Steve is not one to buy me clothes.
Unless, of course, I hand him a written description of what I want.
Along with a detailed map of the store that he needs to go to.
And the item number he should look for on the price tag.
And then he will still call from the store asking if he found the correct item.
That’s ok. I’ve accepted it and learned to not expect clothes as a gift.
Though, I have often been jealous of my friend Lynn, whose husband often surprises her with full outfits – head to toe. Every piece of clothing fits, matches, and is totally cute. Colin is a keeper.
Anyway, the other day we went to the mall so that Steve could go to the Oakley store that just opened. They were having a big sale and he wanted to buy a hat. He had $70 worth of merchandise credit that he wanted to use from when we returned some things that I bought him for his birthday. That’s a fairly important part of the story.
Imagine my surprise when we were leaving the mall…
Steve: You know those pants that you wear? The black ones? They’re not sweatpants, but not ‘pants.’ The comfy ones. You know? I found some in the Oakley store and almost got them for you.
Me: Really? Well, you should have. You would have scored some cool points for that.
Steve: Well, I almost got them. Does that count?
Me: No, why would it count?
Steve: Well, I’m going back in to get them. The hat that I bought was on sale. I bet they were, too. You wait in the car. I’ll be right back.
Me: I’m a medium!
15 minutes later
Me: (pulling them out of the bag) They’re cute! Thanks! How much were they?
Steve: Don’t ask.
Me: I want to ask. Were they on sale like your hat?
Steve: Don’t ask.
Me: Well, I’ll just find the receipt. I want to know if you got a good deal!
Steve: No, they weren’t on sale.
Me: What? How. much. were. they? (cringing)
Steve: $65.
Me: WHAT? For exercise pants? No way, I don’t want them.
Steve: I had the gift card, and there is nothing at all I want in that store. Just say ‘thank you.’ It’s a Christmas gift from me.
…Silence on the way to lunch…
…Me thinking that the poor guy just used his gift card to buy me something that was pretty much his idea…
…for the first time…
…well, since the ‘ugly nightgown incident of 1996.’ That was bad… shivers…
After lunch, I felt bad for snapping at him and thanked him. (They are cute…)
They now hold the spot of “most expensive pants in my closet.” After the Loft jeans that I bought last year. For $49.
But I’m not thinking of that anymore. They’re cute. They were a gift. And they’re mine.
Are you dying to see them?
But FYI, if you were thinking about going out to get some for yourself, they don’t really give you that flat tummy and no muffin top look that the model is showing. Obviously false advertising there.
I would have modeled them for you, but I am currently going through some sort of medical mid-life crisis and am sitting on the couch with a heating pad.
I somehow managed to pull my back out.
I think that’s what it’s called.
I never paid much attention to old people when they said “I ……. my back. I can’t move.”
All I know is that I was in the shower (TMI) scrubbing my feet with the pumice stone (again, TMI) and after feeling something like an electric shock run through my lower back, I couldn’t bend down again.
This, by the way, added to the night of restless sleep due to sharp shooting pains in my chest, makes. me. OLD.
Yes, I do have an appointment this morning. Hopefully my doctor won’t make me go to an assisted living facility yet.
Happy Birthday to me, Merry Christmas to me… Do I get the cool points? I thought the picture was you… looks just like you, BEAUTIFUL!
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Oh, you are such a suck up.
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Becca… sometimes (actually more times than not) those expensive pants end up saving you money. I’ve bought the $20 exercise pants and after a few weeks the elastic is starting to wear out and the pants aren’t black anymore but grayish. I’ve bought the $50-$70 pants and have washed them several times over years and they are still, as good as new. So… my point… spoil yourself. Get the good stuff. It’s an investment. Love you!
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Becca Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I know. It’s just hard to spend that n exercise pants. I should probably add that he said “you’re not running in those, are you? you shouldn’t.”
:-)
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grandma dawn Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Yes, run in them! Get sweaty! They will wash up fine… if not, return them. I buy Nike and Adidas. They’re great. I’ve heard Lululemon is great too, although I’m still balking at the $90 tag for them!
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Oh… and I hope your back is feeling better now. And your chest? I hope it’s just a pulled muscle or something from too many push-ups, now that you have those nice exercise pants.
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I have similar issues with my hubby….he will rarely make an impulse purchase for me but when he does it is SO hard to just say thank you and not cringe about the money he spent! Cute pants though! I hope your back feels better soon – oh and I’d love to hear about the “ugly nightgown of 1996!!!”
Christina´s last blog ..Happy New Year!
