Men...What Are They Thinking?

I have been married a good while, over 20 years to be exact. And if I have learned one thing.... it is that men do NOT think like women!

This current holiday season is a good example-

Just the other day, my husband told me to pick up something that he could put a screwdriver in that he had bought his dad for Christmas.

I go, find an elongated gift bag, and proudly show it to him...he took one look and said, "I 'm not using that, it's for girls..."

What???? "Since when???" I ask him. He shrugged and said, "It just is, gift bags are for women.." Dear, this is not a purse, it is a GIFT bag for GIFTS! No matter, he wasn't going to use it. So, I guess he is on his own. I told him he should just wrap it in newspaper...for that masculine touch. (Or toilet paper!)

Then, we started discussing what else we should get his hard to buy for father. "How about a Lowe's hardware store gift certificate?" I suggest, knowing his dad is always working on a project of some kind around the house. Hubby makes a face and says , "That seems so cheesy to me, a Lowe's gift certificate. I was thinking about an Outback Steakhouse gift card."

"Errr, ummm, dear- isn't a gift card to the Outback Steakhouse the same thing? A gift card? What's the difference?"

He paused and said, " I guess there is none, it just seems better to me..."

I shrug and say, "oh well.."

Finally, he tells me when I get home that I am to call his mom by HER request and give her all our kid's sizes, what to get them for Christmas, but she absolutely won't buy any electronics or dvds of any kind, and would I please give her suggestions on what to buy my hubby and me?

I looked at him and said, "I am no longer doing that because I do it every year and she never likes what I suggest and I hate suggesting gifts for us anyway because I have no idea what price range they mean and I don't like asking for things from anyone but you dear. Besides, you don't call my parents up and give them suggestions- so why am I having to do this?" (I said it with a pleasant smile, mind you....)

To my embarrassment, he e-mails his mother instead of calling and tells her we have no ideas for the kids becasue all they want are electronic related items and we don't want anything because what we need is too expensive anyway! I told him his mom is going to think I put him up to saying that and he probably made her mad at him. He shrugged and said, "It won't be the first time I have made her mad..." (Sigh)

Well, I have to say this...it certainly makes things interesting to see the difference in the way men and women think. I think life would be dull indeed if we did think the same way, and I suppose just because you wouldn't do it that way doesn't mean his way is wrong...just a different approach.

Now please excuse me while I go see if he has let go of the t.v. remote yet.....(another male oddity I don't get...)