<p>I need new sun glasses, as my 15 month old $10 pair from Walmart broke last week. I’m tough on sunglasses, as I just throw them in my purse, so I’ve never spent over $20 on a pair. I did see a nice pair of Ryders w 3 interchangeable lenses at my local bike store. I’m still too cheap to ask for Oakleys. </p>
<p>I asked my mom to get me a good meat thermometer, as mine exploded in the oven a few months ago. </p>
<p>I want my kids to go through all the junk they have piled in our spare bedroom and agree to part with old toys. They are pack rats and can’t consider giving stuff away. We want to downsize in 3-5 years from this 3000 sf house and I just don’t see how we will be able to it with all their junk sitting around.</p>
<p>When my grad school son was home for Thanksgiving he reluctantly agreed to go through his stuff. He got through everything except his bookcases and now his room is almost empty and it really feels like he will never live here again. I know that’s the goal, but it’s a bittersweet feeling.</p>
<p>Funny story about buying husband a ladder. Our girls and I did that a long time ago for my husband’s birthday. But there was no way we could carry it ourselves … or even fit it in my little car. So the girls and I went to Home Depot earlier in the day to scope out what aisle the ladders were in. Then, we returned with DH. We put a blindfold on him (thankfully, he was willing to play along), and then we all walked him to the aisle. And tied a bow on the ladder he wanted. He says now that he knew where we were going because he knew the store so well. Whatever. Anyway, blindfold whipped off … and"Happy Birthday, Dear/Dad! Here is your present!!" He was psyched actually because he really wanted one. He carried it out and put it in his big car. Best part of that gift obviously has been the story versus the product. It still makes us laugh to think of him walking around Home Depot with his eyes covered.</p>
<p>DH and I kind of agreed not to get each other presents this year as we are looking to buy a new car. I would like an iPad, but he’d cut his right arm off before he’d get me one …</p>
<p>vballmom—sought clarification from my husband. Amazon Prime does not work via our TiVo but instead via the Roku device. So, I will need to use the TV’s own remote to change the input, then use the Roku remote to order the shows. I did confirm with Amazon that Apple has not yet written the app or whatever one would need to allow access via Apple TV.</p>
<p>The Roku is connected to the CAT 5. I do not have a very fancy TV as I was more concerned about it fitting in the cabinet that had been custom built 15 years ago, so it is a relatively smaller and more basic unit.</p>
<p>If you can’t find another way, you may want to buy a Roku device. It does not have a monthly fee associated with it, and I thought it cost the same as Apple TV ($100, give or take). I think it was supposed to allow viewing via Net Flix but no one uses any of these tech toys regularly. Good luck!</p>
<p>I got myself a vitamix and my DH saw it (I was planning on wrapping it and putting it under the tree) and has been harassing me ever since about the cost. (note: we can afford it). I told both DS’s they could contribute whatever they would have spent on me to the vitamix and it could be from them. They both think it’s a great idea. So it’s staying, no matter what DH says! ;)</p>
<p>I bought my fleece tights (which actually kept me warm this week in Portland’s mid-teens temps) at Athleta. These ones: [Privacy</a> Policy | Athleta](<a href=“Athleta”>Athleta)</p>
<p>My husband also likes to give me presents on Christmas–I always make sure I tell him a few things that I want in the months before Christmas. I never know what to get him so I give him sweaters. He likes sweaters and his office is usually cold, so that works.</p>
<p>My wants seem to get less as I get older. I think we are giving ourselves the trip to the East Coast to see our son as our Christmas present to each other. Think I’m getting close to needing a new laptop, maybe my birthday (husband has a new desk top - our son bought himself a brand new one then realized it didn’t do some stuff he wanted so he gave it to Dad and bought himself another - maybe I can persuade him to buy a laptop that doesn’t do what he wants).</p>
<p>Despite living in the Midwest and how cold it is for several months, H prefers to wear short-sleeves to work, and it’s really hard to find short-sleeved shirts, appropriate for work, this time of year! The fallback is always polo shirts - I think he has one in every color they’ve made. </p>
<p>If anyone has any great recommendations for short-sleeved mens’ dress shirts that do not need ironing (AND still look good after coming out of the dryer), PLEASE let me know!</p>
<p>VAMom–my husband got me a Vitamix a few years ago. I wasn’t thrilled to receive an overpriced blender for Christmas, but in his defense, there wasn’t anything I wanted. </p>
<p>That thing is durable. I have burned through three different very strong blenders in the process of making Smoothies. The Vitamix eliminates all the work. I am sure you will enjoy it.</p>
On second thoughts, I want this - from my ids and my husband. I would love to downsize to something cozy and cottagey but our house is bursting at the seams with “stuff”.</p>
<p>At the stores, they also make soups and sorbets with the Vitamix. H had one in his bachelor days but isn’t a fan, so we haven’t been tempted (though I love the Costco samples with the frequent demos they do). :)</p>
<p>Anyone have any experience with the Soda Stream? My youngest son has been bugging me for one, but I am reluctant. The soda mixes seem so unhealthy. Could you add fruit juice or something else to make the soda?</p>
(note: we can afford it). I told both DS’s they could contribute whatever they would have spent on me to the vitamix and it could be from them. They both think it’s a great idea. So it’s staying, no matter what DH says! ;)</p>