Wife birthday ideas

[jrsiajdranch]

My wife turns 40 in December. She is all worked up about it. When I turned 40 I was actually glad for it. I want to take her somewhere nice but within a few hours drive as I do not want to spend all our Time on the road.  SO I live in North Central Iowa. Where would be some god weekend getaway places for us? 

She can be the champagne and lace type I of course like plad shirts and cowboy hats.

She is my best friened and greatest frustration all at the same time.

I wanna do something nice but I gotta plan ahead some. any ideas? 

[Kay/NC]

It never hurts, in my opinion, to ask someone what they would like to do to celebrate any occasion. If you do, be prepared to follow through!

[ECIN]

Well as usually Jr. You have not been thinking Ahead here - You should have told her that takeing her to the State Fair - In Ioway was her present ! What were you thinking ? Could even took her to the Mud Wrestling contest there - lol

 but thanks for the laugh of the day !-- The part about takeing her someplace in Ioway - How about a real trip -Like a 7 day cruise down the Mississippi on a river boat ? OR how about a trip to nit wits in MN -- ROTF  You could look cows - but in a different state -- lol

Good luck !

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

Minneapolis.  You can do many, many things there.  It has great off-broadway theater.  One of the best symphonies in the U.S.  Very good museums.  Many diverse restaurants.  Boat rides.  Mall Of America.  

[Ruby Lou]

My idea would be  bed and breakfast in the country.  That way you could possibly just sit back and relax!  Galena, Illinois may be a place to go too. Lots of shopping in a historic town,  eating, nice country drives, hotel, hot tub, massage.....Always some quiet time tucked in.  Actually, you gave me chills with your description of her...You must be a keeper too.

[linda/IL]

You sound like a real sweetie.  I agree with the Minneapolis, Galena which also has some close places of interest in Dubuque (there's a museum there I've heard of that's good), or B&B.  I'd at least try & feel her out & get some hints then you could still surprise her.

This has hit a sore spot in our house.  We go every year to the World Dairy Expo for 2-3 days and are going again even though we sold the cows.  (which we did too soon but no help & we're 66 yr old/time to do some things)  I talked him into going to Door County a couple of wks. after & I'd like to do 3 days there but he's dragging & only wants to do 2 days.  And I mean dragging; feel like I'm pulling him with a log chain.  Hates to travel.  And I hate to go to Expo after just selling cows.  Hurts too much. 

Have fun; she's a lucky gal.

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

Linda,

Go alone.  Or with a girl firend.  Or a daughter.  Or the bank travel group.  At 66, it's time to have some fun.  Are you going to wait till you're 76?  86?  Or do you think you may reach back and be 56 again?  Do you think he will ever change?  What are you waiting for?

I, too, hate to travel.  I want to stay home.  After 30 years in the military, I've been everywhere I want to go.  My wife does a lot of travel alone with my encouragement.  She visits the kids in Seattle and Denver, the family in Germany, friends in Padjucah and Houston and Washington, D.C....I tell her to go ahead and go and have a good time.  (After all, If I was with her and she had to put up with my grumpiness and lack of enthusiasm she'd not have as good a time.)

Don't make your happiness contingent on him sharing it in those instances where he genuinely doesn't want to.  What do they say, "you go girl"?

[turkey feather]

Jim has good advice. I love to travel but looks like that may be less likely now after accident. I can remember some things I wanted to see but DH did not want to stop so we skipped them but we never miss an antique shop. Set somthing up with a friend or a group of gals and do the things you have been unable to do.

[sw363535]

Jr.   I am here to help.  (thought us yoyos would not notice......eh?)

A town or city ------------- but that is not the gift.

Preferably one you don't do farm business in ------------ but that is not the gift

A neat city park with benches and shade ----------------------not the gift

Leave all electronic devices at least in the vehicle ------------ "       "       ".

Make sure you cannot see your field or pasture in any direction ----------------- still ""    ""    "".

Wander there before mid morning and find a comfortable spot ----------------- not the gift.

Start a discussion with her (past future any subject) ---------------------------""         ""      "".

Let her finish(and start) every subject, from then on and when she stops talking, look at her and smile----- don't stop looking.  When she looks away, try to see what she's seeing.  Do what she wants to do.  Give thoughtful answers to every question.  And say thank you at least 5 times before the sun sets.  Reclaim a good friendship ------------THAT IS THE Gift.

------------------------------------

If your wife is smart like mine, she will see right through it and drag you through some of the most embarassing knot holes you can imagine.  🙂

Tell her happy birthday from mr. & MRS. SW

[Kay/NC]

Not exactly a birthday special surprise, but if she is anything like most farm women, she probably has a pent-up list of chores and fix-its that she has wanted he with for a while. I know i really feel loved when Mike actually gives me fifteen minutes here and there, with warning, so i can have my head and the materials ready.

It might be an hour of planting bulbs, dragging sacks of mulch, or pruning limbs, it might be hanging a shelf in a closet. Whatever it is, it is something I would have already done myself, if i had the time, energy or independent skills. You can score a lot of brownie points this way...