You Didn't Have to Do That

When Kevin's parents moved up here three years ago, it was the end of a very stressful time for them. Their sister & b-i-l had died, the father-in-law's retirement was in jeopardy, and it was the culmination of an entire lifetime. This is the last house they will live in.

With the sale of the house, etc. the parents were suddenly flush with cash. Kevin's dad has worked hard all of his life, starting when he was 14 years old. While they got by just fine, they were typical Americans living on a budget.

Suddenly most of their bills are gone. They had few worries. And a pocketful of money.

Kevin's parents believe in "You can't take it with you" and they say that they'd rather watch everyone else enjoy the fruits of their lifetime then to die with money in the bank. So we have to be careful about saying that we want anything.

"The washer is making a funny noise" = coming home to a new washer.
"I want to try to take the car to Vegas" = Parents becoming the sponsor of the car.
"I really want to add plants to the rock garden" = nearly brand new rock garden

Not to mention all the dinners they bought and presents they gave. The coffees that they buy when we're not paying attention.

This is where the title comes in. We found ourselves saying, often, "You didn't have to do that." Enough so that they had made a sign that hangs next to their house saying just that.

Today was not my best day. It was a Monday and I am getting over a cold and bladda bladda bladda. So it was with a stunned "Wha?" that I reacted with when Kevin brought over a new-to-us flat screen television for the bedroom.

Kevin's parents bought a new television for their living room. So they gave us the old one:


I've named it "Insomnia" It's a 40" flat screen and suddenly we have a theatre in the bedroom.

So, a lovely end to a total crap day.

How did your Monday go?