I was just about to get in the shower when it occurred to me that there are only 4 more work days (5 total) till my 6 day vacation! I am so excited… I just had to sit and enjoy the feeling a bit. We aren’t planning to go anywhere, what with gas prices what they are. Probably some local San Diego tourist stuff. We like that kind of thing. Plus the big 4th of July will be happening, and along with that our 11th anniversary. We have big gifts planned… iPhones! I get a 3G and Richard is taking the original! I can’t even wait till the 11th! I don’t know what will be more fun. My new iPhone or watching Richard learn to use his. Heh.

Anyhoo. Now I just need to get thru the next 4 5 days. 

tagged: work richard iphone vacation gifts anniversary excited 3g

Those of you that have been with me a while know that Richard and I have this rule. No gifts. Not on Christmas, birthdays, or any other gift giving holiday. It has worked for us. Instead of sweaters and cologne and junk throughout the year, we do meaningful purchases. Like our bedroom set this year. That was Christmas, and then some. Over the years we have been able to get things we may not have otherwise. So it’s good. ‘No gifts’ works. Oddly though, the rule has exceptions. I guess most rules do. Heh. So Valentine’s has been one constant exception. No matter how much we discuss the ‘no gift’ rule, no matter how often he refuses any exceptions I want to make, Richard has always sent me flowers on Valentine’s. Well, until last year. That was when he hid an iPod Shuffle in the mail box. That was classic! Naughty, but classic. I think he subconsciously is compelled on VD. Scott said it well with his Valentine post:

If you are hooked-up, partnered, or married, the situation isn’t much better.  Ads on television and the radio remind your special someone that if you don’t buy them at least the Hope Diamond for VD, then you must despise them and you are little more than cow manure in human form.  Don’t think that you can get away with just one VD gift or card either.  According to a recent television ad I saw from a card company, you must find a humorous card that smartly sums up your love for this person in a funny way, a “I can’t bear to be without you” card that you slip into the person’s briefcase or tote bag, and then finally the “You are so completely perfect in every way that I need you more than oxygen itself” card.

LOL. I hope that isn’t why he does it. I am delighted every year to be surprised. This year was a total surprise! He has been so against my getting an iPhone that it has been a bit scary. We have even argued about it (I was going to get it last week as I had saved enough actual cash while still taking care of my bills). So imagine my surprise when I opened the card he had stashed in my lunch I took to work yesterday and found an enormous Apple gift card! Not an iPhone, but a nice chunk to put towards an iPhone! I am sooo excited! An still a bit shocked. I am so spoiled by that man! I love him! Heh.

I just wish I knew ahead of time so I could know how much we were spending. I figured from recent happenings (car accident) that this was to be a no gift year for reals. Now I feel cheap. I am going to take him to dinner this weekend, or lunch. He loves a good lunch out. In the meantime, I do think I did well with the card I selected for him . 

tagged: richard holiday iphone lunch ipod love surprise gifts valentine excited

Did I tell you that it was our 10 year anniversary? That’s right. Richard and I. Ten years. Together. You know what that is? Upkeep. Painting each others asses. Forever. Heheh. But really. Ten years ago on July 4th I went to Richard’s place for the day, and an evening of fireworks, a movie, and Chinese takeout. There were definitely fireworks! I never actually left after that. So that’s when we celebrate the anniversary. Aw!

But I feel tragic. I figured our super expensive vacation was our ‘gift’ to each other. I mean, it makes sense, right? The Ten Year Travel Excursion? But no. The morning of the fourth there was a card. A Hallmark, so I know he really cares… He filled it out beautifully too. I was touched! And embarrassed. I got no card for him. With all my assuming. Gah. Later that day there was a random box on the desk. I just figured it was the box to some clock he got from GQ for subscribing last month. I wondered why it was there all of a sudden, and moved it aside as I went about my internetting. He walked by and asked why I moved it, and told me to open it. It was a GIFT! He got GIFTS!! I reluctantly opened it. You see, I was all busy assuming. I bought him nothing. This was bad. Turned out it wasn’t a clock box, but a watch. A new watch for me! It’s beautiful!

But the guilt…

We spent the evening with our annual tradition. We had Chinese takeout and watched the movie we watched ten years ago, Death Becomes Her. Then there were fireworks. 

tagged: richard gay daniel vacation gifts anniversary fireworks 10 years july fourth