The Good Stuff:
A ton of toys and clothes for my son.
(He played with the instructions, but did like the pound a ball I gave him. To you nonparents out there, think of Whack a Mole.)
[rant]I have to train myself NOT to buy clothing for my children because my mother in law buys them everything from the cheesy stores and there is no stopping her. I can’t return it and there is no sense in figthing it. Sometimes I can return some of it for a credit and I get diapers, but when you are innundated with two or three new outfits a week for your child, it’s frustrating.[/rant]
A very very generous gift certificate for Baby’s R US from my dipwad sister in lawm and a ton of baby clothes that her daughter received and never wore ( so I guess I hafta like her for at least three months.)
From our friend in England that we mooched off of: a pair of coffee mugs and fun socks.
The Ehhhh gifts:
Another village building to add to the Christmas village collection I never wanted or started (by my Mom).I 'm running out of space inwhich to show something off that I really don’t want to drag up and out of the basement once a year. (bah hum bug, I know) My mother in law gave me a “candy shoppe” which it’s about time. Because for the past 6 years I’ve received every Christmas a CHURCH from my MOM. And I know it is a subliminal dig on her part because I don’t go to church. So, after bitching that there are no villagers or industry to support all the greedy Christians in Shirleyville, I was going to convert one of the churches into a synagoge and attract some jews in: ie, merchants and money 
The crap gifts:which come from the thread of " Who in the hell buys this stuff?"
From brother #3 - A Hillshire Farms YARD of BEEF Summer Sausage. ( Since my son loved the meat, my mom gave me hers. The stuff takes awful. Haggis would taste better, I’m sure.)
From brother #2 - This was a major flashback to my teen years, a cheesy make up kit filled with colors 1) I would never wear 2) would cause me to break out for years 3)I don’t wear makeup much 4) the only redeeming factor of it is the case that it came in is a silver strong box thingy that will be cool for my daugther to play with when she is older.
From my mother in law ( the same woman who a couple of years ago bought me a bunch of turtle neck shirts all sized 1x. I damn near cried when I saw the tag.) An XL night gown. To this I kindly say 1) Yes, I am pregnant, but by mid february, I won’t be AND I am NOT THAT BIG RIGHT NOW ANYWAY, TYVM. 2) Why buy something XL for another 6 weeks.
Also from mom in law, who tries so hard and it’s kind of pathetic really, a Mrs. Tea eletric tea maker thing. The one I want is $79.00. It is not Mrs. Tea. I will ask her to return it and apply the money towards what I really want.
THE BEST: A miniature (larger than a matchbox car) version of a British Mini, from my husband. I just love it.
