Thursday, March 13, 2008

A birthday surprise

We agreed that this trip would be our birthday present to each other, save what inexpensive things we could find at the thrift store from the kids.

But this guy deserves something extra-special. So I sold a few things I've been meaning to get rid of and found someone who could take him saltwater fly fishing for a day.

I slipped the contact information in the Orvis fishing pants I bought at Goodwill.

"Would you mind trying them on tonight?" I asked, after the kids tore open the package. "I'd like to return them if they don't fit."

He thought the pants' original owner must have left something in the pocket. Until he read my note, and the biggest smile I've seen all spring spread across his face...

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now I can't wait to see what his birthday surprise for you will be! Game on!

Mom2fur said...

Wow, what a clever idea! You are so sweet to do that. I bet your husband will be the happiest guy on earth when he has his day of fishing!

Day by Day said...

So sweet! Don't you just love your hubby?! The trip sounds great.

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

That is great! Won't he love the excursion!

An Adventurer in the World said...

What a loving thing to do : ) Happy birthday to all!

deb meyers

Edi said...

Clever gift presentation!

Anonymous said...

Nicely done!

Anonymous said...

You are a wonderful, sweet, thoughtful wife. I am sure your husband knows he is very blessed. Your gift is something he will treasure for years to come. My husband loves to go salt water fishing. He gets to go just once a year and it is always a huge treat for him.
Thank you for sharing your family life with us; your blog fans...Roxie

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Meredith! Love it! And I know your hubby does, too.

Renee said...

That is such a great present, and I especially liked how you came up with the pant idea. That must have been a touching moment.

Impressive that you sold items to pay for it to. That is using your great frugal thinking:)

Renee

TJ said...

What a wonderful gift! I'm sure he is thrilled!

My mom bought my dad a flight session in one of the WWII planes that they have here. My hubby can't believe how cool the gift is.

The gift of an experience seems to be the way to go when shopping for husbands!

Anonymous said...

Trip or not, I'm still surprised that you would give your hubby used pants as a birthday gift.

Tracey said...

Great job loving on your husband while sticking to your budget! Can't wait to hear about your vacation.

Beth said...

Anonymous at 11:29, you are just such a sweetie, aren't you?

I won't give you all the arguments...once he's worn them once they're used, Goodwill has new stuff, too...yadda yadda yadda...

Maybe you need to think about giving a few more presents, used or otherwise, to those you love...might help thaw out that frozen heart.

Anonymous said...

I think it was a lovely, clever present.

MLS

Miriam said...

I'll tell you what- your hubby is a lucky, lucky guy. AND, your future daughter-in-law will have some BIIIIG shoes to fill! You are the best!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful perfect birthday present! You knew exactly what your dh would like.

Kathy

Anonymous said...

WHAT a treat!! I love the way you srprised him with it too! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip. :o)

Brenda

Baleboosteh said...

Oh, that is just so sweet! What a lovely thing to do.

Christi said...

As always, Meredith - honestly - you continue to inspire me with your love, thoughtfulness and care.

How blessed your family is to have you!

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

Oh, what a sweet gift! He's a blessed man, for sure!

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

awww-that's awesome.

Mary said...

Awww that is such a sweet surprise!

Anonymous said...

You know anonymous,#11:29, you have got to have a heart of stone and a brain to match. I do not often speak out, but darn it you are in the wrong place with the wrong blogger to make such mean comments to Meredith. This is a blog about a frugal womans JOY in using God's gifts to the fullest. What is wrong with used pants? The man is going fishing, FISHING..water, dead fish, dirt; understand??? Why in the world if money grew on trees and was not an object at all would it matter if the pants were new or used?
As for Meredith's heart. I can tell you from experience it is big and she is kind and giving. Last Jan. she found a beautiful pink shawl or wrap (what every you want to call it) I made a comment that I loved the color and thought it beautiful. Out of the goodness of her heart and her kind spirit she sent it to me. A TOTAL stranger to her. No strings attached. I did not buy it from her. It was a gift.
Now, I learned as a child that if you can not say something nice do not say it at all. So please, if you can not be nice in your comments to Meredith then keep them to your self. You do not need to spread your mean spirit around. There is enough of it already in this world. This is a 'bright spot' in a blog world. Do not dampen us with your unkind words.
You never have the nerve to leave your name. You prove over and over that you are low. We all know it. So please BACK OFF. Thank you. No, Meredith did not put this here. I did. Mrs. D. Meiske. (Roxie)

Paula said...

I just added this to StumbleUpon! I LOVE this idea!! Sell stuff to get a gift to put in a gift gotten at goodwill. LOVE this idea!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Meredith, what romance! I'm so impressed.

Anonymous said...

Roxie, you go girl! Same for you, Meredith! "Anonymous 11:29" - I am going to pray for you. I sense that you are a very sad person. As your unkind comments indicate, I think you are a little jealous of Meredith and all of us who strive to do and be like her. I hope that you can find peace in your heart, but in the mean time, please leave our Meredith alone. She has done nothing to harm you and your personal attacks on her are getting really tiresome!

