it's traditional woodcraft skills in a wood, not carpentry. She's trying to pick something that's totally 'him' and join in. very selfless on her part. the OP says he's into woodcraft but would hate her present of doing it with her.
gutted for her.
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How do I tell my wife her choice of B'day surprise for me is terrible?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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More than happy to have you in - just off to the workshop now to veneer up the birds eye maple fascias for the cupboards doors for my new bike mobile /campervan.
If you really do fancy a course in the future though try this place - to declare an interest I've just been added on the board of trustees but it is truly exceptional what they teach. Barnsley Workshop. It's a registered charity intended to keep the traditional skills alive, paid for by selling the (very expensive) pieces they make. Whilst most of what they do is teach apprentices on 5-7yr apprenticeships, they do also have some (much shorter) fee paying places.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Willow chair making is not carpentry
Okay, so not directly carpentry but as Matt said in the OP he is a trained carpenter so clearly feels it is a very similar skill.Posted 2 years ago # -
Very, very funny....... I just spat coffee all over my keyboard..... so sort of thank you!
If you hadn't sorted it out...
I would've suggested playing Dolly Parton - D I V O R C E all the way there in the car.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Okay, so not directly carpentry but as Matt said in the OP he is a trained carpenter so clearly feels it is a very similar skill.
I've just done some pie-charts....
Posted 2 years ago # -
I also kind of get the feeling that he is more disappointed that his wife doesn't understand him as well as he would hope.
A couple of years ago we were sat having a curry and I mentioned to my wife that I would really like to do a curry cooking training course sometime. She almost burst into tears as she had just booked one for me for my birthday some three months later - so she knows and understands what I like without me having to say anything.
I kinda feel that the OP would like his wife to understand him in a similar way.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've just done some pie-charts....
Lah Lah Lah! I'm not listening!Posted 2 years ago # -
Practical Matt, the way I see it you've two options.
Either you can speak to her, gently and nicely, saying that you're not sure you want this as a birthday present. BUT you have to have a decent alternative option for her, and it has to involve both of you.
Or you can go along with it, BUT you have to change your attitude towards the gift. Chances are it will be a really nice weekend, and if you go along with an open mind then you'll get lots from it. It might sound crap, but give it a fair go.
One thing I would say - you really have to tell her how important mountain biking is to you, exactly as you have done to us at the beginning of this post.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Bunch of townies!
Did none of you lot spend your youth whittling with penknives, setting fire to stuff, climbing trees and drinking ale? Can't just be me! No fans of Ray Mears here??
/dispair/
Posted 2 years ago # -
Great thread - lucky no-ones around, they'd think I was mad for laughing so loudly.
I hope you love what's she's got you instead. Please tell me you really do want to learn how to ride a penny farthing.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Think yourself lucky she's given it some thought and got you something, mine doesn't bother unless I draw up a list for her.
Posted 2 years ago # -
A friend of mine told her hubby she wouldn't give him ideas for Christmas presents and that he should use his imagination.
The following year he got a full and detailed list from her
Posted 2 years ago # -
Think yourself lucky......
Every rule has an exception, the rule in this case being 'something is better than nothing'.
That truly is the most rubbish gift I've ever heard of, I'm thinking you should divorce her anyway now.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm thinking you should divorce her anyway now.
+1
Posted 2 years ago # -
What I'd do - get up really early on your birthday and sneak out on your bike. All day. Sorted.
Posted 2 years ago # -
get the feeling that he is more disappointed that his wife doesn't understand him as well as he would hope.
Got it in one, it's one part infuriating to one part upsetting.
She can second guess why I'm grining at a comment on TV from knowing my chain of thought so well and can suss out what I'm likely to do next when we're messing about. But can't take a hint for my Bday.
That and the most punching the air truly euforic emotions I feel are when I clear a massive drop off or just nail a perfect line on some single track is almost my dirty secret.
My bike will always be that funny heap of tubes in the cellar to her- no different from a model railway or a bonsai tree, but it's what makes me happy and all I want to do is be happy and share that happiness with her.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Well, my wife and I give each other rubbish presents on a regular basis. I buy her lingerie that she never wears (even if she chose it herself, and claimed to like it in the shop) and last birthday she bought be a jigsaw (a puzzle, not a woodworking tool).
Ho hum ...
Posted 2 years ago # -
last birthday she bought me a jigsaw
What was the picture?
Posted 2 years ago # -
PM, can you really not see why she thought it was a great idea?
Posted 2 years ago # -
pjb, yeah I do whichi s why I bit my lip and vented online, it was a very sweet gesture, but ultimatley an unwelcome busman's holiday.
I give up all my riding time to do woodwork so she gets me the chance to do more with the only time I thought I could garuntee I could spend on my bike. She's no bike widdow- the last time I found time to ride was February and that was during the day using my Flexitime.
I was just stunned at a years worth of hints tips and outright asking went unheeded.
Posted 2 years ago # -
write a list next time.its what i do.prices and shop details also. id like to be "suprised" by the correct size seat clamp that i need in the correct colour of anodizing, but frankly that is never going to happen.
she has asked me to get her a "really romantic gesture" for her birthday!im cacking it already, i struggle with her rough list, but thats just far to open a sugestion...
Posted 2 years ago # -
"really romantic gesture"
Sleep in the damp patch for a change?Posted 2 years ago # -
odannboy- there's a storm a'comin
Posted 2 years ago # -
Wow lucky Mr MC was up for my 30th birthday trip to Morocco .. there was no way I was NOT MTBing in a foreign country for my birthday! He didn't pay for it I just told him i was going, thank goodness we are on the same wavelength! After 7 years of birthday ans Christmas' I think I have every bike part/clothing that I could possibly have mmmmm maybe willow chair making it is for his 40th
Thanks goodness I have a man who knows what I like. Think sometimes he wishes he had a hobby which I didn't like (MTbing, motorbiking) .. however doing shift work he does still get time to disappear out alone.
This thread is brilliant though,makes me think of some cr** presents we have receieved from people over the years.
Posted 2 years ago # -
MrFC is a firefighter, and one xmas there was a Firefighters photo calendar under the tree from his Mum. I grabbed it off him when he opened it, saying it must be for me!
But no...it was for him...his Mum was quite upset!
Apparently she'd traipsed all over town trying to find it!!!
So, like a dutiful son, he took it to work and put it on the outside of his locker!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hey Mr MC got one of these once (similar, scroll down)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400103244900And I got a traffic officer dressed like a s**t in tarty skirt etc!
Thing is I hate dogs (how hideous are they) and I HATE having policey stuff around the house!!! Plus I was concerned that the person who bought these items was implying something about me! I think they are in the attic, but looking at ebay I should look at getting some cash for them.Oh and we got one of those plastic bike covers for £7 .. thing is we have a garage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Random!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another friend once bought his wife a TomTom for Christmas and she wasn't that impressed.
Never mind he thought, she'll love the next present.
It was a LadyShave.
'Happy Christmas darling - you can't read maps and have hairy legs'
Posted 2 years ago # -
Munqe-chick...NICE!!!
Do they do firefighter doggies????
(Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like dogs, or cats...)Thing is...MrFC's mum just couldn't work out what was wrong with giving Paul the calendar!!
Topless, pumped up men, with shaved, oiled chests with ridiculously placed hoses??? Posted 2 years ago #
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