Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Big 2-0-0

This is my 200th post. No worries, I don't plan to bore you with 200 things about me. But, if you want, you could read these 100 things about me twice, which would be 200 things about me, just not 200 different things.

SO.

I've decided to host a GIVEAWAY. Don't get super excited, it is not terribly impressive. But, it's not too shabby either. Remember a few posts back when I was having some issues with my decision-making and you guys were so very gracious in offering up your ideas for songs that I could download with my iTunes card? Well, I just happen to have an extra $15 iTunes card hanging around (more about why in a bit) and I've decided to give it away to one of you!

So now you are wondering why I have a $15 iTunes card just hanging around? Well, it's kind of a funny story in a retrospective kind of way. That is, in retrospect, it is funny. At the time? NOT SO MUCH.

It all started on a blustery and cold December morning as we were preparing to travel to my home for the Christmas holiday. All the presents were purchased, wrapped, and packed tidily in a box ready for Christmas morning. I worked all morning packing everything that we needed for our trip. Clothes? Check. Toiletries? Check. Snacks? Check. Camera? Check. I packed everything in the suitcases, and Rich's job was to pack everything into the car. Just like always. We do it every year at least once a year. We are a well-oiled machine.

(Fast forward 3 1/2 hours down the road and halfway through our trip)

We are driving along, bopping along to some Christmas music, merrily anticipating a very holly, jolly Christmas when, in passing, I mentioned something about presents. It is a common word brought up around that time of year, but rarely does it meet with such a reaction. I look over to a blank, horrified stare on my husband's face.

Me: What? (still smiling and bopping)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: Oh...NO! (bopping stops, my own look of horror appears)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: Oh no, you DIDN'T! PLEASE TELL ME YOU DIDN'T! (horror turning to anger and disbelief...definitely no bopping)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: YOU FORGOT THE PRESENTS??? (full-blown anger and disbelief)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: I gave you ONE THING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND YOU FORGOT THE PRESENTS?????????? (face red, eyes growing large, veins bulging out of my head)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

I think you get the picture. He forgot to pack that neat tidy box of presents into the car!!!!!

I'm afraid I was in no way gracious about his mistake.

Let's just say it wasn't pretty.

We ended up spending Christmas Eve buying replacement presents for everyone so that we would have something to offer on Christmas morning. It was very unfortunate.

But let us not dwell on the past.

The good news is...our loss is now your gain because the iTunes card I was going to give my niece (she did get one, just not that one) for Christmas did not make it to Indiana and so lies in wait here for this blessed giveaway!

So, here's what you have to do. It's easy. Leave a comment (with an email address so that I can reach you if you win). I'll use the random number generator to choose a winner and announce it here on Thursday, February 14th, aka Valentines' Day. Because it is the holiday of love and I love my husband in spite of this unfortunate incident.

I'll also post on that day the 15 songs I purchased with my iTunes card (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) AND my top 15 favorites currently in my iTunes account. Just for kicks.

35 comments:

krista said...

Thank goodness for iTunes cards!! Quick-easy gifts. Funny story, although, I'm sure it wasn't so funny at the time. Have a great week!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

That is so ... unfortunate.

Major ouch.

But if we're going to benefit, I say -- let's make it an annual happening!

;-)

kittyhox said...

Oh no! Whoops! I don't know for whom to be more sorry - you or your husband! ;)

Anonymous said...

I just love hearing you say...OH NO YOU DIDN"T.

Typinng just doesn't do it justice.

:)

Fran said...

Well, I'm sorry, but that was just hilarious!! I mean, poor guy....was he just dying or what??
By your hands or his own stupidity?!

Regardless, you can go ahead and pick me if you want. I'm ready for some new tunes. :)

Happy 200th post. I'll read the 100 things twice. Have a wonderful week. Can't wait to see who wins and what songs you've got!

Darlene R. said...

I laughed every time you said


Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

I can only imagine what was going through his head!

For the record, this is a very cool giveaway!

Shelley said...

You made me laugh until I cried with this one my friend!

Happy 200th post!

Celeste said...

hahahahahaha! I heard people talking about this story, but never heard the whole thing! I love it! So true too... I love reading about how people react to things like that, it's nice to read about reactions that are similar to what I would do!

My email is celestejustice@gmail.com now, I don't use the old one much anymore.

life with the wisners said...

oh...sad for you. actually, no, not really.

yes, sad for you. because we would be in counseling if that happened to us. :)

so sad for you, but happy for us?

Sing4joy said...

Congratulations on your prolific blogging career!! Congratulations on surviving Christmas Eve!! *Insert congratulations to me for winning your giveaway!!* I'm pretty sure I've had that blank, horrified stare you described seeing on your husband! Something about forgetting to turn paperwork into the bank...
irearrange@yahoo.com

Sarah Markley said...

Hilarious story! I love it. Yes, count me in on your giveaway! =)

Janelle said...

What are the chances that the RANDOM GENERATOR would choose a real-live friend? Can he be bought?

Just kidding! If I win, please graciously don't tell me and pick someone else. I wouldn't want you to look biased! :)

Great story, then and now. I must confess a HINT of laughter when you called me from the road. I just knew this would be a funny story.....someday!

