Friday, December 17, 2021

On Her Ninth Day Before Christmas

You would think that it could have lasted for nine more days. Apparently, that was too big of an ask.

It was to be a great Christmas present — a brand new, latest and greatest iPhone for Sue. We don't give extravagant presents like this, but there was a need, and I wanted this to be special.

When my iPhone 6 died, a main warning sign was that it became hot. Sue's same phone experienced this one day a few months ago but worked well since then. However, I figured its days were numbered, so I ordered a new phone, breaking the bank in the process.

The phone worked on Tuesday, ten days before Christmas.

Come Wednesday morning, the ninth day before, it was as dead as a doornail.

Aw crap!

I decided that I would have to give her the phone early or she would be wanting to take the old one in for a new battery or whatever.

I texted Shauna about the possibility of them coming over for an impromptu supper to make a bit of an event of it since it would diminish Christmas Day a little bit.

Wouldn't you know? I texted to the family chat and not privately to Shauna.

Shauna alerted me to what I had done.

Aw crap again!

I ran into Sue's room shouting, "Don't read the family chat!"

Too late!!! 😬😽👎

So here we are.

Merry Christmas

As a slight extra to celebrate the event on the day that we decided it was prudent to go into semi isolation, we did what we have often done during the pandemic — drove to the riverside for coffee in the car.


It was a warm 14ºC/57ºF, which is crazy here in Ontario in December, but we remained in the car because the winds were howling. I took this photo through the window.


According to the song, and as near I can figure, nine days before Christmas would be the fourth day of the twelve days of Christmas when the correct gift should have been four calling birds. But I think that a brand new, pink iPhone is a pretty good alternate choice.

Actually in tradition, the twelve days of Christmas begin with Christmas Day and last until January 6 (now a day of infamy when the magi came bearing gifts. But one makes of life what one can.

23 comments:

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Sue looks properly happy with her gift, even if the surprise element was somewhat dampened by social media. Seems your gift was well timed with the unexpected demise of her previous phone. Nice to see your smiling faces as well.

Patio Postcards said...

Nice gift for Sue. You really are a "Jolly Elf" & not the Grinch you'd like us to believe (lol). Nice that you wanted to make a family dinner to add that extra oop to the gift. This Omicron is certainly worrying & semi isolation is a good idea. Health is the best gift to give.

Marie Smith said...

It’s hard to keep anything secret these days!

Boud said...

She looks pretty happy! Wondering if she'd guessed anyway?? Since she knows you, and all!

Coffee by the water sounds nice. I think we're all rediscovering the pleasure of small events.

MARY G said...

One calling phone is not bad. Now all she has to do is learn to use it. We are trying to master Whatsapp. Aaargh.
We. Buried Brien in that wind.
Merry early Christmas to Sue.

Jean Winnipeg said...

I had a chuckle about the surprise! One of the things I remember about Christmas was my mum forgetting where she had hidden things, and receiving surprises in January when she re=found them.

PipeTobacco said...

Which iPhone is that? I can never really tell. I would have to ask my wife what ours are. I think when we got them last year we purchased either 10s or 11s…. But I am not really sure.

Your coffee selfie is especially vivid looking this time! Your wife looks especially vibrant and lovely and you look especially dapper!

PipeTobacco

Blondi Blathers said...


Aren't you the thoughtful one! I like that in a man. In anyone, of course. -Kate

gigi-hawaii said...

Christmas came a bit soon for you guys, but what a nice, thoughtful gift that iPhone was. I am sure Sue loves it.

Ed said...

I hope you had a better time porting the phone number from old phone to new phone. Last year for Christmas I did a similar gift times three but to keep it a secret, I didn't port the numbers when I bought the new units and the store could do it for me quickly and easily. So after opening them up on Christmas morning, of course everyone wanted to use them immediately and I spent the rest of the morning on the computer and phone trying to make it happen along with about half the world judging from wait times and crashing internet sites.

Barbara Rogers said...

What a good Santa's helper you are...and I am quite sure Sue will forgive you having an early Christmas. It's even early for Solstice (on the 21st)! Hope the phone works for sure! Loved the coffee in car photo. Of course you didn't want to sit in the raging wind!

William Kendall said...

Oops on the family chat!

Marcia said...

Cell phones have become a necessity in this day and age. You did well in planning to get a new one for her and having it on hand when her old one died. Nothing wrong with Christmas a wee early. I got my birthday/Christmas present a couple of Sundays ago - snow shoes. They are sitting under the tree for now but may be able to try them out this weekend if the snow storm comes.

Red said...

Funny how some of those very simple plans for a surprise go completely off the rails.

The Furry Gnome said...

Very generous of you!

Margaret said...

What a wonderful idea and in spite of the snafus, it makes for an excellent and memorable story! Sue looks very happy with her new phone. I didn't think I would love mine, but I do. (especially the camera) Xmas is just another day and gifts can be given any time, right?

DrumMajor said...

You're asking a woman not to read the family chat? Never gonna work. Bet she's happy though. (You probably would've gotten some text or email about the new phone before Christmas.) Linda in Kansas

Rita said...

I know it doesn't seem like it but I'd call that perfect timing. ;)

Vicki Lane said...

Too funny.

Mage said...

It's the perfect present for the right day. Pink indeed. :)

Jenn Jilks said...

That was fun! I enjoyed it.

Bindu said...

Haha, she is happy in the photo.
That is one pretty cool gift!

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