Selective hearing
Me, last night: Don’t get me anything for Valentine’s Day. Our weekend trip is enough.
Jason: You got it.
Receptionist today, at work: You have a package.
Me, thinking: It must be our Twins season tickets!!
Jason, with a dozen red roses AND brownies: Hi.
Me: Ooh, you are GOOD.
I’m back from our hour-long, work-sponsored Macy’s trip. Apparently, I cannot shop under pressure; I knew I had an hour but wasn’t wearing a watch, so I lurched quickly through various departments speed-scanning potential items of interest while keeping various coworkers in my line of sight so I could grab them to see how much time we had left.
The result of all this intense pressure to spend $100 in 60 minutes meant I totally perpetuated my own stereotype: while all the other women got shoes or clothes or purses or jewelry, I, the editor, purchased a book.
And I still have $76 left. It’s going to take me a YEAR to spend it.
You married a good man. I would have either bought a book or nothing at all. There is no way I could have tried on shoes under those circumstances.
Comment by Artemisia — February 11, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
It is not! It’s going to take you three hours and a few minutes. You’ll be fine.
But, um, what books do they sell at Macy’s?
Comment by Jess — February 11, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
Yeah, what books are at Macy’s?
Is Jason up to something or what? The roses would have been good, but the addition of brownies must mean he did something b-a-d. HA!
Comment by Shelly — February 11, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
I cannot shop under pressure either. I probably would’ve caved, bought something just for the sake of buying something then returned it the next day when I had time to actually shop for real.
And your husband? With the brownies and flowers? Perhaps he could drop a line to Mark and instruct him to do the same. Thanks.
Comment by Stephanie — February 11, 2008 @ 10:56 pm
Forget the flowers, pass those brownies over here. As far as the shopping, having to do it under pressure is not fair or fun.
And seriously, what books does Macy’s sell?
Comment by jean — February 12, 2008 @ 12:19 am
This Macy’s has an independent bookseller inside that luckily, takes Macy’s gift cards. The book I got was Stephen King’s newest. If I hadn’t spotted the bookstore at the last minute, I probably would’ve spent my entire $100 there.
Shelly, Jason didn’t do anything bad. He’s always been so sweet this way, getting flowers and stuff for no reason, or even when I insist I don’t need anything.
And Stephanie, I’ll have Jason get in touch with Mark.
Comment by Shauna — February 12, 2008 @ 9:35 am
I hate when BR and I “agree” not to get each other anything, because I always COMPLY, and then when he doesn’t…DISASTER. We need some kind of signal for “no, seriously”.
Comment by Tessie — February 12, 2008 @ 10:11 am
My husband and I usually exchange lottery tickets for Valentines Day. Romantic, no?
I would be the exact same way with the Macy’s card and the time pressure. I don’t even know what Macy’s sells, but if they had a housewares section, you’d probably find me there!
Comment by LoriD — February 12, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Ooh, he IS good.
LoriD – Lottery tickets are a great idea! They’re NOT nothing, and COULD possibly, but doubtfully, be a very big SOMETHING. I WAS going to replace my husband’s digital camera that one of my kids dropped and broke this Valentine’s Day, but my husband bitched and moaned about money this morning (we RARELY buy anything beyond necessary things, and are not in any way shape or form hurting for money), so I’m NIXING THAT idea. I was going to go with the NOTHING, serves you right for bitching, gift, but lottery tickets will be MUCH better. That way, I’m not being petty and getting him nothing, but YES I AM.
Comment by JMC — February 12, 2008 @ 11:43 am
I cannot shop when there seems to be deadlines or pressure or an actual NEED to purchase something. I only find things I like when I’m randomly browsing and have neither a need for anything nor the funds. Humph.
Also, a BROWNIE? You’re lucky for online anonymity, or I would totally stalk and try to steal your man!
Comment by Sarah — February 12, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
They sell books at Macy’s?
Comment by slynnro — February 12, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
I loved both of these stories. Both!
I take an agonizingly long time just to decide what brand of toilet paper to buy, or which type of orange juice. An hour with that giftcard sounds stressful.
Comment by blacksheeped — February 12, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
I totally felt anxious when reading the part about shopping in an hour. Man, I’d be just like you!
And the brownies and flowers! Wonderful!
Comment by Flibberty — February 13, 2008 @ 9:35 am