Unknown said...

So sorry for that unfortunate moment...I would have reacted the same way. (I just know it!)

I'm in for the itunes card...music makes my world go 'round!

terib01@sbcglobal.net

pick me!pick me!
Ter

dawn said...

Sounds just like something that might happen over in our van. Cannot imagine having to replace all the gifts on Christmas eve. Nightmare!


I do so love your blog. Congrats on number 200. Is that anything like the 200th episode of your favorite television show? Was there a big cake and a large cash bonus?

Here's hoping!

Anyway...I would love me some Casting Crowns or Chris Tomlin...so please, Mr. Generator, pick me, pick me!

Rochelle said...

Okay... by the end of this post I felt guilty for giggling at your expense!! Okay, now that I have gained my composure, pick me! Pick me! :)

Teresa said...

I can totally see the WHOLE thing in my head as I read your 200th POST!!! WOW!!! Having known Rich for a VERY long time, I just had to laugh at the "Blank, horrified stare" and Knowing you for SOOO long, I could see your veins popping!

Oh, wise Random Number Generator... Pick me!! :)

Love you guys,
TT

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

I can barely type because I'm snorting coffee through my nose! Your description of the conversation between you and Rich could have been the basis for any number of conversations between Trevor and me!! LOL!

(Blank, horrified stare) BRRAAAHHAAAAAAAA!!!

But, all things work for our good, and I'm glad to see that a $15 iTunes card might be coming my way soon!

Thanks for a much needed laugh this morning! Now I need to go clean up my nose.

Xandra

Pam said...

Funny story... I could not even fathom having to go re-buy gifts on Christmas Eve. You are wonder woman! Congratulations on the big 2 0 0!!!

Carissa said...

hilarious, but horrible, story. i so hope i win said gift card! 200th post...i'm so proud of you! love you AND your blog my friend!!!

Melissa said...

Pick me, pick me!

This totally sounds like something I'd do.

Looking forward to hearing what music you got!

BethAnne said...

Congrats on the 200th post! Too bad about having to buy new presents, although I do love a good giveaway! :-)

Anonymous said...

I know that wasn't funny at the time, but I am sure you will laugh about it for years to come! Happy 200 posts!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

That could've happened so easily to us, too. So sorry - but I bet it will never happen again. Congrats on 200 posts - that's impressive.

Anonymous said...

Alana that is terrible...LOL!

I hope your doing well!

I have to tell you that of all the baby girl names I like my husband likes one that I picked, can you guess which one...Alayna! I love that name too...we shall see:)

Renee said...

Ouch!! That was slightly painful to read because I know how easily that could be us. And I know how un-Christmasy I would be about it (even if it were ME that forgot the presents).

I'm so happy that you're here for #200. Your blog is such a blessing, and I can't wait to read more!!

Believe it or not, I am JUST starting to figure out this whole 'iPod', 'iTunes' thing. Just now putting my feet into the water. I have such a hard time narrowing down the songs I like (like you, I can't decide). :)

Congratulations on 200!

Earen said...

Oh, I'd be pretty frustrated too! BUT, please count me in on the give-away! Thank you!

Heather C said...

ROFL... Oh, no you DIDN'T!!!

Love it... :)

Heather

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

ooooohhhhhhh poooooorrr RRRIIICCCCHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we can laugh now but no presents
is no laughing matter...i mean,
that's like, oh. no. oh. no.
but you will remember the story
quite well...
maybe you didn't pass the test then
but you do now!
and, hey, you're blessing one of us

i came to say that i am so proud of you --- almost caught up and that's your good God just wooing you to His Word... woohoo

thank you for a giveaway...
your life is a giveaway...
if i were standing next to you
on Valentine's Day
i'd give you a kiss and a hug
and I'd whisper in your ear
Deut 32:47...
His Words are not idle for you, they are your very life---you are crossing over to possess something God has waiting for you...

Denise said...

I am laughing! And being completely honest when i tell you we, loaded up the car christmas eve, were on our way around 7:00 p.m. (much later than desired),and an hour into the drive i mentioned the presents, my husband (who also packed the car) responded with a "aauuugghhh... i forgot the presents." we turned around, and the needless to say it wasn't my finest hour. so now i am chuckling at your crisis, comforted to share it with you!

Rochelle said...

What a great story. And now, you'll always have a record of it on your blog. I can't imagine having to do all the shopping over. What great memories.

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Happy Valentine's Day.
I left for you a string of pearls.

Jamie said...

Alana,
I am still trying to figure out this blogging thing. I was sickened by your story. I would've thrown a major hissy fit.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Well, I am not here in time perhaps, but that story is just killer. Oh gosh I can see that happening in our house. How frustrating!

The Fritz Facts said...

Oh my...I would have thrown a fit too. Poor thing. It is not a good time around Christmas time and people forget presents. So glad that things worked out, even if it meant shopping on Christmas Eve.

Thanks for the great giveaway! Who can't use more itunes!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! I bet Rich was wishing for an eject button in the van right about then. I can SO see that happening at our house. i told you about the time I threw $200 cash into the trash with the junk mail, and then we left to have Christmas in Pennsylvania right afterwards, right?