OT - What do you get the woman who has everything?

Valkyrie wrote:

This won't cost you anything but a little time and planning.......and it
WILL be priceless. I am weeping typing this message as I think about her. I
loved my grandmother so much. She's been gone almost thirty years now and I
am so glad I put "important" things aside for a few hours a day each month
for the years of calendars I gave her.

I think I'd almost rather give this to my mum. It's a fantastic idea.
But the hardest trouble we always have is aranging time to see each
other. We are both so busy. But some of the better memories of time
spent with mum is when we have travelled one way or the other just to go
for a walk in the woods or meet for a coffee somewhere.

-georg

Val, Thanks! This is one of the best gift ideas I've
read. I do not have a recipient fort this type gift now
but I WILL save the idea for the appropriate time and
person.
PAT

Valkyrie wrote:

My dear sweet Gran'ma lived to 98+ and yours sounds to have very much the
same attitude mine did. Some gave her gift certificates for grocery stores
and department stores and she'd had a fit "I'm not a damned charity case!"
Proud old egos are fragile things often covered with crusty shells. She
would wonder out loud if she smelled when receiving lotions, soaps and
scents. She too was sending back pictures and gifts that she's gotten years
earlier. She didn't want anymore stuff. What to do, what to do?

I gave my grandmother my time. A few years before one of the cousins gave
her a (from Hallmark, I think) coupon book for hours of time and she never
would call to ask. Well, I eliminated that problem. I gave her a calendar of
my time. Each month I filled in a day and time and what would be done. A
birthday lunch, a drive through the parks to see the trees blossom in the
spring, a drive to look at Christmas lights, a day and time designated to do
garden work for her, an afternoon of playing cards, a drive to see the
daffodil fields, a lunch at the wharf, etc. I had set the day and
time......she knew when I would be there and what we were going to do. I
talked to my grandmother almost every day and would always remind her that
"now remember, I'll be there tomorrow at such and such a time for whatever."
She would be looking forward to this weeks in advanced. My grandmother
showed those calendars to every one of her friends and was so proud of them.
She'd tell them what we'd done, where we'd gone and what we were going to
do. It gave her something to remember and what to look forward to. All those
calendars were kept in her side table, they were never given back or thrown
away, bless her heart. Those days were just for her and I, no kids, no
spouses, nobody else, just the two of us doing something just for her. We
would talk and talk and giggle like girls. I learned so much about her and
her life. It was as much a gift to myself as it was to her.

This won't cost you anything but a little time and planning.......and it
WILL be priceless. I am weeping typing this message as I think about her. I
loved my grandmother so much. She's been gone almost thirty years now and I
am so glad I put "important" things aside for a few hours a day each month
for the years of calendars I gave her.

Val

You've gotten some great ideas. Ideas that many of us
are probably storing away for our own families and
friends! Several suggested giving to a charity in her
name. I know that many people are fond of that idea,
but I have mixed feelings.

YES, I like to give to charity, and I try to be
generous, but *I* like to pick the organizations and
causes that will be associated with my name. So, it is
my never humble opinion that one should ask the honoree
for a list of several his/her favorite organizations.
It will probably include at least one that appeals to
you too. Then you can send the appropriate donation and
the announcement. That's what I'd want done in my name.
TTFN, PAT in VA/USA

georg wrote:

I'd love a few suggestions for what to get Gram for kissmoose.

teleflora wrote:

"georg" wrote in message
...

No, I know her doctor. He's skinny and doesn't listen as well as he
should. When he was my doc too, he put me on Flonase, to which I had an
allergic reaction. I was describing the psychedelic reaction I get - of
the lights coming down to lick my nose and worse- and he was telling me
that I should keep using it because it was good for me.


Hey! It does that to me too. I thought it was one of the benefits.

Cindy

Apparently, steroids can have psychadelic effects. It is either the
steroid, or the perfume in the drug that set me off. It's also got some
antihistamine properties, and antihistamines generally tend to increase
how quickly I react to things plus increase how strongly I react. Um,
I'm just better off NOT on Flonase, thanks.

-georg
not taking benadryl either.

oh, man, my dad is already like that and he is only 62, you mean it is
going to get worse and worse with time???? ever time you ask him what he
wants you get no ideas and a rotund 'I don't need anthing!!!'

JS wrote:

My Grandmother is very much like that. She doesn't want anything, and her
house is getting to be an empty shell. My Mom pieced a quilt top for her
last year, and I am finishing it this year. It is full sized, so it will
replace her current ratty bedcover. I am putting a label on the back that
says it is to be given to Mom on Grandma's passing, then it passes to me.

