, eh?). They spent weeks trying to finish a certain game. Then, the interest fizzled after a while. I think Hubby goes in spurts. He'll be interested in video games for a while, and then not even touch the game console for months!

He does like reading though. He reads all kinds of magazines (none of which I read)! He reads Agricultural magazines, science magazines, economics, religion, woodworking, firefighting, etc. He has also been working on finishing "Catch-22". I don't know how long he's been trying to finish that book! I've tried reading it too, and have never finished it. I just can't get into it.

Unknown said...

T:
Will do! We should be around. We'll be either here, at my MIL's or at my parents'. We've got Hubby's sis coming on Fri. I'm pretty sure the weekend will be filled with family stuff. What are your big Thanksgiving plans? Are you going to visit your folks?

Unknown said...

Uncivil:
I have a feeling I know what you were about to say! ;p

Momisodes said...

Okay. Let me get this straight. You're not much of a dessert fan, but I love to bake? I believe THAT is the best gift of all :) LOL! Can I please tell you how much I wish you lived closer?

You list of drinks brought me right back to my single days. Ah, to have a midori sour again ;)

Shannon said...

I am with you on the birthdays. They were a really big deal growing up. Of course, I had a small family. Hubby's family is large- four sibs with two to five kids each- that's a lot of birthdays. So other than kids we don't tend to do much. As I get older that is just fine with me. We might do a special lunch or hike to celebrate but that is all we want or need from each other. Time is the best gift we can give!
That first dessert looks like heaven! Cheesecake? or Swirled frosting?? My mind is whirling with sugary possibility :)>
Have a great time in Montreal. That is a favorite place of mine to visit! Remember to take lots of pics!!

Unknown said...

Sandy:
Tee hee! Yes, it's true! I LOVE baking, but I'm not much of a dessert fan! Weird, eh? Works well for me though!

One of these days, if we ever get to meet up IRL, we'll have a Midori Sour together!

Unknown said...

Shannon:
It's a "Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake" :) I swirled the cheesecake batter by reserving some of the vanilla and mixing the rest with a bit of cocoa or melted chocolate and then swirled them. It makes a really neat visual effect! Really pretty :)
My husband LOVES that cake! My Mom is more partial to the strawberry/kiwi/peach cheesecake. Every time my cousin comes, he wants me to make a blueberry cheesecake and when my Baby Bro comes for a visit, he wants a strawberry cheesecake.

McAngie said...

OMG! How dare you show pictures of such delicious food! Yum! Ha!

So nice to finally make it over to your blog "C", I trailed you from Ms. Rosie's blog!

Oh and BTW you make me feel old, instead of graduating in 93 I was giving birth to my first child, although I was still 17, it makes me older mentally.

Anonymous said...

ok the chocolate swirl cheesecake... me wants for my birthday!!

I bet your husband doesn't care about a material gift from you. You are creating a family and I'm sure you can just shower him with love. and cheesecake. haha

Jeanna said...

Those cakes are UNbelievable, woman!
That top one. Arrrgghhhdrool.
Having someone appreciate it is the only way I can bake these days.
Hey, I think after Happy Hour yesterday I'm allergic to alcohol. Is that possible (insert Irish joke)?
You guys are looking great.
I may need some help from you making dishes for my cousin who was in a car accident.

Unknown said...

mcangie:
Thank you! Oh, and thanks for popping by too! Come back again soon! I am off to check out your blog now :)

Unknown said...

Autumn's Mom:
Well, Missy...I'm just going to have to make you a Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake for your birthday then! The only thing is that you'll have to come over here to eat it! ;)

Can I tell you that you had me bawling my eyes out when I read your comment here about Hubby not wanting material presents for his b-day and that giving him a baby is gift enough? The tears just flowed!! I cried like a baby, I tell ya! ;) XO

Unknown said...

Jeanna:
Come on over and I'll bake you whatever kind of cheesecake you want! ;)

Sorry about your cousin and the car accident. I can give you some easy and quick dishes to make. XO

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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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