just...flat...lucky

I’ve shared my love for and admiration of My Sweet Hubby (MSH) in the past. He is truly, TRULY the best man I’ve ever known. He’s smart. Kind. FUNNY. (Even though he’s the funniest when he doesn’t mean to be and is surprised that I or TLC or anyone else thinks he’s intending to be funny!) Hard-working. Unselfish. Loyal. Dependable. Oh…and HANDSOME. Very handsome.

Now, do you even think we don’t have “issues?” As a couple? Disagree? Even fight? Because we do. Have issues. Disagree. Fight. (Not physically. That cannot and will not happen. Ever.) We’re scarily alike in thousands of ways. And seriously DIFFERENT in hundreds of others.

It took him the first ten years of our 39 years of marriage to learn how to be thoughtful. In terms of celebrations. My birthday. Valentine’s Day. (By the way: He lets me know EVERY February 14^th that this holiday completely frustrates him. God love him. He’s determined Hallmark created this nightmare and contributes to his inability to remember this day and to find the best gift(s) for me. Mostly because I don’t want flowers. Or candy. Do I adore both? ABSOLUTELY. Neither lasts, however, and I want gifts that last. Please don't judge me as too witchy. He’s used to my preferences about gifts by now.) Then there's Christmas. His ultimate STRESSOR.

As TLC got older and older, she became his GO-TO Gift-Buying Assistant for me. Together? THEY DO AWESOME. Every year my gifts get better. And better. And BETTER. (Listen...NOT more expensive. Trust me. It is not about the money spent. It's about creativity and originality.) TLC has also become a fantastic source for ME—in trying to come up with special gifts for MSH.

The truth is this: MSH and I don’t need or really want gifts. We’re at the stage of our life where we’re trying to get rid of all of our “stuff.” If you’re young, you will reach this stage. Believe it. I suggest you reach it by your EARLY 50s. Take my (unsolicited) advice: Start purging your home, drawers, closets, storage sheds/units, etc. llooonnnnggggg before you need to. Your energy levels create difficulties when trying to find places for items you’ve purchased over the years (other than the trash/dump). It can get stressful. And, you discover, no one you know...not your children, your grandchildren, your relatives or your friends, wants any of your treasures. Sigh. BUT...TLC will not have it. She refuses to allow us to NOT give each other gifts. Apparently she thinks she's Our Boss.

Gifts of clothes? MSH and I both like to pick out our own. Pretty much. Shoes? Heck, no. Jewelry for moi? Yes—occasionally. I’m not really needing much more jewelry, at this point in my old life. It seems to call attention to parts of me I don’t want people to focus on. Like my neck. My hands. Etc.

I’ve shared all of this preliminary info to lead up to what MSH wanted me to “give” him for Christmas. It was something I could actually accomplish without the help of TLC! (This post will be the first she's hearing of this...)

He asked me to show him how to load music from iTunes onto his iPhone. That's it. That's all. Music. Christian. Christmas. Country. I wasn’t even going to have to pay for it! He is the CUTEST.

We worked on this project/gift last weekend. I got the Christian and Christmas playlists started. We have more to download. We might do more loading later on this GORGEOUS Saturday afternoon in North Central Texas. (If I can get him in the house before I become too pooped.)

When we’re driving each other cRaZy(ier)…when we’re tired and annoyed by each other’s shortcomings…when we’re just needing some breaks from each other's nonsense/whining/groaning/neediness? I try to remind myself how lucky I am. 98% of the time I feel like the LUCKIEST Woman on this Earth. To be married to This Wonderful Man. (The other 2%? I want to roll my eyes while I throw a pillow at him and go get in my bed. Keepin' it real, Friends. Just keepin' it real.)

Gotta scoot…laundry to do…rooms to vacuum…Hallmark Christmas movies to watch!

Y’all have some fun out there this weekend, okay? (If you’re married? In a relationship? Try to remember what made you fall in love with your spouse/partner. Try to be patient. Helpful. Kind. GRATEFUL. Feel how lucky YOU are. It's important. Winky. Wink.)

smooch!

ELC