Comments on "Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herselfTypePad2007-11-27T10:47:17ZDavid Bognerhttps://www.treppenwitz.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.treppenwitz.com/2007/11/is-he-calling-m/comments/atom.xml/Noa commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01b8d0912899970c2014-11-15T20:26:42Z2014-11-18T12:09:28ZNoaI just dig up this post )and am impressed I remembered it) because today Hadara was gifted the very same...<p>I just dig up this post )and am impressed I remembered it) because today Hadara was gifted the very same battle-axe necklace by Ariella. I'm guessing Gili never gave it to the girl he intended it for, and it was passed to Ari, who passed it to a very happy Hadara (who wasn't even a twinkle in my eye at the time of this post(.</p>Shimshonit commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550526e3788342007-12-03T21:59:43Z2008-02-14T04:53:10ZShimshonithttp://angst-in-a-sunburnt-land.blogspot.com/I have a scary factoid for you. Not knowing what a puka shell necklace looks like (though I recognized it...<p>I have a scary factoid for you. Not knowing what a puka shell necklace looks like (though I recognized it right away when I saw the picture) I did a Google search on "pukah shells" (using your spelling). Your blog was the first result that came up!</p>
<p>Your poor son. At least he's in good company; there are millions of nice Jewish boys out there who have no idea what to buy a girl. As long as he saves the receipt...</p>Jaime commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052758288342007-11-30T00:10:17Z2008-02-14T04:54:36ZJaimehttp://www.neshamashelanu.blogspot.comI can just imagine how it's going to be with my son. He is only five and often goes up...<p>I can just imagine how it's going to be with my son. He is only five and often goes up to the opposite sex, telling them how cute or beautiful they are. Of course, many of them are older - teenagers and grown-ups and they LOVE IT.</p>weese commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee27e88332007-11-29T17:37:19Z2008-02-14T04:52:49Zweesehttp://weese.blogspot.comha! David... you are too funny. Of course now you realize the fate of this poor adorable gal that Gil...<p>ha! David... you are too funny. <br />
Of course now you realize the fate of this poor adorable gal that Gil is enamored with.</p>psychotoddler commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550526d2888342007-11-28T14:40:16Z2008-02-14T04:53:01Zpsychotoddlerhttp://psychotoddler.blogspot.comThe fun is just beginning...<p>The fun is just beginning...</p>treppenwitz commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550526cd488342007-11-28T12:23:14Z2008-02-14T04:52:56Ztreppenwitzhttp://www.treppenwitz.comsafranit... I've always maintained that there is far more to be learned from the comments than from anything I might...<p>safranit... I've always maintained that there is far more to be learned from the comments than from anything I might write.</p>
<p>matlabfreak... Hopefully not any day too soon.</p>
<p>Abbi... That's my hope.</p>
<p>zahava... Who knew? :-)</p>
<p>Jack... Yeah, that dog won't hunt over at my place either. :-)</p>
<p>Val... Hopefully without the lesbian wife. :-)</p>
<p>antares... I have to go with Abbi on this one. At that age I think there is a lot more wiggle room.</p>
<p>Yehuda Berlinger... Projecting? Who's projecting???</p>
<p>cruisin-mom... True, but you might be setting the bar a tad low, don't you think? :-)</p>
<p>Sarah... Then I'm sure you would have asked him not to do so after, say, the second or third time it happened. My kids know that they are one of the many subjects of my posts and thus far have not expressed any problem with the arrangement. They both have computers and at least occasionally read my blog. Let's leave it up to them, ok?</p>
<p>aliyah06... I think/hope Gilad has enough sense to separate the lamb from the rest of the flock.</p>
<p>weese... Sheesh, it must have been a real stinker of a gift if it put you off boys altogether! ;-)</p>
<p>QuietusLeo... Yes, I know I owe you both a call and a coffee. Mea culp (cuppa!). Stand by. :-)</p>
<p>mata hari... I think you and Sara need to take a collective deep breath. First of all, I wrote very complimentary things about her. Second of all, no matter how closely one reads this post there is no conclusion to be drawn other than the fact that Gilad likes her very much. What could be bad?</p>
<p>Irina... Yeah, I was wondering how you would come down on this issue after seeing some of the pictures of you playing with your sword. :-)</p>
<p>Lion of Zion... Yikes, another country heard from. Maybe you, Mata Hari and Sarah should start a fund for my kid's therapy. :-)</p>
<p>Dave (Balashon)... Forget my last comment to LOZ, at this point the four of you could play bridge! :-)<br />
