30 November 2007

My favorite six words...

Even though I knew it was coming in the next five to seven days, it was still a pleasant, pleasant surprise to see an e-mail from Mum and Dad with those six magical words in the subject heading:

"Please send us your Christmas wishlist!"


Serious job or not, fully-grown adult living in the city or not, in-the-past-year transition from a wishlist that included a reasonably-priced Coach bucket bag as its top item to an it'll-never-happen McQueen mini or not, there's nothing like those rare moments when you're made to feel as young as a kid who still believes in the story of Santa Claus.

I apologize for the gratuitous when-I-was-wee photograph, but I thought this one better represented how similar my childhood cut was to Miss Katie's. Twinsies, right?

Plus, I also wanted y'all to see that Oklahomans aren't all tree-dwelling Jim Bobs with wheat-stems hanging from their mouths.

See, at the age of four we already know to keep our legs crossed ladylike during high-tea.

Even when it's held in the backyard sandbox.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Grow up. My parents get me a gift card and that works just fine. You're 28, not 8.

Johanna said...

Actually, I'm 27, but yeah, I probably should grow up. Life is supposed to be fun-free once you hit a certain age -- thanks for the reminder, sometimes I forget!

kiss,
J

BerryGirl said...

Aw geez, my Mom told me to get my wish list together, and I'm 30!

Get over it anon-aka Grinch.

By the way, in reference to the comments below, I met Johanna in the shoe department at Macy's, and she was perfectly lovely. I was even wearing flip flops, and she didn't say a word!

Anonymous said...

it's no wonder you've turned out to be so self-absorbed. look at how your parents STILL cater to you even after you're an adult. It's a good thing you only have a dog and a not a child of your own.

Anonymous said...

I'm 33 and I still prepare wish lists - complete with sizes, colors, links, and coupon codes where applicable - for each of my parents. I get some things from the list, and some surprises, and everyone is happy with themselves.

Giftcards are the same as cash. Sounds like your family Christmases aren't exactly warm and fuzzy, Anon. To quote Edward Rooney, "so that's how it is in their family."

Johanna said...

berrygirl-

I remember that! Congrats on your marathon!

not impressed-

if you start in on my family, you'll have the distinct honor of being only the third person whose comments I've removed from this blog.

Hate on me but not them, mm'kay?

best,
J

Anonymous said...

Look at those cheeks! And that form! What a little lady you were! Are, I mean. *Are*.

Anonymous said...

I think it's very endearing that your parents still treat you like a kid when it comes to your Christmas wishlist. I also would love to see the looks on their faces if you made up a list of nothing but Sugar Daddy choices!

Anonymous said...

I love that even back in the day you didn't really smile in photos. So chic.

Add my name to the list of people whose parents ask them for Christmas wish lists. I'm not quite sure why my unwillingness to have them stress about what to get me, or their desire to give me a gift they know I'd like, makes us bad people. And to nip the sputtering snark that I know is coming: I do not demand gifts and they know that I'll love anything they give me, whether I asked for it or not.

Unknown said...

not impressed, I've never had my parents ask me for an actual wish list. I was usually asked when I was a kid what one gift I wanted, but a wish list? Nope.

But I see your point. Johanna has parents that actually care about her enough to buy her gifts she wants. That's horrible parenting. They should stop buying her gifts and treating her like they love her when she becomes an adult. Maybe they should really just cut off all contact so as not to spoil her.

If her boyfriend or husband asked her for such a list, would it be just as awful?

I buy gift cards. I live thousands of miles from my family and I know that my dad loves his Dunkin' Donuts coffee and my brother/sister-in-law/nephews have such fun when they go to Coldstone. No problem with that.

Her parents want to go the extra mile. They want to take time out of their lives and go shopping for something they know Johanna will love. With parents like that, why would you just want a gift card?

When I visit my dad, he pays for most meals. Every now and again in the difficult adult world we live in, it's nice to feel taken care of now and again.

Johanna said...

C-

I never realized it, but you're right about the not smiling thing. I was the happiest, smiliest child in all our home videos, but in the photos, I totes put on the Posh Spice "uh, if you must" face.

Dave-

Muwah!

best,
J

p.s. took one bite of the think5 bar and am quickly headed to Cosi. That sh*t tasted like sh*t.

Anonymous said...

I was so sad this year when my mom said she was just giving us gift cards. However, my boyfriend and his family are waiting for my "wish list". So, I guess I still get to have some of the Christmas magic.

Oh and I had the same haircut - it's because my mom was obsessed with Dorothy Hamill's short hair back then in the early 80's!

N said...

Keep the baby pictures coming. They are almost as cute at the dog pictures. How can anyone say anything mean about baby pictures?

Anonymous said...

I create wishlists for myself, I request wishlists from others, and I facilitate the exchange of wishlists between various of my family members. What's the problem? I like that I can both feel like a kid making my list and make my husband, mother, father, etc. feel like a kid making theirs. Everyone likes to get a Christmas gift that's *just* what they hoped for!

Anonymous said...

j - am mortified for your childhood self that you did not have your little oshkosh b'gosh jeans shortened with original hem reattached. what were you thinking? that you'd keep them long so you could wear them again NEXT season? shaaaright.

i just gave my parents my bday wish list which included my traditional annual request at #3: a pony.

