See, I don't get it that women react that way to a useful gift. BTW, I am female, a wife of almost thirty years, and to the same wonderful, gift-challenged guy. Some years ago he seriously presented me with an auto emergency kit, and I accepted it as a token of his concern for my safety. Since then we have agreed not to give each other gifts, and he buys himself electronic computer accessories and I buy myself occasional, inexpensive pieces of jewelry.
Why demand a manly man for a husband and then want him to act like a woman?
Ahhhh....a woman after my own heart. You could give lessons in "getting along" to your cistern.
(brothers=brethren, sisters=cistern)
It is no surprise to me that you managed to stay married for 30 years.
Winner!!
I dunno! I gave up trying to figure you gals out years ago and just plow merrily ahead in my manly, male fashion and buy what I think is a good gift for my wife.
My wife cannot stand waiting until christmas and is always giving me 20 questions a day on what I got her. When we first were married,her first question was "Is it bigger than a bread box?" On our 4th Christmas, I gave her a bread box. Another Christmas, I bought her a set of emarald earrings, put them in a big box that the 32" TV came in and weighted it down with 4 bricks. I thought she was gonna cream me with one of the bricks when she found the earring case.
I too have been married over 30 years. My wife would be happy with anything I come up with. The best gifts are the ones she least expects. I have never been very romantically inclined, actually she would call it romantically challenged. I have always looked upon jewelry as the investment of a fool, but the light that appears in her eyes when I present her with diamonds truly warms my soul. I have done this on very few occasions because of the shock value. It's great! Last year I got her a new coffee maker. I think it's time to surprise her again. I cannot imagine life without her, she truly is the love of my life. (she is not a FReeper but several of our friends are and just in case one of her friends reads this and spills the beans, I'm hoping for a new router.)
I hope you're breeding. Often.