Every Christmas, hubby and I usually compete with each other to see who can "outdo" the other with great presents...not this year . (And before anyone makes any comments about this vent, Yes, I'm extremely grateful for what I do have and I do realize there are many in the world who go without. I simply needed to get this off my chest before it eats away at me.)

My hubby and I have been together for just over 16 years...no small feat given how many times I've been married (lol). You would think after all that time, hubby would know me better. You see, when I first saw the commercials for the new Keurig Coffee Maker (the one that makes coffee in less than 60 seconds), I knew that was the perfect gift for hubby. So, over Thanksgiving weekend, we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and scoped out these new fangled inventions, and to possibly use our 20% off coupons. Bought a few things there and then went to a second BB&B. There, as luck would have it, they were demonstrating the Keurig and giving out sample cups of coffee. And, of course, hubby fell instantly in love with it...so I bought it for him for Christmas. Mind you, he's been using his present since the day after I bought it for him, so he's been enjoying it thoroughly.

On the flip side, I've been having major problems with my feet. I saw a commercial for The Good Feet and there just happened to be a store near the second BB&B we went to. So we stopped in and learned about their products, tried some, and hubby bought me the "system". I told him that could be my Christmas present. He should have left well enough alone, but he didn't.

I kept telling him I didn't want anything, no cards, no presents, etc. because we don't have a lot of money. He got his Keurig and that was it from me. (Albiet, I do have to admit it was the perfect present for him, given his love for flavored coffees. )

Along comes Christmas Day. We gave the kids (2 cats and 1 dog) their gifts which they thoroughly enjoyed. Then hubby hands me a gift addressed to the family, a copy of Toy Story 3. Okay, no big deal...it's for all of us. Next, he hands me a package and when I open it, it's 3 containers of band aids. (Here's his explanation for that one...I always complain that we don't have band aids in the house, so now I can have one in the house, my car and our RV trailer.) Ho hum.

Next, he hands me another package. It's a rechargeable battery kit. What? Apparently I didn't realize I go through soooo many batteries (because this was my present) that I needed this kit.

Hubby knows I have difficulty reading small print (even with my prescription glasses) and usually have to have a magnifying glass nearby to read what I can't really see. So I was extremely perplexed as to why he would give me a book that has small print! Excuse me hubby, do you know who you're married to?

I reacted very badly at all this and let him know. I told him I was hurt because those gifts to me were, for lack of a better term at that particular moment, stupid. Band aids, battery charger kit and a book. None of those things say enjoyment, or endearment, or I've really been thinking long and hard about this gift. I mean, come on, after 16 years...this is what I get. And, to add insult to injury, the kids' gifts were better than what I got, now that's really sad. And, I told him he should've stuck with my request not to get me anything else, because it woul've been better than what he gave me.

Of course, hubby got upset at me because I was upset at him. So, what a great way to spend the day...not talking and ignoring each other and me crying uncontrollably throughout the day every time I thought about it. (That's one of my many problems with my depression, crying a lot without knowing why.)

Ah well, I guess this is the one time I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. After all, he tried (altho what he was thinking I'll never know). Yes, I guess I am totally ungrateful.