Sounds gruesome, but everything in that house has labels on it, denoting
recipients. (Of course, the featherweight has my name on it.) I know she
worries about everyone having to go through her stuff when she dies. She
had a terrible time going through her father's possessions when he passed
away. She is 76 now, and most people in our family, going back 15
generations, live into their 90's. Her house is the only one I know of that
has a nearly empty attic. When I was a kid it was a treasure trove, so much
fun to rootle in. Now there are a few old tools and a handful of duck
decoys. They have my uncle's name on them.

There are lots of club type gifts you can give, fruits and/or flowers every
month. We gave DH's grandparents TIVO and paid for the subscription as well
this year. They really enjoy it. Good luck finding something to make her
happy. I know my grandmother can be difficult some years.

Jennifer in Florida


"georg" wrote in message
...

I'd love a few suggestions for what to get Gram for kissmoose. She's 92,
and will tell anyone that she doesn't want anything. I used to get her
pink catawba wine (because she would have half a glass with dinner). When
the doc made her stop, I bought her good chocolates. The Doc made her stop
that too, but I think she still needs fattening up. She doesn't like the
"fancy coffees" and rarely bothers making them for herself any more
(although she used to love them). She doesn't do much crafty any more at
all. Last year, she kindly gave mum assignments to pass out to the
grandkids, which we were VERY happy about. I had to give her 4 Get Well
Soon, 4 sympathy, 4 happy birthday cards. She did not want more than that.
And a crossword dictionary. My sis had to get her a new tablecloth, since
Mum was permitted to get her a new kitchen table. If I make anything for
her, she gets mad at me for "bothering." She's also given back to us most
of the pictures of us all that we have given her over the years, in an
effort to simplify everything.

I love my gram. But she hates having a fuss made over her, and I do
understand her perspective- that's why I have tried to give her
comestibles in the past. But there aren't a lot of times where I can do
anything for her, and kissmoose is one of those times.

What do you do for your mum or gram who is like that? And on behalf of
grandkids everywhere if you are like that- we do like the list idea or a
few hints Of course, if you were on this list and my gram, I'd know
what to send you- fabric- regardless of your SABLE status. Too bad Gram
doesn't want to sew any more.

-georg




--
Dr. Quilter
http://community.webshots.com/user/mvignali
(take the dog out before replying)

My dh is like that too...He just said the other day....I don't want anything
for Christmas...
just socks and ties...and not expensive ties....!...last year he only wanted
socks...the year before
handkerchiefs...and the year before that underwear!......He once saw snow
shoes and thought
he'd like them....and also another year a metal detector....he's used
neither.
He's at the point in life that if he wants something ...he'll buy it....
Mary


"DrQuilter" wrote in message
...
oh, man, my dad is already like that and he is only 62, you mean it is
going to get worse and worse with time???? ever time you ask him what he
wants you get no ideas and a rotund 'I don't need anthing!!!'

JS wrote:

My Grandmother is very much like that. She doesn't want anything, and
her
house is getting to be an empty shell. My Mom pieced a quilt top for
her
last year, and I am finishing it this year. It is full sized, so it
will
replace her current ratty bedcover. I am putting a label on the back
that
says it is to be given to Mom on Grandma's passing, then it passes to
me.

Sounds gruesome, but everything in that house has labels on it, denoting
recipients. (Of course, the featherweight has my name on it.) I know
she
worries about everyone having to go through her stuff when she dies.
She
had a terrible time going through her father's possessions when he
passed
away. She is 76 now, and most people in our family, going back 15
generations, live into their 90's. Her house is the only one I know of
that
has a nearly empty attic. When I was a kid it was a treasure trove, so
much
fun to rootle in. Now there are a few old tools and a handful of duck
decoys. They have my uncle's name on them.

There are lots of club type gifts you can give, fruits and/or flowers
every
month. We gave DH's grandparents TIVO and paid for the subscription as
well
this year. They really enjoy it. Good luck finding something to make
her
happy. I know my grandmother can be difficult some years.

Jennifer in Florida


"georg" wrote in message
...

I'd love a few suggestions for what to get Gram for kissmoose. She's 92,
and will tell anyone that she doesn't want anything. I used to get her
pink catawba wine (because she would have half a glass with dinner).
When
the doc made her stop, I bought her good chocolates. The Doc made her
stop
that too, but I think she still needs fattening up. She doesn't like the
"fancy coffees" and rarely bothers making them for herself any more
(although she used to love them). She doesn't do much crafty any more at
all. Last year, she kindly gave mum assignments to pass out to the
grandkids, which we were VERY happy about. I had to give her 4 Get Well
Soon, 4 sympathy, 4 happy birthday cards. She did not want more than
that.
And a crossword dictionary. My sis had to get her a new tablecloth,
since
Mum was permitted to get her a new kitchen table. If I make anything for
her, she gets mad at me for "bothering." She's also given back to us
most
of the pictures of us all that we have given her over the years, in an
effort to simplify everything.