</p>Dave (Balashon) commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5505270bb88342007-11-28T08:47:00Z2008-02-14T04:53:35ZDave (Balashon)http://www.balashon.comI know you're going to say "the kids will be in therapy anyway", but I'm with Sarah and Lion on...<p>I know you're going to say "the kids will be in therapy anyway", but I'm with Sarah and Lion on this one.</p>
<p>And I'm writing as the son of a father who has told dozens of stories about me to thousands of teachers and printed them in his books. Even the embarrassing ones can be OK, with some perspective. But had he ever thought of writing or talking about my "love life" - I think he'd be the one in therapy...</p>Lion of Zion commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee7b988332007-11-28T06:31:21Z2008-02-14T04:53:42ZLion of Zionhttp://agmk.blogspot.comi'm sure your kid is going to love reading about his nascent love life online. i can't wait to read...<p>i'm sure your kid is going to love reading about his nascent love life online. i can't wait to read your post about his reaction to this post.</p>Irina commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503eea0d88332007-11-28T03:54:13Z2008-02-14T04:53:59ZIrinahttp://sicat222.blogspot.comI'm definitely with Abbi on this one - it really is the thought that counts, and yes, I would have...<p>I'm definitely with Abbi on this one - it really is the thought that counts, and yes, I would have felt the same way at 12 (especially considering that the trend for boys with crushes was to make fun of me ruthlessly rather than to think of gifts.) And actually, now that I think of it, the ax/bullet thing looks kind of cool... but I'm a weapon-liking weirdo, so perhaps I shouldn't be a standard for gift recipients. : )</p>mata hari commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee35e88332007-11-27T23:49:54Z2008-02-14T04:53:00Zmata harihttp://matahari3.blogspot.comso my first thought was - how cute, and wow up to girlfriends already....my next thought was - how is...<p>so my first thought was - how cute, and wow up to girlfriends already....my next thought was - how is this girl gonna feel (if she reads your blog) once she reads about this, or if her friends point it out to her. you know come to think of it, do your kids ever guest blog (like zehava)? i'd love to hear their points of view.</p>QuietusLeo commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee5d388332007-11-27T20:48:23Z2008-02-14T04:53:21ZQuietusLeohttp://quietusleo.blogspot.comLINK, darn it LINK. The above gratuitous LINK.... I definitely need some sleep before I go on call tomorrow, otherwise...<p>LINK, darn it LINK. The above gratuitous LINK....<br />
I definitely need some sleep before I go on call tomorrow, otherwise all hell will break loose.</p>QuietusLeo commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5505273c388342007-11-27T20:45:47Z2008-02-14T04:54:11ZQuietusLeohttp://quietusleo.blogspot.comThe above gratuitous is supposed to jog your memory. Even though I previewed the comment, I still forgot that little...<p>The above gratuitous is supposed to jog your memory. Even though I previewed the comment, I still forgot that little bit of information.</p>QuietusLeo commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee10388332007-11-27T20:42:47Z2008-02-14T04:52:35ZQuietusLeohttp://quietusleo.blogspot.comReading through the comments I've come to the conclusion that some of the advice is well meaning but may actually...<p>Reading through the comments I've come to the conclusion that some of the advice is well meaning but may actually cause more harm than good. It's probably better to faux pas at age 12 than at age 15 or 17. At some point we must trust our parenting skills and let the kids make their own mistakes. Sure, some fatherly advice is useful, but only if it is unsolicited. Since Gilad actually asked for your input (you lucky sonofagun), you have every excuse. So, my advice to Gilad is: go for it. The worst case scenario is that she thinks it's a terrible gift and never wants to have anything to do with him forever. <br />
<br />
My 8 yr old recently told me that I don't understand her at all. I told her to hold that thought because she's about 5 years to early and I haven't read that chapter yet.</p>
<p>On another subject altogether, I respectfully remind you, David, that you sort of promised me a cup of coffee. Don't know what I'm talking about do you? Well, <a href="http://quietusleo.blogspot.com/2007/11/sneaky-way-to-get-cup-of-coffee.html" rel="nofollow">The Sandman: A sneaky way to get a cup of coffee</a></p>weese commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee0e688332007-11-27T18:50:53Z2008-02-14T04:52:34Zweesehttp://weese.blogspot.comIts ok. I didn't know either. There I am dating myself now. And I clearly remember my first necklace gift...<p>Its ok. I didn't know either. There I am dating myself now.<br />
And I clearly remember my first necklace gift from a boyfriend. Ack. It was awful. Tho I was a couple years older - old enough to appreciate the thought.</p>
