I hope I'm right about this

[FedoraDave]

My birthday is December 28th. SWMBO likes this, as she waits until after Christmas to shop for me, and whatever I didn't get for Christmas that she knows I wanted, well, that's a good choice for a birthday present.

But I digress.

My mom sent me a message in Facebook this morning. She said she had ordered my birthday present, and was having it delivered directly to my house. She also added "Feel free to use it before your birthday."

Now, it could be a nice Oxford shirt from L.L. Bean, which I had asked for, and Mom likes to shop online at L.L. Bean. That would be cool. But I also asked for a 3 gallon Better Bottle carboy, because I'm beginning to not trust my LBKs after my recent gusher fiascos. They're all about four years old, and I'm thinking it's time to replace them, holding one in reserve just in case.

But here's my train of logical thought: Mom and Dad live in the same town as I do. It would take me 5 minutes to drive to their house, at the most. A shirt is easy to accept delivery on, and wrap, and whatnot. A carboy, though.... My parents are in their 80s, and she wouldn't want to wrap a box that big, and might even mistakenly think it would be too heavy or bulky (not realizing that a Better Bottle is light as a feather). And "using it" before my birthday? Well, she knows I brew every weekend, and I doubt she'd say that about a shirt.....

Keep your fingers crossed, Hat Fans. I'm going to wait until my actual birthday, because it's more fun that way. But I'll let you know.

[John Sand]

Happy Birthday Dave! But it's an exotic dancer in beer labels, your mom told me! Hope you're not disappointed. My birthday just passed, and I got only one beer gift: Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher. It looks great. Oh, and I'll trade you a plastic bottle for that dancer, as long as she brings beer and cleans up after.

[FedoraDave]

John, Randy Mosher kicks asterisk! I have "Radical Brewing", and it's a real eye-opening read. Mosher will serve you well, young Padawan.

And if you think an 80+-year-old good Christian woman from Tennessee would give one of her boys an exotic dancer in beer labels for his birthday, well, son, you're plumb twitter-pated.

[John Sand]

Well, we can dream!

[FedoraDave]

Yeah, and the great thing is, my mom would laugh about this. She's cool that way.

[JimH]

Ever consider she got you an Apple II? Those things are top of the line fancy, and how could you not break it out and use it before your birthday?

Good Luck, Dave! Whatever it is you got!

[philm00x]

Ever consider she got you an Apple II? Those things are top of the line fancy...

Dude, I think I recall playing the Oregon Trail on one of those in 5th grade!

Happy early birthday, Hat! I'm certain I won't remember it then, so I'll say it now

[John Sand]

Yeah, and the great thing is, my mom would laugh about this. She's cool that way.

Good! I certainly meant no offense. Cause if your mom got mad, then I'd have to call my mom. And maybe she limps a little, but she's from Brooklyn, and raised 5 boys!

[mashani]

Ever consider she got you an Apple II? Those things are top of the line fancy...

Dude, I think I recall playing the Oregon Trail on one of those in 5th grade!

Happy early birthday, Hat! I'm certain I won't remember it then, so I'll say it now

Oregon Trail? LOL. Anyone remember "Spitz"?

[FedoraDave]

Yeah, and the great thing is, my mom would laugh about this. She's cool that way.

Good! I certainly meant no offense. Cause if your mom got mad, then I'd have to call my mom. And maybe she limps a little, but she's from Brooklyn, and raised 5 boys!

Then she is not to be trifled with.

[John Sand]

[Gymrat]

Damn Dave...I think you might be a home brewer. All the subtle little signals are there.

[FedoraDave]

I was trying to keep it a secret.

[Banjo-guy]

Your Mom is using Face Book? Wow. I've been trying to talk my 85 year old mother into getting an ipad but I know I would become a 24/7 tech support when I do.

I think my mother was actually on the Oregon Trail!

[John Sand]

My mother in law has a computer- she just doesn't use it. Same with my mom. They are both 78.