| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 10/15/2005 7:21:57 AM PDT by Sidebar Moderator, reason:
Locked: New thread here. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1502965/posts |
Posted on 08/24/2005 9:50:25 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
I'd buy tickets to see you two there. ;-)
Quite frankly, being amongst the "churchiest" here, I'd say tell 'em thanks, but no thanks. Wife and I did a marriage retreat years ago, but it was nothing this formal, nothing this programmed. We wouldn't choose to go to something like this. We'd rather have a weekend to sit on the beach and stare at the waves. Does wonders for our relationship. ;-)
I really hate this type of programming. At our previous church we went through a "Growing Kids God's Way" class. [shudder] It was a series of videos. I gave up completely when the teacher said his daughter's had ~never~ lied to him. Please.
Most of the folks who run this type of thing mean well. Most of them also do not live in the real world.
But I digress.
You're right. This is a back-handed present to get you two back into the fold. And, IMHO, it's precisely this type of back-handed gift that has driven people ~away~ from church.
Now, here's where it gets tricksey.
I don't think you're obligated to used the certificate or to go to the conference. And I don't think you should go and pretend to the family that you enjoyed it or benefited from it.
BUT,
If you ~don't~, I DO think you're obligated to return the certificate and tell his family why.
If you don't, they're likely to get you another one.
I'm from the South. It was the 80s. I was 100 lbs. thinner.
What can I say?
Talbots is a bit stuffy for me, *but* you can get good interview suits there.
Everything you've said is exactly right, and it's of great comfort that you understand, but we still have a big problem. :~D
HUGE :~D
Keep an eye out for "The Buffalo Exchange" - it's a higher-end consignment shop chain that tends to have stores in college towns.
Nothing more.
As your trusted spiritual advisor, I'd be happy to write his family a BIOTS letter.
Well, well, well. You know how teenage boys can be and they felt the definition of "dress" left a lot of room for interpretation. They'd wear plaid golf slacks, hawaiian shirts, and paisley ties, for example. They'd also raid their fathers' closets for the polyester 70's leisure suits. Oh they had fun.
Then I probably shouldn't tell you about the yellow socks I used to wear with the tan suit and the Allen Edmond loafers...
Hm...apparently there's a Chico's a couple of blocks from here. Wonder if they have anything on clearance, with the school year just started and big sales going on a lot of places.
*sigh* I wish I had more fashion sense. I honestly don't know what looks good and what looks like it really belongs on someone three times my age. Or...close to that, anyway. Or what looks...erm...not feminine, but not so much NOT so that I notice. So I'm scared of buying clothes, really. It's one thing when you're paying three or four bucks for an outfit...it's another entirely when you're paying a lot more for something you hope will last you years, and which won't look silly in an urban area where people are more aware of such things.
You ladies wanna fly out for the weekend and go interview shopping? ;-)
And now...I swear I'll shut up about this stuff for awhile...heh...
LOL! I think the thought of it is eating through both my stomach and ecurbh's.
I guess since we have a spiritual advisor, we don't need to find a "church home" anymore. ;~D
But telling them is the part I dread the most. I am a very non-confrontational type person. I would much rather ignore the situation and just hope it never comes up again.
I put this off far too long. It doesn't help that this gift certificate says it expires Aug. 31... it's sitting there like a ticking time bomb.
Hehehe...you could drive to Bellevue, register, pick up your nametags, and just go home again.
We like the way you think ;~D
Tempting!
I've been in wardrobe-building mode lately ever since I got that promotion. I have a position to dress for and it's been a struggle because I'm a blue jeans and Birkenstocks kinda gal.
Here's an interview outfit recipe: black pantsuit with straight legs; sensible black shoes; pretty-colored tank to wear under the blazer. Keep jewelry small and tasteful. You'll be able to wear the blazer and slacks for ever and ever just by changing the tank or blouse.
There you go. Call the place and tell them you can't use it by then and ask for a refund. Then send that to your parents. Put it all in writing so it will have time to sink in.
But you have to tell them. If you don't, it WILL come up again.
Welll......you had to feed the horses, right? And you meant to come back in the morning, but the truck broke down and...you know....you can't drive any distance with an unreliable truck.
Mrs. builds her entire wardrobe based on what goes with black.
You're not helping. ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.