<p>Will you tell us how it all went? Will he tell you?</p>aliyah06 commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee57788332007-11-27T18:25:19Z2008-02-14T04:53:16Zaliyah06http://bakadiary.blogspot.comAs a former 12-year-old girl, I too, have to second Abbi's comment -- it's an awkward age, and the fact...<p>As a former 12-year-old girl, I too, have to second Abbi's comment -- it's an awkward age, and the fact that some boy bought her a present (which she will probably think it either a "cool" archeological thing or a "gross" Goth thing)can have one of two results: (a) she's truly friends with him in which case she'll be happy to receive a gift which represents he's thinking of her or (b) she sort of tolerates him and won't know what to do, so in the interest of being "cool" will probably not be very nice. I hope its the former. Tell him NOT to give her the gift in front of her friends--give to her when they're alone. In front of friends, 12-year-old girls are embarassed by what their girlfriends will think, and her reaction will be less of what she might really feel and more what she thinks her peer group wants her to do...</p>Abbi commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550526c3288342007-11-27T18:06:24Z2008-02-14T04:52:49ZAbbiAntares I can't imagine any 12 year old boy having a mature thought like that or any 12 year old...<p>Antares<br />
I can't imagine any 12 year old boy having a mature thought like that or any 12 year old girl expecting a mature thought like that to pop into a potential boyfriend's head. I'm sure both would be quite surprised if either was thinking like a 36-year-old Keats wannabe. </p>
<p>As a former 12 year old girl who didn't have many boys thinking of me at random souvenir stores at that age, I can tell you I'd have been thrilled that I was thought of enough to spend money on, even for something that actually has unwanted connotations. </p>
<p>I'm sorry you seem to have suffered much in this arena. </p>Sarah commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee8ce88332007-11-27T16:31:55Z2008-02-14T04:53:50ZSarahhttp://chayyeisarah.blogspot.comUm, if I were 12 and my father blogged about this, I'd die of humiliation. Do you plan to blog...<p>Um, if I were 12 and my father blogged about this, I'd die of humiliation. </p>
<p>Do you plan to blog about every step and misstep he ever makes with girls? Will we find out about every one of Ariella's crushes?</p>
<p>It's a little cruel, David.</p>cruisin-mom commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5505270e688342007-11-27T16:03:32Z2008-02-14T04:53:37Zcruisin-momhttp://cruisin-mom.blogspot.comWell, the only thing I got from the boy I had a crush on at the age of 12, was...<p>Well, the only thing I got from the boy I had a crush on at the age of 12, was a swift kick in the shins...so I'd say that Gilad has a head start, even with a "battle axe" necklace.</p>Yehuda Berlinger commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee22788332007-11-27T15:07:10Z2008-02-14T04:52:45ZYehuda Berlingerhttp://jergames.blogspot.comI'm pitching about 1 in 3 good gifts to my wife, so you top me. Try not to project your...<p>I'm pitching about 1 in 3 good gifts to my wife, so you top me.</p>
<p>Try not to project your own insecurities onto your kids. They'll have enough of their own. Gilad may know more than you think he does.</p>
<p>Yehuda</p>antares commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052723288342007-11-27T14:51:28Z2008-02-14T04:53:50ZantaresAbbi No, it is the gift that counts. The gift is the tangible expression of the thought. A well-chosen gift...<p>Abbi</p>
<p>No, it is the gift that counts. </p>
<p>The gift is the tangible expression of the thought. A well-chosen gift says, 'I know you; I know what you like; because I gave effort and time to find out. And with that hard-won knowledge, I sought the best my purse could purchase to express my appreciation of you.'</p>
<p>I am sorry, Gilad. What this pendant says is 'Hey, I was at a gift shop on a field trip, and I saw this thing, and I liked it, and you popped into my head, and I thought maybe you would like it too, and I thought that would be neat, so I got it for you. Do you like it?'</p>
<p>The good news is that you are only 12 and this is a passing crush and you will learn from it. The bad news is that you are 12 and this is your first love and rejection seems devastating. </p>
<p>The really bad news is that years later, rejection seems devastating. That's why there is marriage. Not so there's no rejection, but so there's assured forgiveness.</p>Val commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550526e2588342007-11-27T14:17:42Z2008-02-14T04:53:09ZValhttp://bogieval.blogs.com/valcentric/HysTERical, David! Gilad is setting himself up to be Ross on "Friends"!!!! I'm sure the girl will be touched that...<p>HysTERical, David! Gilad is setting himself up to be Ross on "Friends"!!!! </p>
<p>I'm sure the girl will be touched that Gili bought her ANYTHING and the odds of her knowing what it symbolizes are slim.</p>