Anonymous said...

etcetera - Beware the wishlist pony. I actually laughed out loud at the Verizon ad where the teen girl gets a pony instead of a phone. (And I am not one to laugh at cheesy TV ads.)

I, too, still give my parents some wish list guidance and I'm well into my mid-twenties. I'm banging my head into a wall wishing everyone else would give me such helpful suggestions as I have given them. (And I try to give some variety - "I want these exact shoes in this size and this color, here is a coupon" but also "gold earrings" or "theatre tickets", or "daddy, how about a AAA membership which is not embarrassing to buy and does not require you to go to the mall which you despise?")

Totally rocked the same primary colored overalls + Dorothy Hamill hair. You work it, little girl.

Anonymous said...

Wishlists available upon request. Complying with such a request is not selfish, nor is it immature. It is POLITE because it helps make the gift-buying process easier.

Seriously? Get a life, initial anonymous poster and "not impressed." I have no problem with you challenging or disagreeing with the points Johanna makes on her own blog, but honestly. She responded to a request by her mother, blogged about her delight in that interaction, and you have a problem with this WHY?

If you don't like J or her blog, then peace the f*ck out and go do something productive with your time.

On the top of your wishlist this holiday season should be "A Clue."

Anonymous said...

Are we going to see the list? I'm curious to know what (besides the purple dress below) would be on there.

Not that I would buy you anything off of there and intentionally find a way to bump into you on the street again or anything like that.

(whistling to self and rocking on heels)

Anonymous said...

I get excited for the wishlist question but how about the email my mom sent yesterday --

What kind of cookies do you want me to make?

Definitely one of the best parts of my Christmas!

Anonymous said...

My parents, siblings and I *still* exchange wishlists the day after Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite little traditions, and everyone here is right - it's respectful and helpful for the gift-giver. Why so many people gotta hate on here? Oh right, jealousy. Got it.

Anonymous said...

p.s. if I max out one of my credit cards to get you that McQueen, can I have your shoulders? Sit on it for a while.

Anonymous said...

What's with all the Katie Holmes loving? Been reading Project Beltway lately and feel the need to steal one of her inspirations? Next time try not to be so obvious ;-)

BerryGirl said...

Thanks, and you too! I saw you at the TNT cheer station of the Marine Corps, was looking at everyone's shirt so I could yell for them (that helped me out so much at Nike Women's). Think I mispronounced your name, oops! Didn't realize it was you until you had passed. I thought, 'there's my favorite blogger... again!'

Anonymous said...

rachel fan-

The proof is in the archives. Johanna first declared her love for KH in a post on April 11. Pray tell when was Rachel's first mention of her?

Anonymous said...

this is a joke, right? now just liking a certain celebrity can get you in trouble?

people, puhleeease.

Anonymous said...

I may be short, but I was the first one to declare my love for her.

Anonymous said...

Excuse me, we were together for 5 years before that.

Anonymous said...

Um, I'm pretty sure she rowed up my creek before either one of you.

Anonymous said...

you guys crack me up!

Wow, Chris Klein...that seems like so long ago.

Back to wishlists and their appropriateness or inappropriateness at our age, I just got off the phone with my mom and preemptively offered to give her a list of "ideas" for me for presents this year. She was effusively thankful.

J, that puts me on your side. Again.

Anonymous said...

tom, chris, dawson - well played.

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to see your wishlist. Come on. You know you want to. I love making my wishlist for my loving parents each & every year. I love reading other people's wishlists. It leaves me with a warm & fuzzy feeling.

Anonymous said...

laughed out loud at tom, chris & dawson :)

and on the topic at hand, wishlists are *always* appropriate. don't hate.

Anonymous said...

Guys, guys, what's with all this argument. I remember the day back in 1996 when I first saw Katie on the set of "The Ice Storm." She was so fresh faced and new. Ang introduced her to me as my love interest. I frowned at her, which, as you all know, is how I express my love.

Anonymous said...

you looked just as androgynous as a child as you do now!

Anonymous said...

Your Geren Ford dress is on my wishlist. It's on-sale in my size at Iris Singer, but it's still a bit too far out of my price range.

Please Santa, please bring it to me Christmas morning!

Anonymous said...

shame on the person who called you androgynous! you are adorable as a child and beautiful as a woman. it's a fun little treat to have the two side by side like this. in most cases, I'm able to see a resemblance but here I really don't. Maybe it's those chipmunk cheeks that are throwing me off ;-)

Anonymous said...

look at that little windbreaker! that little pose!

I agree with N - don't hesitate to share a baby pic now and then. they're sooo precious

Anonymous said...

The person who mentioned Project Beltway is surely joking, right? Anyone who reads both sites knows that when it comes to Katie, Lanvin, etc., this site is the Oscar dress and PB is the mediocre ABS knockoff version two months later. I mean I hate to be mean, but if you're not joking, that just cannot go unsaid.

Anonymous said...

omg, anon 9:53, you are 100% right. love the oscar dress/abs comparison. tres appropriate!

Anonymous said...

as a longtime reader who vowed never to comment (not just on your blog but *any* blog), I saw this picture of you today and had to break that promise. You were just so cute. Had to tell you.

shame on "at least you're consistent." shame shame shame.

Anonymous said...

you're adorable! I can't wait to see how Katie wears her hair off the red carpet. Once I see that I'll make my verdict for yay/nay.