To feel a bit peed off about dh's birthday pressie to me?

[Amandella]

OK, it was my birthday yesterday and I've been going on "forever" about wanting a water feature in our garden. We went for dinner at friends a week or so ago and they have recently installed this beautiful small, modern slate water feature which is perfect for their garden. Something similar in ours would be great as we live in very similar (modern) properties. Anyway, we decided we'd go and look at water features and decide what to get and where to put it. We never go around to it. Well, you guessed it, dh (kindly I admit) decided to take it upon himself to purchase one for my birthday and I HATE IT.... it's something my granny would have had in her garden, it's totally gross (not cheap) but just not in keeping. Coupled with this, it's a free standing one - and I wanted something to go on the wall so the kids wouldn't wreck it. Also, it has all sorts of things dripping into other things and all the "things" come off the stand so perfect for dd 4 and her friends to wreck. It's gross. Well, the terrible thing is a) he loves it and b) kids love it and c) he carried it all the way home last night on the tube and train and then pretended he wasn't tired so he could construct the damn thing whilst I was in bed and then wrapped it beautifully and was SO proud that I haven't the heart to tell him. I'm just gutted but I guess I have to live with it as I don't have the heart to tell him I hate it (I'm actually embarrassed to show it to my neighbour in case she roars with laughter in front of him)... I feel so ungrateful but he has chucked the box and the wrapping so even if I could subtly tell him I don't like it I don't think he could return it. Also, I told him the kids might destroy it and he said "oh don't worry they'll soon lose interest... it's lovely though isn't it...just what you always wanted" AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH.........
AIBU??

I should take it back to the shop and swap it while he's out, and then feign ignorance that there ever was a hideous one. Either that or encourage the children to play with...

Tricky one...

The packagings been chucked though. She's stuck with it.

Hide it in a corner, its your only option lady.

Are you arguing with yourself there Brux? Congrats on the op btw, I hope being a woman brings you much happiness

"Actually, I'm post-op MTF and your hormonal insults are both rude and upsetting."

Am I right to take this with a pinch of salt...?

Anyway, if not, keep your hair on as I'm not a bloody mind reader and was just kidding.

Encourage the children to break it, quick! Then you can be really upset and he can say 'oh, I'm so sorry your birthday is ruined, I'll get you another one' and you can say 'I'll come too and help you find one that will stand up to family life'. Sorted.

i got a rug for my landing once as a present

OR if he's anything like my dh, you can just stick it in the garage, safe in the knowledge that he will never get round to installing in anyway.

Hold on, this thread is all too tangential...
Is it the tricycyle one?

Sorry but that is bad. Your DH is clearly gorgeous though.

I think the main point of this thread is that bruxeur is clever. Hope everybody's got that now.

"OR if he's anything like my dh, you can just stick it in the garage, safe in the knowledge that he will never get round to installing in anyway."

ohh yes - here too

Hello margoandjerry!

I think the main point of this thread is that Amandella has been bought a water-feature of debatable hideousness, and she is seeking opinion over whether she is being unreasonable, or "U", about feeling ungrateful.

There are some associated, lesser points, about water features, the role of honesty within a marriage, the destructive capability of small children, the acceptability of water features in general, the use of emoticons - whither animation? - and whether or not it is possible to communicate tone through the use of text alone.

This explanatory post has been brought to you in association with the letter A, the suffix -ility, and the liberal use of sarcasm.

Welcome to the board!

thing is its gonna take quite a while to grow owt to nestle that into, be it the top one or the bottom one.

not good for the minimilist garden. Think your'e going to have to put it in a corner get some climbers, bushes, and a wrought iron bench to match. Go the whole hog !!

I don't think you are being ungrateful, but your husband clearly went to a lot of effort. .. maybe when you look at it you should think about his love for you, rather than how much you dislike it and it might help you get used to it. And put lots of plants round it.

Brux are you always like this or are you just bored today?

Bit bored, but mainly just playing each ball on it's merits, you know?

Oh yeah, its merits .

this would compliment your new garden feature well I think. Christmas perhaps?

I joke not when I tell you that my dd (aged 10) bought me a fairy garden ornament, sitting on a leaf, with a bloody flowery dress - obviously DAD said it was lovely when they were buying the water feature - so somewhere I also need to hide that monstrosity - but I love her also to bits and hid my horror very well!! it was quite a birthday as you can gather!!!

nope, can't say I do know

LOL TL!

Well, it's an analogy; it means that you respond differently to different situations. The OP asked a straight question, so I answered it. Someone else asked a silly question, so I answered it in a silly way. Then it was observed that MNers can't read tone without smileys, which is ridiculous, so I said so. M&J was sarcastic so I was sarcastic back. You've made a deadpan response to a question so I'm giving you deadpan back.

Do you see?

only read the op

i think your DH did a fine thing. i keep ugly shit becuase of sentimental reasons. i think this is one of those.

wow he went to a lot of effort for you

be nice!

I was, in a deadpan fashion, commenting on your incorrect apostrophe

yes Custardo, I know you are right!! (just to annoy brux}

pissflaps