Every year I listen to my wife.

I try to discern what she wants for Christmas from our conversations. I pay attention to the things she looks at in the store when I’m with her. I’m usually pretty good at getting her what she wants (well… if you don’t count last years fiasco).

And every year she knows what I got her before she sees the package under the tree.

This year is no different.

I got her the 35″ Fire Bowl from Target last Friday.

Yesterday, it went on sale for $88.88 (I only knew this because my mother-in-law called me from Tucson and told me about it). So… I found my receipt, went back to Target, and got a refund of $33.63.

Of course, my mother-in-law was watching the price because she wanted one too. I tried to order one online for her, but couldn’t find anyplace that sold this exact item except for Target, and they’re not taking online orders for it. I tried to pay for one here and have her pick it up there, but was flatly told “you can’t do that”. Then I called the Target store closest to her house in Tucson, AZ and tried to buy it over the phone as well. Still no dice.

Finally… I called her up and told her to go down and buy one for herself… I’d send her a check for $100.

She’s a very happy lady. And a happy mother-in-law means a happy me!