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Steve, remember all those shots I did while I was out there and didn’t get sick? Well, you just made me barf………….
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Becc, that was so considerate of Steve and he probably thought you would look awesome in the pants, and I am so sorry about the back and although it is true you are getting older a bad back is not always contributed to age factors but that is so painful. Yourself and Andrea can compare notes, she can tell you everything about bad backs. Poor Becc, sorry…:(
Way to go Steve and Dawn I think you are correct, those pants will last so much longer…;)
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Those pants are adorable! And, don’t feel bad about the back-thing. My co-worker threw out his back at the ripe age of 24. (Forget the fact that he was lifting a box of books… it happened!) :)
I hope you feel better!
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B,
This I could so see playing out in my head and it made me laugh! Thanks for sharing. I am sure you will LOVE your pants and he will love them on you!
And your back….well, good thing you have great pants, huh?
D
Life with four boys…coffee please´s last blog ..S1, Johnny Cash and a Sermon
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What a sweet husband. I’m looking for the pants that give you a flat tummy, washboard abs look. When you find them, let me know.
jen@ourdailybigtop´s last blog ..happy birthday i heart faces
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I’m pretty sure I want to read the post about the ugly nightgown incident!
Cute pants, great story! :)
Chelsea´s last blog ..2010. Seriously?!?
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They’re really the most expensive pair of pants in your closet?! Wow. :)
Hope you get to feeling better soon. My 27-year-old brother-in-law just threw his back out – he was training for a marathon (finished in under 4 hours) and his back just took the toll for all of his training). He literally couldn’t move for 20 hours, then was on his back for a couple more days. Then continued his training and rocked his first marathon.
So see? You’re not old…just hardcore. ;)
Eileen´s last blog ..Thanksgiving 2009
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THAT is so funny! The whole story…except the part about your back. :( Get better.
And two words for you: GIFT CARDS. (I’ve decided they are the ONLY thing my sweet honey wont return because it is the wrong model, has the orange thingamajig instead of the red one, or has last year’s noise-canceling or anti-fog technology, or camo pattern. “Oh sorry…what WAS I thinking…should have known!”).
Whatever.
And I’m just as picky, so I really cant complain. I’ve decided gift cards can be just as sweet and romantic and thoughtful…even if they are practical.
And those ARE totally cute! That was a sweet thought. :)
Nicole´s last blog ..My 10 In ‘10
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That is so very sweet of your husband. Definitely enjoy the pants. I’ve heard others say that the high quality ones last so much longer.
And that sucks about your back. Having a sore back is the worst. I hope it gets better soon.
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)´s last blog ..Tackle it Tuesday — Donation Time
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Cute pants!!! And I think he totally scores for using his gift return money to get you something. (And I’m wondering now how I can make that happen over here…)
Hope your back feels better! Just so you know, I’m feeling the O.L.D. over here, too.
kristen@nst´s last blog ..Pear. As in, maybe I should lay off the egg nog and eat more of these and perhaps I’d be less shaped like one.
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Becca Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I’ll let you know as soon as I do! I hope it happens again soon!
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Oh Bec I really thought that was your body in those pants and I need to tell you I believe that it is your body you just do not want the rest of us to slap you. Now let me tell you of my exercise pants experience. I went to the mall last weekend with some friends and found the most wonderful soft pair of exercise pants. They were on sale for half price – yes half price which made them in the 35 dollar range. I was thrilled. The girls said Marge go try them on. I did and they fit wonderfully I looked in the mirror and the girls started laughing as they were inches too short they looked ridiculous but boy they fit great and the feel was super. Needless to say they laughed at me and one of them said hey I love those pants and she purchased them. Not too short for her. I have monkey arms and my knuckles drag on the floor when I walk and of course I have giraffe legs. Okay enough said. Enjoy your wonderful pants. Steve great job. Bec feel better soon.
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YIKES! Talk about motivation to go to the gym. Sheesh. If I had expensive workout pants like those, I’d have no choice but to get my butt off the couch. Think of it as an investment in your health!
Feeling any better today?
Darcie – Such The Spot´s last blog ..A Dozen
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Those ARE cute pants! But $65? Yowzers. At least he had a gift card, right? And now you’re going to look uber sophisticated and glamorous when you work-out. :)
Stephanie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Sleeveless in January
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Wow…21 comments…I am jealous, and think that is record-breaking.
On any account, I love this story! Talk to Kryssie at DSMS….her husband buys all her outfits. That to me is unbelievable.
What I love about your story is that your hubby bought you pants from his gift certificate return of something you bought him, right? So, you came out of that really good. :)
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