Anonymous said...

Meredith, you have got to be the sweetest, most loving wife ever. Not to mention your constant attention to your children. What a wonderful family. Thank you everyday for all your efforts. I know I enjoy hearing about all of it.

As far as anonymous goes, I think we should just ignore it. That is exactly why they do it, it is for attention. The worst thing you can do is not to accommodate.

Judy

Amy said...

Great presentation and what a lovely surprise. I am sure he must be so thrilled- you are such a great wife!

Meredith said...

Look what happens when I spend the day ironing and packing! : )

That's the type of comment I should probably delete; however, y'all did such a lovely job sticking up for me I think I'll leave it be.

There are many people who do think that secondhand gift giving crosses the line, but it's fine with my family. Where else am I going to find Orvis quality pants for $2?

Amy said...

Oh that's so FUN! Nicely done!

Anonymous said...

meredith as usual you have out done yourself.
with your eyes and heart to see beyond what is there has me in awe.
you have (very) slowly been giving me advise on how to "see". thankyou.

oh btw we give out second hand items for presents aswell and have done so for years.


keep up the great work meredith,

kristina in oz

Anonymous said...

I understand frugal living to be where one chooses to save in one (or more)area in order to spend more in the area that they *really* want.

From reading your blog, I can see all of your savings from groceries and thrift shops, but do not see where you are benefitting.

Can you write about some of the ways you benefit from being frugal?
Thanks!
Kat

Sandy said...

You are a sharp one! And it's not just fishing, it's "fly"! Yay! I just put my hubby on a plane to speak at a men's retreat in Boise this weekend. Guess what he gets to do tomorrow? FLY FISH! I have waders too, do you?

Kelly said...

A Gift of the Magi woman ! How Lovely. Some of us get it !

Tubo Family said...

What a sweet gift, just perfect for what your husband likes to do and the priorities you have decided upon together. Truly thoughtful, and great photos of the birthday tables lately, you are giving me so much inspiration beyond a happy birthday sign!

Southerner said...

Um, I don't mean to be negative but we lived in Destin when the LA girl was killed at our beach and then a week later the boy was attacked in Panama City area doing this! Bait in pocket is shark bait. You are scaring me. Do you hear the Jaws music??? Hopefully you will have clear water so you can see them coming to get you. Tell him not to look too seal like. You are really really scaring me.

Southerner said...

I just read through the other comments- I posted before reading them. Girl, you took some heat on this one. I just wanted to say that I didn't mean to hit you while you were down with my other comment, I didn't mean it really negative. Hope it wasn't taken that way. Just scaring me. Da-da, Da-da, Da-da (that is the Jaws music)

By the way, tell him to please get away from others on the beach when standing in the water attracting sharks with the bait on a hook and in his pocket area. Oh, why can't he just get on a boat?

Southerner said...

If you look at our headder photo we are in the same water where you will be. I just wanted to mention that there is nothing in our pockets to attract anything that can eat us. Just funky foot odor. That may smell fishy???? Okay, I am done- have a great trip, hope he catches something big.
There is a seafood market across the bay in Valpairaso that has better prices on fresh shrimp and other foods. If you go across to Niceville past the 85 North and on down the road 85 South turns it is down on the right before you get to the Goodwill. You could make two trips in one and find some bargains in the deal. More birthday and Christmas gifts.

Meredith said...

Just to clarify--he will be *on* a shallow water drift boat, not wading around a family beach.

And fly fishermen don't use real bait--only flies tied to look like bait, without any scent.

So I think we're clear!

And the great news is that the price is the same for 2 people as it is for 1, so my brother will be going with him! 2 for 1 birthday gifts!

Anonymous said...

Since your brother will be with him, that shoots my idea of your brother watching the kids while your husband is fishing so you could have a day to yourself. Still, maybe hubby could "surprise" you with a spa day for your birthday while you are on vacation with a few hints from you if this would thrill you. It would sure be a treat for me!

mama k said...

Oh how sweet!

Anonymous said...

Meredith-
I envy your creativity and thoughtfulness! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.
When I grow up I want to be Meredith. Strike that... I want to be a member of Meredith's family!

Anonymous said...

What a creative, sweet way to surprise your hubby- so glad that he loved it!

You're wonderful at coming up with thoughtful ways to bless people. I could use your help when my hubby's next birthday comes around! :) Thanks for sharing.

julie said...

I used to go fly fishing with my dad. I loved it. I still would like to go sometime....maybe I need another fly rod for my next birthday!!! Glad you are having fun on your trip.
Julie
www.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew

Anonymous said...

Oh my. ^

Meredith, you are one lovely lady. Enjoy the vacation and each other. My sense is that you have a wonderful marriage. I send love and hugs.

Anonymous said...

That was a sweet thought. Little things like these do make the love stronger! Great blog!