> I have a rather large CD collection, and I'm a member of a music club so it usually grows at a pretty consistent rate. Of course, you gotta have a place to keep all those CDs, right?
>
> I'd been dropping hints since September that I needed a new, larger CD case or rack to store my music on. Then, about two weeks ago, we were shopping in an Odd Lots store (anybody seen the Jerry Van Dyke commericials?) and I was just browsing in their furniture section, and I saw an awesome assemble-it-yourself, faux wood grain CD tower (holds 161 CDs) for only $20, so I bought it.
>
> Last night, we celebrated my dad's birthday and mine together. My brother-in-law gave me a CD spinner rack that holds 112. And my mom revealed that she had bought me one too. She's taking hers back and getting me someting else. I'll keep the one my sister's husband gave me, since I'm sure I'll fill it up eventually. My mother said I was mean for dropping the hint and then going out and buying one myself. What can I say? It was an impulse buy.
>
> Gri"got three new keychains and a Remington electric shaver too"shny


How about this one: I have been an avid reader of Tim LaHayes' "Left Behind" series and have been waiting for the latest installment "The Mark" to hit the bookshelves. I was talking with my mom the other day and told her to not bother buying that book for me, since I more than likely would purchase it for myself before Christmas. I told her that I would like a George Foreman grill instead.

All was well. She hadn't purchased the book for me.

I went shopping yesterday to get my grandparents' gifts and stopped by Barnes & Noble. I found that "The Mark" was 40% off the listed price. Not wanting to pass that up, I purchased it along with a couple gift certificates. (The certificates being for my grandparents)

WELL, I get home and call my folks to check up on what my little sister could use for Christmas. After a little snooping on what things she might need, the talk turned to my purchases for the day. I mentioned my purchase of "The Mark" and I get the "well...um...you should have saved your money" response. Turns out my DAD had already purchased the book for me. He gives me the nice little speech about not buying things for yourself eight days before Christmas.

Though I HAD told them not to buy it for me. Or at least my mom, anyways.

Well, my mom is collecting the series, too, so it looks like I have her gift purchased without realizing it. So my dad gives me "The Mark", and I give my mom the same gift. Oh, well. The same thing happened between my sister and I last year when I got her an Old Navy Performance Fleece vest, and she got me the exact same one. Great minds think alike, I suppose.

It's the thought that counts, anyways. :)

Merry Christmas all!

The_Scots"Check with both mom AND dad before purchasing things you want"man