<p>I, too, can't believe that somehow he's of the age of having a girlfriend. And it's the same one he had in August????!!! WOW, that's like a RELATIONSHIP or something? <br />
I'll shut up now!</p>Jack commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e550526c1f88342007-11-27T14:10:07Z2008-02-14T04:52:49ZJackhttp://wwwjackbenimble.blogspot.com/I didn't have the heart to tell him that he had just set out upon a lifetime of giving terribly...<p><i>I didn't have the heart to tell him that he had just set out upon a lifetime of giving terribly inappropriate and/or ill-conceived gifts to people of the opposite sex.</i></p>
<p>It is a time honored tradition in which you explain why a hammer, barbecue and or new computer is going to be so good for BOTH of you. That is the key. You must always mention BOTH of you with a very earnest look on your face.</p>
<p>Ok, it didn't work for me either, at least not nearly as often as I would have liked.</p>zahava commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee80f88332007-11-27T13:58:57Z2008-02-14T04:53:44ZzahavaI think the only suitable gift I ever bought a girl when I was a kid was the one year...<p><i>I think the only suitable gift I ever bought a girl when I was a kid was the one year in 7th grade when the de rigueur gift was either a necklace or bracelet made from white 'pukah shells' (did I just date myself?).</i></p>
<p>Ummmm.... YUP! You <b>DEFINITELY</b> dated yourself.</p>
<p><i>Zahava has actually done fairly well (or so she says), with only about one gift in three being truly cringe-worthy.</i></p>
<p>YUP! She <b>DOES</b> say! :-) You don't, by the way, give yourself enough credit (on this subject, at least). Your odds are far better than one-in-three. In 16-plus years I can think of only 3 serious misses and 2 minor ones. And two of them were while we were dating or during the first year of marriage when we didn't know each other <b>that</b> well -- so I'm thinking those don't count so much. </p>
<p>Between anniversaries, Chanukah, and birthdays, not to mention the "Gee!-I-think-my-wife-is-TERRIFIC-and-I-should-bestow-her-with-tangible-appreciation" moments we are talking about an average of 3.5 gift giving opportunities per year. Since we are rapidly approaching our 17th-anniversary-of-the-day-we-met (isn't that cute how I worked another gift-giving opportunity in there?!) that comes to a sum total of 59.5 gifts. That's a <b>91.5% success</b> rate if you count all 5 "misses." It's a 94.9% rate of success if you remove the "getting-to-know" you gaffes.....</p>
<p>Think about it. 3 misses. And if I weren't such a <b>design diva</b> I probably would have liked them better (insert the "No. It's not you. It's me." speech here)....</p>
<p>As for Gili.... Isn't there a way to halt the growing process for just a few seconds here and there so parents can savor the various stages of their growth? Hmmm....?! Anyone?! Didn't we just take him home from the hospital? </p>
<p>[sigh]</p>Abbi commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee1e888332007-11-27T13:43:44Z2008-02-14T04:52:42ZAbbiOh dear. What's that saying, about how it's the thought that counts? If she's keen on him, then I'm sure...<p>Oh dear. What's that saying, about how it's the thought that counts?</p>
<p>If she's keen on him, then I'm sure she'll love it no matter what.</p>matlabfreak commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee7bb88332007-11-27T12:12:02Z2008-02-14T04:53:42Zmatlabfreakhttp://matlabfreak.blogspot.comROFL! I haven't actually laughed out loud reading a blog in a while. Oh, Gilad is definitely in for a...<p>ROFL! I haven't actually laughed out loud reading a blog in a while. Oh, Gilad is definitely in for a rude awakening one day.</p>safranit commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052726a88342007-11-27T12:11:13Z2008-02-14T04:53:52Zsafranithttp://israhome.blogsome.comI never knew how educational your blog could be...or at least the comments are :) Good luck David...may the force...<p>I never knew how educational your blog could be...or at least the comments are :)</p>
<p>Good luck David...may the force be with you.</p>treppenwitz commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e55052712788342007-11-27T11:48:59Z2008-02-14T04:53:41Ztreppenwitzhttp://www.treppenwitz.coma. ... Oh, is that what it's called? Here, let me do a quick shearch online. BRB Oh crap! Not...<p>a. ... Oh, is that what it's called? Here, let me do a quick shearch online. BRB </p>
<p>Oh crap! Not only is he really out of his depth, but both his auntie and my blog daughter will be furious with me for not knowing that! </p>a. commented on '"Is he calling me a 'battle-axe'?" She asked herself'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef00e5503ee4d788332007-11-27T11:30:37Z2008-02-14T04:53:11Za.Oh dear... are you sure you know all there is to know about the Labrys?<p>Oh dear... are you sure you know all there is to know about the Labrys?</p>