Should they stay or should they go????

[est190]

OMG! I'm the same way and I WISH I were different. I try, but I can't control my face. I've read that this trait goes along with a perfectionist striving/character, and a deep sense of unworthiness. I believe it. I suppose I also feel that if someone is spending money on me, they aren't getting good value for their money if I don't like it; and if they're spending big bucks, as you are, that feeling gets even stronger. Oh dear.

If she's anything like me she also says "Oh, honey, you shouldn't spend money like that on me".

Sigh. We don't mean to be a pain in the butt.

I actually inherited this unfortunate trait and my wife can't stand it She stopped buying me presents--I buy them for myself since it saves waiting on a line for a return. It's sad though. :-( I am an overachiever/perfectionist, but I don't suffer from the unworthiness thing and I will feel quite worthy when I buy the new iPad 3 in a couple of weeks. Hehe.

[est190]

I think that's a pretty nice strand for the price. I've seen a lot worse for a lot more.

Thanks!! I bought a wood presentation box (the one it came with was really chintzy) and it's amazing what nice presentation can do for jewelry. It actually looks better in the new box--and much more expensive.

[Amanda]

I guess I'll find out on March 11. My mom is the greatest mom in the world, but she isn't perfect. One of her flaws is that if she doesn't love a gift, it's easy to tell. She just isn't one of those people that loves everything we buy her--and insists we buy from a place that takes returns.

That's not a flaw, that's a good thing.

My mother's the opposite. You could give her a moth-eaten scrap of bad knitting and she's be genuinely pleased. That makes it hard choosing a present!

With my Dad, you never worry you are boring him. Because you'd know if you were.

[est190]

That's not a flaw, that's a good thing.

My mother's the opposite. You could give her a moth-eaten scrap of bad knitting and she's be genuinely pleased. That makes it hard choosing a present!

With my Dad, you never worry you are boring him. Because you'd know if you were.

That's great--split the difference between our moms and life would be grand. My mom is the type that will also get upset if she thinks I spent too much money on a gift and then will try to give me money towards it. There have been times she has actually gotten angry--not mock anger either! I bought her a TV last year and she flipped--I tried to explain that they aren't a fortune anymore and I am not going to the poor housed---no avail.

[Amanda]

You're still her baby, so of course she's worried about you. My Granny was talking about "the girl being at a difficult age" when she was 85, and my darling Mama (the girl in question) was 50-odd.

[est190]

You're still her baby, so of course she's worried about you. My Granny was talking about "the girl being at a difficult age" when she was 85, and my darling Mama (the girl in question) was 50-odd.

That's hysterical---and oh sooo true (I am 38 and she worries about me the same way she did when I was 13). It used to drive me nuts, but I got over it and I now that I have a little girl of my own, I can already see the pattern repeating!!

[lisa c]

You guys are making me wheez! Yeah, I had to tell my mom her Christmas pearls (bought from Pattye and big and gorgeous) were a steal because I 'knew' someone.

Then when my son bought me pearls, I told him I sure hoped he had spent less than Xdollars, or I'd be upset!

Still, your tale of that girl being at a difficult age can't be topped!

[Amanda]

That's hysterical---and oh sooo true (I am 38 and she worries about me the same way she did when I was 13). It used to drive me nuts, but I got over it and I now that I have a little girl of my own, I can already see the pattern repeating!!

Yup, life's like that. When I told my parents I was pregnant, my Dad was pretty chuffed - and then said I was too young. I pointed out that I was 26, and asked him how old he was when I was born (he was 27). He thought about it, and conceeded the point. When my mother said she felt too young to be a Granny, my Dad was the one who pointed out that it was a bit late to worry about all that (-:

Actually, she's not yet become a Granny. Because I'm the eldest of 4 children, and Isaac's the only grandchild yet, he wasn't falling for any "Granny" or "Grandad" tricks. So he calls them Mum and Dad, and us Mummy and Abba. We do occasionally get some funny looks, if I'm out with one of my parents, and people hear Isaac talking to "Mum and Mummy". But fortunately, my darling Mama doesn't notice or realise the possible implications (-:

To get us back on topic, boy-in-pearls:

[est190]

Oh boy--breaking out the family photos!!! Issac is adorable (wearing pearls no less)!!! Ha!! Here's my little one. I need to upload more photos to picassa--she's changes so much. She's now a big girl (almost 9 months old).

[Amanda]

She's not wearing pearls! huh!

Isaac put my pearl and amethyst necklace on to cheer himself up when he had chickenpox a fortnight or so ago.

[est190]

You'll have to get him a Tahitian pearl on a leather strap. :-)

[pattye]

Amanda & EST,

Hey, you two have some real cutie pies there! I recently gifted a new mom and her baby daughter with matching freshwater pearl necklaces~fun to have a gift for the mother too! It's good to start their pearl collection early, is what I was getting around to say!

[est190]

Amanda & EST,

Hey, you two have some real cutie pies there! I recently gifted a new mom and her baby daughter with matching freshwater pearl necklaces~fun to have a gift for the mother too! It's good to start their pearl collection early, is what I was getting around to say!

Thanks pattye!! I bought Alexandra 4mm akoya studs. :-). They were actually really hard to find!!! She is still in her training studs.. So I'll have pictures in a couple of weeks. I would get her a little necklace, but she would probably try to swallow them. :-)

[Amanda]

Thanks pattye!! I bought Alexandra 4mm akoya studs. :-). They were actually really hard to find!!! She is still in her training studs.. So I'll have pictures in a couple of weeks. I would get her a little necklace, but she would probably try to swallow them. :-)

Probably - that, or the world's most expensive teething ring?

Alexandra's a lovely name, do you call her Alex?

Pattye, would that be worth my while having another baby, then? Hmmmm.....

[est190]

My wife insists on Alexandra--but I'll be calling her Alex when she gets older. :-). Those would be an expensive teething ring, but my little one prefers sparkly diamonds to chew on.