I was hanging out with my mom the other day and she casually mentioned that Mother’s Day was coming up.  Then, she not so casually blurted out, “So what are you going to get me?”

Uh. . . .

Truth of the matter is, aside from a detour to Hallmark, because I care enough to send the very best, I hadn’t really planned on getting any additional items beyond that. I think my DH mentioned ordering some flowers, but it sounded like a project he was spearheading.  I guess we’ll all find out come Sunday.

My mom took it another step further. We were in the car, going to get the girls from school, and she picked up my sunglasses to try them on.  Flipping down the visor mirror, she started admiring her face from various angles, noting how the sunglasses complimented her bone structure and so forth.

“I think I’ll put these on my list,” she said with a note of finality.

“What list, Mom?”  I’m not a total moron; I’ll bite.

“Well, I figured I would put two or three high priced items on my Mother’s Day Wish List, then one or two reasonably priced items, and then you and your brother can buy the reasonably priced items so that in the end, I end up with what I want.”

This woman is a genius! Why haven’t I thought of this before?!

If I were to get myself a gift for Mother’s Day, I’m thinking I’ll start with a nice manicure and pedicure. And then, to showcase all that hard work that was done to my feets (yes, there is an S), I’ll need some new sandals. . .

(image)

And maybe something shiny for my fingers, like this. . .

(image)

I could finish up the day enjoying my new favorite ice cream. . .

while I lounge around in my comfy new pajamas (a medium, please, in orange or pink). . .

(image)

Or  I could be using a lovely gift card to Barnes and Noble. . .
Or a coupon to have the house cleaned (*ahem* check out Living Social and Groupon for ideas *ahem*).
Or just having a lazy day where I don’t have to jump up every time some needs something wiped, like a spill, a nose, or a butt.

See what I did there? I put a couple of big ticket items on the list, balanced it with something reasonable, and stacked the odds in my favor.  Truth be told, I don’t need some big to-do for Mother’s Day. What I’d like is for all the good behavior that comes on that one day to carry over to the rest of the 364 days a year. You know, when the hubs tells the girls to make Mother’s Day special by not fighting with one another or following directions the first time and so on and so forth? That’s what I want, the gift that keeps on giving — knowing that my parenting skills are paying off. Finally.

As for my mom, aside from a pair of Ray Bans, which I’m hoping is the high priced item, she also mentioned some Pandora charms, and maybe some perfume.  I mentioned the Ray Bans to my brother and he just laughed.  I think he’s still laughing, actually.  He never did say what he planned to do for Mother’s Day, but I’m sure he’ll come through for her in the end.

There’s a Rite-Aid around the corner from his house and they’ve got a pretty decent selection of cards.