gift suggestions

For years of I’ve emailed “AndrewG” and discussed Linux-related issues. As in all long-term correspondence, conversations sometimes became personal. AndrewG’s sister got married, his mother went through chemo-therapy, and he moved to London. Now he is getting married. I want to send some flowers to the restaurant where the reception is being held.

Flora2000, begun in 1999, is a leader in international floral delivery and gift baskets. The company successfully delivers to over 150 countries. Since the wedding is going to be celebrated in December, AndrewG says his wife will be decorating with traditional holiday colors — deep reds, dark greens, and silver and gold sparkle-things. I know that when I contact Flora2000 and describe what I want to send, they will make sure something gorgeous is designed for the couple. When sending a gift/floral arrangement to someone far away, you have to find a reliable source from which to order — a company you can depend on not to embarass you by sending something cheesey and cheap. A company that gives you quality when you send them for your hard earned cash. Flowers impress and convey friendship. AndrewG and his new bride will be able to look at the arrangement I buy and smile — knowing our lasting friendship spans the globe and is real, not just an online chat.

I have one photo of AndrewG and he’s walking through a street-fair with his parents somewhere in England.

Some people go for candy. Others like flowers. Or teddy bears. Or fruit. Then there are people like me who want aCoffee of the Month Club membership. Some people (hint hint) would really love fresh roasted beans sent straight to my door. For three months, six months — heck, how about a whole year’s membership? Send me some espresso… a bag o’goodness in the shape of coffee beans.

Gourmet Gift of the Month Clubs has something for everyone. The idea of two different selections of coffee sent right to my door, every month, is really sounding like a clever option for anyone searching for gift ideas for moi. A three month, nine month, or twelve month gift membership please. I don’t need a fitness club. I need a caffeine club and here it is, right in front of me… ready for some loved one to fill in the boxes with their VISA card number and my shipping address.

Fresh ground or whole bean? My choice is whole bean because it seems to stay fresh longer. We try to work our way through an open bag of coffee within two weeks but it’s not always feasible.

Cold weather means a nice hot cup of coffee when I get home from work. What could be better than opening the mailbox and finding 100% Arabica waiting for me? Just pass me a mug, a glut of sugar, and I’m set to go.

Then again, there’s the Cheese of the Month Club… hmmmmm.

I know I’m in trouble when Val calls me from the car — as she sits in front of the house with a car full of shopping bags. This time was extremely onerous (good word, eh?) as Tuesday Morning, her favorite store, is having this tremendous sale on everything she loves. Yes, ladies and gents, blog readers everywhere — It took eight trips to empty the stationwagon. The scary part? She also hit Harris Teeter and found DOG BREAKFAST CEREAL on sale. Yes, I am shouting on purpose. Wouldn’t you? “It was only $1.99!” she says, “Marked down from like $5.99! They’ll love it. Now when Mom’s eating cereal in the morning and they all want a chance to lick the left-over milk from her bowl — she can give them each a small bowl of this Barkfast Squares. They’re peanut butter flavored…” her voice kind of trails off as she realizes how ridiculous this sounds. She grins and says “Oh hush or I’ll feed it to you.”

Ruth (her mom) follows her to the kitchen. “I want to come back as one of your dogs when I die,” she says. “Then again, Thisbe [the cat] has it pretty good since you took all of your plants out of the garden window and started growing a catnip forest around her special quilt. She’s high as a kite… fell off the chest of drawers this morning.”

Or as one of your grandson… Emmett’s got it pretty good here…

Me? I laugh and keep bringing in bags. Hmmm… Kashi frozen dinners? nice. hmmmm… must have been a “buy one - get one free” sale on Breyers. Life is quite good for a husband here. Two Jack Russell terriers and a Scottie? Life is simply fantastic for them.

Let me start off by explaining the title. While at the BOJ (Bojangles) for sweet tea and a chicken biscuit a few weeks ago, Val introduced me to a man she’s known for years. “Bill Ted” seemed an interesting fellow and we chatted for a few moments. (name changed to protect the sock-less) He wasn’t. Interesting, I mean.

But there is one curious fact about Bill Ted. He’s never worn socks. Ever. In his 50+ years of living. Difficult to imagine, isn’t it?

Val buys Ruth crazy socks with cartoon characters like the Tazmanian devil or Bugs Bunny on them because a flashy sock speaks volumes on a 90-year-old woman wearing Columbia sandals and pants with one leg longer than the other.

As for me, I wear socks. Aside from escaping from captivity during the transfer from washer to dryer, my socks seek to confuse me as they refuse to be paired off correctly. Fortunately there’s an answer, color-coded Jazzy socks with heel-toe compatibility. Christmas idea here… anybody… anybody… socks for Rob?

Yes, Rupert, you are right. Blogging about socks is fun. Mens suits? Not so fun.

I’ve been shopping around trying to educate myself about which grandfather clock to buy for our home. There’s an interesting blog about clocks which describes makes and models of grandfather clocks as well as the internal mechanisms of each brand. Turns out, 1-800-4clocks.com features ONLY German movements. It is an ever-increasing discussion — cheap-o internal parts made in … China, let’s say… with quartz mechanisms versus the high-quality, true to form mechanical grandfather clocks. This is one instance where you surely get what you pay for. The clock I buy will be the best. It’s to be passed down from generation to generation. Like the wall clock my great-aunt bought years ago, a Seth Thomas, my clock needs to last throughout time. Get it, thoughout time? Anyway…

I’m checking out the Grandfather Clock Selection from America’s Top Clock Shop™ . Yes, it’s true, I want, no change that, I need a grandfather clock. To me, grandfather clocks represent stability. Since there’s no possibility of me inheriting a nice clock, it’s time for me to consider buying a grandfather clock that can be passed down to grandchildren and then their children. This means buying a really high quality timepiece. Like a Kieninger — known for their incredible beauty and elegant design. I’m placing this in the category “gift suggestions” for a reason — hint hint hint.

Some products are slam dunks. Home runs. Touchdowns. FunnyBio’s video spoofs are pure genius. This is one of those “fun” gifts you should check out. Family-oriented humor that’s entertaining to everyone who sees it. What a great idea! For a reasonable price (just $39.95) you can transform your brother into a golf legend with the entire story of his success on a ten-minute DVD. No, it’s not really your brother… it’s a video script with your brother inserted into the main character role. I can see people lining up, well… clicking profusely… online to buy these. What a great retirement gift. Or a rehearsal dinner DVD. Maybe a birthday party video event. That’s the slam dunk-ed-ness of this idea. Even I, the guy with who suffers from gift-terrors accompanied by presentaphobia, checked out their website and immediately knew what I would/could/should by from them. My mother-in-law, Ruth, would be so entertained by one of these portraying her as a music sensation. Neat idea. Great concept. Learn More at www.FunnyBio.com.

Really… I’d buy one or two or more. It’s nice to be able to say that with all sincerity.