Happy Anniversary to ME!

Happy Anniverary , Mr. Monogram, wherever you are (somewhere in St. Louis), and whatever you’re doing (receiving an exceptional achievement award). Eight years ago today I was an excited nervous wreck, about the embark on the biggest adventure of my life. And here we are, eight years, 3 houses, 2 kids, and a chocolate lab later, still hanging in there (somehow). Okay, well the dog did come before any of this since she was a Christmas gift from you to me 11 years ago, but you get the point.

Today we’re celebrating 8 years of wedded “bliss.” That’s a funny word, don’t you think? As the EMG remarked about her anniversary last month, we should probably be celebrating the fact that after nearly 11 ½ years together and 8 years of marriage we haven’t managed to kill each other yet (remember West Virginia?), but as long as there’s a gift involved I’ll celebrate whatever he wants me too. Well you didn’t think I was stupid, did you? And you know, I’ve been pretty pissy about spending yet another anniversary alone while he’s off on some business trip or another (note: he has missed 5 of the last 8 anniversaries), but now I’m thinking the gift of being alone and having the bed all to myself and not having to shove him over on his side or yell at him to stop snoring might actually be a wonderful gift in itself, no? Yes, I’m liking this idea more and more, as is preppy puppy who really enjoys spreading out on his side and his pillows when he’s out of town as well. And you know I take my preppy puppy’s comfort most seriously at this advanced stage in her life.

Now, you all know I am a traditional girl who likes to do things strictly by the book, especially when etiquette is concerned. And I happen to know that the traditional gift for an 8th anniversary is a gift of bronze or pottery, and a modern gift would consist of linens or lace. And since I just don’t see Mr. Monogram getting all excited about linens or lace, that leaves me with bronze or pottery. Again, I just don’t see him getting excited about that either so it’s time to be a little creative. But even channeling my inner Martha couldn’t get me to come up with anything even remotely creative where Linens, lace, bronze or pottery is concerned, so it was time for Plan B.

And Plan B means I decided to make it an interpretive gift. You know, like interpretive dance. It really isn’t dance at all, but whatever… You call it what you want. So taking the Lace gift from the modern gift suggestion, I decided to give him new shoes with LACEs. Good, right? Well, he did love the shoes I must say and while it was boring for me to buy and give, it was, after all, what he asked for. And in retrospect, it was probably about as exciting for him to buy my new Coach bag for me, but yet, I think we all know how thrilled I was to open that shiny brown box perfectly wrapped with a ribbon. Here’s a picture of my new baby. Clearly, I was a tad too excited to snap pictures of the new member of my growing little Coach family to remove all the tissue from her handles, but they are a beautiful red to match her. But don’t worry, no formal birth announcement will be sent.

So today I was out and about shopping and came up with a few more ideas for Holiday decorating. It is high time I start kicking it into high gear here so get ready because things are about to take off here at monogram momma’s. Last night I finished up a great project that a few people have been asking about so I’m super excited to share that. I’m sure a few of you will find a little boring, but c’est la vie. I can’t please everyone, much as I would love to. Oh, I almost forgot! If you’ve emailed me a gift giving request and I haven’t gotten back to you, I promise I am working on it. Sorry to sort of pop on and pop off like this but I really must get going now. Laundry is calling and it isn’t going to take “no” for an answer anymore.