I love my gram. But she hates having a fuss made over her, and I do
understand her perspective- that's why I have tried to give her
comestibles in the past. But there aren't a lot of times where I can do
anything for her, and kissmoose is one of those times.

What do you do for your mum or gram who is like that? And on behalf of
grandkids everywhere if you are like that- we do like the list idea or a
few hints Of course, if you were on this list and my gram, I'd know
what to send you- fabric- regardless of your SABLE status. Too bad Gram
doesn't want to sew any more.

-georg




--
Dr. Quilter
http://community.webshots.com/user/mvignali
(take the dog out before replying)

MB wrote:

My dh is like that too...He just said the other day....I don't want anything
for Christmas...
just socks and ties...and not expensive ties....!...last year he only wanted
socks...the year before
handkerchiefs...and the year before that underwear!

Gee, that's what my husband says when anyone asks him what he wants for
kissmoose- socks and underwear.

Fortunately, he's pretty easy to shop for. I give everyone a list of
stuff for him.

-georg

For those people who want/need nothing, I give a Linus quilt in their name. I
take a picture of each quilt and include the photo with an explanation of the
Project and let them know that one has been given in their honor. Makes me
feel good; makes them feel good; and somewhere down the line, the quilt makes
someone warm.

joan
joan o'reilly
Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words they become
actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits,
they become character. Watch your character it becomes your destiny.

maybe a coupon book from you/kids/grands that has things like " I will take
you out for dinner" "trip to the park with _____________" "picnic" "2
hours cleaning" "an afternoon/morning spent with you" "extra hugs" "help
gardening"

or whatever fits

and then get her a basket of books, magazines, flowers or candy or whatever
else

-- kellie
bergerk at sbcglobal dot net
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ber....net/my_photos


"georg" wrote in message
...
I'd love a few suggestions for what to get Gram for kissmoose. She's 92,
and will tell anyone that she doesn't want anything. I used to get her
pink catawba wine (because she would have half a glass with dinner). When
the doc made her stop, I bought her good chocolates. The Doc made her stop
that too, but I think she still needs fattening up. She doesn't like the
"fancy coffees" and rarely bothers making them for herself any more
(although she used to love them). She doesn't do much crafty any more at
all. Last year, she kindly gave mum assignments to pass out to the
grandkids, which we were VERY happy about. I had to give her 4 Get Well
Soon, 4 sympathy, 4 happy birthday cards. She did not want more than that.
And a crossword dictionary. My sis had to get her a new tablecloth, since
Mum was permitted to get her a new kitchen table. If I make anything for
her, she gets mad at me for "bothering." She's also given back to us most
of the pictures of us all that we have given her over the years, in an
effort to simplify everything.

I love my gram. But she hates having a fuss made over her, and I do
understand her perspective- that's why I have tried to give her
comestibles in the past. But there aren't a lot of times where I can do
anything for her, and kissmoose is one of those times.

What do you do for your mum or gram who is like that? And on behalf of
grandkids everywhere if you are like that- we do like the list idea or a
few hints Of course, if you were on this list and my gram, I'd know
what to send you- fabric- regardless of your SABLE status. Too bad Gram
doesn't want to sew any more.

-georg

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 12:26:34 GMT, georg wrote:

MB wrote:

My dh is like that too...He just said the other day....I don't want anything
for Christmas...
just socks and ties...and not expensive ties....!...last year he only wanted
socks...the year before
handkerchiefs...and the year before that underwear!

Gee, that's what my husband says when anyone asks him what he wants for
kissmoose- socks and underwear.

Fortunately, he's pretty easy to shop for. I give everyone a list of
stuff for him.

One year when DH was grumpy around yule, he kept telling people he
wanted socks and underwear for prezzies. He doesn't approve of "sock
christmases" at all so you know how grumpy he must have been!

So in addition to the prezzies we picked out for him, I got him a
leather posing strap and the loudest most obnoxious socks I could
find, DD1 got him a pair of socks that were obviously leftover from
somebody's psychedelic nightmare, and DD2 got him a pair of silk
boxers with kittens gamboling all over them. He has never asked for
anything like _that_ again!

NightMist
--
"It's such a gamble when you get a face"
- Richard Hell