A while back, I wrote a series about gift-giving, and some characteristics to consider about the gift-receiver as we began the holiday season. I called them “Gift-Receiver Templates” (I’ll put links to the articles at the end, if you’re interested.) Well. Let’s put this anecdote into the “I should have known better” category, shall we?Continue reading “Gift Giving Gone Awry”
Category Archives: Joy
Can people be mistakes?
As soon as humanly possible after the first scalawag was born, I became pregnant with our second scalawag, and I did it on purpose. Can I say this, just between us? That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever intentionally done. There are all kinds of caveats to that last statement, notably, that my littlest scalawagContinue reading “Can people be mistakes?”
Thankfulness Week, Day Two: Unexpected Outcomes
“Hey now, Lil!” you might be saying. “I thought you hated surprises! What is this about being thankful for the unexpected?” I know, I know. But where would the fun be if there wasn’t a little contradiction now and then to keep life interesting? But let me explain: Anticipation is fantastic. I swear by anticipation.Continue reading “Thankfulness Week, Day Two: Unexpected Outcomes”
All I want…
We were driving to school. Those boys had just done a turn-on-a-dime shift from arguing and growling at one another to being “best brothers”, the code-word they use which seems to have the power to mysteriously change the atmosphere in the room or in the car when things aren’t going well. Whatever it was thatContinue reading “All I want…”
Zero Transition
We have a ten-minute drive from home to the boys’ new school. It used to be a five-minute walk. Although the gates at school don’t open until 8:30 and school doesn’t start until 8:40, I have us putting on our shoes at 8:00. Does this seem exaggerated? Seeing the words in black and white seemsContinue reading “Zero Transition”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving: Staying Emotionally Detached
This is, mercifully for you, going to be my last word on the sticky issues of Gift Giving. (Ah, never fear: the promised furoshiki crafting episode is to follow. I would never leave you hanging like that!) My last word is this: sometimes, there is simply no way to please someone. Sometimes, no matter howContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving: Staying Emotionally Detached”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part One: Cash and Gift Cards
Salary negotiations, calculating who owes what on a group check at a restaurant, paying a babysitter, price haggling. If you are anything like me–and if you have found Lily Fields Challenge, it’s probably because you are!–you do not love talking about money either. It’s a horribly uncomfortable topic, and I really wish I could putContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part One: Cash and Gift Cards”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Four: Surprise or Anticipation
This template is less about the gift itself as it is about how the receiver perceives the importance of knowing. Some people love to percolate in the mystery and magic of wondering what is going to be under the tree. These people are the ones who will not try, even once they have a giftContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Four: Surprise or Anticipation”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Three: Sentimental and Practical
While these may seem like obvious distinctions, I still want us to do the exercise of thinking about the experience the sentimental and practical people on our lists most enjoy. Remember, we are wanting to become students of the people we love, so we can better speak their love languages. By identifying their specific way–orContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Three: Sentimental and Practical”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Two: Quantity vs. Quality
I want you to imagine something for a second: You are ten years old. It’s Christmas morning. You tiptoe out of your room to check out what magic happened over night (even though you don’t really still believe in all that hocus-pocus, you are still hedging your bets.) In scenario one, there are dozens ofContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Two: Quantity vs. Quality”
Sing With Your Feet 