November 30, 2003
The Ever-Changing and Miraculously Growing To Do List
This is the list that never ends. It just goes on and on, my friends.
A handful of presents for family: PURCHASED
Gifts for adopted families at work: PURCHASED (and then some!)
Wrapping gifts purchased thus far: DONE
Made: WREATH
Wreath Appears: FABULOUS!
Frames: PAINTING IN PROGRESS
Clothes for orphanage: OOPS! GOTTA COLLECT THOSE.
Have lots to do still. Have to take a couple of things back already. Ugh.
Decided not to get the Little Dude a computer. He can play his games on this one. BUT, we've decided that he WILL be getting a small TV for his room, a cheap DVD player for those days when he wants to watch Spongebob nonstop, and........drumroll, please.......he's getting a GameBoy.
My daughter is much more difficult to buy for. I got her the Chronicles of Narnia DVD set. She'll like that. I got her some slippers. A book of Mad Libs. I have one fleece pullover for her, but not in the color she wanted. Sigh. A trip to Old Navy seems to be in order for that one. Also got her a gigantic white tiger and cub from Price Club. She loves white tigers and it was there...Anyway, I'm stumped for ideas beyond these things. I was looking at computer games but didn't see anything she'd really like. Music? Ugh. No. She downloads and burns her own CDs. I hate to go the gift certificate route. I may be forced to do so, though. And, clothes are so pedestrian. Her word, not mine. She did mention wanting a fish....
HELP! 11 year-old female. Bright (we're talking klieg light bright here...not "oh, she's a 'bright' girl. No, she's amazingly intelligent and curious), funny, athletic, computer literate. I may buy her the special American Sign Language CD-ROM set I saw. I'm just not certain.
Okay. Off to finish folding clothes and painting frames.
Then, sleep all day.
Work all night.
Monday: gift returns/exchanges and new purchases to be made. And sleep! Yes. Can't forget that. Oh, and get landlord to get HVAC repairman out here. Life with a broken furnace is exceedingly uncomfortable.
Tuesday: Clean house, move furniture, get neighbor to give estimate for a million repairs here to landlord.
Also on the To Do List:
Get better setup for computers.
Once Greg's folks come down after Christmas, we're gonna need the table here for eating. The little table in the kitchen just won't do.
Maybe I should hire someone to do all this stuff for me. Clean, shop, do returns, make phone calls.
(The next sound you hear will be me ripping my hair out.)
Posted by DaGoddess at November 30, 2003 04:38 AMAfter reading that list, I'm exhausted! How do you do it????? You must have the patience of a saint.
Posted by: Cindy at November 30, 2003 05:47 AMOh, I want to see a picture of your wreath, please! You are way ahead of me in shopping. Get enough rest, now - wimmen are not allowed to be sick during the holidays...
Posted by: Beth at November 30, 2003 05:52 AMGot most of my shopping done as well. Gameboy, cool. Even I don't have one of those.
I'll ask CK about the girl gifts when she gets up for work, she might have a clue. Let you know.
Don't rip your hair out, just do what I do, stuff the bell ringer into that big black pot. I feel better and "nobody" sees a thing, though they do cheer about the peace and quiet in front of the store afterwards. It's a win, win thing. LOL
I can't believe I didn't have to type in all my info !
Anyways, a good gift for a bright kid are " Calvin and Hobbes " books. Yes, they're comics, but funny and clever. Just an idea.
And you've made me exhausted just reading your to do list !
Posted by: siso at November 30, 2003 08:46 AMUggh.
I feel like a total sloth after reading all of that!
Could someone inject me with some holiday spirit? I need some motivation. ; )
It looks like someone had a busy and productive holiday weekend. Me, I get tuckered out just writing the to-do list.
For your daughter, get her books. I saw no books on that list. As for which books to get, erm, I lost track of what kids read at what ages. My little one still wears his board books as hats. I will check with the wife, who was also a smart child, and get some suggestions.
Ted K.
Posted by: Ted K at November 30, 2003 08:12 PMDoes she like gemstones? Most "bright" kids I know are into science at least a bit, so maybe a rock tumbler kit that comes with the tumbler, some stones, and some jewelry settings she can set them into and make for herself and family and friends.
Good luck.
Posted by: a broad at November 30, 2003 10:24 PMI checked with the lovely wife.
If you are not philosophically opposed to science fiction, there are a MESS of very good YA novels out there. Consider Ursula LeGuin A Wrinkle in TIme and Anne McCaffery's Pipers of Pern trilogy. For light fun reading, not literary, look into Elizabeth Moon Deed of Paksenarrian or Mercedes Lackey Arrows of the Queen. For light classics, I was about 11 when I read Nathanial Hawthorne's reworking of Greek Mythology in Twice-Told Tales.
Smart kids get books. And book cases - the two go together.
Ted K.
Posted by: Ted K at December 1, 2003 07:08 AMFor your daughter, I can only think of books, in whatever genre she prefers. I have no idea what to get my eight year old.
Gameboy is the most wonderful invention in the world. My son starts playing when he gets in the car for a long trip, and doesn't stop until we get there. It's also great for waits in doctor & dentist offices, and anywhere you just have to sit.
Well, you could just try not to be so ummm, gender selective with the ideas.
I'll bet there are a mass of electronics she would looove to have too, like an MP3 player for her music, or a mobile phone, or laptop/notebook computer, or a PDA in pink. The newest SIMS game,
learning the piano/keyboard music type CD. A couple of the latest 40 channel UHF walkie talkie's good for in the mall.
Kareoke (however you spell that) thingee.
Books on marketing for success, Rich dad poor daughter books, investment guide for kids, French/italian/german/japaneese tapes, or learning materials the earlier you learn the easier it is for sure.
Good hunting.
BFG
Posted by: BaldFatGuy at December 1, 2003 02:42 PMMy bright girl is getting:
Tickets (for her and me) to the local dinner theatre presentation of Chicago. (She loves musicals.)
Book on writing Japanese characters and beginning drawing anime. (She loves anime and I can't keep track of what she has.)
Her own blender for smoothies, a recipe book for different smoothies and a wrapped box in the freezer of different frozen fruits. (She tried to make one in my blender and found it only pretends to chop ice.)
The latest Lemony Snickett book if she doesn't have it by then.
Hope this gives you some ideas: I hate being out of ideas for xmas.
Posted by: sue at December 2, 2003 03:23 PMA suggestion for books any of the Piers Anthony Xanth books. Filled with horrible but hilarious puns. My daughter started reading them at about 10 or so and still does. She will be 18 this month. Now for the question part where did you find an ASL CD-ROM set? As one who is very hard of hearing (hearing aids) and not likely to get better I am always interested in continuing my ability to communicate. And as a hope to be teacher it would improve my resume as well.
Rey
I think maybe going the fish route could be very good for your daughter. My father bought me a 20 gallon set up when I was about 12. Tank, stand, all accesories etc. I put it together, bought the fish (he paid since it was a part of the gift) and took care of the whole kickykaboodle and thus began a lifelong journey with fish and other pets. I still have the entire set up he gave me those many years ago (over 20 years, but let's not get specific K?), and I still have fish in it too! I tried lots of kinds of fish, did some breeding...it will be amazing what your daughter will learn from it. And fish tanks are very soothing and tranquil. I would suggest a 20 gallon (tall) for a first set up, smaller tanks are actually harder to maintain than larger tanks, and the size is perfect for a child her age and will hold quite a few fish. Good luck with whatever you decide on!
Posted by: Joy at December 3, 2003 03:13 PM